thankful thursday

I'm so very thankful....

• for God's provision! We have lived here in Ohio for about a year and have managed with just one vehicle for that entire time. That has meant a lot of rides to work for Josh from his brother and days stuck at home for Sydney and I. It hasn't really been a big deal and we're so grateful Josh has had the ride to work and we've been able to work that out for so long!! Recently it's been pretty clear that we need a second vehicle as where they work changes with what house they're working on and we definitely wanted to get something before the baby arrived. Well, after a couple of weeks researching, looking, test driving, and the like we purchased a van yesterday!! We are so thankful that God has provided transportation this past year, an opportunity to buy a vehicle, and the right vehicle to buy!
• for spending the holidays with family! It is such a blessing to live close enough to see everyone around the holidays. Josh, Sydney, and I will be heading to Indiana tomorrow and then Pennsylvania soon after that. We're so thankful to no longer have 10+ hour drives to see everyone!!
• for the little kicks and jabs in my belly that let me know our little guy is growing and lively! Now, I'm not so thankful for when they wake me up in the middle of the night but that's ok, he might as well start interrupting my sleep now as there's lots more of that to come!!
• for the Christmas season and the great reminder of all Christ has done for us! It's hard not to get caught up in the shopping, baking, gift giving and decorating. So, I just want to take a second to remind myself of what it's really all about. I'm so thankful for Christ, who humbly came to this earth as a baby, died on the cross for our sins so that we could be saved, rising from death, and giving us the opportunity to repent and be forgiven and redeemed. What a priceless gift he has given!

Merry Christmas to you and your family. I pray you each are blessed through this season!!

Here are a couple of my favorite verses from "O Holy Night" that have really been standing out to me this year. Blessings to you!

"Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

"Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!"