It's been a personal tradition for me for a few years to write a blessings list every New Years Eve, as I wait for the next year to begin. And this year, as I've been thinking about all the amazing things that have happened in 2010, I've been overwhelmed. It's been an incredible year. It hasn't always been easy, but even through the trials I've been blessed in unimaginable ways. So, here's my blessing's list; my random brainstorm of all the things that have challenged me, strengthened me, and made this year so wonderful.
To everyone who has made 2010 one of the best years of my life: This is for you.
My Blessings:
family ~ health ~ distance ~ smiles ~ a kind word that brightens up your day ~ friendship ~ hot chocolate ~ France ~ long haul flights ~ gelato ~ the amazing gift of Salvation ~ travel ~ music ~ beautiful sunsets ~ haircuts ~ laughing until you can't breathe ~ dancing in the rain ~ imagination ~ butterflies ~ creativity ~ singing in the shower ~ hilarious games of I spy with my adorable little siblings ~ Desert landscapes ~ Late night / early morning skype conversations ~ Aix en Provence, France (my new-found favourite place in the world) ~ Timothy (aka Franklin) - my guitar :D ~ the crack of dawn ~ Olivia, my amazing friend and my twin - you will always mean the world to me :) ~ Rain ~ pillow fights ~ lindt chocolate ~ warm comfy PJ's ~ sparkly gel pens ~ writing ~ happy endings ~ jandal tans ~ the smell of the ocean ~ trials ~ tears ~ memories that come out of nowhere and make you smile ~ letters ~ old photos ~ freckles ~ thunderstorms ~ mangos ~ frangipani flowers ~ the smell of rain ~ hugs and kisses ~ bedtime stories ~ favourite songs on repeat ~ God and His many blessings ~ warm fuzzy socks ~ LOVE ~ real-life fairytales ~ friends who might not always be able to be by your side, but who will never leave your heart ~ inside jokes ~ history trip to Europe ~ purple ~ long walks along the beach ~ Justin - my other half, my inspiration, my prince charming. I love you. ~ sunrise ~ early morning runs ~ mango ice tea ~ lightning ~ cherries ~ sister talks ~ good morning text messages ~ phone calls completely out of the blue ~ pancakes ~ GRACE ~ Michigan ~ nice long emails ~ rainbows ~ promises kept ~ Sabbath rest ~ Bible studies ~ macaroons ~ watching the stars ~ short stories ~ 2am macca's runs ~ Berocca ~ Jeremiah 29:11 ~ the pitter-patter of raindrops on your skin ~ waking up knowing you are loved ~ knowing you've survived until payday ~ IDS ~ Church family ~ people who care about you ~ Skype ~ friends in Michigan, California, Canada, and even Finland, who still keep in touch with me after all this time... love you all! ~ clean washing (especially when I'm at home and I don't have to do all mine myself!) ~ TIME ~ comfy shoes ~ all the wonderful friends I've met this year - you guys are so amazing, I couldn't have survived 2010 without you; thanks for all the memories! :) ~ packages from home ~ movie nights with the girls ~ shells ~ bird watching ~ new journals ~ surprises ~ Monica, our pet kangaroo ~ photos ~ positive people ~ candles ~ classical music ~ exams ~ piano ~ relief when a busy week is over ~ experiences completely out of my comfort zone ~ LIFE ~ challenges ~ Keryn, my amazing little sister. I love you Daisy! XD ~ survival ~ happy songs that make you want to dance ~ sunshine ~ freshly cut grass ~ picnics ~ summer breezes ~ trees ~ books ~ lazy days ~ discovery ~ swimming on a hot day ~ Danielle, Joelie, Matthew, and Caleb - I've been blessed with the cutest, most troublesome, most adorable little siblings :) ~ sleeping on the trampoline, watching the stars ~ birthdays ~ KINDNESS ~ airports ~ goodbyes that don't last forever ~ my wonderful Kiwi friends who I miss terribly! I can't wait to see you again sometime in 2011! ~ the ability to learn ~ FREEDOM ~ Serving a God who loves me more than I can ever imagine ~ knowing my purpose in life ~ being me ~ sleep! ~ the trials that teach me patience ~ water ~ flowers ~ prayer ~ songs ~ my parents, who love me unconditionally ~ random acts of kindness ~ being remembered ~ giggles ~ flying ~ writing songs ~ ADRA ~ the whisper of wind across the desert ~ pranks ~ Colbie Calliat, Jack Johnson, Brooke Fraser; and the songs that never fail to make me feel better ~ colour ~ forgotten memories and old cardboard boxes ~ lemonade ~ dreams ~ people who love me for who I am, and not who they want me to be ~ healing ~ getting mail ~ strawberries ~ 3ABN ~ feeling special ~ knowing I am loved, no matter what. :)
2010 was so much more than I ever imagined it could be.
And with God, my family, and the wonderful friendships I've been blessed with, I can't wait to see what 2011 will hold.
:)
