Thankful for 2009!

My Dear WorldPulse friends,

I am grateful for many things this year and i would like to begin by thanking Janice and the team at World Pulse for creating such a forum for our voices to be heard. It has given me an opportunity to connect with so many people form all over the world and it is wonderful to be able to write and have someone respond to your message....no matter what issue/topic you might be raising.

Family:
I'm thankful to God for taking care of my family and I. For taking care of my husband throughout all his work trips that are sometimes in dangerous and hard to reach places, for keeping him safe and bringing home to us well. I thank God for watching over my children and I and for providing for us, and being a Shield around us. I thank Him for a roof over our heads, for food and clothing and for all the many blessings He has given to us.

School:
I am thankful to God for opening doors for me to go back to school and pursue a Masters Degree. Ever since i completed my undergraduate in 2000, i longed for the opportunity to continue with my studies but it seemed like it would never happen. It was a dream i sure looked forward to but now, i am so grateful to God that He gave me the opportunity and I'm currently pursuing an Executive MBA degree in a recognized university in Kenya. Never give up.

USA Trip, for my Parents:
I'm thankful too for the opportunity to visit America. Most of my family members, my Mum and Dad included live in the US, they have been there for the past 8 plus years. I tried getting a visa to go to the US about 4 times and all those times i was denied. Finally i gave and thought, well, some day, i will go, God will open a door. I especially longed to see my mum and my sisters, whom i had not seen for 8 years. She also planned to return home a number of times but got too busy. Finally, a friend told my husband and I that they would raise money for me to accompany my husband to the US as he was going on official duty. This was the first miracle. We began praying for favor at the embassy. Finally the day of the visa appointment came and believe it or not, i was not asked a single question. My husband was asked 2 questions, purpose, who was paying and who would take care of our children. Within an hour or so we were out of the embassy, and the next day we got our visas. Glory to God. It was like a dream to me. I got my ticket in the mail (trip fully paid for by friends whom i had only known for a few months this year). I traveled to the US on 17th Nov. Was there for 2 weeks, and the greatest event of it all was meeting my mum after 8 years! God only knows how i felt in my heart. It's like i was reborn! I am so thankful to God. The time was short but worth everything it cost and more!

Job:
I'm thankful for my job. I have had a good year with my workmates and through the good and bad times at the office, i thank God that i have grown and i am not the same as i began.

I'm so thankful for my church, my pastor and his family, for the wonderful brethren in church who havwe made my life so worth living!

I'm thankful for all the wonderful people God brought my way this year, for the impact they've made in my life. I'm thankful for the words of wisdom from mentors and friends. Most of all, I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. Indeed he is a gift straight from God. He has changed my life, added so much value to my life and brings fulfillment in every way. I'm thankful for my children, who bring sunshine to my life, who have taught me, to relax and smell the roses, to enjoy life day by day. They see me through they tough days with their smiles and innocence, thank you Lord for the gift of children.

Friends, when you look back in the year, there are many things you can be thankful for. Think of how you got over a hurdle, a tough situation in the family or at work, it's now gone and you're at peace. Think of all the wonderful people in your life. We may have gone through tragedies too but be thankful for out of it all, you are a different person!

Let's share what we're thankful for, you never know! God is gracious and faithful, when we put our trust in Him, no matter how long the answer takes, though it tarries, it will surely come! Take heart and be grateful! Bring sunshine to someone's life with your smile as you remember the wonderful things you have been through and thank God for them!

Shalom!
Terry
You can also share on my blog...http://mentormomterry.blogspot.com/2009/12/thankful-for-2009.html