Thankful Thursday

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As I sit here on the afternoon of New Year's Eve, I think of so many ways the Lord has blessed my family. What a year this has been... good things, no so good things, and the simple "everyday life" sort of things. Because of this, I decided I'd list some of them for my post this week. Some of them are very recent blessings and some cover earlier parts of this year.

~ I am thankful my daughter, Abby, made it through her outpatient surgical procedure this morning with no problems. They went in and made an adjustment to the muscles in her eyes that control her vertical eye movement. She's been groggy and a bit cranky today, but otherwise as fit as a fiddle!

~ I am thankful for both my children and my dear husband. Where would I be without each one of them? My husband loves me and supports me just the way I am.... both the good and the bad. My children never fail to bring a smile to my face and are the essence of unconditional love here on earth!

~ I am thankful that God never gives up on me. This year has brought about realizations of several areas that I really need to turn over to God. Areas that I wouldn't let go and the negative stronghold they had on me just keep getting bigger. Thanks to God and his promise to always carry it all when we turn it over to Him, I have begun learning how to stop trying to control so much in my life. I can't tell you how freeing this has been... less stress, less worry, more fun!

~ I am thankful for some difficult experiences I have had at work. They, too, have shown that God is always faithful in His promise never to leave when the "going gets tough". I am learning how to re-focus away from the difficulties and focus on what is truly important in my life. I have also been shown new directions where He is leading by being open to changes in this part of my life.

~ I am thankful for friends. As with family, where would we be without friends to laugh with, friends to share with, friends to pray with, and friends to just "be" with as we walk this journey of life?!

In closing, I wanted to share a brief update on my sister and her family. As I shared here a few weeks ago, they are preparing to leave later this year to serve as missionaries in Prague in the Czech Republic. Over the Christmas holidays, I had the honor (and, oh, it was an honor... I can't tell you how thrilled I was to be able to help them in one of the many steps they have before them as they prepare for this journey) of helping her set up their blog. They plan to use their blog as a means of communicating with family and friends about their mission work and to keep us up to date on the family.

As so many of you offered your prayers and support when I last posted about them, I asked if I could share her blog with you. She quickly responded, "Yes!". I believe she has scheduled their very first post to go up on New Year's Day. You can find them at Just "Czech'n" In. I can't tell you how much it means to them and to our family that you are so willing to support them with your prayers!

For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone...!


22 Thoughts Shared:

Tricia said...

Hey Melanie
So glad you and yours had a wonderful Christmas, and so glad your daughter's surgery went well. I did not read about it in time to cover you all in prayer this morning, but will pray for a quick and uneventful recovery. That is so exciting about your sister, and I am so glad you are sharing her blog with us! I can't wait to read all about what the Lord is doing in their lives!

Happy New Year!

Cheryl said...

I will visit. This is really a good way for you two to keep in touch! Happy New Year to you and your family!

More Than Words said...

Hi Melanie! What a great list of Thank You's, past & current!! It's always so nice to reflect on how God worked (and still works) in our lives. It's awesome to see where we were are where we are now!!

I love the title of your sisters blog!! Soooo cute! I'm going to be "czech'n" it out too!

Have a Happy New Year!

Kristi said...

Melanie, this is a wonderful list. I prayed for your little daughter many times today. I am so thankful that it went well. I am excited about your sister's new blog and their adventure with the Lord. May you and your family be so blessed this new year!

Beth E. said...

Praising God for Abby's successful surgery! I am so thankful that He directed me to your blog. You are a blessing to me!

May God continue to richly bless you in the coming year....

Jennifer said...

Hey Melanie! What a beautiful reflection of God's blessings in your life! He is good, isn't He? I loved what you said about God not leaving us when the going gets tough...AMEN!

Have a Happy New Year and Happy TT!

I will check out your sister's blog.

bp said...

Hi Melanie. I love the brown and blue of your blog.

I enjoyed reading your post. Galad to read the update on your daughter. I will be checking out your sister's blog. That is wonderful you could help her set it up. God bless you in 2009.

LAURIE said...

Melanie,
What a wonderful list of God's goodness to you. I was so excited about your sisters blog, we have had them on our prayer list/prayer blog and will continue to pray for them ... I absolutely love their new blog name! How creative! May you have a wonderful New Year and may God use you in mighty ways in 2009! -love, Laurie

Laurie Ann said...

So thrilled to hear your little one did well with her surgery. Bless her heart! Praying the grogginess and crankiness is all better tomorrow. I truly enjoyed reading your post and rejoice that you are such a faithful sister in Christ. I can't wait to stay updated with your sister's blog. I'm so glad you helped her set it up and will definitely look forward to her first post. May God bless you this year, Melanie! Happy New Year!

Denise said...

I pray for your life to flow with blessings in 2009, love you.

Unknown said...

Happy New Year Melanie!

Excited to see what the Lord has in store for all of us this year!

Hugs and love,
Jill

Sweet Blessings said...

Blessings to you in 2009 and thankful for God's faithfulness to you in 2008! Amanda:)

Debra Kaye said...

Melanie,

So glad to hear that your daughter's surgery went well! And I will be checkin in on your sister too! What a creative name for her blog!

I pray the Lord blesses you in 2009. I know that He is faithful and the areas you wish to turn over to Him, He will cover.

Hugs to you!

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

What a wonderful list and tribute to all the ways God was working in your life in 2008. Happy New Year!

Tammy said...

Glad to hear your daughter's surgery went well. God is so good! I can't wait to check out your sister's blog & I will continue to pray for them. It is so exciting! :-) My dh and I felt led to be missionaries overseas but the Lord had a different road for us. We always enjoy praying for and keeping in touch with missionaries. Blessings, Tammy

Bogie said...

What a nice post of thankfulness to the Lord.. it really shows that indeed God is faithful!!!

Happy New Year and Happy TT!

Bonnie said...

I so know what you mean about letting things go to God!! I struggle with that - turn something over and then take it back... Am glad to hear, too, that your daughter's surgery went well! I will be praying for a complete and quick recovery. I'll be checking in with your sister's blog, too - thank God for technology that allows us to keep in touch like that when we are so far apart!! Blessings to you!!!

Aisling said...

Love your thankful list. Just had to say, I was in Prague a few weeks ago, just for one night, it was a stopover on our way to Belarus. Some of us were tired and went to bed, but others went into town with an English guy who one of the team knew, who is also ministering there.

So if your sister and family want local contact with another english speaking family, I can chase up their details for you.

Michele Williams said...

Such a wonderful Thankful post. So many blessings. I am thankful that we have met via the blogging world. You lift my heart each time I visit. Blessings to you and your family.

Nancie said...

Blessed New Year, Melanie! Thank God for His loving-kindness and blessings upon you. May God's love, mercies and blessings continue to surround you and your family this year.

Thanks for sharing about your sister and her family. I am remembering them in prayers.

Thanks too for all your prayers and encouragements. I thank God for you and many other blogging friends who have been such great encouragements to me. May the joy of our Lord continue to be your strength as you walk with Him and serve Him this year. Take care God bless!

Sab said...

I'm so glad the surgery went well! And a blog to keep in touch is a perfect idea!
Happy New Year

Jane Anne said...

Thanks for sharing your sister's website. I just stopped by there and also said a prayer for her and the family.