Twenty-Two Days of Thanks: Day Twenty-Two

What am I thankful for?

1. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
2. My family
3. My church
4. My friends
5. Unexpected opportunities
6. My country
7. The four seasons
8. Answered prayer
9. Food
10. Forgiveness
11. Freedom
12. Laughter
13. Modern medicine
14. Technology
15. Quiet moments
16. Dates
17. Hunting season
18. Special music
19. The Bible
20. Thanksgiving
21. Fibromyalgia
22. Surprises

I am so excited to post this today!  I've been keeping this secret in for days now, but couldn't post it because there was a risk someone (i.e. my mom or someone who would tell her) would read this and spoil the surprise.  Anyway, here it is:

My Granny is here!

We haven't spent a holiday with her since before the above picture was taken about 2 years ago at this time, if memory serves, and it has been about a year since we saw her last.  I've missed her!  I cannot wait to give her a big hug and kiss when I see her in a few hours. :)

My sister told me about a week or so ago she was going to try to get her here, and then a few days ago my sister called to tell me she was going to get her.  I was so excited, but had to keep it a secret because my kiddos and mother didn't know (my kiddos find out today, but they don't read this, so I can say it here now. :) ).  This is definitely the best kind of surprise! :)

I'm not always a fan of surprises, well, ones I know are coming.  Like I don't like the surprise of a roller coaster drop or the surprise of having to wait to know the gender of a baby I'm carrying (yes, I found out for each one), but other surprises - ones like this- I love dearly!

I love when God provides in ways you never dreamed possible.  Like the time, Christmas of 2010, when we got so many unexpected blessings from presents for the kiddos,

to a wanted "room tree" for the boys,

to a LEGO Advent Calendar,

to money that helped with so many different needs and wants.

God is amazingly good!

I am also so grateful for surprises that aren't even my own.  I've heard of so many people expecting who never dreamed to be in the last few months, who have prayed for and/or desired more children but didn't think it possible.  I have also have friends and family celebrating the holidays for the first time with new babies, and my cousin has made it to 36 weeks today which is a huge blessing and a wonderful surprise since they didn't expect her to make it this far!  All of that makes me want to shout for joy! :)

To surprises: Though I may not be fond of all your tricks and secrets, I can say that most times you make me feel blessed beyond words.  Thank you for letting God use you in the form of modern miracles.  Thank you for making my Thanksgiving (with the help of my sister - Thank you, Lynette!  I love you!!) just that much more amazing!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  May it be a truly magnificent, surprisingly wonderful day!

~ What surprises are you grateful for today? ~

Share your story below or link it up on my Twenty-Two Days of Thanks page (it's the bottom link in the left sidebar). I'd love to hear from you!

(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)