Counting My Blessings

Our first song during the worship service Sunday morning was "Count Your Blessings". I love that song and it's message, but for some reason it was like singing it for the first time. Maybe, it was that this was my first Sunday worship service of a fresh new year but I was overwhelmed with the thought of how much God has blessed me.
*I had just finished Bible class with my boys. Matt and Nate have blessed my life beyond what I ever dreamed. They challenge me spiritually and physically. I've done many things with and for them when my physical body was saying it just couldn't get up and go - they keep me going.
*Bob was leading singing. I thought of the many ways He has grown and "stepped up to the plate" in our small congregation. He has done things like preaching, teaching the adult Bible classes, and many other things which were WAY OUT of his comfort zone not too many years ago. He has studied and grown in his knowledge of the Bible.
*Bob & I were in a worship service with our aging parents. We're so blessed to have had grandparents and parents to love and care for us. Our grandparents are gone now and our parents now need us and just make us feel loved and needed. We're also blessed to be in the same town with them.
*We were also worshipping with Annie and Jared. I had a surprise when they called to say they'd be here for lunch on Saturday (Bob knew they were coming and kept it secret) We've been blessed with faithful children and it's great to see them fall in love and for them to be loved in return.
*I was in worship with my sister. God has given us such loving and giving physical families. No matter what happens, we have family who love us, encourage us and in turn care about our girls.
*God sent His son to die for me, and He loves me unconditionally. He doesn't place restrictions on His forgiveness and amazingly He continues to bless me, even when I falter and fail Him. This thought alone made me want to not only count my blessings but be a better steward of the love, the relationships and the physical blessings He has given me.
I am overwhelmed by the "countless" blessings God has given me.

Two Little Blessings

Megan & Santa









(I guess you can tell, I DON'T HAVE THIS PICTURE STUFF FIGURED OUT YET!)



Clint with his photobook from Uncle Bob and Aunt Sharlene

"Princess Megan" sometimes allows me to be the "Queen Mother" in our time together!










Clint & Santa


























There are two people who bring much Joy to my life, actually to the lives of many. Their names are Megan and Clint Stapel and they are my great niece and nephew, the children of my niece Becky and my nephew Jason.


Part of the blessing is that we live close by and get to share in their lives.


In December Brenda, Mother and I took them to "Breakfast With Santa" which is sponsored by the local hospital. Megan had JOY written all over her face as she told Santa what she would like for Christmas and Clint had "Orneriness" all over his face as he asked Santa for a mouse to scare his mother with. After the visit with Santa, we went to Brenda's house to make ornaments and visit plus view the new Gingerbread house Pop (Norman) had helped them make and decorate. This is the first year Pop got to help and I must say it looked like the sturdiest Gingerbread House they have constructed!

They also invited us to Grammy's & Pop's on New Year's Eve for a movie and Uncle Bob's Eggnog (a yearly tradition) They gave Grammy instructions for Bob to make his own special eggnog and not to buy it in the store (Clint thinks that kind tastes awful!). We had a fun evening with them and MaMaw. Megan did not make it to the end of the movie, much less midnight.

Megan and Clint are great about sharing fun times with us. Children bring joy, laughter and fun to the lives of others and I thank God we live close enough to share their lives! They are great little kids who are going to be thoughtful, caring grown-up people

P.S. Part of what makes them so special is their thoughtful, talented and sharing parents
P.S.S. Grammy (my sister Brenda) is another person who has helped mould them into the great little people they are. She has them do crafts, cook, and so many other things to give to and do for others.