An Abundance of Blessings

While I have a ton of blog thoughts and ideas running through my head once again, I have decided to go with my Blessings and Thankfulness List for today as a way to let you know what's going on here.  In no particular order here it goes...

• The wonderful health of my family!
• My candidacy essay is written and turned in to Wartburg.  It will be on its way to the synod shortly!  That means... I HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN ACCEPTED TO THE DIACONAL MINISTRY PROGRAM!!!
• Steve is halfway through CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) and is learning so much about being a hospital chaplain.
• My friends and family, near and far, who have helped us through CPE!
• My parent's dog, Max, who is staying with us for a bit.  I love love love having a dog in the house again!
• My parents who have safely arrived in Baltimore.
• The smell of warm brownies just out of the oven and waiting to be frosted!
• My friend, Tricia, who has me on her radar all the time!  Love her!  And she's coming to visit tomorrow!!!
• Other bloggers who encourage me and my writing and validate my feelings on being in seminary and being a future pastor's wife.
• Homeschooling my kids!
• Scentsy...it makes my house smell so good and it provides a bit of income for me!
• Mini day trips with my kids and their friends!
• Beautiful weather for said trips and beautiful scenery (yes, Iowa is growing on me)!
• Air conditioning, even if it's of the window variety.
• Book...love to read outside these days!
• Quilting and cross stitching!
• New walking shoes (for that 5K I am supposed to be training for...September is months away yet, isn't it?)
• Picking strawberries fresh from the field.
• Community potlucks every week, even on the 4th of July

There are lots more things I could add to the list, but I have nappers who will be waking up soon.  Thanks for checking in...more to come later!