Hey Gang, this is the third year I've done seven days of thankful blogs the week of Thanksgiving. Since my life is ridiculously busy, I asked a few friends to compile a thankful blog or two of their own, in their own words, own style, and express some gratitude. :D

Today, I am publishing my friend Kim's thankful post. She was my prayer partner in Texas for three years. Her story is amazing. I'm thankful for her in many ways. She walked me through some difficult moments in life, and we have journeyed together over the last five years through a lot of ups and downs. The last year in her life has seen some crazy events, and she has allowed me a place of friendship 1200 miles away (she still lives in TX) and we're closer than ever, still sticking close and loving each other over the  miles. :D

Here's her thankful blog.

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This year I am undoubtedly grateful for the miracle of medicine and how science is helping to heal my mind.

For those who know me, seeing the changes in my demeanor over the last few years has been difficult. Once vibrant and enthusiastic about my life, I slowly devolved into a person who couldn't cope with the slightest of stressors, let alone, my own complicated life. My husband and children were paying a high price just to co-exist with me, none of us were really living.

At one point, I began to wonder if my life would stay in this state of turmoil forever, hope was was a distant memory for all of us. I prayed a lot for God to intervene in a big way. I had no idea how He would do that but I knew that I needed Him to.

In the spring of this year my husband called our counselor the morning after a particularly rough night. He was growing more and more concerned about me and was feeling frustrated that things never seemed to get any better even though we had been in counseling for almost a year. They decided it was time to seek further help.

Shortly after that phone call I saw a psychiatrist who helped me find the right combination of chemicals to effectively change my life. I mean that in the truest sense. I can't believe how long I lived so out of balance that most days I couldn't see, think, feel or even hear straight. Once the medications settled in my system, it was like a fog had been lifted and suddenly I could breathe again.

I am so grateful for a God who loves me, doctors who are knowledgeable and who care and a church where I have the freedom to be honest about my journey. I am grateful for second chances with my husband and kids and for the time I still have with them every day. And lately, I have begun to remember the supportive people God has indeed surrounded me with. Sometimes the fog was so heavy I didn't even know they were there, but I do now and for that, I am immensely grateful.

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Now, if I may, I want to share some things about Kim that I'm thankful for:

• She helped me learn that prayer is an intimate thing and a way to build good relationship without even knowing someone.
  
• She introduced me to some good tunes. Mat Kearney anyone? Yes, she told me first.
  
• She has been one friend that didn't abandon me when she got married. She's kept on encouraging me in being single, listening when I'm sad, hearing and loving my heart all along. I can't tell you how many times I've cried on the phone about being alone with her and instead of a trite or churchy answer, she says "I am sad for you"...even emailed me and said "I am dressed in sackcloth and putting ashes on my head and crying with you right now" She's my Romans 12:12 friend for sure. Rejoicing and weeping with me during both seasons. :D
  
• She has clung to truth in the darkest moments of her life, shown me that the example of marriage is hard and painful and difficult, but still to be honored as God doesn't condone divorce. She's grown and softened, surrendered and let go of herself; She's become an even better woman than she ever was.
  
• She was a single mom for 9 years, maybe more, and trusted God in ways and areas that the faint of heart cannot even hope to. She taught me how to trust God for provision in ways that left her and me both speechless. Even after she's been married.
  
• She taught me about California Wine. And that, my friends, is a good thing. :D Next time I visit, I want chocolate and wine. :D ha ha!
• She taught me to be brave in the face of heartbreak....and gave me a couch to cry on when I was torn up emotionally after a traumatic breakup.
  
• She taught me about the love language that I find most difficult: "Acts of service"...because it's her love language, I had to learn how to show her love in that way. So washing her dishes, and doing small tasks meant love for her when for me, I didn't grasp that concept. My love language is so different from hers, but I learned, with God's help. 
• Most of all, I"m thankful for her friendship. Five years later....she's one of my closest friends still. Love her.
  

Questions

How do you know if someone loves you?
probably the hardest to answer. Love's defined in 1 Corinthians 13, easily described as sacrificial, so I'd say if someone is sacrificial, then that would be an easy demonstrator. But otherwise, if they love me enough to call me out on my bad habits, hold me when i cry and just over all know me well enough to utilize my love languages....it's pretty evident.

How can you tell?
I think there's a lot to be said for Love Languages, and if you speak someone's love language to them, they know.

Who loves you?
My family. My fellow serving Jesus Family. And some other people.

How do you decide who you will love?
Biblically, everyone. Personally, whomever God places in my path.

How do you show those people that you love them?
I learn their love languages and use it and beyond that, I leave myself behind to serve them in ways that create a safe, loving environment.

Who do you love?
Because it is in Love that we are most like Christ. Not infatuation, romantic love, but Agape, God-love to others.

What is love to you?
The things that point me to God's heart.

How do you know if someone is mad at you?
Intuition usually

What if someone who loves you is mad at you?
I would hope they'd talk to me about it.

How do you act if you are mad at someone?
I generally close up around them.

What if you are mad at someone you love?
Same thing, but usually talk about it at some point.

How do you handle that?
Talk it out. Communication.

Do you know how to forgive others?
Not nearly like I should, but I ask for help.

Do you know how to accept the forgiveness of others?
Yes.

What is the hardest part of being you?
Being me. ha!  Being passionate is wearying. Being damaged is impossible. Being humble is unattainable, but the core of what I most desire.

How do you deal with that hard part?
Stay on my knees

What could someone do to help you handle this?
Pray.

Who would you like to have helping you?
people who love me.

Who do you think is supposed to be helping you?
My Jesus family and real family.

Will you let anyone help you?
Really, only the people I trust.

What is your favorite thing about being you?
Being passionate about the things which I am passionate about.

What would like to change about you?
Sin.

How do you think you should go about that change?
Abiding in the Vine.

How would you like others to treat you, act towards you?
In a perfect world, with respect.

How can you change the ways other people treat you?
I've discovered that my reactions to people's behavior is allowing them control over you. No one deserves that, except Jesus.

What would you like to see happen now?
To not have to worry about the next bill payments.

Do you think that is possible?
Yes God is teaching me trust. Full out, reckless trust..

What if what you want is impossible?
It's not. Trusting God is never impossible.

Now what? What is the next step?
Ask for help from where my Help comes.