What are you THANKFUL for?

Although I know just how important it is to be thankful, I learned some years ago the true significance of it. I was presented with a challenge of writing out 100 things that I’m thankful for.  Initially I didn’t want to do it.  I mean, “I’m Thankful for EVERYHTING” that’s all there was to it right?!?!…or so I thought until I began to list item by item, piece by piece, thing by thing of everything that I’m thankful for. 

SO here’s my list (in no specific order)

1. Jesus Christ, My Lord & Savior: THANK YOU JESUS!!! I simply can’t say it enough.  Where would I be with your unwavering love for me. 
2. My Mom
3. My Dad
4. My Sisters: Wouldn’t trade these two for the world.  I love them!
5. My Friends: I know if I named them all individually from amazing acquaintances to true friends, I would be done with my list.  I  don't have a large number of really close friends, but I do know there are a lot of people, who I can count on, who care about me, and who want only the best for me.  I value them all and appreciate their presence in my life. 
6. Good Health: At the age of 31, I’m happy to say that I’ve never had any major health issues and above all that’s an incredible blessing. 
7. God’s Holy Word: The Bible
8. Being an American:  I think too often we take for granted the many luxuries we have as American citizens.  I love this country!  It may not be perfect, but what place is?  When you think and learn about other countries and cultures you realize just what how many freedoms we have every day.  
9. The Struggles: Oh MY! I’m thankful for all the things I’ve gone through.  Through all the tears all the things I thought I would never get out of, BUT God saw fit to bring me out and teach me some everlasting lessons.    
10. Gift of Sight: What an amazing gift. 
11. Hearing: The thousands of fibers that are found in our ears that allow us to have the sense of sound. 
12. The ability to Speak: What a tremendous blessing to be able to verbally communicate
13. Strangers: Maybe it’s just me, but I often times meet strangers that out of the blue offer a word of encouragement, unexpected help, or a smile.  I’m grateful for the kindness of strangers. 
14. People that just Listen: People that take the time to just listen.  They sit still and listen to me with all their heart as I pour out things that are heavy on my heart. Thank you!
15. Church Families:  I have been known to bounce around the last few years, but I’m thankful to God for the people that I have met that have inspired me and blessed me greatly. 
16. My Students (past, present, & future): It’s what I do and what I love.  Even in the midst of all the craziness (teachers understand), I love them to death. 
17. Laughter: In a nutshell, I love laughter.  Love to laugh. 
18. Home: Thanks for keeping a roof over my head daily.  I’ve never had to wonder where I would sleep.  What a wonderful blessing!
19. Water
20. Books:  For all the books from where I’ve gained knowledge and wisdom.  From textbooks, to fiction, to nonfiction, to magazines, to journals, ect…
21. Being able to Pray & Worship: Many other countries don’t have the same privileges as we do.  Thank God!
22. Technology:  Technology has helped us connect and have made our lives easier and convenient.
23. The Seasons: Summer, Fall, Winter, & Spring.  Something special about each of them.
24. Air in the summer
25. Heat in the winter
26. My Dog: China He’s getting so old and I love that little dog. 
27. God sending His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins
28. The fact that we can conduct bible studies in our homes and in public places without being arrested or oppressed
29. Forgiveness: THANK YOU JESUS
30. God’s Grace
31. The Holy Spirit
32. My Nieces: Amaya, Amber, & Hannah.  Love those three to pieces!
33. My Job: A blessing to bless others every day.
34. Support
35. Accomplishing Goals:  I’m such a goal setter.  I’m thankful for God for putting direction in my life and allowing me to achieve many of the things I desire most. 
36. Holidays: Especially Christmas, Thanksgiving, & Easter
37. Blogs: Being able to connect with like minded people. 
38. Internet: Valuable resource
39. Oxygen: Every breath that I take
40. My Immune System: fights infection and sickness from my body keeping me strong & healthy
41. Generosity of people I’m blessed with
42. The sound of Rain:  I love the sound of rain!  It’s so relaxing and calming.  Perfect for sleeping.  Have you ever just walked in the rain?  You should try it J
43. Hot Showers: Who wants a cold shower??...not me J
44. The Ocean: I love the smell of it. 
45. Gospel Music:  And some gospel rap
46. Facebook: Who would have thought that this would have made my list?!?! LOL!
47. Moments of Silence:  Those quiet moments when its just you and God. 
48. Fresh Snow: I don’t like the cold weather, but I can appreciate it.  With that said, as ironic as it may sound I LOVE fresh snow.  Clean, white, & fresh.  Looks good, feels good and is actually quite beautiful. 
49. Helping Others
50. Being a nice person: I’m not perfect, but I’ve got a good heart.  Thanks to God.  I genuinely care and recognize the value in others.
51. Sushi: Okay so I threw this one in, but I do Love it!  So I’m thankful for it too!
52. Sunshine:
53. Rivers and Lakes
54. Teachers:  Some of the great people that have taught me things over the years.
55. Cameras: What a way to capture all those special moments.
56. The men and women who serve our country every day!
57. The ability to laugh at myself: it makes "awkward" moments so much more enjoyable
58. Reliable Car: Some would say it’s more than reliable, but it get me where I need to go all the time
59. A relatively orderly government: By no means is it perfect, but I think in comparison we have nothing to complain about.
60. Spring Break: WHOOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
61. The power of prayer
62. Alone time with God
63. Sunrise & Sunset:  Beautiful to see.
64. Memories:  So many...good and bad
65. Girl’s Nights
66. Twitter
67. Club Fitness: The opportunity to be healthy and fit
68. A College Education
69. This Blog: A place where I can share my thoughts...
70. Moments when I just Cry:  I’m emotional at times... ok a lot of times.  LOL.
71. R&B Music
72. Premier Designs Jewelry:  My part time business.
73. Doctors, Hospitals, & Medicines.  Need I say more.
74. Health Care: Sometimes I wish I lived in Canada where all citizens have access to healthcare, because so many people need it and don’t have it. 
75. Clothes/Shoes:  My indulgence, my splurges...
76. Food:  Need I say more.
77. Cell phone: 
78. Cheering and Uplifting Others
79. Rainbows
80. Today
81. The fact that thinking of 100 things for isn’t hard: Blessing.
82. Systems of the Body:  Digestive, reproductive, nervous...can’t think of any other ones but they are all in working order...THANKS!
83. Private time with God
84. Peace
85. Close, personal relationship with Jesus
86. Daily Strength
87. Freedom
88. Friends I’ve yet to meet
89. Songs that I hear at the exact moment when I needed them
90. Old Friends: Wishing some of them I can reconnect with (miss them so...)
91. Bad Habits that I’ve overcome: Thankful that I can put some things behind me...I’m a work in progress. 
92. Financially ok during these tough economic times:
93. Homework time with my Niece:  Nothing like spending quality time with my niece Amaya helping with her homework.  We have a good time. 
94. Patience:  Word of my life J
95. Fasting Times
96. My Grandma:  She does so much and I appreciate it so much
97. Obedience
98. Setting Goals and reaching them
99. Being Me
100. I am just plain old Thankful for EVERYTHING!!!!!

I realized when I reached 100 that I could keep going easily.  I learned that making this list really put some things in my life into perspective. SO…I challenge you to start writing out 100 things you are thankful for and look at them every day for a while.  It will change your life.  Thanks for reading.  Be blessed!