Thankful...

Well, its the time of the year where everyone is remembering the things they are thankful for.  My Facebook feed has been full of Day 1, Day 2,... I did not do it - 1) - I wouldn't be able to keep up with it, 2) - I didn't want to do what everyone else was doing and 3) - I thought I would do it in one large post and get it all out at once.  So, here goes (and in no particular order)....

I am thankful for:

1. My relationship with Jesus.  Gosh, I did not deserve what He did for me.  I will never be worthy of Him, but am thankful that He chose to die for me.
2. Michael. God knew what He was doing when He brought Michael into my life.  I am amazed that Michael chose me for his wife.  I feel so unworthy to be a Mayfield, but am thankful that the Lord knew what He was doing.  He is so caring, loving and brings so much joy to my life.  As his sister, Elizabeth, says - "I love the way he loves you" and I do too!
3. My parents.  They are so good to me - they have done so much for me and love me unconditionally.  I know I can always count on them and for that I am grateful!
4. My sisters. I love those girls so much!  We have gone from friends as kids to sometimes enemies as teenagers to friends as adults.  They are such good friends to me.  We do not see each other as much as we would like but when we do, we soak up the moment.  
5. My niece and nephew.  Who knew that seven years ago when the Lord brought Brandon into our life what a difference he would make in our family.  He brought a new meaning to our family - new life, new joy and new love that we didn't know.  Then five years ago he brought that spunky Ella to us and what a joy she is.  The road with them has not always been an easy one but I cannot imagine our family without them.
6. My in-laws.  Terry and Debbie have been so wonderful to me - welcoming me into their home from day one! The first time I went to their house, Michael and I were just friends - I remember Debbie giving me the biggest hug.  I was so amazed how welcoming they were to me.  Its still the same.  I love them and am thankful for the love they have shown me.
7. My brothers and sister-in-law.  I have three brothers and one sister-in-law.  Ronald and Chase are so fun to be around and have been great friends for Michael.  They have shown him the Handley family ropes and been great sounding boards for him.  Zac and Elizabeth have been so warm and welcoming to me joining their family.  Its been fun getting to know them and learning all of the Mayfield stories.
8. My church. I love my church.  I love my pastor and the staff.  I love my small group leaders, Bible study leaders and Bible fellowship teachers.  I have been fed so much the past three years.  Pastor Kevin is truly a pastor.  He is not your typical "mega church" pastor - I have gotten more personal, handwritten, notes from him than from any other pastor I have ever had.  Now, I do not get as much one-on-one contact with him (which I never expected and do miss that from being in a smaller church) but I did not expect all the notes I get from him. I love being a part of that body.
9. Our military. Taken for granted too often.  I am thankful for the sacrifice they and their families make for us on a daily basis.  Our family knows all too well the cost of freedom and the price the families pay - I am thankful for them.
10. My job.  This year was my 15th year with SDEA.  Wow!  I cannot believe it has been that long.  Time has truly flown.  I have grown so much not only as a believer, but as a person.  I have learned leadership skills, learned to be a little more comfortable talking in public, learned how to be detailed, the hotel business, finances, gosh - I could go on and on.  But, the one constant thing is seeing people come to Christ.  I am not in it for the $, I am in it to see lives changed and am thankful to be a small part of what the Lord is doing through SDEA.
11. My church friends. Not only did I gain a wonderful church when I moved to GFBC, I gained some great friendships.  The Lord brought so many great people into my life - people that have become like brothers and sisters to me.  I have laughed, loved and cried with these people.  They make my world a happier place!
12. Our house. I have been there for eight years now.  Its in the middle of nowhere with horrible roads and annoying dogs, it needs bigger closets and more cabinets and we are ready to move but its our home.  We have heat, a roof, electricity and plumbing.  The Lord blessed me with it and now it has become our first home.  So many people do not have a home and would love to live where we do.  I do not take my home for granted - all of my "first world problems" are nothing compared to what others have.  I thank the Lord many nights during our prayer time for our home.
13. My work friends.  I work and have worked with wonderful people.  We laugh, cry and disagree together.  I have seen a lot of people come through the doors of SDEA in my 15 years.  Some I still see on occasion, some I do not, some are my closest friends and have learned about life from.  I am thankful for all the relationships I have had through the past 15 years with co-workers.
14. My extended family.  I have the best family!  I have wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins (and new Mayfield ones too).  They have always shown me so much love but this past year they truly overwhelmed me with their love as we were planning the wedding.  Throwing showers, gifts, just being there, cheering me on and supporting us through the whole wedding process was priceless to me. 
15. My health.  This past year I have had two family members diagnosed with cancer and one passed away.  I read where people I know get diagnosed with leukemia, have children with seizures, transplants and friends diagnosed with diabetes.  I have my ailments like everyone else - but they do not compare to what others are going through.
16. Franklin - our Compassion child.  I have been sponsoring Franklin from Honduras for four years now.  I write him letters and love getting letters back from him.  What we give to him each month comes to eight fast food meals - which in his world goes a LONG way.  If you are not sponsoring a child and making a difference in the life a child - do it - you will be blessed!  Go to Compassion, World Vision, Sonrise Baby Home in Uganda - there are so many organizations that needs YOU!                
17. Freedom.  We might not always agree with what the people choose - but at least we get the opportunity to choose!
18. God's creation.  I love the changing seasons, the beach, beauty of the mountains, clouds, full moons...its just beautiful!
19. Old friendships.  Friendships that were for a season.  Some that still exist, but we might not keep in touch as much as we used to but pick up where we left off.  They all have left a mark on my life.  A lesson learned, much laughter, a few tears, all special.
20. Student ministry.  I love student ministry for many reasons.  The obvious - pointing people to Christ.  I worked in student ministry for nine years.  Those kids made an impact on my life.  They taught me about patience, how to love life, persevere and love Jesus.  Since I was not a part of a student ministry as a teenager, I was able to experience student ministry with them.  Being a small part of their lives was a joy for me and a huge responsibility.  I have great respect for youth ministers and student workers out there.  While I do not work in student ministry anymore - I still have the opportunity to work with incredible student ministers through our conferences.  I love seeing the kids I worked with grow into adults, graduate college, get jobs (some as student ministers), marry and now have kids.  Makes me feel old but so grateful for my time with them.
21. Family vacations.  I cherish that time with my family every year.  We have such a good time of just slowing down our busy lives and catching up.  Wonderful memories and family time.
22. My college girls.  I have had four girls a part of my life since they were in 7th grade.  I have watched them grow up to be beautiful, Godly, young women.  Its amazing to see the ups and downs in their lives and to be a small part of their journey.  I was blessed to spend once a month with them diving into God's Word, talking, eating, making silly movies and laughing together.  Now, that college takes most of their time, I miss that time with them, but love getting texts, having lunches and seeing them grow through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
23. Pictures.  My home and office are covered with pictures.  Wonderful memories, faces I do not get to see again until we are reunited in Heaven and special moments in our lives.  A great reminder of my wonderful life.
24. Social media.  It has been so fun catching up with people on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  People I have not seen since elementary school, high school or college.  People I once went to church with or worked with.  I still care about these people and love seeing how they are doing.
25. Singleness. I closed that chapter in my life in 2012 but am so thankful for it.  I am thankful for the time I had to grow as a woman.  I learned so much from my friends who are married on how to be a good wife, mom and friend. I got to experience things I might not have been able to if I had been married.  I cherish that time in my life.
26. Marriage.  Its new to me and I am still learning and I probably will never figure it out, but I am very thankful for the new journey the Lord has me on.  I love spending time with my husband and doing life together.
27. Off days.  I love being home to do nothing, to run errands, to be at home sick or just go on vacation.  Since I have been at SDEA for so many years, I am blessed with a lot of vacation time and do not take that time for granted.
28. Transportation. I am glad I do not have to walk to work (that would take me hours), I am glad I get to go places like Hawaii via airplane and Jamaica via cruise boat to see beautiful places.  I am glad I get to go to Orlando via airplane for work which cuts down my travel time by hours and gets me home to my man quicker. Transportation is a good thing.
29. Paycheck. I am thankful for our paychecks that pays our bills and allows us to do fun things. Thankful that people drink coke and donors who believe in what we are doing for the Kingdom.
30. Holidays.  Holidays that bring people together. Holidays that remind you of your freedom. Holidays that remind you of important events in our history.  Holidays that let you dress up and be a kid again.  Holidays that bring new beginnings and hopes.  Holidays that let you show love to your parents and people you love.  Holidays that honor those who have given much for us.  Holidays that bring you good food.  Holidays that bring you beautiful decorations, lights and music.  Holidays that remind you of the birth, death and resurrection of our Savior.  Holidays which remind you to take time and list out things you are grateful for. 

Happy Thanksgiving!