2011 Top Things I'm Thankful For

Late though not forgotten, my annual gratitude list:

1. The unending, irreplaceable love of my Father
2. His tenacious commitment to my life, my growth, my healing and my freedom
3. His advocacy
4. His protection
5. His grace
6. His mercy
7. His help
8. His favor
9. His truth
10. His victory
11. His constant presence through a very rough year
12. Great friends who literally carried me through the last year
13. God's intervention moment-by-moment, step-by-step through the craziness of this past year
14. Finally understanding - at least in part - the truth that God really is the end and the most important thing in life, that He is more real than everything else around me (think Stephen the martyr as he was about to be stoned )
15. The constancy of God's voice
16. His provision, every time, just in time
17. A really great and kind lawyer
18. Not going to jail
19. Resolution to an unexpected and awful situation
20. A weekend trip to Santa Fe, NM
21. The chance to refinance my house for a great rate (with no money due at closing) - which resulted in saving nearly $200/mo
22. A much-needed, all-inclusive vacation to Mexico
23. The beach
24. A new worship pastor at church
25. And, how I am finally having the opportunity to be trained in worship leading, rather than just figuring it out on my own
26. A newfound confidence and freedom to lead worship
27. A newfound confidence and freedom in general
28. Being told I'm beautiful
29. And, actually believing it's true
30. My "little sister"
31. The opportunity to witness her growing into an amazing, smart, fun, grounded young woman
32. Letu - the girl I sponsor through Compassion International
33. Phenomenol new opportunities at work
34. Unmerited favor from my company's president and board chairman - both of whom trust me, include me on many of their projects, and ask me to edit/write for them
35. The opportunity to have my name down as "editor" for a book that will be published early next year for my company
36. The steady growth of my side business, Writing for a CHANGE
37. The faith that others have in me and my work - enough even to recommend me to their friends
38. The ability to write and edit
39. My love for grammar (!)
40. My church, the Mile High Vineyard
41. And, the grace God's poured on it and all it's done in the past 10 years
42. His grace and vision for all that's yet to be done in our city and in the world and the fact that we get to be a part of it
43. The prayers, sacrifice, tireless work and commitment of my pastors, Jay and Danielle
44. My small group
45. Finally having a co-leader for my small group
46. The risks those in my small group have taken, to get out of their comfort zones and risk for Jesus and His Kingdom
47. Growth and change in my father even while walking through some really tough stuff
48. Restored relationship between him and my older sister
49. My sisters and the fact that no matter how many miles separate us, we're still super close
50. My fabulous friends, I truly don't know what I'd do without them.
51. A great new roommate
52. A car that's still running, at 15 years old and 140k+ miles
53. So many new recipes to try
54. Gorgeous red leaves in Denver this autumn
55. Blue skies
56. The ocean
57. Running water
58. Pumpkin Spice Lattes
59. Wine, especially my new favoriate, Malbec
60. An awesome birthday retreat with friends - it was an oasis in the middle of a terrible year
61. First dates
62. Being okay with no second dates
63. Internet dating - the experience has been invaluable, even if no long-term relationship has resulted yet
64. Being seen
65. Being cherished
66. Not being desperate for love and/or attention anymore
67. Not settling
68. Hope
69. Faith in God's promises
70. The willingness to wait for HIM to bring His promises to pass
71. Laughter - the deep, from the belly kind
72. Not fitting into my clothes anymore
73. Provision to buy clothes in smaller sizes
74. Friendships that endure the test of time and distance
75. Skype
76. Change
77. Seasons - for their beauty alone and all they represent
78. My niece Kristin and the amazing, talented woman she's becoming and her vast amount of common sense
79. My niece Natalie and the sweet, faith filled little girl that she is
80. Travel
81. The diversity of the world and even of my city
82. Candles
83. Beauty in unexpected places
84. The majesty of the Rockies
85. And, that I get to see their majesty every day
86. Living somewhere where there's 300+ days of sunshine each year
87. Happy Hours
88. Great deals at stores
89. New recipes
90. The Bible
91. Inspired authors
92. Others' courage and examples to me in so many areas and ways
93. Gratitude
94. And, how it changes everything
95. Forgiveness
96. Truth
97. Peace
98. Rest
99. Drama-less living
100. Salvation