Count Your Blessings!

I started a group a year ago called "Turning Pain into Praise" at my church. That group is now called "Hannah's Friends". I am so grateful that God prompted me to do such a thing. C and I had only been trying to get pregnant for 8 months at the time and I was scared, embarrassed, and humiliated to try to start such a group. It has only been 8 months, are we really infertile? Are people going to think I am crazy? Are there really any other women that would seek comfort in a group like this? I couldn't stop thinking about it though...I knew that God was leading me to do this. Although, we had been trying for what seems now like such a short time- the pain was still the same. The longing was still there, and surely other people had that same longing. I struggle with the group now, because it seems that some people are afraid to come. When people do come it is only about 4 to 5 of us. But- I am started to see through numerous new emails from ladies that are developing the courage to join us and the friendship and bond that has formed now between the ladies that have been coming for a while that this is something that God truly had his hand on. He gave us this group. I am leaving in about 4 months, and I am hoping and praying that someone will want to take over and continue this group at our church. I think it will be so important.
That said...I was thinking about the 1st title that God brought to my heart "Turning Pain into Praise". Isn't that all that He really wants from us...just our praise? It seems that everything in my devotional time with C and my devotion time by myself is pointing to this fact: Praise first...then prayers will be answers...everything else will fall into place when Praise is put first. C and I lied in bed the other night counting our blessings. It was surely an uplifting feeling- we put everything aside and just started thanking God for things in our life.

Count your Blessings...count them one by one. Count your Blessings...see what God has done!

• a wonderful relationship with Christ
• an amazing husband
• wonderful family- a mom and dad that would do anything for me and I for them
• cutest and sweetest Yorkie in the world
• amazing friends! A girl simply could not ask for more when it comes to my friends
• a roof over my head
• food to eat
• an amazing job
• wonderful co-workers
• fabulous principals
• nice cars to drive
• both of us employed
• great job in KY for C to look forward to next year
• an opportunity to not frantically look for a job next year
• a beautiful home and backyard- our little swing overlooking Shannon Valley
• a cozy bed
• warm water
• closet FULL of clothes and shoes....that C would LOVE to see me empty (ha...he can keep dreaming- my mom can attest to that )
• opportunity to relax this week and not have to work while still being paid.
• support system for infertility
• support system for being a resident's wife.
• an AWESOME supper club (we sure will miss them in KY)
• opportunities for "girl's nights" weekly- (a luxury some would die for)
• a great education
• the ability to read all of these wonderful books that are just waiting on me to read them.
• a healthy body
• last but not least- lots of accessories!!! Accessorize Excessively! LOL