Thankful List

Thankful List 2012

 

1. My new kitty, Tsunami
2. All the great memories of Walter kitty
3. All the important things Walter taught me
4. My camera, which provides hours of entertainment, a creative outlet, and helps me share my life with people
5. Facebook, for all the keeping in touch and amusement (I can overlook the annoyances it can bring since I’m not on it 24/7)
6. Printable calendars and
7. Google calendar, so I know what the heck I’m up to with busy and ever-changing work and life schedules
8. My Grandparents.  At 88 and 90 years old, they inspire a lot of respect for each moment we live
9. My Vibe.  Such a versatile vehicle!
10. New tires to help keep me and the Vibe out of ditches this winter
11. Unscented cat litter.  It is getting harder to find, but my perfume allergies really appreciate it
12. Check-out workers who actually take the time to bag my items logically and carefully.  They are a rare and dying breed…
13. Texting - now that I have it on my plan I can communicate better with my friends (if I remember to use it, feel free to text me and remind me)
14. My lack of a smart-phone, because I can’t be trusted with that much addictive technology
15. Those rare quiet moments when I actually have time to do guilt-free recreational reading
16. The inexplicable way I feel soothed by seeing and hearing waves crashing on a beach
17. Online accounts that actually allow you to have simple, easy-to-remember logins and passwords
18. Not having to change said passwords every few months
19. One year of being melanoma-free
20. The right to vote
21. Exciting new ideas for future pursuits
22. Good neighbors
23. That no experience, good or bad, is wasted.  I can learn and grow through all of it.
24. A corporate entity to pay all my professional licensing and membership and CE fees.  Those are some big dollars!
25. Attention to detail.  It is a treasure in a society that can be lazy and sloppy regardless of the repercussions
26. Good service
27. Proper use of the English language
28. Community theatre.  They bring great shows into our price range and never fail to entertain!
29. Lunch breaks.  It is good to step away and breathe for an hour.
30. Changes for the better.  They may be scary at first, but they are so welcome and worth it in the end.
31. Duck tape.  It is very useful (currently employed in cat counter-surfing deterrence at our house) and comes in such fun colors and designs now!
32. Days off from work spent with family and friends
33. wishcentral.com for simplifying gift shopping
34. The joy felt when you give someone something they really want/need
35. The joy felt when you are part of a pleasant surprise
36. Online coupon codes
37. Old family traditions, like Monkey Brain Bowling
38. Old friend traditions like Game Night and Heidner Halloween Party
39. Inside jokes, like “potluck” and “WE” and “Buford”
40. Modern medicine, which so many in this world lack access to.
41. That my dear friend Kim has access to the above for her thyroid cancer treatment
42. That Kim’s faith will get her through this season
43. Creativity.  It can be used to inspire, delight, amuse, reward, and so many other uplifting things.
44. Good, healthy advice
45. Discernment to avoid bad, unhealthy advice
46. The ability to multi-task
47. Recycling
48. The beauty of nature
49. Modern heating and air conditioning
50. Being spared from disasters
51. My Dyson Animal vacuum’s efficacy against fur
52. Kids ‘N Pets brand cleanser
53. Incredible brand cleanser
54. All of my sweaters and jackets that I layer almost daily to stay comfortable in a “Ryan-cool” home
55. My heat fan at work, which keeps me from shivering as the cold winds blow through the old walls into our office space
56. That my mess in the study at home has not yet buried me alive
57. Ebay, which will hopefully help me get rid of some of that mess in 2013
58. The Bears’ defense and special teams, who win us games
59. A wide variety of music to fit all moods, needs, occasions
60. Halloween – my version of this holiday has nothing to do with gore or demons, just fun decorations and costumes and parties and delicious goodies
61. Blacklights
62. The new X-Flight ride at Great America
63. Suzy’s Swirl, my favorite place for self-serve FroYo
64. Sentimental places, things, and feelings
65. Genuine appreciation (instead of the entitlement attitude so many are prone to)
66. Encounters with good work ethics (also becoming rare)
67. Honesty
68. Wisdom (give me more!!)
69. Those who take responsibility for their decisions and actions
70. Those who forgive the shortcomings of others
71. My wonderful co-workers, past and present
72. That my bite injury in October was not more serious
73. That the above bite prevented an elderly woman from adopting a dog that could have injured her
74. Sounds or smells that trigger happy memories
75. My Game Night gang
76. Girl Time at Game Night
77. The addition of Emma to Game Night
78. Nik and Emma’s upcoming wedding
79. My Bible study ladies
80. All that we have learned together in our Small Group studies this year
81. Fresh, healthier perspectives
82. My wonderful husband, who goes to great lengths to keep our finances in order, provide us romantic opportunities, celebrate the big and small occasions, and keep our focus on God.
83. Harvest Bible Chapel
84. My parents, who are supportive and encouraging when life takes unexpected turns
85. My in-laws, who are always ready to help or lend us things (van, arm strength, carpet shampooer, etc.) we need
86. My brother and sister-in-law Mandy, for being a step ahead us to serve as a good example
87. My sister-in-law Karen, for being a step behind us to remind us to be good examples
88. For Karen’s upcoming wedding
89. For the privilege of being a bridesmaid in the above wedding
90. That we get to welcome Trevor to the family
91. Christian Veterinary Mission and other groups that serve the needy and bring glory to God
92. That I am a redeemed child of God
93. That Jesus died to bring salvation from sin to the world
94. That salvation is a gift, not something we earn
95. Sufferings that bring us into a closer relationship with Christ
96. That the Bible truly is God’s trustworthy message to help us navigate this crazy life
97. That the Holy Spirit guides us in the way we should go
98. God’s sovereignty over everything we go through.  What a comfort to know that nothing is an accident and there is a plan for our ultimate good behind it all.  I don’t have to know what comes next, because God already knows
99. Strength for today
100. Hope for tomorrow