{Count Your Many Blessings, Name Them One By One}

A friend of mine made a post just like this. I thought that it was a very good idea and encourage others to do the same as well. Thanks so much Brandis for the inspiration.

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

BLESSING #1

As many of you already know, it took me a while to be able to become pregnant. Lately I have been experiencing the home stretch of pregnancy and have been impatient and upset that I am having major rib/back pains. I have thought on more than one occasion that I just don't want to be pregnant any more. But I am now reminded that I am just overly thankful that I am even pregnant. There are still so many couples out there who haven't experienced the joy of being pregnant, or who many never experience it.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.(Schriever AFB with a Thunderbird fly over. This is the base Matthew works at. The Thunderbirds did a fly over when they were in town for the Academy Graduation a couple of weeks ago.)

BLESSING #2

We are so blessed that Matthew has a job, especially one serving his country. Right now in Colorado Springs the unemployment rate is at 5.1%. The highest unemployment rate in the nation is El Centro, CA at 18.4 %. I will admit that working for the Air Force can be quite a burden. But here is a list of things the Air Force provides for us.

1. Health Care

2. Free housing

3. Better job security than most civilian companies

4. Discounted/free schooling

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings; money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

BLESSING #3

So we actually live in a land of gold. We are so grateful to be living in America. Some of the luxuries that I have because I live in this country.

1. Freedom of Religion

(The Bountiful Temple, Matthew and I were married here Aug 2003)

2. Freedom to purchase anything

(Our nice car. Thankfully nothing major has happened to it. Although it is painful to spend $70 to fill the gas tank. At least we can afford to do that.)

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

BLESSING #4

So far we have not experienced a deployment. Actually Matthew isn't exactly deployable working in GPS. But we have had friends and family who have been deployed. We are blessed as a nation that we are even able to defend ourselves, let alone help others. Granted some will argue that we don't need to be at war. I agree to a certain point. But I am just stating that we as a nation are blessed for the defenses and technology we have.

So that is my thankfulness for today. I know there is much to be upset or gripe about such as gas prices or the slump in housing or just plain the economy or who the presidential candidates are. But I just wanted to take a step back and see that hope isn't lost.