Blessed Beyond Measure..

09.05.10-Campin' & fourwheelin' wknd

First, I cant wait to do this again!! Oh my goodness, Mona..come home :) And I cant wait for another camping trip...and to go fourwheelin again!! haha Soo much makes me happy about this picture!! :)

Now, on to why Im posting it. I HAVE to say how extrrrrrrrremely thankful I am!!!!!!!! I have had a crazy year. A rough start. Lost track of who I was and what was important to me. Went through a really really hard season of my life that lasted 5months. Went to the funeral home sooo many times this year. Lost a favorite pet. Just lots and lots of craziness. There were points when I didnt think I could breathe. I was drowning. But my Savior helped me pull through, and come out stronger on the other side.

 This holiday season, I have sooo much to be thankful for!!! I have an amazing family. The BEST parents and siblings. All still healthy & loving me every day. The best friends a girl could ask for who have always and will always be there for me. The most perfect job. My health. All the 'material' things that we all usually take for granted. A relationship with my Savior and Creator! Truly the only Thing we ever need. And Im dating my best friend..

 A few months ago I wasn't sure of some things that I once was. I wasn't sure I would ever get to call him my best friend again bc of some brokenness that had yet to have been restored. I wasn't sure any longer that he was the one person that I was made to be with. I wasnt sure that I'd make it past everything that had been thrown at me. I wasnt sure that I could breathe anymore. I knew what God was telling me in that time but I still doubted some days...its so hard to hold on when it feels like there's nothing to grab. To SEE when everything is so dark. But I learned to trust my Savior like never before. I learned what it really means to walk by faith. I discovered a peace that I never knew existed, one I'd previously only heard and talked about. I developed a waaayy deeper relationship with my Creator than I've ever had before. One I dont ever ever want to stray away from. I learned a LOT about myself that I didnt know before. And changed a lot about myself as well. I learned to FORGIVE on a level I havent had to before. And Im learning to love those who hate me. Its been a long, hard process. But I can see now more clearly what God was doing when He allowed it to happen. Fruits of the Spirit arent just instilled in us. We must develop them. And how else are we to develop things like PATIENCE if we arent given situations/things to be patient for? Or true, real PEACE if we arent put in situations to where the only peaceful thing around, is the Lord's own peace in our hearts. The process isn't over, God is still teaching and showing me things to do with that 'season'. But as the holidays are coming up and I get to spend them with my very best friend and the other half of my heart, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. God has known all along how everything would turn out. Our pasts. Our meeting. The friendship. Falling in love. And even and especially, this. I aside from any earthly thing, with just the love of my Savior, I have been blessed beyond measure. And to know He has allowed me to have all those other things, leaves me speechless..and in awe every single day.