Day 2

Things are looking good in the Best household. It's the beginning of the month, and this month holds great opportunities for growth and enjoyment. I am feeling really good about myself, my family, and my circumstances and that makes for a really happy me.
After coming off of a recent bout with depression, I feel that the haze has lifted, and I am feeling really good. I've been monitoring my cycles, and it seems like there is a cyclical element to how I feel during certain times. Now that I am aware of that, I feel I am better equipped to look for solutions.
Please join me in praying about this.

Now! in efforts to continue the less depressed me, I give you today's list!

1. My extended family. As I talk to my friends, I realize how few people around me have the luxury of having family living around them! It's just always been this way for me. Almost my entire family lives within city limits!! I have two sets of grandparents, lots of aunts and uncles and GREAT aunts and uncles, cousins, parents, siblings... Not to mention my husband has the same! His paternal family lives in other parts of the country, but they come and visit at least once a year! We are SO blessed! We have so many willing babysitters, too! That is such a blessing. It makes me remember not to take them for granted. We are SO blessed.

2. The internet. I know that sounds silly, but being without it most of the time for the last couple weeks due to computer issues makes me realize just how much I use it for yellow pages, networking, recipes, knowledge building, wasting time, etc. I use it so much!

3. Free stuff for my birthday. Everything from free dessert to entirely free meals! Check it out! http://www.frugalliving.tv/free-stuff/birthday-freebies.html

4. Having very little debt. Due to very diligent payments, followed by trying really hard not to pay for things with credit cards, we have very little debt. Dentist bills and things like that come up and we'll use the card for that, but overall, we are very blessed to be mostly in the black.

5. Hank. He is such a great mentor for my husband and I and we love him so much. And no, he doesn't read my blog.

6. WATER. I love water, and obviously my body needs it, so it works out. I am SO thankful that we live in a place that has clean water running freely.

7. Shoes. Cuz the ground hurts.

8. The book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. It is amazing and it is changing my life. Read it.

9. Kathy Martin. I love love love her. She speaks to the very depths of my soul with every word that she speaks, and I know that what she speaks is truth.

10. God. I know it seems cliche to say that in a blog like this, but it's true. I wouldn't be who I am without Him. I wouldn't have the positive outlook that I have without Him. He knew me before I even existed. Even BEFORE I was knit together in my mother's womb, He CHOSE me. He DECIDED to bring me into existence to commune with Him. And He sent His only Son to DIE for me so that my sin would not separate me from Him. WHOA! That is amazing to me. I am learning (through "Crazy Love" - READ
IT), that God is not just this obscure, dominating figure up there. He is not only an awe-inspiring King to revere, He is also our Daddy. He wants to have a close, intimate relationship with us. He wants us to revere Him, but He also wants us to climb up into His lap and tell Him stuff. He LOVES us. And that makes me thankful. :)

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What about you? Are you up for the thankfulness challenge? I think you should try it. :)