Hey Blog Family,
What are you THANKFUL for on this Thanksgiving? I would love to see what all of you guys are THANKFUL for, so feel free to post something on here or on Facebook! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy your families and count your blessings.
I know I have not been very active with doing blogs, and I am sorry. Between school, work, lots of follow-up appointments at Duke, and having a low white count; it has been crazy. But, I am very thankful for so many things this year.
Most importantly I am THANKFUL for GOD. Our GOD is an awesome GOD. I have a GOD of miracles. GOD is so Good! GOD sent His only son to die for each and every one of us. WOW! Thanks to GOD I am saved and I know where I will be when I die. I thank GOD every day for giving me this journey so that I am able to witness to others about how good HE is. I never thought that GOD would give me the opportunity of getting a new heart, but HE has. I cannot thank HIM enough for what HE has done in my life to show me that HE loves me!
I am THANKFUL for JESUS. HE paid the ultimate price for every single one of us by dying and suffering on the cross. We do not THANK HIM enough for giving up HIS life for us. Every morning when I get up, I thank JESUS for giving me another day and I thank HIM for washing away all of my sins. None of us would have been able to do what JESUS did. Each day, we need to be able to THANK HIM for the price HE paid and for loving us just so much.
I am THANKFUL for my parents. My parents have been amazing when dealing with everything. I am sure I won’t be able to fully understand until I am a mother. I know that their FAITH in GOD is what has kept them going. They have always been there for me through the big things and the little things. My mom never really left me in the hospital and my dad took care of everything that needed to be done at home. THANK YOU for always supporting me and being at all of my games, awards ceremonies, and etc. I THANK GOD every day for blessing me with the very best parents I could have asked for. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this journey without you guys in my life. I LOVE YOU DAD AND MOM!!!
I am THANKFUL for my brother, Daniel. We may argue sometimes, but I am THANKFUL that GOD put you in my life. You have always been there whether I needed help with homework, wanted to talk to you, or even just to hang out. This journey has brought us so much closer together and I THANK GOD for that every single day. I will be ok. And, you will be OK too. I just want you to TRUST GOD that no matter what happens IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM!!! Jeremiah 29:11 Let’s keep sharing our story to praise GOD. THANK YOU for being the best brother ever. We have been through so much together with losing my twin Matthew, and with both of us being diagnosed with our heart conditions. But, we always know that there is something good that comes out of everything. Romans 8:28 LOVE YOU LOTS DANIEL!!!
I am THANKFUL for Caroline. We’re not sisters by birth, but we knew from the start that GOD put us together to be SISTERS BY HEART!!! I am so THANKFUL for you. As I am writing this, I think back over our journeys and feel like we have known each other our entire lives. GOD put you in my path for this reason, so that we are able to have someone to talk to that has gone through the same stuff. THANK YOU for always being there for me, and THANK YOU for being my big sister that I never had. You continue to inspire me! LOVE YOU from my NEW HEART to your NEW HEART!!!
I am THANKFUL for my church family. Garris Chapel UMC just rocks!!! My church family has gone through this entire journey with me, just in a different way. I am so glad that GOD brought my family and me to this church. They are always there for me and my family. I cannot even begin to say how THANKFUL I am for every single one of you guys. THANK YOU for all you have done for my family.
I am THANKFUL for my Youth Pastor and his wife. You guys started off kind of like being my “second parents” and then become my youth pastor. You guys have always been there for me and continue to love me every day. THANK YOU for being my go to people. I THANK GOD every day for you because I really don’t know how I would deal with things in my life if it were not for you and Donna. THANK YOU for always being there and loving me. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
I am THANKFUL for my doctors and nurses. THANKS to all the doctors and nurses that were able to keep me alive when I was born weighing less than 2 pounds. Because of them, I have reached many life milestones. I have had a good life and now I have a new heart to have a better life. I am very THANKFUL for my transplant team. GOD gave me the perfect team. This group of people talk to me and always help me to understand all the medical stuff. THANK YOU for being my transplant team. You guys always make me smile and I have always known that you would never give up on me. You have always wanted the best for me, challenged me and believed in me. THANK YOU! Each one of you is special to me and I am so THANKFUL that you all are a part of my life. This has been an amazing journey. You guys are the best. I would like to give a shout out to Whitney and Joann for loving me and letting me be there nurse in training.
I am THANKFUL for my Cardiologist. He is one smart doctor. We joke with each other and then we laugh at each other. He is always there for me when I have a question, need to talk, or need to laugh. I THANK GOD for him. He is my favorite doctor in the world, and I like to believe that I am his favorite patient!!! HaHaHa!!! THANK YOU Dr. Carboni!
I am THANKFUL for all of YOU!!!!!!! If it were not for all of you seeing this and then sharing it with all of your family and friends, because it allows me to show GOD’s love and how awesome HE is. As someone reads this, I want them to see just how much GOD cares about ALL of US. HE is with me every day, during good days and not so good days. And, HE is with you too! Also, I am doing this Blog to raise awareness for organ donation. PLEASE consider being an organ donor. Don’t take your organs to heaven, GOD knows that we need them here. Register and tell your family and one day maybe you can give someone a new chance at life. THANK YOU for all you do by reading and sharing my Blog with others, and THANK YOU for supporting me through this journey.
This year I am most THANKFUL for my donor and their family. I can’t imagine how they are feeling today. I think of them often. Really, I think of them every day. They will always have a special place in my heart and I pray that I can honor them as I continue this journey. They have given me a new life and I cannot thank them enough for the choice they made to donate the organs of their loved one. Please keep them in your prayers as you celebrate with your families. Really look around at your family and friends and remember to tell them that you love them. Have a wonderful THANKSgiving.