thank you!!!

I just want to state for the record, that I feel so incredibly blessed. I was thinking back to this past summer when I had the opportunity to go to Guatemala to practice nursing... and again, I realized how blessed I am! God paid my way to go.. He was so gracious to me and loved me through the process of trusting Him to provide - and He needs to be recognized for how amazing He truly is!

I woke up this morning thinking about the things I take for granted such as: heat, hot water, bug-free bedding, baths, peanut butter, clean water, real milk (not powdered), cars, nail polish, whole wheat bread, chocolate.. the list just goes on and on. I just don't get it? I live in the most beautiful place on earth: on a mountain overlooking a valley full of vineyards.. The sunlight bathes the clouds and hills in light each morning - and the sunsets are absolutely intoxicating.. God -- you need to be recognized for THIS. You alone have created the heavens and the earth; and You have blessed me with it all!

Life is mixed with the bitter and the sweet - the painful and the beautiful.. and I am so glad that we get to experience it all. I am so glad that I have experienced walking through two feet of putrid sewer water and laughed while doing it. The other day I was struck by the fact that I have two legs. I have two legs!!! I can RUN! Do you realize how amazing that is?! I am so blessed to be able to dance, walk, stretch and play. It's the little things that make the most difference. Perspective is such a powerful tool.. Life is what we choose to make of it. We can get caught in pain or we can choose to walk out forgiveness and live a life that is free and beckons others to be free as well. I am so glad that I have known and felt what it is to be in love with Jesus in the midst of the most painful and beautiful experiences of life... to know the sunshine and the rain.

And I challenge you.. look at life through new eyes again.. what are you thankful for? What opportunities has God given you lately that have shown His faithfulness in bringing healing and restoration into your life? HE IS GOOD! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.. Though the circumstances of life change, He never does.. His love for you is never-ending, unfathomably rich and beautiful - so dive in! Put some new shoes on and experience the freedom of Gods love! He wrote this story for us! How amazing this kind of love is!!!