Count Your Blessings

It appears that my blog was taken over by mumbo jumbo code for a while...but everything appears to have returned to normal:):)
Driving home today I started thinking about how excited I was for this 4 day Thanksgiving weekend...and that led me to thinking about one of my absolute favorite hymns from church...

Count Your Blessings

When upon life's billows
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done

Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done

Are you ever burdened
With a load of care
Does the cross seem heavy
You are called to bear
Count your many blessings
Every doubt will fly
And you will be singing
As the days go by

When you look at others
With their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised
You His wealth untold
Count your many blessings
Money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven
Nor your home on high

So, amid the conflict
Whether great or small
Do not be discouraged
God is over all
Count your many blessings
Angels will attend
Help and comfort give you
To your journey's end

Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done

So in honor of this hymn, and of Thanksgiving - here are 4 things that I am grateful for:

1. My Family - we are spread out across this entire country and even the world with Ian in Iraq, and I don't get to see any of them nearly as much as I would like, but not a day goes by that I am not thinking of one my family members. I am especially grateful for Hubby and Miss S who bring joy to my life everyday and love me even with my many faults.

2. My Faith - I don't talk about my faith very often...I try not to be one of those people that shove their religion down your throat...but my faith is very special and sacred to me. I am grateful to know that I am a daughter of God.

3. My Friends - Each one of my close friends are special to me in their own way. Tammy knows me inside and out and she is one of those friends that you can just sit and "be" with - the kind where you don't have to be talking constantly. Carla helps me keep it real. Moki stretches my creative side. For each of these women, and many others like them in my life, I am grateful.

4. My Job - For as much as I b**tch and moan about my job I am grateful that I have a job doing something that I love, that I am paid well, and that my husband is able to go to school full-time due in large part to my good job.

To each and one of you, Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!