Beautiful Blessings

This week I was reflected on the blessings that God has graciously given me. I by no means have deserved any of the blessing, however, God knew what I needed in life. I call all of my blessings beautiful, yet in the moment, I might not always seem them that way.

I love the song that my sister and I use to sing during children's choir, its called "Count your Blessings". The song goes, "Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings see what God has done, Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your many blessings see what God has done."

Today, I am counting my blessings...

1. I am blessed to have a Christian family...a family that has instilled in me strong morals and values, and a love for God.

2. I am blessed to have a Christ-driven husband. Not many wives can say that their husbands love the Lord and strive to give God glory daily.

3. I am blessed with a new family. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 10 months now (wow...where has the time gone?), and gained his family as my own now too. I have wonderful and beautiful in-laws.

4. I am blessed with a sister. I have a sister who I admire for her faith in Christ. She is a beautiful woman.

5. I am blessed and have been blessed with wonderful grandparents. My grandparents are a prime example of how I want to live my life. They are always doing for others and demonstrate Christian characteristics all the time.

6. I am blessed to have such amazing friends. Within the last several years, I have gained a stronger understanding of what a friend is and how I should become a better friend. I have met new people and and glad to be able to call them friends.

7. I am blessed with a new church family. When I got married, I moved my membership from my home church to my husbands church. In joining a new church I have been blessed by the welcomes, the passion, and the fellowship that HBC has to offer.

8. I am blessed to have good health. I often take this for granted. I do not always take the best care of myself either.

9. I am blessed with a nephew, 2 step-nieces, and 2 step-nephews.

I have many other blessings in life. But what are your blessings? God gives us each different blessing. He knows what we need and blesses us each daily by fulfilling those needs. Give God praise and thank Him today for your blessings.

Stopping to Smell the flowers

Flowers from our honeymoon in Jamica.

Sometimes in life I get to busy. It would appear that my life is planned out daily in my calendar...when I have to work, what homework assignments are due and when do I have to do them, when I have class. Even on our fridge we have a menu planned out for the month. (We loosely go by this, but it helps us budget our money and grocery shopping.)

When Jason and I were on our honeymoon, I remember laying out and telling him....we need to savor this moment. Because when we step off the plane in KY, our lives are going back to routine and chaos.

When my life seems so busy (and kids are not even in the equation...gosh I can't imagine how crazy life will be when we have kids) I have to remind myself to stop and smell the flowers. I have to take a moment and soak in all of God's creation and beauty. I need to be mindful of what is going on in the moment and not worry about the next.

Spring has ARRIVED!

These are the cherry blooms on our trees!

Spring time has arrived in Kentucky. This has to be one of my favorite seasons, minus all of the storms. We just recently celebrated Easter and the day that Christ was resurrected. Spring time brings rebirth into the world. Spring brings about new birth. All of the pretty flowers and trees are in bloom.

A few of my favorite things about spring....

1. Warm weather

2. Trees & flowers begin to bloom

3. Opening up the windows in the house

4. Grilling and the aroma's that are associated with grilling

5. Walking the the grass barefooted (yes you can do this other seasons but it marks warmer weather!)

6. Sun and brighter skies

7. Birds chirping