Counting My Blessings

When I'm worried and I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sleep

And I fall asleep, counting my blessings

Tonight I was on the phone with Dee, and we were discussing when she was going to get here to the Fort.  She's not sure if she'll be here on Monday or Tuesday.  I told her either way was great with me.  She told me she hoped she wasn't causing me any stress.  I assured her that her coming was not stressful- even if she didn't know the day!

But I felt the stress of the week ahead of me creeping up my back and into my shoulders and neck.  Christmas Carol opens in a few days.  Most days, I've got more than one show (even a couple of three show days!) and I'll have company through most of it.  I'm just a little worried about the show and how I'm going to do (am I going to remember my lines?! my blocking!? to bring the wine glass or the mirror on with me?!).  I've got a lot of stuff to do at work.  Not horribly stressful stuff, but stuff to do nonetheless.  Several sick grandparents in Houston and a mom who needs help caring for all of them.  And to top it all off, I've way overbooked myself tomorrow.  Whew!

So while I'm making cookies and wassail and cleaning my bathroom and putting up clothes and washing dishes, I decided to watch a Muppet Christmas Carol (which by the way, my next blog is going to be on THAT!) and then White Christmas.  Well I stopped for a moment to watch one of my favorite scenes- the scene where Bing and Rosemary sing "Count Your Blessings."  And I let the stress fall away.  So here are some of the blessings in my life:

-I am in the most wonderful show EVER.  I can honestly say that I don't want it to end!

-Deanna is coming in a few days!  And she'll be awesome to have around during this stressful time!

-My family is all coming to see the show!

-Dee is coming to see the show!

-My SMALL GROUP is coming to see the show!

-Lots of wonderful people are coming to see the show and support me!

-I have the sweetest, craziest dog ever!

-I have means to buy Christmas presents for my amazing family and my wonderful friends

-Two words: Roommate Christmas

-It's CHRISTMAS!  My absolute FAVORITE time of the year!

-I've been able to watch all of my favorite Christmas movies (White Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Muppet Christmas Carol, Mickey's Christmas Carol, Little Women, Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, and of course CHRISTMAS VACATION!)  Some I've watched many many times already...

-I have the best job in the entire world.  Seriously.  I work with an amazing group of teens and their parents, I love my fellow ministers who are so much fun and who are also wonderful mentors.

-Ross (my crazy cool bro) is home for Christmas this year!

-My little sisters are both so much fun!  I love that they're grown up enough to have conversations with, and their both SO funny about Twilight right now.  They make my heart happy.

-A beautiful apartment that is a joy to come home to every night after a long day.

-Back to Phoebe, this morning I told her to get into her home (her kennel) and she went straight into it!  Usually I have to put her into it, but she went willingly this time.  Of course she didn't this afternoon, and then later this evening she ate a pencil (!!!!!!!!!), but she's getting there!

-New friends 

-Old friends

-Exciting times in people's lives!

-A God who loves me and who I love and hope to serve in everything that I do.

So these are some of my blessings this holiday season.  What are yours?