I was in the habit of counting my every day blessings on Heart Choices. In fact, I'd recorded more than 1,000 blessings but somehow I got out of the habit. I decided it's time to start writing them down again.


Being thankful changes my perspective. Instead of viewing my life through the lens of what's wrong, it causes me to notice all that's good.

Over my Thanksgiving break, I was able to travel to Florida to visit my family. My dad will be celebrating his 87th birthday. My siblings' families are growing with grandchildren and I didn't want to miss out.

Here is my dad with his great grandson Kameron. Such a precious sight! How thankful I was to spend time with both of them.

This past week my mother-in-law Gloria celebrated her 90th birthday. One of her favorite desserts is cheesecake. So Greg, his two sisters and Frank and me sang happy birthday and ate cheesecake. So thankful that she is living in her own home and is even able to drive. And she is so sharp. Amazing, I know!


I work with some amazing teachers. Here are three of them at a recent Christmas party. We laugh and enjoy each other. I am old enough to be their mom but how grateful I am to be included. We have a wonderful relationship for which I am thankful.

I now have six Mini-Mustangs in my class. In January, I will have at least two more students and possibly four. Since the children are under the age of three, I need some help. So I've been given an assistant to help me. I'm so thankful to have Miss Patricia! Both of us started working at our school in 2010 and so I know her well. She's worked with me in summer camp too.


I'm so thankful for good health. I've been working out daily and have lost more than twenty pounds. It helps me with endurance and strength dealing with little ones all day. I have to admit I sleep well at night.

However, I did catch a cold recently. Today I stayed home from church so I could simply rest. Greg took care of me as I sipped tea and took naps.

How thankful I am that I can watch my church service online and not miss out. However, this morning I watched the Brooklyn Tabernacle church services. It was one hour and 40 minutes but I loved every bit of it. The worship was so inspiring and I found myself singing along as I sat comfortably in my pj's. Pastor Jim Cymbala shares Scripture and always gives application to our lives. I love that. I've visited this church twice when I was in New York City. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Manhattan. I felt like it is a foretaste of heaven as every skin color and background are represented. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.


I read a book on the plane written by Sarah Mae entitled Longing for Paris.  It's not a book about a trip to Paris but instead finding fun and joy right in the midst of where you are. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

I'm so thankful for so many free videos and booklets I can obtain online. Emily P. Freeman posted four videos that totally blessed me. You can sign up and access them here. Emily's latest book is called Simply Tuesday and I hope to read this one soon. As you can tell, I love to read!


I loved this quote from Emily.

Don't you just love that?

Once I begin to count my every day blessings, it's easy to go on and on and on ...

I pray that you will make the choice to begin to count your every day blessings. What are you thankful for? I'd love to hear.

Blessings and love,

I've been silent lately on Heart Choices. My heart has been overflowing with things I want to share but time has been limited. I continue to write in my journal each day as the Lord is teaching me.

As I enter this season of Christmas, I knew I wanted to join with Bonnie Gray of Faith Barista for One Word Advent. Today we are linking up to write on the word HOPE.

This morning I woke up with a song on my  heart.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives all fear is gone.
Because I know, I know He holds the future.
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

(Because He Lives by Bill Gaither)

I emphasized the words I know because that is the hope I hold deeply in my heart. It is not a worldly hope like "I hope I win the lottery". It is a hope based on the Word of God.


I can tell you from personal experience that God is trustworthy and faithful.

I've had moments in my life when I didn't know what I was going to do and how I was going to get through some very challenging times. He has sustained me and given me His strength. When I lost all material possessions, I learned to place my HOPE in Him. People can let you down but God never will. I came to realize that He has a plan for my life and His plans are always good.

If I could only have one prayer answered in my life, it would be that my loved ones would know Jesus in a personal relationship and walk with Him. This has been an ongoing prayer of mine as our family expands with new babies.

Over Thanksgiving I flew to Florida to spend time with family. My dad is going to turn 87 years old on his next birthday and he faces some health challenges. I wanted to spend time with him. I also wanted to see my brother and sister and their families. Although I was unable to have children, I have nieces and nephews who are now married and starting their own families. What a joy to hold their little ones in my arms.

Blessings and love,