Blessings

Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

I am blessed, in spite of the heartbreak of this last year, I know I am blessed and loved by the Lord, He shows me this in so many ways. 

One of the things that got me thinking, really thinking about how blessed I am is memories, you see, it was 34 years ago, this week that Glenn and I met, and tomorrow will be 34 years since our first date, which I still recall as if it were yesterday.

We went to the Muppet Movie, the first one, it was at the Craterian Movie theater. It was then that we decided based on the hair and the red drums that Glenn and Animal were really one and the same, lol. I even remember what I wore, black pants, a red plaid shirt and a skinny scarf/tie thing that was popular back then... that is a long time ago. Glenn was probably in one of his many pair of Levi cords and a short sleeve button up shirt.. (Since they were 75% of his wardrobe when we met.) After the movie we went to McDonalds, it was a nice, casual time, and just thinking about that day brings a smile to my face.

See the resemblance 

That date led to many more and eventually to our wedding, a lot of our friends were married around the same time as us, give or take 6 or 7 months either way... we got married in the winter, just had to be different I guess. And many of those same friends thought we'd never last together- but God had other plans. We begin put the Lord first about 8 months into our marriage, and that is what has given me this blessed life I live.

Remember, blessed doesn't mean perfect, it just means when it's good; God is there, when it's not so good; God is there... God is there to bring joy, peace, and strength for the storm. 

My family is a big part of the obvious blessing of the Lord. Our kids, though not perfect, are amazing! I can honestly say that they brought much joy to our lives, and really, very little heart ache, and for that, I am so thankful to the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.  We did our best to do this, and though we had our failings, God was faithful to fill in the gaps and hold them steady.

My 'Angels' ?  Whitney, Amber and Crystle.

As they grew, they have continued to be blessings, I have two wonderful bonus children added to the family through marriage. They are a fun bunch, though a bit crazy to be around... they may have gotten that from us, oh well. Life has never been boring!

MIB Squad- Jake, Glenn, Andrew and Jeremy

They all have strengths that are unique to each one, and as a mom, I see those, and I believe that to a point they see them in each other, and the older they get the more they will realize them in one another. I also am excited to watch the men and women that my children have, and will become as the years go by.

The more recent blessings in the family tree are of course the grandkids!! They are each wonderful, adorable little people who are also very unique... I marvel at the thought of what God will do in this next generation. Our heart was always, let our kids do better than us, and I'm sure that is how our children are for their little ones. Yes the future is bright and I look forward to watching them grow!!

Beyond, my immediate family is a wealth of blessings, my extended family has been there so much, I love them for everything they've done and do. Over all the years, and in the year of the health battle and to the present they have offered a strength of support in so many ways that truly blessed us and continues to bless me now.

Friends... I've said it before, you amaze me. You have "no dog in the hunt" but there you are. To help when we or I needed it, the times that you stepped out of your comfort zone to help us, in more ways than I can count, it overwhelms me. In the time since Glenn went home to be with the Lord, you continue to do the same... whether I want it or not. Not that I don't want it but I battle the independent spirit that says I can do it on my own, and I don't want to ask for help--it's hard, and you are there to step in, you pray for me, you pray with me, and you reach out, far beyond what I would ever ask, and you bless me. To say thank you seems so minimal, what you do and who you are is a blessing, I pray that the Lord return to you ten-fold all you have done for me.

Yes I am blessed-

• I was blessed with Glenn in my life for nearly 34 years.
• I am blessed with wonderful children and precious grandchildren. 
• I am blessed with an amazing extended family.
• I am blessed with wonderful friends.
• I am blessed with memories to last a lifetime.
• I am blessed with a future, that I have yet to get a grasp of, but I know that as time goes on, the Lord will stir my ability to dream, once again.

May your day, and life be blessed also!