Thanksgiving Eve

Yes, it's Thanksgiving eve...tomorrow, there will be lots of hugs, "how have you been's", eating, napping, football watching, and just hanging out with family. I probably won't get time to post tomorrow, so I'm doing my thanksgiving post tonight! I was reading our Pastor's blog and he challenged us to thank someone in our life who has greatly influenced us. He said that the first person who comes to your mind is probably the one who has influenced you the most. Well, the first person that comes to my mind is my mom...

Dear Mom,
I am so proud to be called your daughter. It has been such an honor to have you raise me and love me for the past 23 years. You have taught me so much and I thank the Lord he chose me to be your daughter. Thank you for all of the countless memories we've created over the years. Thank you for all your loving and intellegent advice...everything from what to do about boys, to how much makeup I should wear, to how to have a loving and growing relationship with the Lord. I could not imagine learning all that I have learned from you from another person. I truly believe the Lord picked me to be able to call you "mom" for so many reasons and I thank Him for that.

You are such a strong woman and I admire that about you. You have taught me to always stand up for myself, especially when I go through the drive-thru and they don't get my order right, or they forget something, you've always said I need to speak up for myself. Thank you for that. Thank you for showing me how to love unconditionally. I've seen you love unconditionally even when you have had every right not to and I admire that about you. Thank you for never giving up. You have shown me how to be a strong willed person and that definatley comes in handy when I'm having those bad, don't feel like going on, days. Thank you for showing me how to be gentle. Your gentle touch when I was sick or discouraged always seemed to make me feel better and I can't wait to show that to my children. Thank you for your sensitive and caring side. There's something so beautiful about being sensitive and I thank you for passing that down to me and for showing me how to have such a caring heart. Thank you for your servanthood and for all the sacrifices you have made throughout your life. You have shown me how to volunteer my time and my resourses to people who need them more than me. Thank you for your love for children. I truly believe children are our future and it's because of you and your love for each of them that one day we will live in a better place. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a Christ follower and to give everything I have to Him. You are a beautiful daughter of Christ and I know He is very pleased at the work you have done for Him here on this earth.

Mom, there are not enough words to explain to you how much I love you and thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for being a beautiful, powerful, determined, strong, amazing, passionate, loving, woman who loves Christ. Thank you for your love and sacrifices you have made to allow your children to have the best life they can. Thank you for being a provider for six kids and three grand babies. But most of all, thank you for being a mom who genuinely loves her children. I Love you with all my heart and only hope to one day be half the person you are!

With all my Love,
Elizabeth

PS: Happy Thanksgiving!