Gratitude

On the 19th of every month I am given my full schedule for the coming month, so basically I can see the future. :) This month is no different, but with next month holding TWO important holidays (Halloween, aka John's birthday, is also in the November bid) I have been particularly anxious.

The verdict...

Halloween = Off

Thanksgiving (the entire week of) = NOT Off

On the evening of the 24th we then get the opportunity to "drop" two trips that we have been assigned in the month to come. Our little FHE on Monday night ran a bit long (with good reason, it was a particularly great one) and I was certain that I had missed my opportunity to drop my trips over Thanksgiving due to the fact that everyone else would have already dropped their's, leaving "insufficient reserves" for me to drop mine.

This was true.

At the encouragement of my sweet husband (I have one of those now. Still getting used to the sound of that.) I tried to drop it a second time feeling that it would make no difference. This time he was right and I learned a valuable lesson in listening to him.

My last day of work in November is now the 20th, meaning that I get to spend Thanksgiving with John. Where and with which family we will be spending it is still undetermined, but together we shall be.

I am finding that in giving the Lord my best He has undoubtedly been giving me His best. I am amazed how on a daily basis I am bowled over by yet another realization of how good He is to me and how He truly knows me personally and the timing of my life. I am so blessed and, therefore, ultimately THANKFUL. 

What I am trying to get at, after that long introduction, is how grateful I am for this upcoming season. Isn't it wonderful that our corner of the world has dedicated a season to being thankful for the abundance that we are given? I love it. There is no other time of the year that can compare with the warm feelings of these next months.

Now, while my immediate focus shall go back to celebrating John's birth, Halloween, and our costumes for a few more days, I am overwhelmed with gratitude at my personal abundance and I am certainly grateful for the wonderful month of November and it's public encouragement to EVERYONE to be thankful.