Quick List

A list of things for which I gave thanks today:
Floating in lakes surrounded by trees and an azure sky.
Purple flowers!
A beautiful sunset.
Communion dinner with close friends.
Played with hair.
Casual talks that turn deep.
A kitchen of our own.
Big cameras.
When pen meets paper.
Friday nights in.

So much love.

Long walks with the puppy

I love my puppy (who is now a year old). I also love getting out of the house and walking with him for a while, my headphones plugged into my iPod, just Jack and I. I can tune out of everything going on, I get to hang out with my dog, and now that I'm not really up for many other types of exercise, it gets me on my feet and moving.
Then again, I also love just having the TV on, both of us curled up as we rest for a while.

Accountability

I was a camp counselor a few weeks back, so for two weeks I had a small group of junior and senior high girls. Some of the girls were the same between weeks and some changed. One thing that we did second week was to create accountability partners for 2 weeks and 2 memory verses. Everyone would text, call or talk to their partner after the 2 weeks were up and make sure they had memorized the verses. 

I was planning on sitting it out, but we had an odd number of girls, so one of the older girls and I teamed up. However, she asked if we could take it to the next level. It's been 2 weeks since camp, and I've memorized 2 verses. This week, I'm on to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. We're going to memorize 52 memory verses this year with the help of each other. One verse (or set of verses) every week for a year. Something I wouldn't do without someone pushing me on. There are many things I wouldn't do without someone else holding me accountable and pushing me on, and that is why tonight, I am grateful for accountability, who I am, and who I am becoming because of it. 

Medical Care

I greatly dislike doctors. The people themselves are wonderful, I'm sure. I'm just not a fan of meeting them in their offices. I also dislike hospitals, insurance troubles, and many other things that fall into that category. This last year, however, I seem to be running into that all more than I have in quite a few years. On top of that, I can't get into certain appointments that I need to get into until Christmas break.

However, I live in a place and a family where I can go to the doctor and be treated if I need to. If I am hurt, if half of my body goes numb, if my tonsils are the largest any doctor has seen on an adult, I can get help. I get treatment. There are good facilities no matter where I am, and I rarely have to drive an hour to get to it. So many people in the world don't have that luxury. So many people would be forced to suffer through what I am allowed to get treatment for. I am thankful that I have these things available, even if I don't always appreciate them.

New meanings to old words

‎...when all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions, eclipsed by Glory. And I realize just how beautiful You are and how great you affections are for me. 
Oh, how He loves us so.

These words overtook me today as I drove home, playing a song I have heard a hundred times before. These words spoke something new into me as I dwelt on this last year, on my recent afflictions. On the doctors appointments I'm trying to schedule before going back to school. On my family's recent move and impending move. I was a bit overwhelmed by my afflictions, as I often have been recently. When suddenly, I was unaware of them. God's Glory, in these words, demanded my attention and drew me in. Completely overshadowing my problems was God's glory and His love for me. There is no way I can ever repay that. 

Babies

This picture is from about a month ago when I visited my cousin in the hospital. As you can see, she had just had a baby. Norah is the fourth child in their wonderful family, and I was taking care of Norah's rambunctious three older siblings while their parents were in the hospital. Tonight, my mom, aunt and I went and visited my cousin, her husband and their kids again. Norah is now a month old, and the other three are just as boisterous as ever. 

The warmth of a child in your arms, of cuddling him or her close and giving comfort to someone so small, is a wonderful feeling. I am thankful for the joys that brings, (and the fact that other people trust me with their children!!) 

Time for an Introvert in an Extroverted World

I am an introverted person. Granted, I am a more extroverted introvert, but the point stands. Today some of my family and myself went to the Iowa State Fair and I had an extraordinary time. I loved being there, I loved seeing everything, I loved spending time with my family, and I loved coming home, curling up with the dog and watching Downtown Abbey. By the time we left the fair, my feet ached, my head was pounding with Katy Perry songs and I reeked of sweat and cattle. But I made it home and retreated into my little introverted bubble, and was able to enjoy the fair more for the ability to escape home after it, into the comfort and quiet of my bubble.

August 13: Inspirations

I have been reading a book lately that my mom recommended, a book called One Thousand Gifts. It's been a slow read, since I don't want to breeze through it. Instead, I am savoring it, taking my time, really allowing myself to learn from this book. This book has inspired me to restart this blog in whatever capacity I can, to continue in my quest for Thankfulness, to make it a habit. If I miss a day, I miss a day. Not a big deal. But it's something I need to start doing again. So let's get back on track.

Day 55: Girls Night In

We had a girls night in tonight and watched Where the Wild Things Are, which is a superb film. Like community, it is wonderful to just have people around me that I can cuddle with, be goofy with and act like a child with. We didn't have to go out or spend any money; we just put in a movie and had a blast. Girls nights are such an important part to any girl's life, and I am thankful for my girl friends!

Day 54: Community

I haven't always had the people around me like I do here at Gordon. I have been so blessed by these people who aren't afraid to call me out or to talk to me through uncertain times. God has put some incredible people in my life who have challenged me to grow and face hard realities, and I am thankful beyond belief for every single one of them.

Day 53: Being embraced when I am dirty

I just got back from a run. I didn't run very far, but I also haven't run in a long time, so I was still fairly gross when I got back. On top of that, it has been raining off and on all morning, so the ground was mud. I walked into the cafeteria to grab lunch to bring back to my room and ran into a friend, who immediately walked up to me and hugged me. I recoiled as most people do when they are sweaty and being hugged, explained my (rather obvious) situation of being covered in mud and sweat. My friend didn't care, but hugged me anyways, at which point I accepted and returned the hug. 

God does this all the time. I am constantly covered in the sin I have been rolling around in, but He doesn't care. He keeps me embraced in His arms regardless. Sometimes I draw back and explain to God that I am dirty and He should probably let me shower before He decides to hug me. God doesn't want to do that though. He takes me as I am, covered in sin and slime, and He embraces me.

Day 52: For Dust you are

I am nothing more than dust. I should not have anything to offer. I am a flawed, broken human being. I know that, I recognize it and I wish that it wasn't so. But that's how it is. I am dust.
I am so thankful that I am God-breathed dust. God-appointed dust. I am nothing, yet He loves me and works in me and through me. I don't know how that works, but He does. There are ashes on my forehead to remind me of my low status and a psalm in my heart to remind me that I am the daughter of the King.
I am dust, but I am loved by the One who gave me life.

Day 38: Balloons (and therapy)

I needed to blow off some steam tonight, so I walked into my friends' room and simply asked if they had anything I could break. This was after I had looked around my own room and hadn't found anything  sufficient (I didn't really want to pay the fine for breaking my mirror). Luckily, Kari had just celebrated her birthday and there were balloons everywhere. I walked around picking up balloons and popping them, scattering the silicone all over the floor. Colored pieces fell like confetti as I went on a rampage. After I popped the last balloon, I fell onto Ari's bed and just talked to her. I don't know what I would do without my friends who support me and make sure that I don't go completely insane. I am so extremely thankful for balloons that are popable and friends who are great therapists.

Day 36: A New Beginning

Today was the first day in our new church building. It was incredible! A year ago Netcast church had about 30 people attending it and today we had 350!! It is really awesome to see what God can do with a little faith and trust (no pixie dust needed). I know that God can do these awesome things and can truly make new things come from nothing. It is a new beginning for me too-- I am going to stop living in the past, in the old building that I have outgrown, much as Netcast has outgrown our old YMCA. My faith is growing and needs the new space.

This is going to be good.

Day 35: Tea

Uggh. I got SICK today. There has been something going around campus lately. I caught something and have been feeling under the weather lately. I lost my appetite (and have only been eating on and off), and so the one thing I've really been relying on is tea. It is such a wonderful thing. There are different flavors, it tastes great, is cheap, easy to make and is healthy too! Plus, the warmth is great when you have a cold. Basically, tea is one of my favorite things that God created... especially when I don't feel great.

Day 34: The Beach

We went to the beach today for my friend Kari's birthday! I love being back near a large body of water-- since we moved to California, I've always lived near one (besides when we lived in Kansas). There is something so calming, soothing about the beach, even if you don't swim when you are there. The waves crashing against the sand, the gentle breeze, the smell of salt. I could live at the beach if  I had the money. I could spend my days on a towel reading a book, toes in the water. When I was deciding on a college, its proximity to water was a factor. I love the beach and am so grateful to be near one again.

Day 33: Guy friends

I love my guy friends. Don't get me wrong-- my girl friends are incredible too! But today I've been blessed with hanging out with a few good guys friends I haven't really talked to in a while. I had scheduled a lunch date with one of them, since he and I haven't talked much since last semester and just kinda ran into other guys, realized I hadn't talked with them in a while and sat down and just hung out. This morning I taught in the 2nd grade classroom and that is all I have today, so it's been nice to have no pressure, no deadlines before tomorrow, no stress. Yeah, I should be doing homework right now (I will start soon), but after a hectic week it is nice to have a little while to relax and hang out by myself or to share that time with some really incredible guys that I have the joy to call my friends.

Day 32: Support

I just had a meeting with the person who is in charge of my scholarship because last semester my grades slipped. I was really dreading the meeting and had already had a pretty bad morning. So when I walked out of the meeting with a grin on my face, I was pretty surprised. Chris sat me down when I walked in and asked what had happened last semester. We talked for a while, I told him that I had made a lot of changes for this semester, and then he told me that he was here to encourage me. That was his job-- if at any point during the semester I was feeling discouraged or like I was falling behind, he wants me to come meet with him. In the meantime, he gave me some advice. For example, he told me to lay off myself and not strive for perfection because no one was expecting it. He also told me to take a break sometimes and learn how to give up things, even if I love doing them. There isn't time for everything. I am thankful for his advice and for the support that was given to me today.

Day 31: Exercise

I love working out. As bad as I am about getting to the gym, once I am there I love just throwing anything at my body, as much as it can handle. I love the next few days too, feeling that satisfying soreness in my limbs, knowing that I was successful and that my body is healthy, moving and in good shape. Besides, working out is a wonderful way to get out of my mind, destress, relax and even vent frustration on myself.

Day 30: Washable Crayons

I am allowed to draw on my walls with washable crayons because it comes off easily. I love this freedom and I love being able to take a crayon and just go crazy on the walls (something I was never allowed to do as a kid). I have Bible verses, quotes, pictures, all sorts of things have been on my walls in crayon. I am thankful that Gordon allows me to color all over my walls, just as long as I take it off before the year ends!