Tonight I spent time with some dearly loved friends of mine. Laughter is such an awesome thing! Especially with friends and a cup of coffee. Over this past week I have been thinking about the things I am thankful for. It's amazing how taking captive negative thinking and counteracting it with the positive has started to change my perspective. First, none of this could have happened without the Lord carrying me and using circumstances, friends, and family to remind me of all of the wonderful things that I am thankful for. I am thankful that I have a loving and devoted husband. 2 wonderful children, that can make me laugh to the point of tears. I'm thankful the Lord gave me the tears for moments of joy and sorrow. For a warm place to sleep and food in our kitchen. For my mom, my sisters, and my brother and for the 31 years that I was able to spend with my dad.

I want to share with you some of the wonderful memories of my dad. He was 33 when I was born. One of my earliest memories of my "Pa", as I often called him, was when he came home from work he would pick me up and swing me in the air, then give me a whisker rub. I loved those moments. When I was in grade school he worked overnight at the convenience store next to our house so I would go over there in the middle of the night and hang out with him for a couple of hours. Then there was the middle school years...dad loved to embarrass me every chance he could get. He would pick me and one of my friends up from school in "Ole Nellie" which was the biggest, uggliest, green car that I have ever seen. He couldn't possible park around the block...noooo he had to park right in front of the school. And he would grin and laugh as Anna and I climbed in and tried to hide from our classmates. I miss those days but I'm thankful for the memories. Dad and I shared a passion for watching the Twins...he'd get right in front of the t.v. and yell (as if the team could here him) when things weren't going well for our team. Then there was the night that we watched the Twins win the World Series in 87. The hoopin and hollerin that went on between the two of us must have been a site. There are many memories I have of my dad but it would take a book to write them all.

One of the verses I read this week was out of Psalm 139. "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works. And that my soul knows very well."

What are you thankful for today?