give thanks.

Today my family had thanksgiving dinner and I really enjoyed it.
What I enjoyed about the annual dinner outside on the patio is sharing and thanks to everyone over the past year.  We started with my brother who had big news to share such as being employed full-time, being able to spend time with family and one other thing.  Next was tommy sharing how he was thankful that he had gotten closer to my family, that he has a full-time job that he likes, all thanks to God.  My sister was next, who was really thankful that she was able to spend the time with the family when it was needed and how she received a full-time permanent job at southlake hospital - she never expected this - God is so good!  Then it was my turn.  I'm really thankful for God to be here at the moment, to be able to stop time and reflect and share amongst my family members what I am thankful for.  I am thankful for God that He was able to help me maintain an 80% average so that I was able to receive the QEII scholarship!  Definitely, praise God for that.  I also praise God that I have a co-op job next term so that I do not have to look for one this term!  I thank God for my friends who have been very encouraging, supportive and challenging!!  Special thanks to my roommates and neighbours, for keeping me grounded and willing to listen to me talk about my thoughts!  Not only that, but I am thankful for my family - the unconditional love shown by my family members despite the disputes we may have.  I am thankful for tommy for making my sister happy.  I am thankful for vivian for the psych textbooks she had given me.  I am thankful for my brother for coming into waterloo all those times to drop of things and drive me home (it was also an excuse HAHAHAHHAHAA but I won't go there).  I am thankful for my parents for well, being my parents!  I am also thankful for my grandmother, who has started going to church!  Thinking back, I've definitely caused a lot of grief to my parents this past year, especially my mother.  Things I thought it was good to be kept to myself when really, I'm causing pain to both sides.  Nevertheless, I thank God that I've grown a lot - that I've changed from what I was a year ago.  Like in psych 261, your synapses and neurons are never the same each day, they always change; likewise, I've changed (okay. maybe that was a bad example but I thought the synapse changing everyday was cool).  But to see the smiles and laughter I got from my family today when I was sharing (I spoke all these thanks in my limited cantonese language), I teared up a bit haha :) I'm really thankful that God has given me life today to be able to share these things with my family.  To sit outside in the sun and see how great and beautiful creation is, I mean, it's fall!  The trees look beautiful with the different coloured leaves, but sometimes I am just so busy that I don't get to look outside and admire all that God has created!  So I really enjoyed today's dinner and sharing. Ending off, I hope to be reminded of His grace and praise God and thank Him each day I am alive.  PRAISE GOD!