Friday, April 11, 2008

Counting Blessings

This evening I was trying to catch up on paperwork and started feeling frustrated and depressed. Picked up my camera and went outside. All I had to do was look around to see how blessed I really am. I could give in to the stress of Williams truck breaking down and worry about finances. Instead I am counting my blessings of having friends in MO that drove 45 minutes to pick up William and take him to their home for a few days while he figured what to do about his truck. I am counting blessings of having Carol and Terry in Kansas that picked up the phone and called William with offers to help. I am counting blessings that Williams truck was able to make it to Kansas to Terry's shop where (another blessing) he works on semi's! I am counting blessings that William is able to get paperwork filled out (with Carol's help) for his company so he can drive a truck Terry offered (another blessing). Counting the blessing that William is getting to help Terry work on trucks while waiting on paperwork. That is something he loves doing so helps relieve his stress. God blessed us by having the right people at the right time in the right place.

I could feel sorry for myself because of having a virus and getting behind in things around the homestead. Instead I am counting my blessings. I am blessed that I was able to take the time to rest and take care of myself. I am blessed I don't have to punch a time clock or report to a employer. The goats don't mind if I feed them in my pj's with unbrushed hair. I could stress about not having a job to help with the finances or I can count my blessings. I am blessed to have a husband who wants me to take care of the homestead instead of working a public job. I am blessed that my soap shop is keeping me busy and bringing money in. I am blessed that I have a catering job drop into my lap. I am blessed that every day I get to wake up to the sound of roosters crowing, goats running to greet me, fresh eggs and milk for breakfast. I am blessed that I am getting to live my dream of a homestead life with a husband that shares that dream.






I could cry and be depressed that my friend and neighbor is no longer here. I choose to count my blessings. I am blessed that I had such a loving, caring neighbor. I am blessed that we made such wonderful memories. I am blessed that she and I were able to talk so freely about dying, God, heaven and faith. I am blessed to have a special angel watching over me. I am blessed that Fran's friendship brought friends from all over the world together in thoughts and prayers. I am blessed for the love you showed to Fran with the cards and letters. I am blessed that you donated to the hospice in Fran's memory.

(Fran age 16)

I could have a pity party because I live so far from my children and grandchildren. I will instead count my blessings. I am blessed to have 3 beautiful, smart, caring daughters. I am blessed to have 9 absolutely wonderful grandchildren. I am blessed knowing summer will bring the grands to the homestead to spend time with grandma. I am blessed that I have "kids" running around the homestead that make me smile. I am blessed that I have new babies on the homestead. To help deliver a baby goat. To watch newly hatched goslings peeking out from under their mom at the great big world waiting for them






I am blessed momma goose didn't bite me!


There are alot of rocky roads and burdens in life but God doesn't let me face them alone. He always gives me many blessings to get through the rough times. Then gives me many more blessings for getting past the rocky road. I am going to stop worrying and stressing. I am going to stop, smell the flowers and count my blessings. The only problem is I have too many blessings to count!

18 comments:

Patti said...

amen

Cathy said...

Thank you Peggy for sharing your blessings with us

Take care
Cathy

Hope said...

Hi Peggy,
Just trying to catch up and wanted to stop by and say hello. I sure hope you're feeling better and that things will start looking up for you and William. I know you must miss Fran a lot. I love the picture of her as a young girl. She was a beautiful lady, inside and out and so are you! It's so good that you are stopping to count your blessings. We are all so blessed if we just take the time to look around us in troubled times. I will be praying for your strength.

Love and Hugs,
Hope

Marci said...

Amen and Amen!!!!

Anonymous said...

sending love your way...

Patricia said...

Fran recognized a remarkable lady in you. There are 2 sides to every coin and a silver lining with every cloud, isn't there? After the intensity of the last few weeks and then to get hit with a flu bug just bites all around, but with your sense of the world, all will be well soon enough.

I enjoy your pictures, in particular the flowers as we are expecting snow/rain again today.

Baba said...

Hi Peggy, I love your new look..the colors and lace are great..Your list of blessings is wonderful...at times we can all get down and need to do like you .. stop and count our blessings..Hugs my friend, Baba

amelia said...

Amen to all that!!

I was thinking, looking at the picture of Fran at 16, just how fast life flies by us. From a fresh faced pretty young girl to being no longer here with us.

Life is short, we should all be counting our blessings...

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

What a problem to have..too many blessings!! Yes, God works like that. He puts people in places that you would not even think about..this time to help William. William could have broken down in another state you know but NO he broke down at just the right place!! That is amazing. I love your blessings. Just remember...
"I am too Blessed to be Stressed and too Anointed to be Disappointed!!"

AMEN!!

Sandy

HomemakerAng said...

THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME TO COUNT MY BLESSINGS! we are both so blessed aren't we :)
xxooxoxox

Rachel said...

I am so glad to hear about William. I was wondering how things were going. It's so wonderful that there are truly caring kind folks out there that are glad to help each other.

This post was wonderful Peggy!! We should all count our blessings and you have so many!! Getting to live that homestead life has so many blessing right there!! I try to always stay remindful of my blessings and not dwell on the bad things. Lovely, lovely post Peggy!! I just know Ms. Fran is smiling down on you!!!

LivingTheLife said...

Your blessings have blessed all of us...that are reading them...reminding us everyday...that we do need to take the time and reflect on the wonders God grants us everyday! You are so amazing...I know this is a tough time for you right now...but you have lifted yourself up...and are moving on...just as you continue to lift each of us up everyday! You are a blessing to each of us...sweet lady!

Thanks for sharing Peggy...sending you a big ole' cyber (((hug)))!

Again...many more blessings to you...
Teresa

Carole Burant said...

Dear Sis,

It's reading posts like this that make me realize how many blessings we DO have, if only we thought about it! Worrying about bills and finances are trivial compared to how rich we are in the blessings department:-) It certainly is a blessing to have each other and know that we can count on one another to lift up our spirits whenever we feel down...goodness knows you've done that for me many time:-)

I don't think I like you very much, though, when you tell me it's 83F over there! lol Oh sis, you should see it here, just like a winter wonderland. It snowed all day yesterday and most of today...I closed all my curtains so that I can pretend it's Spring instead. hehe

I'm so excited about receiving a Godmother tshirt but please don't worry if you can't send it right away...Lord knows how busy you've been!! I think of my godKIDS so often and really wish I could give them all a hug:-)They make me smile every time I see a picture of them!!

Take care of yourself and keep countin' them blessings:-) Love ya! xoxox

Rosa said...

If you're worried and you can't sleep,
Just count your blessings instead of sheep,
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.
I love that song by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. Yes, we always have a lot to be thankful for. Sometimes, we just have to take a walk to remind ourselves. Hope you feel better soon Peg. xo

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post Peggy. I wonder how many people never take the time to count their blessings.

I have always found too that God never puts more on our plate than He thinks we can handle.

Big hugs to you and continued prayers.

Anonymous said...

You are my most precious blessing. Love you for been able to lift my heart.

meggie said...

Nice post Peggy! Hugsxx

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I popped by from Rachel's and I am so glad I did....What a WONDERFUL Post and what a wonderful WONDERFUL Life...including all the things that are difficult. Your pictures are just so precious---showing all the really sweet things in your life that give you joy...I LOVE Goats...I've never lived around them, but I love them anyway...!