A Blog of Thanks

Like the Pilgrims, but online... and I didn't take this blog from anyone else and then force them to teach me how to use it...

So, I've seen a lot of posts on my Facebook news feed about what people are thankful for this holiday season. Apparently the newest Facebook trend is to post one thing you're thankful for every day for the month of November. Being inspired by this, but not wanting to flood my friends' news feeds with the same status from everyone every day (you're welcome), I decided to take it to my blog. Since I'm already 5 days behind, I will list 5 reasons I'm thankful in this post, and subsequent posts will only contain one... unless I skip a day... but you get the idea...

Here we go!

1. I am eversothankful for the man in charge of it all, our Heavenly Father, Himself: God. Because I feel that none of my blessings would have been possible except through Him, it only seems appropriate that He would be my first reason for thanks. I read a quote once that said "Sometimes God calms the storm... Sometimes God lets the storm rage and calms his child." These words have given me so much inspiration and strength, and are a daily reminder to me that, instead of being down about adversities, I need to be thankful to God for giving me the ability to handle life's curve balls, and for constantly proving to me that His hand is in everything... even when I go through moments of doubt. So, on this the first day of my "thankful" blog, I give the glory to You, God. I look forward to many more opportunities to have my eyes opened to the power of Your unconditional love.

2. I am incredibly thankful for my fabulous, wonderful, handsome boyfriend: Mr. Zane Vayon. He has been such a blessing to my life, and a constant source of support. Zane always thinks of me first, and truly has my best interest at heart. He loves me in spite of my hard headed (and, yes, sometimes bossy) ways, and always reminds me of my strengths. I feel so lucky to have found a man who shares my morals and goals, who loves and seeks a relationship with God, and who always encourages me to be the best version of myself. More than anything, he is my best friend and he can always make me laugh. So, here's to you, Zane. I love you SO much!

3. My heart is filled with thanks for my incredible parents: James and Kemper Gibson. These two people are truly "home" to me. They are the two people who know what I'm thinking and feeling before I even tell them, and I feel so blessed that God chose to make me their child. They have always made my brother and me their priority, putting themselves second countless times. Though I didn't always agree with them growing up, I am so thankful for their "strict" parenting style, and the morals they instilled in us. I truly believe that Dallas and I are the product of wonderful parenting, and I hope that I can be half the parent that they have been to me. After over 30 years of marriage, they are the prime example of the way marriage should work, and that the strongest marriages are those who place God at the center of their relationship. I feel so blessed to be able to call my parents my best friends, and I know that I could never thank them enough for everything they've done, and continue to do, to enrich my life. I love you both more than you could ever, ever know!

4. I am very thankful for my little brother, Dallas. When Dallas was born 19 years ago, I could never have imagined the wonderful person he would become. I have always been so protective of him, sometimes moreso than my parents, and am admittedly hard on him so often because I always want him to be the best and most successful at everything he does. We are the perfect example of the old stereotype that big sister can say whatever she wants, but if anyone else picks on her little brother there will be "hell to pay"! In spite of my nagging and pushing, Dallas has proven to be an amazing person, brother, and friend; and, while I'd love to take credit for his success, I know that it is largely because of his inherent good. He has one of the biggest hearts I've ever known, and will always look out for the underdog. No matter what happens, we are always there to support each other, and I am so incredibly thankful for that. Here's to you, Dallas! I love you and am so, so, SO proud of you!!

5. While this is probably the most difficult to write, I feel that I cannot go forward with this list without making mention of my maternal grandparents: Butch and Beverly Morris. Aside from my parents, these two people were my perfect example of what it feels like to receive unconditional love. They loved me before I was born, and everything they did from January 11, 1984, until they both passed in 2002 and 2011, was evidence of their overwhelming love for their grandchildren. While I sometimes took advantage of the fact that they were always there, every day of my life is a constant reminder that I have so much to be thankful for because of them. I continue to see their hand in my life in so many ways and, while it makes me sad to think that they won't be here for the rest of my family's big milestones, I feel so blessed to have had a relationship with my grandparents that many people aren't lucky enough to know. I miss them both more than I can find words to express, and feel so incredibly thankful to have been their granddaughter.


So, there you have it- The first 5 blessings on my "reasons I'm thankful" list! I am truly going to try to keep up with this every day, as I think it is very encouraging and good for the soul to remind yourself of your many blessings every day.

Thanks for reading, friends! I'm thankful for you, too!