Thankful and appreciative

This week has been one that has led me to be thankful and appreciative to those around me - for all they do.  Whether it be to help me, as our Great Grandma PTO volunteer has done the last several years as she sorts and counts box tops, milk caps, juice pouches and soup labels.  Even though I had to count several thousand box tops last night and tonight, she had done the bulk of it for me.  For that I am so grateful.

And as I subbed for one of our EAs earlier this week, I have so much appreciation for what she and the other EAs and Special Ed. teachers do on a daily basis.  I don't like to admit my weaknesses but this is one area where I know I struggle to understand why a child can't just sit and do their work and respect those around them.  So when I do work in these situations, I pray that God will give me the patience and understanding and compassion needed to provide that child with what they need to the best of my ability.  This is definitely an area where I need to improve.  I guess I am thankful that God has given me the opportunities He has and that I can still learn and grow from them.

 I have learned so much about myself through my exercise journey and what I am capable of physically and now I am learning new things about myself mentally and spiritually.  I have really become aware of how interconnected so many things in my life are - I can share my exercise journey and my faith journey with so many different people and hope that they can see how it is all working together in me.

And for those whom I work with or volunteer with or see on a daily basis - I may not say it enough - but know that I appreciate all that you do and I am so thankful that you are part of my journey.

Day 472.  Of what you may ask.  Well this would be the 472nd (almost) consecutive day that I have worked out at the health club on my journey to a smaller, more fit and healthier me.  And to think it all started with a 5 day commitment along with my NO Excuse Buddy Scott to NEW (No Excuse Week) in July of 2010.   That led to a 7 day commitment a couple of months later and November 2010 was No Excuses November - 30 straight days of workouts  - and I haven't stopped since.  But this journey towards a healthier me has led me along another path as well - a path of discovering who I am in the eyes of God and what He has planned for me.  I have learned that there is a huge difference between just calling myself a Christian - and living my life as one. I am very thankful for the opportunities God has given me the last few years to demonstrate my Christian love for others and to grow in my Faith.  I would love to call it the Incredible Journey, but I know it is far from over.