Thankful Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful this year!

I am thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am a sinner, but He chose do take my punishment and die for me, and every time I think about it, my eyes just well up with tears of gratitude.

I am thankful for my God, who is who He says He is, who will never leave me, forget me, or forsake me. I am thankful that He created me for His purpose, and that He has a wonderful and most perfect plan for my life. I am thankful for His unfailing love, and that He never tires of hearing from me or tires of me in general.

I am thankful for my family. We don't get along all the time, but we still love each other. My parents love to see me succeed and do whatever they can to help me get there. My sisters and I are way different, but we can still have good times together.

I am thankful for Mitch. I really don't even have the words right now. He is so loving and patient. He puts up with me when I'm uptight, and he has helped me to loosen up over the past few years. HE is always surprising me by doing something totally wonderful and unexpected. That man deserves an award, but for now he'll have to make do with my heart.

I am thankful for my boyfriend's family. They have loved me since the beginning, and I have always felt welcome. I love them all- his mom and dad, his little sister, his grandparents, aunt & uncle, and his cousin and his wife and kids. I love doing life with them, and I'm looking forward to being with everybody and celebrating today.

I am thankful for my adopted family. They took me into their lives and their hearts when I needed them most, but was pushing most people away. They saw past the hurt and anger to help me heal. They have opened their home to me, shared their wonderful little boy with me, and made me feel like I'm truly part of the family.

I am thankful for CrossFit, and the community of my box. I can't even begin to describe how overwhelmed I was this past Monday, when I just wanted to quit and the other ladies, and the coaches, and even some of the guys gathered around me to cheer me on, support me, and help me push through the last reps. That moved me so much that in addition to my tears or frustration with my body (why wouldn't it do what I wanted it to?) I was crying tears of overwhelming gratitude. I couldn't have done that without them, and I wouldn't have been able to return after my first day 3 months back if the community hadn't been so open and welcoming.

I am thankful for music, and the way I feel it deep within me. I don't doubt for a minute that the Lord has embedded music deep within my heart for a reason, and I love use it to serve and love His people.

I am thankful for my friends. We don't live in the same cities, or even the same states or countries right now. But even though distance may separate us, we're together in our hearts. And even though when school and life get busy, we may go months without really talking, or talking much at all, when we finally are reunited, it's like we didn't miss a beat.

I am thankful for the experiences I've had this year. Even though 2012 has been a roller coaster, and I frequently say that I can't wait for 2013, for a fresh start, there have been some great things in the midst of all the muck. I made friends. I went to the lake for the first time. I fell in love with a little boy, and I love being his Miss Emily. I've played with babies and toddlers, and mentored 4th and 5th graders. I've spent time finding comfort in my kitchen, in tweaking recipes and gifting others with the treats. I've made my first pie crust, and tried my hand at meals that got the boyfriend approval stamp. I've held Little Man in my arms while he slept. I've come to know the Lord on a deeper level. I've pushed myself, and I've been pushed to grow by others.

There is so much to be thankful for this year, and it isn't even done yet. What do you have to be thankful for?