so thankful...

It seems appropriate that this week is Thanksgiving.  I have just been feeling so, so grateful for so much right now. Thankful for my family, for where we live, for doing what we love, and for the ability to chase our dreams. Living in a third-world country makes you realize and remember that you should never take any of that for granted.

All the things around you -- the houses, the cars, the movies, the music, and endless amount of STUFF...not everyone has that.  Actually, not many people have that.  There are people all over the world who make less than $50 a month. There are people with no food, no water, no place to sleep.  Kind of makes that feeling of "oh I NEED that nicer house or I NEED that $100 pair of shoes" or "I NEED to buy my kids all those toys" feel a little sickening.  At least it does to me.

Mind you, I am not against stuff.  I am not against having nice things, living in clean and safe places, and taking vacations.  Instead, I just realize that none of this is a given, none of it is my right, and all of it could disappear tomorrow.  We are so very blessed and out of that blessing we need to be giving.  And loving. And forgiving. And grace-extending.  and so much more. The blessings we have should spill out onto others. 

So, out of the thankfulness I feel today, especially for so many of you who have been so sweet to me, so encouraging, so uplifting, and so understanding, I offer this smal, well, TINY gesture. 

And here is a LO I did with it, showing another thing I am thankful for...baby snuggles.

Heaven Sent by Amy Hutchinson, frames by Nancy Comelab, date stamp by Amber Clegg

You can download the template HERE.

Hope everyone has a FABULOUS day!

Comments

[anneberit]

Thank you so much. We truly are blessed :D

[Jacki]

Have loved reading your posts lately. If things weren't so busy, I'd write you more! Thanks for the sweet LO. This is truly a lovely time of year. Sharing your sentiments! Hugs!!

[Leslie (lhaslem)]

Thanks Janet - I appreciate the template and all the wisdom you share with us in each post.

[Heather]

Thank you for the template...they make my life so much easier!

And thank you for sharing your stories!
Heather

[KirstyB]

Thanks Janet!! I always come away feeling uplifted after reading you blog!! Thank you for always being an inspiration with your words!!

[Stephanie]

I've been thinking that very thing about how blessed my family is. I would really like to do a better job of instilling this in my family. Anyway, thanks for your template gift! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

[HaleyW]

Thanks, Janet! I'm thankful to have you in my Google Reader list! :) I hope y'all have a fabulous Thanksgiving!!

[MandaKay]

I think we in America might start to get just a taste of needing to scale back on "stuff", and I don't think it's a bad thing at all. A small taste compared to other countries, but a taste - I pray that it open's people's eyes a bit to the fact that, like you said, we don't deserve even half of what we have!

Thank you so much for the cute template, and I love the LO you did with it! It is so great that you "knew" that Kate was your last child b/c you could savor every "last" moment! I am 99% positive that we are done, but I a little bit feel like I didn't savor enough b/c there was always that 1% chance that we would have another! Would I have done anything differently - I ask myself! Love that LO, and love those baby snuggles too!

[Vicki]

Thank you for the template.
What a lovely soft layout you did.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

[Susan]

Thanks for the template! I completely agree with your thoughts on "stuff." It's good to be content. Enjoy your day!

[Melissa]

Thank you, Janet!

[Jeanann]

Thanks so much for the template! Your layout is beautiful and as always when I read your blog you have given me something to think about.

[Nicole]

thank you!

[Debra]

Thank You Janet!
That layout of you and K is precious. :)

[Christin]

Thank you, Janet, for the beautiful template! Thank you, too, for the inspiring words about all that we have to be ever-so-grateful for! Have a blessed day!

[Joy]

Thank you so much for the template Janet! Your LO is beautiful!

I think being exposed to other countries/cultures not as financially strong as the US gives one a nice perspective on all these "stuff".

[jenny]

thanks

[vanessa]

thank you so much for this lovely template
i just discovered your templates in search for a template pack that will allow me to scrap a whole year - 2 pages per month!
Checking out your shop already!

[Sylvia]

Thanks so much!!!

[Carissa]

I love your template and the layout you did with it - Very sweet! I cannot download, though, the site says download limit has been reached.

[knmkendall]

Thank you for reminding us of all we have to be thankful for! I LOVE the sweet layout of you and your youngest. So darling! Thank you for the free template, but I couldn't get it to download. Is it possible for you to renew it? It says the download limit is reached. Thank you!

[Dee Pounds]

janet - this is beautiful - just like everything you do! i was soooo excited to add this to my collection, but like carissa was unable to download it because the limit has been reached :-(

[Bekah_E]

thank you!

[Susan]

I love this template but I am unable to download it. It says the download limit is reached. Is it possible to for you to renew it? Thanks!

[robin]

Thank you Janet! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!