I wrote to a friend today that the hardest parts of a deployment is the beginning and the end. We’ve survived the beginning and now we’re in the end and I’m truly feeling it.
At this point I’m just DONE with it all and so very tired. My patience with the kids, with homemaking, with all the responsibilities that fall on my shoulder, with dieting, and with homeschooling is wearing thin.
I’m doing lots of apologizing and lots of grace-giving (to the kids and, yes, to myself as well) these days.
And I’m counting these blessings that grace my days in gentle, quiet ways.
Today, I’m counting so many blessings from the past month, including…
868. spray tan party
869. Mama & Daddy’s visit
870. Sunday School cookout/dinner
871. hearing love stories
872. discussions in Sunday School
873. a full room
874. friends praying for Keith
875. rainy days
876. whoopie pies
877. new family joining church
878. decisions made for Christ
879. lesson plans written for a new week
880. EA helping Jenny study AWANA verses
881. impromptu dinner with friends
882. praying with Crissy
883. Panera’s bread
884. Jenny finished her AWANA book!
885. listening to the kids’ car conversations
886. watching Radio Disney Awards with MC
887. bedtime talks with Jenny
888. Keith passed his PT test
889. another month complete
890. daddy’s birthday
891. starting a new book
892. 10,000 steps
893. new Bible
894. watching Mia & Lily
895. class day
896. little girls dancing
897. Star Wars Day
898. making Yoda cupcakes for Will
899. pizza and Rogue One
900. packing date confirmed
901. quiet nights
902. scrapbooking weekend
903. finally warm weather
904. cooking for neighbors
905. happy mail…book of the month, card, and coupon from Sonlight
906. kids playing outside
907. being included
908. sweet tea
909. being okay with who I am
910. early bedtime
911. AWANA Awards
912. EA’s Timothy Award
913. escaping to the porch for fresh air and quiet
914. Father/Daughter dinner
915. roses given to my girls
916. evening walks
917. coming home to a clean house
918. Keith’s plane ticket reserved
919. friends caring for us to well
920. 60 days until packing begins
What a list! When I read over these and reminiscence about the moments these blessings represent my thoughts turn away from the hard day that just passed and the regrets I have over harsh words that were said and they turn to gratitude and a heart of thankfulness.
What blessings are you counting right now?
Gillian says
Hang in there blessed Daughter of the King. You’ve done so well and you’re almost there. Remember there is no bottom to the cup of grace, so drink deeply, my friend.