So Thankful

Today, I'm sitting here thinking of how blessed I am to have such wonderful women in my life. I suppose this post is more appropriate for Mother's Day, but I just thought of it so oh well! After the initial post, I went back and added in the men I'm thankful for as well...just kept thinking of all they've done for me.

I'm thankful for my mom. She taught me to love books. She taught me to never give up (can I speak to the manager please?). She nursed her babies during a time period where that was very rare, and encouraged her daughters to do it as well. She is my number one baby sitter! She is always there when I need her.

I'm thankful for my dad. He taught me how to be a princess! I still sit on his lap:) Even though he worked so much, he still found time to read me a bedtime story every night! I will always be Your Chelle.

I'm thankful for my sister, Suzanne, who reminds me to enjoy my children and who I enjoy talking to and hanging out with so much. I'm thankful for my brother Rick. I always looked forward to the Fourth of July every year cause I knew you'd be there to celebrate with us. I'm thankful for my two sister in laws, Ruth and Melissa, my three brother in laws, Terry, Herschel, and Mike, and for my mother in law and father in law. I'm thankful for my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They are all so special and I love them very much.

I'm thankful for all the men who have been my pastors. Brother Mounce, my first pastor, who was so patient with me. He never condemned me or tried to force anything on me. He let God give me convictions and they were "mine" not anyone else's! Brother Wallace, my second pastor, who taught me it's okay to let loose and let God! He was there for me during the hardest time in my life, and gave me the best advice for getting through. Brother Elms, my third pastor, who taught me the importance of prayer and walking close to God. And Brother Holley, my current pastor, who is teaching me to love souls and reach out to the lost.

I'm thankful for the ladies who have been my pastor's wives. Such wonderful women each and every one. For Sister Mounce, my very first pastor's wife, she taught me how to worship with my whole heart. For Sister Wallace, my second pastor's wife, she taught me how to be a true lady and how to be kind and soft spoken. For Sister Elms, my third pastor's wife, she taught me how to put my children first, to look nice whenever you are out and about, and to stand up for what really matters. And for Sister Holley, my current pastor's wife (she better be around for a long time!), she is teaching me how to laugh and have fun, how to let my children become who they are and not how I want them to be, and so many other things...I can't wait to see all the things yet to come.

I'm thankful for all the ladies who I've never met (or possibly met but not "known" them), whose books, music, and lessons have inspired me to be a better wife, mother, and servant of God. Ladies like Sister Nona Freeman, Sister Haney, Sis Ruth Harvey...these ladies are such a blessing in my life.

I'm thankful for all the saints of Life Tabernacle. They are all so special and talented in so many different ways. I love each and every one of you.

I'm thankful for my best friend, Christina. You are always there when I need you. I'm so thankful that God has put you in my life. You are my favorite shopping partner:) I'm thankful for my "old" best friends from years gone by, Delila, Stefanie, Melissa, Alissa, Danielle, and Sonya...some of you I haven't heard from in years, some of you I "talk" to on facebook...you have all been so special to me. Life wouldn't be nearly as sweet without your best friends.

I'm also so very thankful for my wonderful husband Billy. He loves me so much in spite of all my flaws (and there are many). He knows me better than anyone and still loves me! And I'm so thankful for my three adorable children, Abigail, Andrew, and Annabelle. Each so different but each so special. I love you more than peanut butter cookies!

Most of all, I'm so thankful to my Lord and savior, Jesus. You know everything about me, for the worst thing I've done to the best thing I've done, and you love me anyway. You never gave up on me. You are my deliver, and set me free from the chains of sin. You are my everything.

Anyway, just feeling thankful and blessed today! Have a wonderful week everyone!