It’s Day 9 of the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm.

I am very thankful for chocolate. Seriously. I hope it is not something I ever have to give up.

It’s been an extremely busy day — see you tomorrow!

It’s Day 8 of the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm.

I am thankful for the wonderful world of books and the way they have enriched my life. I’m thankful I learned to read as a child, that I was raised in a country that values literacy, and that there have been a wealth of books available to me all my life.

It’s Day 7 of the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm.

I am thankful for the best of books, the Bible, and how it encourages, convicts, reproves, edifies, instructs, inspires, equips, challenges, guides, comforts, corrects, quickens, gladdens, and builds faith.

It’s Day 6 of the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm.

I am thankful for my extended family I came from — grandparents and parents no longer living, step-father, brother, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces all the way down to the newest one born last night. Each has had an influence in my life.

It’s Day 5 of the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm.

I am thankful “for the beauty of the earth,” as the hymn says — beautiful fall colors, spring flowers, multicolored sunsets, and so much more. Even though the earth is marred by the fall of man, God’s creativity, intelligence, and love for beauty still shine through. I am glad He made our home here beauitful as well as functional.

It’s Day 4 of the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm. Today, and every day, I am thankful for my children — three sons and a daughter-in-law, each which unique personalities. They bring me joy and challenge me in my walk with Christ to grow and be a better person.

It’s Day 3 of the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm. Today I am thankful for the fact that we have a voice in our government and the ability to vote in America, and I am very thankful for most of the results this year, but I am especially thankful that the elections are over for this year. 🙂

It’s Day 2 of the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm, and I am thankful for a kind and loving husband.

I saw at Mocha With Linda‘s today that Leah at South Breeze Farm is hosting a Giving Thanks Challenge in which participants are asked to post one thing they are thankful for each day of November, either in blog posts or on a sidebar or a combination.You can find more information here and sign up or visit participants here.

I agree with Leah that though we want to cultivate a thankful spirit, it doesn’t just happen unless we’re intentional about it, so I am joining in this year. I think I will do a combination: I’ll create a list on my sidebar and may just post there, but if I want to expound a little more I’ll make a blog post about it as well. I’m sure the things I am thankful for will range from the important to the mundane, the serious to the silly, but I am thankful for each!

So for this first day I am thankful for God, Who made me, saved me, and keeps me.