30 days of Gratitude

I love the treasures tucked in to the month of November, especially the focus on gratitude that comes with  the Thanksgiving holiday. It's definitely been another unique year in my life, so I can't let the month slip away without listing something I've been thankful for each day this month. We've been making a gratitude chain at school for several weeks in fall and Christmas colors, and now we're ready to hang it up as a decoration in the classroom in preparation for Christmas. Here are a few of the things I put on my chain links, plus more:

1. A cozy, wood-burning stove in my living room that creates a warm fire to sit by every night.
2. Being able to decorate for Christmas this year
3. Christmas decorations that hold memories of special people and memories of Christmases past
4. A great team to work with to change the lives of children in need
5. A job where everyone feels like family
6. Several students choosing to receive Christ as their Savior this year
7. A great church where Mike and I can serve and grow
8. A wonderful small group to do life together with
9. Bible study friends
10. A thriving women's ministry at my church
11. The opportunity to be on the women's ministry team
12. Biblical counseling training
13. A Biblical counseling team to be part of
14. A quick trip to Texas for a Biblical counseling conference
15. An Alspaugh family vacation in Michigan with both my boys
16. A road trip to Pennsylvania with David
17. A new little deck in front of my house
18. Wonderful Christian neighbors
19. Finding new connections to the Spanish-speaking world here in Columbus
20. A growing circle of good friends here in Columbus
21. A summer with David
22. Experiencing a full cycle of seasons
23. Walking nearly 400 miles on a quiet, country road this year
24. Close relationships with family we've always lived so far away from
25. Time with both of my brothers this summer
26. An after Thanksgiving visit with a treasured friend
27. Watching two sweet friends get married this year
28. A working stove and oven to cook with
29. A son with two working arms to help his dad on the house this summer
30. Lots of land with lots of future potential