Truly Thankful

For the past month I've been posting what I'm thankful for each day on Facebook. Some days it's been easy but some days have been harder. I suppose it could fall back on the kind of day I was having because it's on those hard days when it was more difficult to post. But I've been thinking about my last post regarding what could have been for Chad and me. And the more I think about it the more I find myself thanking God for that unanswered prayer. I can honestly say that I'm thankful that that part of MY plan remains unanswered. Because when it comes down to it, it was my plan all along. Yes God allowed circumstances to come together for it to happen but as I look back on it, I never really invited God to be a part of it. I never hit my knees and asked Him to join me and Chad on that part of our infertility journey.

And now looking at the bigger picture, I can see why! There are numerous things both personally and with family that never would have been able to take place had we gotten pregnant. And the thought of where we'd be financially is scary to think about. Not that we'd be in serious debt but things would be alot tighter for us. While the desire to have a child will always be with me, God continues to give me contentment and joy in my life and the path I'm on right now.

I feel Him leading me to do some type of mission work. Whether that is done locally or going to another part of the world, I feel the nudging and I'm praying for guidance and direction every day!

So as I join family tomorrow and give thanks for the abundant blessings God has blessed me with, I can truly be thankful for unanswered prayers!

A God thing

I've been dreading this week for a while now. I knew it would come but I just didn't realize how soon it would get here. Why you ask? If our embryo transfer had been successful in February sometime this week would have been our due date. Perhaps even sooner if both embryos had implanted. I told myself that I didn't need to dwell on what didn't happen but it just creeps up on me.

Also God has been doing a good job of keeping my mind on other things. He's placed people, situations, and activities in my daily schedule to help alleviate some of the pain I'm feeling. While I may never understand this side of eternity the why's of why it didn't work for us, I do know that He's got something greater in store for me!

He even sent some good news my way today. My sister and brother-in-law are expecting a little boy! I sure hope his big sister is understanding when her momma tells her she's not getting the baby sister she's been asking for!

God is good all the time...All the time God is good!

Gift Ideas

I've been racking my brain and searching the internet for gift ideas this week. I've found a few things that I'd like to get but still have a few on my list that I just can't think of anything. I've asked others in my family to help me by listening out and sending me some info on some gift ideas. I try to do that throughout the year and make a mental note but my brain is getting older and I'm getting forgetful. Hopefully the more I search the better gifts I can find!

Christmas Shopping

I can't believe that Christmas is less than 7 weeks away and I've not bought the first present. I have some ideas floating around in my head but I'm just not sure what to give those whose names I've chosen. Of course between Chad's and my family we also have 7 birthdays that fall in December. I have been working on trying to get those bought first and then hopefully I can concentrate on Christmas gifts.

If my hubby had his wish we'd just buy everyone a gift card and be done. While I like to give and receive gift cards, I really want to buy something personal that fits their personality. It does make it more difficult but it also makes it more special. I've even googled 'gifts for the person who has everything' just to see what kind of ideas I could come up with.

I'm hoping to find some good deals in the Black Friday ads!

Voting

It's election day! I'm sure I'm not like everyone else but I love to vote. I can remember telling people on my 18th birthday how excited I was that I had reached the legal age to vote. I can't remember any of my friends being excited about that!

We are such a blessed nation! We have the freedom to say pretty much anything we want to, we can practice the religion we choose, we can defend our homes with weapons and we can choose who we want to represent us on a local level, a state level and a national level. Many countries are not as fortunate as us!

I hold it to be honor and a privilege to cast my vote in every election that is held! Many men and women have given their very lives for me to have this right and I just feel like it's my American duty to carry it out! Many men and women continue to fight for this right every day!

So even if you don't agree with some of the candidates, you should still exercise this right and let your voice be heard!

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14