THANKFUL THURSDAY

Sometimes when you are living a life with a chronic illness, it is really hard not to get very frustrated and discouraged, especially when that illness is invisible to others and they do not always understand how you feel and what you are going through. What is even more difficult to deal with for me is the fact that I feel very, very isolated and alone most of the time because I am homebound and bedridden. Plus, I don't usually feel well enough to have very many visitors. Many of the symptoms from my illness are not at all pleasant to deal with even with my own immediate family around, much less with extended family or friends who might drop by. Even when we do have the occasional guest, most of the time I just don't feel up to 'entertaining' them. And no matter what anyone says and no matter how sick someone is, you know we always feel the need to play host to our guests and make them feel comfortable in our home....even if it is just carrying on a conversation with them.

As I said, life with a serious illness is very frustrating and, honestly, very depressing. As the weeks, months and now even years continue to tick by, there are days when it is very hard to hold on to hope that things are going to get better. But just when I start to get really down and really depressed about it all, the Lord always allows some 'one' or some 'thing' to cross my path to remind me that there are, indeed, those who have circumstances much, much worse than mine and that there is so much hope in this world! He also reminds me that I have SO much to be thankful for!

This morning, I came across a video of an incredible man who has every reason in the world to be down and depressed! Most people in his position would probably hide out in their homes and never let anyone see them. Not this man! He is reaching out to others and letting them know that they are so special, just the way they are! He is truly amazing! Take a look.....






After that, I can't help but praise God for the things in my life that I am thankful for! Today, I am so very thankful for:

1) Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who continues to show me His amazing love each and every day. He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. (I love that hymn!)

2) My amazing husband who gets up before the sun each morning to prepare everything I will need for the day (and that's A LOT!) He works really hard all day and then he comes home and starts his second job...caring for me. He smiles all the time and never complains. He does little things like bring me flowers, cards and candy for no reason at all, except to show me he loves me. He hardly ever enters or leaves the room without asking me if I need anything. Yes, I am living the life of a Queen!

3) My three amazing daughters the Lord blessed me with, beginning with the oldest 24 years ago this coming Sunday. I am so thankful that she and I have re-established our relationship and that I get to see her and my grandsons a little more often than I used to. However, I wouldn't mind seeing them more. Hint, hint! :0)

4) My two youngest daughters who, like their father, work really hard at their day 'job' (school), and then come home and start their second (or third, for my middle daughter), taking care of their mom. They have definitely had to take on a lot of extra responsibilities since I've been sick and have given up a lot of the fun things they would like to be doing. However, they never let it get them down, or at least they never let it show. They just roll with the punches and keep on, keeping on. They, like their daddy, are always doing their very best to help care for me and make me feel as good as I possibly can.

5) My Mom, who I took for granted WAY too much when I was a kid, a teenager and even as an adult. I have just come to realize over the last few years just how AMAZING she really is. I have also learned more and more just how much she and my dad love me, and will do anything in the whole wide world for me. Their love for me is the epitome of unconditional love.

6) My incredible prayer warriors out here in blog-land, and those actually here around me 'in real life', who consistently get on their knees and intercede on my behalf. I appreciate your love and dedication more than you will ever know.

I have SO many more things I am thankful for, but those are at the very tip top today.

What are YOU thankful for?



Teresa



Visit Sonya at Becoming a Strong Woman of God as a Wife, Mother and Friend to link up for Thankful Thursday.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

These are the things I am so very thankful for today:

1) My Savior, Jesus Christ, who continues to hold me up through all of life's storms and always reminds me that I am His.

2) My amazing, wonderful husband who works so hard to provide for our family and then comes home every evening to take care of me, regardless of how exhausted he may be, and never complains.

3) My 2 youngest daughters who have given so much precious time out of their lives to help care for me, when it is I who should be caring for them. I don't know how I can ever thank them enough.

4) The happiness in my heart that I still have since I was able to see my oldest daughter last week. I have also spoken to her several times on the phone since then. That has really made me happy.

5) All the wonderful, encouraging comments I receive in response to my posts. They make me smile and give me the motivation to write another post.

6) All of my prayer warriors! I truly feel your prayers and they really lift me up, especially during a long, difficult and pain-filled day and/or night.

7) Our sweet neighbor down the street who continues to occasionally bring us dinner. It is such a tremendous blessing to us and helps us out more than she can possible know.

8) For the incredible men and women (and their families) who serve in our military, to help protect each and every one of us from harm and keep our great nation FREE!

9) The upcoming graduation of our middle daughter, Morgan, from high school. I am so proud of the wonderful woman she has become and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for her future!

10) Last but definitely not least, our wonderful, amazing group of friends who have offered to plan, prepare and host Morgan's graduation party so that we can check that off our list and won't have to worry about a thing! This is a HUGE, HUGE blessing for our family and an enormous burden lifted off our shoulders. You guys are AWESOME!



Thanks so much for stopping by. I'd love for you to join us in Thankful Thursday and take a moment to share what YOU are thankful for. Visit Sonya at Becoming a Strong Woman of God as a Wife, Mother and Friend to link up.

Blessings,

Teresa

THANKFUL THURSDAY

This Thursday, I have something very special to be thankful for! Today, my parents are celebrating their 49th Wedding Anniversary! How awesome is that?!?

My Parents' Wedding Day - Feb. 4, 1961

My mom and dad are both amazing and I am so very blessed that the Lord chose them to be my parents. They have always been there for me, no matter the situation or circumstance. They are always willing to help - they never, ever say no. I know I can always depend on them.

As I've said before, I've been through some pretty major trials and tribulation in my life but through it all, my parents have been right there beside me, holding my hand. I honestly do not know where I'd be today if it weren't for the love of these two people.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,
Mama and Daddy!

I love you!

Teresa

Please join Alyssa at TRUTH 4 THE JOURNEY

to see what she and others are thankful for today.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm sure glad it's 'Thankful Thursday' because I desperately needed to stop and take some time to think about the things I'm thankful for in my life right now. I have been going through a really rough patch lately and decided I would throw myself a pity party!

Nope, I didn't send out any invitations so you didn't miss anything. There have been no festive decorations or beautifully wrapped gifts. I haven't even been able to keep down much of the food I've had during this great big blubbering bash. That part really stinks, too! No, it has just been me, here all by myself, feeling sorry for poor, poor pitiful me.

Yes, I understand that things could be far worse. I'm aware there are people whose circumstances are much, much rougher than mine. I know that I have so many things to be thankful for. I really do. However, the fact remains that I have been having an extremely hard time the last few weeks - physically, spiritually and emotionally. Actually, it has really been since I became so very sick this last time. It seems as though each time that I develop yet ANOTHER infection, I'm a little worse than I was the time before. I have to stay in the hospital a little while longer than I did the last. It just starts to wear on you after a while. I'm just so tired of being sick.

Anyway, I AM very thankful for so many things. I DO have to remember that. I have to remember that my Lord continues to bless me every day and that His grace is ALWAYS sufficient.

Right now I am truly thankful for:

1) Jesus Christ. I must cling to Him each new day. He IS my Redeemer.

2) My husband and my 2 youngest daughters. They have given up almost every facet of their lives in order to help care for me. I don't know where I would be right now without them.

3) My extended family. Each member is amazing and I am incredibly blessed by each and every one of them.

4) My continued relationship with my oldest daughter. She called me again last night and it blessed my soul to hear her voice. I love all my girls so much.

5) My life. I have been through some rough waters over the last few weeks but I am still alive. I am living. I just want to feel like I'm living again.

I would really appreciate it if each of you would keep my family and me in your prayers. We really need it right now. I hope to get over my slump and get back to writing more soon. Thank each of you who continue to come to this little blog of mine. Thank you for your love and support as you read and comment. It means more than you can possibly know. {{HUGS}}

Please join Alyssa at TRUTH 4 THE JOURNEY to see what she and others are thankful for today.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

This is an unusual 'Thankful Thursday' but I need to do it a little different this week. As most of you know, I was just released from the hospital earlier this week after being confined 8 days due to a very serious bacterial infection. I am still extremely weak and not able to be up and on the computer hardly at all. However, I wanted to let each of you know how much I appreciate the love and support shown to my family and me as we've endured yet another trial over the last couple of weeks. I don't know what we would do without you all. The Lord has surely blessed us with an amazing family and truly incredible friends....and I count each one of my blogging buddies as my friend!

As soon as I am able, I will be posting again and I will let you know in more detail about what went on during my hospital stay. Until then, I humbly ask that you keep me in your prayers as I work to regain my strength and heal from this illness. Thank you all so very much.

BTW, please join Alyssa at TRUTH 4 THE JOURNEY to see what others are thankful for today.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I found this totally awesome blog called TRUTH 4 THE JOURNEY.  She sets aside one day a week to blog about the 5 things she is most thankful for that week.  She calls it THANKFUL THURSDAY.  This is especially exciting to me this week because I am about to bust at the seams to tell someone our latest good news.  It's wouldn't be overly huge under normal circumstances but it means a ton to us at this point!

The 5 things I MOST thankful for this week are:

1) Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  My Forever Friend.  I'm thankful that He loves me so much that He gave His life so that I could live for all eternity.

2) THE most amazing husband in the world who treats me like a queen every single day and my 2 youngest daughters who also sacrifice a huge part of their lives to helping me and caring for me.  I honestly do not know where I would be without all of them.

3) My mom and dad who are always ready at a moment’s notice to help out, no matter what I/we need.  They never, ever say no!

4) The fact that my oldest daughter, Whit, and I have been talking a lot more lately.  She will turn 23 years old this weekend and I couldn't be more proud of the woman and mother she has become.  

and last but certainly not least.....

5)  Our good news.....today we learned that my husband will DEFINITELY be keeping his job for at least the next 12-18 months!!  (We were afraid he was about to be laid off.)  Not only is it an incredible job but they provide us with truly amazing benefits, including our health insurance which they pay for 100%.  This is an amazing answer to prayer!  Hallelujah!

If you'd like to participate in THANKFUL THURSDAY or just read what others are so thankful for, hop on over to SONYA'S BLOG and check it out!

See ya soon!