It's been awhile

Wow I don't even know where to begin!  July has came & went and August is on it's way out.  Mom's been gone a year.  Yesterday I had to put down one of my best friends, PJ our mini-schnauzer that we rescued 3 years ago.  In addition I chipped my front tooth while engaging in day 3 of new preschool job activities. (more on that later).  On the kid front there have been surgeries, cheer camp, cheer competition, and mission trips.  On the (new) home front we've signed a new purchase agreement and are forever faithful this is the path God has laid out for us and even though there are detours along the way we will arrive at our destination.  Whew...

I gotta say though that no matter the ups/downs that come at me I am so thankful that through each one God allows me to see the blessings.  It's truly overwhelming.  Bottom line, it's AWESOME!  For instance:  my incredibly broken toe - broken before Heather & I ever began our journey in search of THE shoes that would help to ease her fear of public speaking (haha) I broke my toe, major!  Through laughter, retail therapy and great company I trudged through the pain and ultimately reset the break.  I was able to praise Jesus through the pain because of the friendship and support of another He knowingly placed in my life.  How often do you hear one express thanks for the blessing of a dentist?  Well, I do. (and i am NOT a fan of dentistry) Thankful that not only is my dentist a good one at that, but that she is someone I can call a friend.  Just knowing her on a personal level makes checkups more doable and emergencies less freaky!  What a blessing to have her work me in, in a super timely fashion to repair my broken off bit of front tooth!  She could totally relate to my desire to not partake of the 'red-neck' look.  :)  PTL!  And the list of blessings goes on & on....our vet, the people we're buying the house from, family, trustworthy lawyer, church, & friends.

On the subject of friends, well... I am convinced I have the BEST of them.  Assembled by His hands for sure each is just the right fit.  Some are closer than others but each contributes to my life making it feel complete.  For them I am thankful.

And then there are those lives I've evidentially touched somewhere along the line.  Former students who take the time to wish me well on my FB wall, send me a 'friend request' or accept mine, or current little ones who once in the classroom run to hug my legs!  WOW!  how awesome is that!  It's comforting to know (and a reminder) that time here matters.  Matters to more than you may imagine, in ways you may have not conceived.  For those revelations I am thankful.  But I am most thankful for those persons God has put in my path on this journey through life.  ;)  They're amazing, as they are, God did good!

So how about you?  Take a minute and assess your blessings.  They're all around you, take many shapes and forms, and are at times disguised.