Reflecting on His goodness

WOW! It was a month ago yesterday that I was in a car accident and my life hasn't been quite the same since. I am still SO thankful that I am alive! I am blown away by God's continual love and protection of me. I am thankful that my pain in my back, neck, and shoulders has greatly decreased! Looking back over the last month, I realized that this accident has caused me to be more dependent on Him and to trust Him more for my needs. While I wouldn't choose the accident, I am thankful for how God has used it to mold me and change me to be more like Him. How it has caused me to be thankful in the midst of the hard times. God is good all the time! ALL the time God is good!

Thankful Thursdays (on Friday)

420. God easing my pain or helping me to ignore it so I could focus on Him and worship Him and learn from Him

421. hug from Kim

422. sitting with the Padens

423. care, concern from friends

424. Ken suggesting I sign-up for a prayer time and me scheduling one

425. Kirsten's grandpa is stable

426. Mom and Shelby made their flight

427. I am a significant part of The Body

428. I have so much to be thankful for

429. God's grace

430. mini golfing with mom, R, K, and D

431. bumper boats with R

432. moving a little faster today

433. having the energy to clean out my car

434. getting a hold of the insurance companies

435. lunch on the patio with mom, dad, K, R, and D

436. setting the date and getting tickets to visit my grandma in June

437. getting my car repair scheduled

438. I am overwhelmingly blessed with so much to be thankful for

439. love from my family ~ D was especially loving toward me, greeting me, hugging me, snuggling with me

440. getting my car to the repair shop to begin repairs

441. meeting with Jenny W. ~ tea, hot chocolate, great conversations

442. Shelby calling to invite me to the movies, even thought I didn't go, it was nice to be invited

443. scrapbooking for Doshiers and being filled with joy

444. answered prayers ~ Kirsten's grandpa is out of the hospital

445. my mom is letting me borrow her car ~ I feel like a princess driving around in her fancy schmancy car

446. getting name tags and cubbies ready

447. I had extreme back pain and it has lessened

448. borrowing dad's cervical pillow

449. celebrating Beverly ~ so thankful that she was born and is my friend ~ great conversations, lunch, and a movie, Source Code

450. SO thankful that Wes, Joleene, and Teagan were born and are my friends

451. spending time with my mom talking, playing Golf, and dinner

452. seeing the chiropractor

453. my pain is less than the day before

454. aquaphor

455. hand lotion

456. God's amazing love

457. vacation ~ relaxing and recharging

458. check being written for my car repairs

459. God's joy overflows in me

460. God is good all the time

461. God is always good and I am always loved

462. delicious leftovers

463. God is always with me

464. I am a woman

465. God is trustworthy and true

466. God is faithful, dependable, reliable ~ He never fails

467. God is my healer ~ He is healing my pain

468. not being afraid of being alone

469. God has decreased my fear and increased my confidence

Thankful Thursdays (on Sunday)

320. the sun shining through the fog

321. puffy, fluffy white clouds

322. Katie telling me she has seen my countenance change and that I am more joyful ~ Thank you Ann Voskamp and 1,000 gifts!

323. today was better than yesterday!

324. God speaks to me

325. my special connection with Lucas

326. air conditioning

327. A was so respectful today

328. Katie and Carol stepping in to help cover the class with Jenny while I cleaned up the overflowed toilet

329. having a joyful servants heart instead of grumbling about the "flood"

330. SO thankful to be alive after being rear-ended!

331. thankful that my pain is minor ~ head and neck ache due to hitting the headrest, sore wrist and ankles ~ could have been much worse!

332. seat belts!

333. God was watching over me, protecting me, loving me, taking care of me

334. Carol was with me

335. my parents came to school to help me and drive me home

336. soaking in Carol's jacuzzi

337. car insurance ~ Costco insurance was helpful and thourough

338. caring and praying friends and family

339. my car has minimal damage

340.watching R play baseball

341. sleeping in

342. lunch and catching up with Sara Chapin

343. pedicure and conversation with Shelby

344. finding an ace bandage for my wrist

345. Jessica telling me I was like Ann Voskamp

346. special delivery of get well card and cupcakes ~ The Lowthers are a blessing ~ Nat drew a picture of the two of us

347. offers from friends to help me in any way they can ~ even Jess!

348. getting to bed early

349. the power of prayer

350. getting lots of sleep

351. celebrating Pat and Anna's new and upcoming baby girl

352. my hips are not in as much pain

353. The Amazing Race!

354. I can still walk, even if it is slower

355. my car is still driveable

356. I can be thankful in this hard eucharisteo

357. my jammies

358. the weekend

359. relaxing on the couch

360. I made it through the day at work

361. K gave me a short back massage

362. getting car estimates with my mom

363. car insurance

364. I'm not at fault

365. dinner at Souplantati0n

366. kids giving me gentle hugs

367. care and concern from the parents and co-workers

368. my wrist pain has decreased

369. I got the homework packets out and the test given on time!

370. hearing the laughter and squeals of joy and delight as I misread the Curious George books

371. heating pad

372. ice pack

373. Carol's generosity

374. jacuzzi

375. In-n-Out

376. Biggest Loser with Diane

377. fruit

378. shorter staff meeting

379. hot shower

380. finally getting a hold of the other insurance company

381. not having to pay or be responsible for the accident!

382. seeing the chiropractor and finding out the cause of the pain and getting help

383. S not being mad at me for the incident that happened yesterday

384. back pain was extreme and now it has greatly decreased in an hours time

385. Diane picking up the EBS kids

386. A family bringing me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers

387. receiving e-mails from Becky

388. grocery shopping

389. bed time!

390. S's massage on my back

391. spending time with my dad

392. eating dinner on the patio with my dad

393. jacuzzi with my dad

394. conversations with my dad

395. using my parents' fabulous shower

396. talking to my mom and hearing about Grandma

397. God works all things together for good

398. my dad's love and generosity

399. getting to bed before 10pm!

400. It's Friday!

401. seeing Ann at the chiropractor and getting her advice on the pain in my abdomen

402. celebrating Alyssa's 13th birthday

403. It's Spring Break!

404. Celebrating Beverly!

405. getting the work boxes ready for Monday after break

406. how sweet the kids have been ~ giving me massages, asking if I feel better, etc.

407. learning new games and having fun with friends

408. moments of pain feeling less

409. God is good all the time! All the time God is good!

410. sleeping in!

411. hanging with the Mueller's

412. spending time with my dad ~ talking, making lunch

413. eating lunch on the patio

414. free laundry

415. watching K and her volleyball team win all three games

416. spending the afternoon with K, R, D, and Mike

417. cooking with Dad

418. my pain is decreasing

419. eating healthier foods

a hard eucharisteo

As you know, I've been reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. The main idea in the book is eucharisteo, being thankful and joyful in ALL things, the good, the bad, the easy, the hard. I have been daily practicing eucharisteo, looking for things to be thankful for throughout the day and it has changed me in more ways than I expected and I am forever grateful!

On Friday afternoon, I was in a car accident. I was rear-ended and then hit the car in front of me. I was stopped at a stop light. The driver of the car behind me told me that he was looking down and when he looked up, he saw the light had turned green so he proceeded to drive. What he failed to realize was that no one in front of him had started moving. As he hit me, I fell forward, was stopped by my seat belt, and then went back and hit my head on the head rest. I think I was in shock, along with my friend Carol, who was sitting in the passenger seat. We looked at each other and said "were we just in an accident?" We all pulled safely over to the side of the road and exchanged our information. I called the police and they informed me that they only come out if it is an injury accident or if someone refuses to give out their information.

In the days that have followed I have been in a lot of pain...my neck hurts, my back hurts, my left wrist is sprained, my hips were hurting and I walk like a snail. I am so thankful for all the care and concern my family, friends, co-workers, and my students and their families! The kids have been giving me back massages, gentle hugs ,and asking me how I am feeling.

I have been going to a chiropractor and that has helped. Fortunately, the damage to my car wasn't too bad, it's not totaled! :) I've gotten a few estimates and they all have said that they will have to replace the back gate/door of my car.

As a result of this incident, I have been finding many things to be thankful for in this situation. Thankful that I am alive, thankful that my injuries and pain are not worse, thankful that the damage to my car is minimal...I know God is sovereign and that He has a plan and a purpose in this...one thing my dad said that really stuck with me was how much God loves me and how He is watching over me and protecting me!

Thank you, God, for watching over me, protecting me, and loving me! I know You are healing me and taking my pain away. I love You! Amen