A Time For Thanks.

Hard to believe it's been since September that I posted something to my blog. Sorry to all my followers, all four of you, for my absence. I have been hit with writers block I guess. I wanted to say something but just couldn't get it out of my head right.

Well, here it is. November 26th. Thanksgiving. Where has this year gone. Just seems like yesterday that the new year rang in. And before you know it Christmas bells will be ringing again and we will soon after be celebrating the dawn of a new year. Amazing.

As I sit thinking of the things that happened to me this year I can't help but to be thankful that it is almost over. This last year and a half have been the longest and hardest of my life. So I say good riddance. Be gone with you and thank heaven you will never, ever come again. You will not be missed.

But under the same breath that I curse this time, I also give thanks. I give thanks to all of those who for years have called me friend by words alone and by example when I needed you the most. I want my best friend Coy to know that with out his constant persistence to stand by me during those times when standing was impossible for me to do alone I knew you were there to help. I only can hope to be the friend you are to me in return to you. For that I am thankful.

This year has also brought me new friendships that I can't imagine being without. One in particular is a friend I have yet to meet but she knows everything about me. We have been able to lean on each other for help during those rough days where getting out of bed were hard. She always had the right things to say. She always lent a shoulder for me when I needed one. I think it's a wonderful thing when two people, who struggle with their own difficulties can stand back to back and help each other stand. Thank you my beautiful friend for helping me to find me again. You have helped me feel more like a man in the few short months that I have known you than any in my entire life without you. For you I am thankful.

I am thankful for my children. You are my everything. I live and breath for you. I know this is hard on you but you have been resilient and immovable in the love you have for me. You won't know what that's like until u have kids of your own. Today Caleb noticed that when we are both standing in bare feet, one in front of the other, staring eye to eye, that he is now taller than me. Holy crap. how did that happen? You are turning into a great young man. I love you Caleb. Now if you can just get along with your brother. For the three of you...I am eternally thankful.

So many of my days during this last year I struggled. Days where I felt I was swimming with just my nose out of the water so I could breathe. I fell in love with this quote, "I have found myself upon my knees after the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go." Abraham Lincoln. Thank you Mr. Lincoln for helping me to remember that I will always have somewhere to go. I have gained a greater appreciation for prayer. Just knowing that my Father in Heaven was there and He wanted to heal me but I had to make the move to receive His blessings. Ever see that artist picture of Christ knocking on the door? He wants in but unless you let Him in He will stay outside and knock cause there is no handle on His side of the door. For Him, prayer, the Atonement and the blessings that I have received, I am forever thankful.

And thank you for reading what is in my heart and my the spirit of the Lord be with you this Christmas season.