Gratitude.

It's been a rough week here in the Stevenson home.
And while I'm I pretty sure you are thinking to yourself, "Again?"
My response is truthfully, "Yes. Again."

While I will happily note that  LAST week we had a wonderful week together.
A vacation!
Much needed getaway!
A perfect retreat and IT truly was a great week.
But, I will share much more on this later.

This week though...well, it's been trying.
Ryan and I have felt the blows from every angle.
While trying so hard not to focus on the negative,
we feel as though Satan is trying so very hard to bring us down.
It like he's coming from any venue he can just to get us down, to crush our momentum.
Needless to say, THIS place is NOT his.
We have drawn a line.
We have committed to staying up.
Ryan and I are choosing to focus on having hearts of gratitude, and with that NOT let our attitudes take us down.

We truly have so much to be thankful for.
So much that God has given us, giving us, and/or has intentionally put in our lives to remind us HE is here.
Right where HE promised us HE would be.
This is HIS place, and this time belongs to HIM.
No matter what may come our way, HE loves us.
Therefore, we are choosing to see the good.
To focus on the positive.
To put our hope in HIM alone.
Ryan and I are not going to let the bad overcome, but instead really try to recognize the blessings.
Even when they are hard to see, Where GOD is - good is.
These are the gifts of life.
God's gifts to us to remind us HE is with us, no matter what.

Tonight, here are some of our blessings,
counting them one by one....

#1--- What I just said.
GOD is with us.
HE loves us.
HE is here.

#2 WE have eachother.
We have a beautiful and spunky son who is the greatest blessing both of us have EVER received.
Ryan and I are devoted to each other and happily have a strong marriage.
We have love.
Lots and lots of love.
We have Eli's laugh, that makes us laugh, that fills these walls of our home with Joy.
WE have a circle of three that can't be broken.

#3 We have a great home.
It's truly becoming home more and more each day.

#4 Family.
Our families support, encouragement, and unconditional love has given us so much hope in this process.
They are a tangible rock right now.
They are our biggest fans.
Because of them, we know we CAN do this.

#5 Friends and People to who believe in us.
This week we have been loved on multiple occasions tangibly through gifts, and by words.
Thank you to those who have reached out and encouraged us,
spent time with us,
and even given us a DVD player.
Thank you, for you were are sincerely grateful!

#6 A vacation.
Family to let us stay with them for free.
Craigslist, for CHEAP (and ok, maybe sketchy) tickets to Disneyland so we could share my favorite place with my favorite little guy.
The many beautiful beaches in California--they too are free, and always host a perfect day.
Fellow pastors to build and invest in Ryan.
Friends to laugh with.
Time to reconnect with far-away family members, and once again feel their embrace.
A drive to San Diego and back to talk to each other, to dream together, to build each other up.
A loving brother who watched our dogs and house so we could go, for free.  Thanks Mike.

#7 Savings.
At least we have some.

#8 Diapers and Wipes and Food on the table.
We are not at all going without.

#9 Cars that are working.
Even if just for the moment. :)

#10 A yard to find relaxation in.

#10.5 A park across the street to play in.

#11  The potential of a job (for Ryan)

#12  Interviews for that job.

#13  Exciting news from the lives of our friends.
 It faithfully brings our spirits up.
Babies on the way.
Miracles in Four.
New additions.
Jobs.
Homes.
Life being lived abundantly.

#14 My work computer.
Thank you to Aimee for letting me use it over the summer.
It is our current "working" computer.

#15 My job
It is our current source of revenue :)

#16 Water- we don't thirst.  Electricity - We can see and are cool.  Gas- We can cook.

#17 Landscapers.
Our rent includes landscapers, on a day like today I am glad that WE don't have to worry about the upkeep of the yard.

#18  Phones - we can keep in touch with those who love and build us up.

#19 Nationstar Bank.
Approving the offer on our "old" home.
Reducing our promissory note.
Working hard to get everything finalized and closed by the end of this month as per the buyers request.

#20  You
For giving me the reason to make this list.
To help me chose gratitude.

#21 This day.
A positive interview for Ryan.
A fun gift find for my best friends little babies on the way.
A visit from my brother.
The hour this afternoon with Eli at the park.
Me and Him, together.
Laughing, playing. Enjoying the moments.
Dinner together.
Eli drinking milk from a cup, and not from a bottle.
Time to write.


This list can go on and on.
And while some  of these things may seem silly, right now - in this moment they are things I am thankful for.  They are the things that come to mind.  Am I reaching a bit, grasping for anything--yes! Everything!

We are truly in the midst of the storm.
But instead of focusing on the wind, and darkness....
I chose to recognize the refreshing rain.
The gifts.
Even in the toughest times.
Our cups overflow.