I have been a pastor’s wife for 14 years and on staff at ROCK Church for 3 1/2 years. I was a nurse for almost 12 years and nothing could have prepared me for today.

Today, Nana and I drove to UNC-Chapel Hill hospital to be with a family whose baby was airlifted there yesterday. There has been a fight for this child’s life from before he was born, and he must have an amazing destiny.

The parents were glad we made the trip and I was honored to be there. Spending time with the parents encouraged me. They are wonderful people who love Jesus and share his love with those around them. They look for an opportunity to help someone else even in the middle of what they are going through.

As children’s director, I have made many hospital visits but none quite like this. Having two premature infants, praying for this child took me back to those days in ICU. My heart was moved for this mother and I ached for her.

I am thankful that I am apart of a church that loves one another and cares for another. Please pray with me for this family.

Today in Club ROCK we watched Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. The kids were given popcorn and a drink during the movie. I instructed them to find someone in the movie who wasn’t thankful. If you’ve never watched the movie it is a great example of how not to respond when someone does something nice for you.

As I watched the movie last week, I thought of times when I wasn’t gratedful. How many times have I neglected to thank someone for something they did for me? In Romans 16, Paul writes a letter and lists over 25 people he is thankful for and why. He is an example of what  we should do.

Here are some of the people I am thankful for and why:

1. My husband because he sees beyond my flaws and loves me anyway.
2. Gabriel, he loves life and loves to help.
3. Noah, he still gives me hugs and kisses.
4. Adam, he loves to pray.
5. My Mom and Dad, for loving me even when it was difficult.
6. Papa and Nana, for caring for me as if I was their own daughter.
7. My sister Kathy and her family for perservering even in hard times and not giving up.
8. Don, Abbye, Reagan and Rylee, so glad their close so we can share the good, the bad and the ugly.
9. Aunt Tesa for always buying me the coolest gifts when I was young.
10. Terri, my friend who has the greatest laugh.
11. Helen, being my friend through the years.
12. Those who volunteer in Kid’s ROCK, they are amazing and love to serve the kids and their parents.
13. Friends who love me even when I make mistakes and forget to say thank you.
14. ROCK Church family for their love.
15. My neighbors, who care about me and one another.
16. For Steve at Starbucks who always has a smile and is so friendly.
17. Jina, my hairdresser who makes me look good.
18. For other churches and their pastors in Wilmington that have heart for those who are not Christ followers.
19. Those who read my blog even when I am inconsistent.

I could keep going, but this post is already long. Tell someone thank you today.