The End of My Journey of Thankfulness-Day 22

Day 22-Happy Thanksgiving! 

I am thankful for today, and the meaning behind today.

Count each and every little blessing.

Think of why we celebrate today, read up on your history and

 remember why today truly is a day to set aside and be thankful!

It kills me how Thanksgiving is turning into a forgotten holiday, it's more of a prep day for Black Friday and Christmas ( in fact Black "Friday" shopping now starts on Thursday night! seriously?!)

Don't spend today thinking of all the things you want to buy and have tomorrow.....look around you, be grateful, hug and kiss your loved ones, listen to the stories, laugh, and enjoy the bounty of food on your table.

Praise God for giving you life!

Do you do anything special on Thanksgiving?

What's your favorite part about today?

So that wraps up the end of my Journey! I am so glad I was able to do it, it has really put things into perspective for me and has helped me develop a good healthy habit of counting my blessings daily! There were times when I just did not want to take the time to blog...but then I would remember why I started this! This was a journey worth taking, I learned a lot along the way and realized how truly blessed I am!

A Journey of Thankfulness- Day 21

Day 21- You

Today am thankful for you. Yes, you- the reader. I am thankful to have my little corner on the web where I can write and ramble and share my thoughts with you. I truly do appreciate you stopping by, following, and leaving a comment every now and then. ( oh those comments make me smile!)

I am thankful to have discovered blogger, and for all the blogs that have inspired me along the way.

I have been blogging for several years now and it is most definitely something I hope to continue doing for years to come! I love knowing that with just a few simply clicks I can take a trip back in time and revisit all my old thoughts and memories. It's nice knowing there is home for all of them, somewhere they can live and be saved.

Thank you once again for you support!

p.s. tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I hope you are settling in with your families and already enjoying it all!

A Journey of Thankfulness- Day 20

Day 20- Music
I am thankful for music. It is such an interwoven part of me that I cannot fathom separating the two! I have grown up singing and listening to music. Not a day goes by that I am not jamming to beat or humming some song. Music speaks to me in a way nothing else can...and  I am a firm believer that there is a song for every emotion and feeling! Music can lift me up out of a downcast mood or help soothe me when I have trouble sleeping. God has blessed us with the ability to hear, and the ability to sing and write wonderful music.
I have never stuck to one genre, I'm very much a song to song person.

I am also thankful that I have grown up singing in church, I can't think of nothing I enjoy more than singing hymns and praises to God!

Here is a small taste of what type of music mood I've been in lately.
 ( thank you Mumford & Sons Pandora Station!)

A Journey of Thankfulness- Days 16-19

Days 16-19 : Siblings

( left to right: Chloe, Abel, Me, Hannah, & Lydia)

I apologize for the delay in posts...blogger and I have been having a bit of a disagreement.. 

but we are now once again on "speaking" terms. 

I mentioned my older sister Sara  in my previous blog post, and had planned on spending the next few days on my 4 younger siblings. However, I stumbled across this picture and decided it would perfect for this catch-up post!

I really can't put into words ( nor do I have the time or space) to describe to you how much I love my 4 younger siblings...and how thankful I am that God saw fit to bless me with them.

I can't imagine life without them!

Hannah- next in line after me.. has been my partner in crime since we could both walk.  We are only separated by 3 years and have grown incredibly close over time. ( part of that has to do with us having shared a room since she was born). Hannah has an incredible sense of humor, she makes me laugh every single day with her witty banter and quick comebacks. She is also the queen of reactions, if I ever need a pick-me-up all I have to do is catch her off guard! ha ha. Hannah is the life of the party in our home. She is a sponge of knowledge- one smart cookie. She is finishing up her first semester of college and I can't wait to see where this journey takes her! She is also the most loyal person you will EVER meet. I love her.

Lydia- As soon as she could walk & talk she always acted much older than her age.. and even at 16 I sometimes catch myself thinking she is my age. Lydia is incredibly mature, but also the most girly girl of the family. She loves makeup, style, and anything fashionable. Her sense of style and attention to detail is something I wish I had! She is full of creative ideas and can whip up something in the kitchen better than Paula Dean! She is also a very caring and nurturing person...she simply loves caring for others. Lydia lights up our lives with her laughter and caring personality. I love her!

Chloe- This girl, she reminds me so much of myself in many ways. She's 12 and is growing more and more into a lovely young woman every day. Chloe's imagination is incredible...she can come up with an idea, and turn it into a play or a movie. She is full to the brim with ideas and  will go far! She is also always thinking of a way to make others happy. I don't know what I would do without her laughter and randomness...I can't wait to see where life takes her! I love her!

Abel- I've written about him here. but I can always say more! Gosh, what would us girls do without our baby brother...although he is far from being a baby anymore! This dude makes everyday life an adventure. He is currently going through a "survival man/ scientist" phase and our house is filled with the sounds of explosions and surprise attacks ha ha! I love him!

I can't believe God has blessed me with such amazing siblings, each of them brings to life something new, and they each push me in their own way to be a better person.
I am SO thankful for them!

A Journey of Thankfulness- Day 15

Day 15- Sara & Kenneth

Today  Kenneth came down from Alabama to visit my sister Sara ( they are probably the cutest engaged couple I have ever seen...I'm not biased at all!). I am so thankful for him, and I am very thankful that God blessed those two to meet. If you ever want to witness two of the most sincere, selfless,  happy, genuine,  and God fearing people then look no further than these two! They have set a wonderful example to me of how,  despite being 6 hours apart,  a relationship that puts each other and the Lord  first can work out beautifully! ( no matter how far apart you are from each other!). 

I love watching these two together, they are always laughing and have a million little inside jokes.

The are happy simply being together. 

They share a love that will continue to grow! 

I am thankful for their wonderful testimony to how God truly does bring the right people together,

 and His timing is always perfect.

Kenneth and Sara have set an official wedding date! February 16, 2013!! 

Let the wedding planning begin!

A Journey of Thankfulness- Day 14

Day 14-Friends

( Hannah, I, Jessica, and Kelsey)

I am thankful for my dear friends. Those kindred spirits that no matter how much time passes in between visits, we still remain close friends.  These girls are so encouraging, and while we are all busy with our jobs, lives, and families, we always try to make a little time here and there

to catch up with each other when we can.

I am so thankful for each of them, they encourage me, lift me up when I'm down, make me laugh, and I know that if I'm ever in need of something all I have to do is call.

It's amazing to see how far we've come over the years, and how much we have all grown. So many changes and milestones yet our friendship is still constant.

I am so blessed!

A Journey of Thankfulness-Day 13

Day 13- Prayer

I am so thankful that at any moment, place, time, or for any reason I can simply bow my head and lift my thoughts and prayers up to the Lord. This is an honor and privilege that I often neglect and take for granted. Even when I am in a place or situation where bowing my head or kneeling is simply not possible, I can still send a silent prayer up to the Lord. He is always present, ready to listen. 

I am thankful that I can personally have a conversation with God! WOW! 

The Creator of the entire Universe listens to MY prayers!

Prayer is a beautiful gift  to not only use when I am in sincere need of something, but when I am full of thanksgiving, praise, or lifting someone else up who is in need.  

Prayer is not meant to be a wish list to God, 

but a way to communicate with the one who knows you better than you know yourself. 

I am so thankful for prayer!

A Journey of Thankfulness- Day 12

Day 12- Isaac

I am thankful that today marks 6 months being in a relationship with my best friend.

I am amazed that God has so richly blessed me in this area of my life! I feel so undeserving. 

Isaac motivates me to not only be better person,
but shows me that in all aspects of life one can find a reason to laugh
 ( and that one should never be afraid of acting silly,
 because life is simply more fun when you embrace the silly side of it!) 

I am so thankful for someone who accepts me completely and understands me so well. 

I am thankful that he is my best friend, teammate,and encourager in my walk of faith. 

I can't imagine embarking on life's adventures with anyone else!

I am thankful that God blessed me so abundantly and I am so excited to where
 this chapter in our lives takes us!

I just can't put into words how happy this fellow makes me! 

A Journey of Thankfulness-Days 9-11

Sorry for the lack if posts...you see, my Dad came to visit us and we have not seen him in almost 2 months. He surprised my mom and it was probably the sweetest thing I have ever seen! We are enjoying every moment we have together as a family since he has to leave us again tomorrow. I am SO thankful for my family that it probably would take 3 days just to write about it all! I am enjoying every moment I have with them right now, ( this is where life happens and blogging gets put on hold for a little bit) I am counting the overwhelming amount of blessings I have. God is so good.

A Journey of Thankfulness- Day 8

Day 8-Titus

I adopted Titus from the clinic I work at about this time last year. ( I can't believe it's been a year!!) 

I was in school at the time, quite busy and extremely stressed out.  I had been telling myself for the longest time to wait until I graduated from college before adopting a dog....and then I met Titus. A husky mix with  an outgoing playful personality. Let's just say he stole my little heart right away and adopting him was the best decision I made while in school! That dog was  the best stress reliever I could have ever asked for! ( and still is!) He is my running partner and constant companion...he even goes to work with me and out to the farm practically every day. Titus loves to play fetch ( with a giant soccer ball), and squeaky toys are his absolute favorite! He gives the best hugs and when he is VERY excited about something he will sing to you!( the only time he makes any noise.. ) He loves staying busy ( sound familiar?? ha ha) and is always ready to go out on a run or load up in car and go somewhere. I am so thankful for him, and I told him he must live forever!

Here is a short video of him "singing"..enjoy!

A Journey of Thankfulness- Day 7

Day 7- Days Off

I am so thankful for days off. Don't get me wrong, most folks who have met me know I am the kinda gal who loves to work and enjoys staying busy. But I also think one can "go to work" too much and we all need a mental break, that day off, from time to time. ( or for me at least once or twice week if possible! ha ha) Thankfully the clinic I work at takes great care of their employees and not only ensures that everyone gets a day off each week, but they are also  fantastic with allowing me to take quite a bit of vacation time if needed! ( or wanted) Ironically,  my days off usually consist of me being busier than ever, but I'm busy doing the things I love...for the most part ( or tackling that ever growing to-do list!). Today I went out and gave training rides to several horses ( basically spent all morning out at the horse farm! *heaven*) and then the rest of my day was spent catching up with the family, doing laundry, researching a few things I've been interested in, working out, and watching a few movies. Overall a rather good day! I am thankful for everything I had the opportunity to do today, and I am SO thankful for days off!

Whatever "job" you may have, whether it be a career,  or maybe you're a  full time student, or perhaps you are a mother ( or mommy to be!)...take some time off and go bask in the sunshine!
Free yourself a little and count your blessings!

A Journey of Thankfulness-Day 6

Day 6- Freedom to Vote

I am so thankful to live in a free country where I am blessed with the opportunity to vote! 

I voted today, and I hope you did too!

There are so many countries where freedom is only a dream,

 and the chance for the people to vote is a foreign concept.

Never take for granted the incredibly honor and privilege our forefathers and men in uniform have fought to keep for you! Voting is a privilege.

I am thankful for this!

A Journey of Thankfulness-Day 5

Day 5- Mom

My mother is full to the brim of faith and forgiveness. I have never met a more steadfast woman than her. She married a traveling minister at the age of 23 ( my Daddy) raised 5 girls and 1 boy ( and still raising them since the baby, my little brother, is only 10). She quit her job as a nurse to be a homemaker and raise her children. She even took the time to teach us at home. My mom has gone through much throughout her life, yet not once have I ever seen her throw up her hands in defeat. Not once have I seen her give up, or break down and say she can't do this anymore. Her faith in God is something I wish I had. Her love for my Dad is unconditional. She has stood by her man without question and has picked up the family many times to move where The Lord has led him. She does not question God's will, she simply smiles and makes the most of what she has. She believes in each of her children and has always encouraged us do greater things and better ourselves all while putting God first in our lives. Now I see her as not only my mother, but the dearest friend I could ever ask for.

 I am so thankful for her.

*picture is from May, my college graduation, I get the height from my Dad obviously ha ha!

A Journey of Thankfulness- Day 4

Day 4- Spiritual Freedom

I am thankful for the freedom to go to church- today and every other chance I get to. 

I am thankful that each and every morning I have the freedom to sit down read God's word 

( to my heart's content).

I am so thankful that I can freely say I. love. the. Lord. 

I am thankful that I can get down on my knees and pray.

I am thankful that I have the freedom  to serve, honor and worship the Creator, the Great I AM.

What a grand blessing it is to live in a country where I have religious freedom.

I am thankful that I love Jesus, because He first loved me. 

A Journey of Thankfulness-Day 3

Day 3-The horses

Horse have been a huge part of my life for as far back as I can remember. As a young girl, when I wasn't riding,  I was absorbing every ounce of horse knowledge I possibly could- I was a sponge! While out riding this afternoon I was really in awe of how very blessed I am to be a part of this incredible world. God's creation is truly amazing! I often tell people that if it wasn't for my early involvement in horses-my entire teenage life spent working at the horse stables, riding, training, and competing - I would not be who I am today or where I am in my life today. It's not just the great horses I have had the honor of working with ( each one has taught me so much) but the people who have mentored and educated  me throughout this journey. In fact, I almost shudder to think where I would be if it wasn't for my involvement in horses. It has taught me responsibility, strength,  trust, hard work ethic, perseverance, respect, humbleness, determination. appreciation, patience ( a lot of it), diligence, self motivation, discipline, gentleness, and much much more. 

 I am so thankful for the horses!

A Journey of Thankfulness- Day 2

Day 2- The Bare Necessities

I went shopping recently, and shopping for stuff like clothes has never been my cup of tea. I often find it overwhelming ( usually after 30min I am done and simply want to run to the outdoors and inhale the fresh air!)... and this recent shopping trip was no different.  I went in confident of the the few items I felt like I needed, but upon entering I was soon overwhelmed with the sense that there was SO much more that I REALLY needed. I needed this, I most definitely needed that, I could really use some of those... so many things, so many choices!! Before I knew it,  I was second guessing my choices and wasn't quite sure of what I should get first anymore. Marketing is sneaky like that, placing items and advertisements right where you can't possibly avoid them before that seed is planted in your mind..that seed of "I NEED!".  Thankfully, I was able to snap myself out of the needy cycle and left the store with only what I originally planned to purchase. 

* insert triumphant Rocky theme song here* 

That brings me to today's thankful post.  I am blessed with SO MUCH! 

Plenty of clothes, a car, a cell phone, three meals a day and snacks anytime I want, a job, a direct deposit to my bank account every 2 weeks, a bed, a roof over my head, insurance, as many cups of hot tea as I could possibly want in a day, God's word, good health, doctors when I need them.... even the bare necessities is more than I really need or deserve. How easy it is to become overwhelmed with a sense of " I don't have enough" or "I really need more". Even when I cut down to only what I really use on a day to day basis, I have so much!! I need to keep this in mind, I don't need all the stuff I think I do!

I am thankful for that. 

A Journey of Thankfulness- Day 1

It's already November.  N.O.V.E.M.B.E.R. Good gravy where in the world has this year gone?! October was certainly a month of work and simply getting things done- with some very good weekends thrown into the mix. Now November has graced Florida with her presence and brought the cooler temperatures along with her * insert happy fall dance here*. Thanksgiving will be right around the corner,  and while I try to always count my blessings every chance I get...there is this wonderful holiday that brings to light all those blessings even more so! Thanks to this blog, I have been inspired to blog about my thankfulness this year. I think it'll be good for me to hopefully record daily something I am thankful for.... it'll be good for me mentally, spiritually, and even physically! I can't promise that I will be diligent in posting on time, life does happen, but I will certainly try! If you decide to join me on this journey of thankfulness,  I would love to know! Just leave a comment below.


Day 1-  Kind Folk

Today I met someone for the first time, yet she left such a wonderful impression on me that I feel like I've known her for ages! She had such a warmness and friendliness about her that you just couldn't help but want to be warm and friendly right back. She made me feel relaxed and gave me room to be myself and feel right at home.  That got me thinking about how thankful I am for the kind folk in this world...the folk who still take the time to greet you with sincere kindness and warmth even if you are a complete stranger to them! They aren't afraid to smile and laugh with genuine happiness, and they truly are interested in getting to know you even if it's just for a short while. Their friendliness is infectious and you walk away some optimism of your own to share.  How much lonelier and cold the world would be without  the kind folk in it. I am so thankful for them. It has me doing some inner reflection and praying that God will grant me with the willingness to be kind to the folk that I do not know, to smile when I am waiting in line and to seize every opportunity I have to be encouraging, helpful, kind, and friendly. What a world of difference one small gesture can mean to someone, for I know it means the world to me!

I had this on my mind all afternoon and so I felt like it was a good place to start!

Count Your Blessings!