I'm very blessed!

As I was driving home on Eagle road this evening I stopped at the Stinker Station to get some gas. There was a gentleman on the opposite side of the gas tank 'thingy'. I could barely see him. I heard a voice, in a very strong African accent, say, "How are you doing today?" I answered, "pretty good, how are you doing?" He said "I am so blessed!" Wow, that just amazed me. We chatted for a short time about being blessed. I told him that I was also very blessed and how I had been feeling so sorry for myself a while back that I just went and took a hot bubble bath. I went on to tell him how God made me realize how lucky and blessed I was to even be able to take a hot bath. God reminded me how many people in the world don't even have that luxery. I started counting my blessings and realized how truly blessed I am! The man then told me about how he grew up in Kenya. He said that, as a child, he could only take a bath once a week (if lucky) and, even then, the water wasn't exactly hot. He went on to say how his son sometimes will take 2 showers in one day and how it makes him think how blessed they are as he didn't get to ever do that. He was such a nice Christian man. He loved the Lord and wants everyone to know it. That's how I want my life to be. I want to live outloud! When I am asked how I am . . . I want to say . . . I AM SO BLESSED!! Not, oh, I'm okay . . . or, good I guess or even just fine. Beth Moore once said that if we own a book and have the ability to read that book we are among the richest people in the world! Wow. I really want to focus on the blessings . . . not the difficulties. Dealing with 'life' can be so exhausting and daunting. Each day I want to refocus my thoughts from the 'crap' (0ne of my favorite words - sorry) to the blessings. We have a place to live, cars to drive, heat in our home (or air conditioning in the summer), a bed, clothes, food, family, friends, jobs, healthy children!!!! I really am rich!

Well, as of yesterday, Matthew is done with high school. It seems so weird to me that I have 2 kids out of high school! He also is getting his Eagle Scout which is very hard to do. I think he said that only 4% of all scouts get that far. That's quite an accomplishment. Still trying to get caught up financially. We have so many medical bills right now that it's killing us! We should be caught up by March or April . . . that just feels so far away. I do feel like God is trying to tell me something. When I was taking a bath today I was listening to KTSY. A Casting Crowns song came on called 'Praise You in the Storm'. That's something I need to learn . . . . to praise Him in the storm. I feel so often that He just isn't around when things are difficult. I know He is . . . but I sure like it more when I can feel Him there! Anyway, we celebrated Matt's last day of school with Blimpies at my mom's house. It was fun. Trent only has . . . . about 8 years of school left. But that's okay. Atleast I have him home with me!! I am pet sitting for someone the next 2 weeks. Jenny, a golden retriever, is staying here with us. She is older and has trouble walking. That brings our pet count up to . . .. a lot. haha Two dogs, 3 cats, a goldfish, and a rabbit. That's a lot for a 1300 sq ft house! haha Jenny is very sweet and is getting along with all of our other animals. It's been fun so far. That's it for now I guess. More later.

Hi

Wow, you did a great job setting up my blog! I'm impressed. Not so sure about the picture . . . but I'm my own worst critic. It was so much pressure to think of a title. haha I could write and write as I'm very good at rambling. But, I'll try not to do that. Between money problems, health problems, and just day to day stress . . . each day is a huge struggle. But, as my daughter said, there does always seem to be a light in the storm! Right before I wrote this, with my facial pain I've been having and hoping the tax payment went through, I wasn't sure what to write. That's when my son, Matt, came out of his room and wanted to read the 'be-attitudes' from the Bible. You have to know that this is not something my son does very often. In fact, it's probably been a year since he last did that! What timing!!! And, to be honest, at first I thought . . . I'm kind of busy right now! But I decided to just stop and go sit down with the boys to read. It really made me feel better. There's that sunshine!! Ya know when it's stormy out and there are dark ominous clouds everywhere . . . . and then you can see rays of sunshine pushing their way out from behind the darkness. That's what it's about I guess. God sure does know how to time things! I just have to REMEMBER that!

To my lovely mom

This is from Angela (this blogger's daughter) to you, Mom.
I hope that you enjoy this blog and that you will write your thoughts and feelings and special times down here. I hope this brings us closer since I am now 7 hours away from you. I miss you! But, I can't wait to check your blog each week hoping to see a new post!
I love you and happy blogging! :)
~ Ang