What I'm Thankful For...

I know that the title is somewhat cliche-tastic, but I can be a bit corny at times.
All bad holiday puns aside...


My family always takes time to count our blessings this time of year, and I hope you guys do too! We often forget the many good things we have had throughout the year...

• Music
  Good Gaia, I'm always thankful for music! It's been a tough year for me and music is often the only therapy I have to get through it.
  This year, I'm thankful for all the songwriters and artists that created the music that helped keep me going!
  
  
• Family
  They make me crazy more often than not, but I can't help but love them. I mean, I'm 21 and back living with my mum, grandmother, my elder sister, and my brother. It's a full house, but we make do --and share the computer!
  So, thank God for the people I know will stand by me no matter what.
  
  
• Talents & Hobbies
  They might not pay the bills (yet! I'm still hoping one of them will!) but they keep me busy, occupied, and entertained.
  Thank God for fan-fiction, poetry, scrap-booking, baking, cantata practice, and all the other things I do to keep out of trouble --and semi-sane!
  
  
• Friends
  I've had a lot of friends that have stuck with me through thick and thin and have helped me through a lot of issues, even some I'd rather wallow in.
  Here's to all the friends that have reached out when I've shut down, have helped out when I was down, and have otherwise made a difference in my life!
  
  
• Providence
  I may not strike any of you as the religious sort --but I am. Sunday school and church every Sunday morning (I lead the music), bible study Sunday nights, kids program on Wednesday nights (I lead music and teach a class) followed by Christmas cantata practice, and helping a lady with bible study during the week.
  Anyway, I don't really put much stock in fate, but I do believe God aligns certain things to prepare us for the work He would have us do. There have been a lot of events in my life this year I haven't understood in the moment, events that often seemed rather devastating at the time.
  Even though it hurts, I thank God for all of those events in my life this year --perhaps especially the painful ones.
  
  
• Open Minds
  I know this seems odd after "providence" but perhaps this is to prove I'm not as bigoted as some Christians seem.
  I've always been very open minded. I've had to be: my sister came out of the closet when I was in middle school, only to limp back toward it when I was in high school. I have my fair share of gay friends along the way, too. I think that this world is much too hostile toward different people and different lifestyles --but it's not good when that people get hostile right back!
  So this is me, thanking God for the open minds on both sides of the fence that can reach out and make peace.
  
  
• Military
  I probably wouldn't survive the military personally, but several young men I went to school with went into the military after high school. Several others I know, including a few of my own relatives, went into the service. I know in America we often take our freedoms for granted, but I've never doubted that they were bought with the blood of countless men and women, young and old, who fought for them.
  God bless and keep each of you. You're in my prayers!
  
  
• Books
  When life gets hard, I sometimes need escape. Thank God for the books that have transported me away from my troubles for just a little while.
  

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I know I'm probably forgetting something --I always do!

Anyway, may God bless and keep each and every one of you!

Happy thanksgiving, everyone!

~Kisten~