In Which the Authoress Learns to Count

1. Count Your Blessings
   By Johnson Oatman Jr.
2. 
   
3. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God has done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
4. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
5. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
6. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Listening to praise and worship music and this song came on. We used to sing it at the hymn sing we went to and I was instantly taken back. Back to a time when life was different. I thought for a bittersweet moment that life was better than, but almost instantly took it back. Life wasn't better, it was just different. Praise God for growth and change and life. This song, combined with reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, has inspired me to be more thankful, to count my blessings. 

I am going to try to get back into blogging. I might not write as often as I like to, but I plan not to give up. So, feel free to join me vicariously on this walk while I count my blessings and live the life I've been given.

Counting my blessings:

1. Friends that encourage from the heart.

2. Friends that tell you exactly what you need to hear.

3. Friends that are there for you when you didn't even realize that you needed them.

4. Family, near and far.

5. Family time.

6. Family outings.

7. Fresh fruit. (believe me, after being on the road for 3+ weeks, fresh fruit is a luxury.) 

Tillamook, OR.