30 Day Challenge

As I finish up the 30 days of thanks, having missed a couple days because I have been spending the time with family, I want to challenge each one reading this to live a life of gratitude and thanks each day.  Look for the gifts around you, and be thankful.  A life of gratitude makes the heart be filled with joy.  It puts our focus on the good in life, not the bad.    I am not saying to live in a false reality and pretend  tough times aren't happening when they do.  I am just challenging each one of us to find a daily gift, a small joy, to see the blessings in life despite the difficulties we all face.  

30 Days of Thanks

Today I am thankful for laughter. Just shared a lot of 'from the toe' giggles with my nieces. Laughter is great for the body, mind, & soul, and it's completely free, no long shopping lines required to enjoy that gift!

Thanksgiving

30 Days of Thanks, Day 26

Today I am thankful for sunsets and lakes, both of which help me to relax and unwind, and focus on how God truly blesses my life in the simplest, most beautiful ways.  

30 Days of Thanks, Day 25

Today I am thankful for the 4th/5th grade girls group that I am working with at church. They are truly a wonderful blessing and I am loving working with them and getting to know each one of them.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 23 & 24

Today I am thankful for a home to share with my hubby-a place to unwind, rest, have shelter, and share love.  

 From Saturday...I am thankful to be up late, packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. My nieces picked items for girls their ages, and did a great job picking out some wonderful items.  What a blessing to share small items with children to touch their lives in such a big way.  

30 Days of Thanks, Day 22

Today I am thankful for all the wonderful hope, food & water, and relief Convoy of Hope brings to the world after disasters and hardships hit areas. They are a legit, honest organization, doing amazing work across the world.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 21

Today I am thankful that in spite of very chilly temps, we had gorgeous sunshine and now a beautiful starry night.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 20

Today I am thankful for the amazing sunshine that sparkled on the lake, sharing a great lunch time with my hubby, a wonderful stylist who got my hair looking manageable again, and for the ability to put together a shoebox for Operation Christmas child.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 19

Today I am thankful for people whom I can walk alongside during tough times, and for those who walk alongside us in difficult times. While no one enjoys trials and sorrow, we all experience it. It helps to have others available to lean on.

Ask Yourself These Questions

While I focus a lot on what I am grateful for each day, I had the question pop in front of my face tonight of 'what did you do today to show you were thankful for your blessings?'  The question made me stop and think.  How did I live it out, make it apparent, show the world I came in contact with today that I was thankful?  What did I do that showed the world that living a life of thankfulness and gratitude makes a difference in my day to day attitude and choices, in how I see the world, in how I live?  

Want to focus on changing the world with a grateful heart?  Ask yourself these questions each day.  

30 Days of Thanks, Day 17

Today I am thankful for the many great teachers and mentors in my life that have taught me so much. I believe learning should be a lifelong experience! Mentoring has changed my life for the better and made me a stronger person. So thankful for all that have invested in my life at one point or another.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 16

Today I am very thankful and grateful for the church we are a part of, and how blessed we are to share a journey of faith with such real, genuine, caring people.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 15

Today I am thankful that my hubby made it home safe from Montana with the snowy roads! I am also...yes....thankful for the pretty snowfall tonight. 

30 Days of Thanks, Day 14

Today I am thankful for my parents. They taught me to live a life of integrity, to laugh, to love others deeply, that family is important, to be true to my word, and most importantly, that having my life anchored in a real relationship with Jesus are what are important in life. Thanks mom and dad for the living example. I love you!

How Does Your Gratefulness Affect Your World?

30 Days of Thanks, Day 13

Today I am very thankful that my husband and I are both employed, and enjoy our jobs. 

30 Days of Thanks, Day 12

Today I am thankful for the many keepsakes and gifts from family members that have been passed down to us that hold such precious memories.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 11

Today I am very thankful for all who have served and are serving our country. Thank you to you and your families for your sacrifice!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 10

Today I am thankful for the ability to read & learn, for the books that line my wall, and the way I can get lost in a good book.

30 Days o Thanks, Day 8

Today I am thankful for my very talented, beautiful sister.  We have had our ups and downs, as most siblings do, but we love each other, support each other, and love each other.  She is a blessing in my life.  

30 Days of Thanks, Day 7

Today on my thankful list says 'makes me smile.' Today is one of my niece's bday, she makes me smile. My hubby came home from being out of town for work, that makes me smile. I had lunch with friends, that made me smile.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 6

Today I am thankful for the food we grew in our garden and were able put in the freezer to enjoy through the winter.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 5

Today I am thankful for friends. I am very blessed to have some friends who have helped me journey through some rough days, and who share laughs and joy with me.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 4

Day 4, family...today I am thankful for all my family, of which there are many members, who have touched my life in wonderful ways.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 3

Day 3 is a place. I am thankful for where I live. Beauty everywhere, mountains, trees, prairie, lakes, sunsets, and four seasons. These pictures are from today.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 2

Day 2 of Thanks on the list I am following says, an animal.  Today I am thankful for my constant companion, protector, and walking buddy.  My cousin calls her a therapy dog as she knows when you are sad or upset.  She will sit with her head on your lap, and let you talk or cry as much as needed while she provides her version of comfort.  She is definitely a blessing in our home.  

30 Days of Thanks

The past two years, I have done 30 days of thanks for the month of November. Each day focuses on something to be thankful for. You can choose a theme, or just observe something each day, write it down, blog, or Facebook about it. If you join in, please share here, or share your link so we can all go along this 30 days of thanks together. I will post ideas, if you need them or just come up with your own.

I have a list I am going to somewhat follow for this year.  Today's focus is a person.  

I have several people I could write about but today the person I am going to focus on is my husband.  We have known each other for 27 years, married for 26.  He is my closest friend.  Our life journey has had a lot of ups and downs, sorrow and joy, but we have been by each others side through it all.  The center of our journey is placed in sharing a faith and hope in Jesus. During the tough times, we get each other through it by leaning on God and each other.  We also share the wonderful days by laughing together, enjoying adventures, and sharing precious life moments. I am very blessed to have a husband who works hard to provide for us, who makes me smile, and who loves me know matter what.