Blessing 8 - School

School. I am thankful for the opportunity that I have to learn. Knowledge is one of the very few treasures that a man can take with him from this life to the next. I am so thankful that I have had such amazing experiences in college, high school, and grade schools and for the knowledge that I have gained. Not only have I learned necessities such as Math, English and the Sciences but I have been blessed with the education of social behavior, making friends, working as a team, leadership and other behind the scene lessons gained by scholarly experiences. I am thankful for what I have been able to study, especially music. Music means so much to me, and the more I learn the more I love. I'm grateful for the expansive amount of knowledge that I have available to me, and the true realization that the more you know, the less you do. I am thankful for the local learning facilities, a local college and brand new high school that I was able to attend. I am thankful for educational resources such as the Internet, books, libraries, and most of all experience. I am so thankful for the teachers that care. I am glad I could participate in school sports such as wrestling and soccer. I am thankful for school trips, unique and amazing experiences that will be replaying in my mind until the day I die. I am thankful for the friends that I've met in classes, grown up, and cherished moments with. The teachers that I have become friends with, that I look up to, and that have truly become my heroes. I am thankful for School.

Blessing 7 - Sundays

Sundays. I am thankful for the 7th day of the week that the Lord has provided me with to rest, worship, ponder, pray, serve and visit with family and friends. It is a wonderful day open for self evaluation and renewal. I am thankful for the time I have to prepare for church, go to church, go home teaching and attend inspirational firesides. I am thankful for the reverence that the sabbath day gives me. I am thankful for the constant renewal of faith, reminder of Christs love for me and for opportunities that I have to learn more about his gospel. I am thankful that I have never had to work on Sundays and that I have been taught to respect and make holy use of my Sundays. I am certain that Sundays have surly changed my life for good, for I have made goals, critical decisions and faithful prayers on this God given day. I am thankful for Sundays.

Vacation Blessings

Blessings mentioned while on Vacation:

7/26 Blessing 3
2nd Chances. I am thankful for opportunities to do better. For the phrase if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. I have been given so many 2nd chances and forgiving allowances to start over and I am so thankful for all of them. 2nd Chances at friendships, relationships, commitments, school work, church service and more. Most importantly I am thankful for the 2nd Chances the lord provides me with. A chance to return to him someday, chances to serve him and reach new spiritual heights and love. I am thankful for 2nd Chances.

7/27 Blessing 4
Camp Hollywood. I am thankful for the humbling, educational, inspirational, entertaining and thrilling swing dance weekend that is Camp Hollywood. I am thankful for my many opportunities to learn more about dancing and learn more about my talents and how to refine them. I am thankful for the kind and talented instructors, the amazing live bands and my wonderful roommates that I've had the blessing of sharing precious time with. I am thankful for Camp Hollywood.


7/28 Blessing 5
Live Music. I am thankful for available art for the ears. For the communication among men that is Live music. Whether its jazz, classical, rock, funk, soul or country, when its played live it just means more. The talent of the musicians is absorbed by the audience and the music they perform seems to speak directly. I am thankful for the shows that live bands put on, complete with choreography, lights and sometimes even explosives. I am thankful for that rumbling bass in my my chest when watching a rock show. I love the tingly feeling I get when I witness A conductor raise his hands in front of an orchestra and all bows, sticks, mallets and horns prepare in perfect synchronization. I am thankful for the silence that a huge audience can maintain waiting in anticipation for the next note that will soar out in an opera or the overtones upon overtones that can be heard during an choral concert. I am thankful for live music.
7/29 Blessing 6

Flight. I am thankful for the quick, affordable, modern transportation that is flight. How amazing it is that man has the means to explore and see so much more of the world than has ever been possible. It takes only six hours to travel from one side of a continent to another, and it takes about 10 to go from California to Germany. I am thankful for pilots that passengers can trust with their lives. I am thankful for the view from above the clouds, one that puts life in another perspective, realizing that we are significantly smaller than we would like to have though. The view from above also helps us to realize how much world God has provided us with. I am thankful for the opportunity I sometimes have to sit next to total strangers on a plane and learn something about someone from somewhere. I am thankful for Flight.

Blessing 2 - Disneyland

Disneyland. I am thankful that I have such a wonderful place to visit so nearby. Even though its expensive, crowded and exhausting, there are not many feelings in the world that can compare to the feelings you get after watching a display like Fantasmic or the evening fireworks. These shows, the rides and the atmosphere of Disneyland were all built upon dreams. They were built to encourage dreaming among children and adults. Disneyland lets adults feel young again and lets children feel a little older. If you search beyond the high prices and the long lines, you will feel the warmth that Disneyland has to offer. I am thankful for Disneyland.

Blessing 1 - Pictures

Pictures. I am thankful for the wonderful stories contained in so many of my pictures. I have pictures of dear friends, loving family, amazing places, unforgettable times and more. Photography is an art that can touch every emotion of the human soul, and it undoubtedly has touched mine. I am thankful for pictures.

Introduction

This new blog, "The Blessing Ticker" will be an online journal of my personal blessings. I have a goal to make daily entries. I got this idea because I was kind of sad the other day and I was trying to think of some way that I could become a whole lot happier. Then this wonderful song came into my head.

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 hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

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.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

I have faith that this song speaks truths and I'm willing to test its teachings. So here goes. I Please enjoy and feel free to comment or leave some of your discovered blessings.