My Life Is Full of Blessings

It is a time of great blessing in my life right now. It amazes me when I look back over the last year how much God has done. And I need to brag on Him, because too often I am like the Israelites in the desert who forgot what great things the Lord has done and start whining because not everything is comfortable or easy. But the Lord will provide, even if he takes me through the desert to get there. Right now he has been showing me some things about myself that I need to work on and change, and it has been freeing and uplifting.

The most joyous blessing I have is being Uncle Tim to Ashley. I really appreciate her and it great seeing her grow up in so many ways. Perhaps the most amazing thing is how much she loves me, unconditionally, even when I don't think I am there for her and available like I want to be, because I don't spend enough time with her. But Ashley is always happy to see me, and its a great blessing, and responsibility.

Here are the ways that I am proud of her:

She worked really hard at the end of the school year to bring her grades up, and she got better about doing her homework. I believe next year she will start out much better.

She is starting to be more willing to try new things. I usually have to nudge her (sometimes its been almost shove her) to try something new, but she is slowly becoming more willing to step out of her comfort zone. Earlier this week we went up to a camp ground where several Parkway member were camping and she went out on the boat and tried water skiing, without my encouragement.

She is playing her first year of softball and really enjoying it. While she still has a lot of practicing to do, she is already getting better and better, and she hustles. She is learning the rules and giving her all.

She is being more outspoken in her classes at church. She is starting to question some things about life and faith and God. I pray that she develops her own faith, and that I am willing to let her struggle with some of life's tough questions, but being there and encouraging her in all she does and being an example of what it means to live by faith.

But the thing I notice most about Ashley is how kind hearted she is. She is willing to make friends with anybody and she does not talk bad about people.

I am so blessed to be able to be a part of her life. I'm so glad that she gets to be a part of my youth group too. I am blessed.

She has great taste in books (okay, a lot of that is my influence). Right now we are reading through The Voyage of the Dawn Treader from the Chronicles of Narnia. I love reading to her.

I could list some more great blessings. Like how great my other nieces Tara, Elizabeth, and Macie are, and how Macie (6 mo.) is growing so much and I look forward to playing with her more as she gets older. And what a great job my sister Karen and my brother-in-law Allen are doing raising them. They have grown so much in their faith and as parents. My sister Sara is also growing as a mom and in her career. And my mom is wonderful as always. I also have a great church to work with at Parkway and great friends to share my life with. The Lord has provided, and I am grateful for all the people he has put in my life that help me learn how to love.

Thank you Lord for my family, both physical and spiritual.