Moments of Thanksgiving!

The month of November has come and has also almost ended just as fast. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is such a time of reflection and really taking time to appreciate all that the Lord has done the past year and all the things that the Lord has blessed me with. This year I definitely have soo much to be thankful for, it can be quite an overwhelming occurrence as one sits still before the Father and begins to go over all that one has been given and will still receive in the months and years to come. I have listed below just a handful of the things that I am beyond grateful for.

1. I am first and foremost so thankful to my loving Savior who exhorted, encouraged, and loved me through a whole  nother year, through trials, set backs, discouragement, victories, and so much more not once was I left alone. Each new year that I am blessed with life I am so excited to see all that the Lord will teach me and how He will grow me through trials and triumph.  

2. This year I was able to graduate from two schools. I now have my bachelors as well as my license in cosmetology. These were two very big goals for me but the Lord was soo faithful in walking every step of the way with me, I stayed the course and completed the race. It has been a strange transition from a life in school full time to  looking for jobs and not having any homework to do when I get home. (I have been able to get used to that part of it very easily though :p)

3. Thirdly I am so thankful for an amazing family who loves the Lord! I have been so blessed to be raised in a godly home, not a perfect home by any means, but a home where failure is learned from and where forgiveness flows. I would not be the person I am today without my parents gracious guidance and continually pointing me to the cross and Christ time after time again. They have been there for me in my highs and lows. 

4. My church family. Grace CHurch Fellowship has been such an incredible Spirit filled body of believers that I am soo blessed to be a part of. This spring will mark 3 years that I have been heavily involved in numerous ministries at the church. My faith has been tested and pushed beyond its limits inside those four walls and I cant imagine life being anywhere else. It truly is a blessing and I love each and every person there so much. 

5. Last but not least I am so thankful for the Lords constance, and ultimate sovereignty in my Dad's life this past week. I got the scare of my life, when it feels like your world is close to falling apart and spinning out of control the only thing to turn to is the ROck of Ages. The One who is always in control and who is never for a split second confused. My Dad just suffered from a heart attack on Monday and the doctors said that he was very close to not pulling through if he hadn't been in San Diego close to good hospitals. You never think something like this will happen to you and then it does you don't know exactly what to think. 

As I faced the possibility of having to continue to live a life without my Father I was humbled and graciously reminded God is enough. No matter what this life may bring, I have a solid foundation in Christ to lean and rest upon. In all that life throws at me Jesus constantly asks me "Am I enough, am I the Only One you need, are you placing your trust and ultimate love in another besides Me" Uggh its painful because in this case its my Dad, thats not bad right, but yes it is when he is place above your need and reliance on the Lord. 

It has also been a great reminder of just how precious life is. That God is the giver of every breath and that He gives as takes away according to His perfect will and purpose. Praise be to God that my Dad is alive and well and on the road to recovery. Even though the Lord soo often uses trials and hard time to teach us and remind us of life transforming truths , my prayer is that I will always welcome these seasons with patience and grace looking to the Savior to teach and change me into a person more and more like Jesus. 

This holiday season make sure to stop and count the big and small blessings the Lord has so graciously poured out in your life. The Lord is sooo worthy of our thanks and praise. Grace and Peace to all.