thankful.

Many have been posting their "I'm thankful for..." posts on Facebook all month.  I don't know why, but I didn't want to join in on the daily posts.  At the same time, I am so blessed and thankful.  So, as we relax at Steve's parents' house over Thanksgiving weekend, it seemed a fitting time to share my own "thankful" list... so here it is:

1. my truly amazing, gifted, kind, generous and tenderhearted husband
2. our firstborn daughter, Morgan - passionate, encouraging, speaker of truth
3. our zany, loving, tender, creative daughter, Bailey
4. our sweet, spontaneous, stylish, spitfire daughter, Spencer
5. our youngest and now tallest child and only son, Easton - deep voice, full of energy, kind, gentle spirit
6. my health - God has blessed me with a great, healthy year of which I am so grateful and don't take lightly
7. my parents and their never-ending love for me... and their willingness to take youngest two for a month :)
8. family and friends in Indiana, California and around the world
9. our "home" in Riverside, CA
10. my new job at California Baptist University - three months into my first school year and I've survived so far... looking forward to learning much more throughout the rest of the year and for years to come
11. students I have an opportunity to minister to through a smile, a kind word, a hug, and words of encouragement
12. flexibility with virtual school for Spencer & Easton to enjoy a month in Indiana with family and friends
13. as a family, joining The Gary Bonner Singers - learning TONS of music and looking forward to singing our first concerts with the group in December
14. palm trees and bougainvilleas
15. warm days and cool nights
16. sunshine and blue skies
17. great insurance coverage, facilities and service by all who we've encounter through Kaiser Permanente while Steve's been dealing with multiple kidney stones over the past four weeks
18. Roku - an awesome little box that allows us to watch our netflix, hulu, etc. on our tv without hooking up a computer
19. goodwill stores - the best black Friday (and every other day) deal place on earth
20. church opportunities for Steve to fill in as pianist, organist, choir director, worship leader over the past two months
21. God's amazing provision for our "daily needs"
22. two churches discussing openings for a part-time worship leader with Steve
23. Morgan has 3 jobs and God is continues to provide for her
24. Bailey is enjoying singing, dancing, acting and drawing at NWHS
25. Spencer is resilient and enjoying life in California
26. Easton is growing up into a gentle, sweet young man (who happens to love video games)
27. chocolate, pizza, PF Chang's lettuce wraps, and diet coke :)
28. God's love so amazing that He chose to give His only Son for me (and you)
29. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for us and gift of eternal life
30. the Spirit who works in and through me daily

And, thank you!  We are wishing each of you a blessed season as you reflect on what you are thankful for and look forward to the celebration of the greatest gift of all - Jesus' birth!