Days #188-193: Give Thanks!

if that doesn't get you excited for thanksgiving, then there's something wrong!

turkey. stuffing. mashed potatoes. pecan pie. family. friends. warmth. comfort. joy. peace. conversation. that's what i'm looking forward to this week at home.

here are some things i've been really thankful for these past couple of days.

early bedtimes

i've been finding that the earlier i go to bed, the better i feel. imagine that! but i'm thankful that life has slowed down just a bit so that i can sleep a little longer. i'm thankful to be able to pick my bedtime. thankful that i can choose the way i fall asleep...by reading, watching tv, listening to music, or praying. i will confess...when i pray right before i fall asleep, i usually end up falling asleep while praying. whoops!

morning quiet

because i've been going to bed earlier, some mornings i wake up earlier. i've found so much peace in taking my time in the morning. it's important for me to have my "me" time. i'm thankful that my schedule allows for me to have that precious time. thankful that i can spend time with God before i get my day started. thankful for the quietness in the apartment.

clean clothes

i confess...i was one of those kids who didn't do their own laundry until senior year of high school. my wonderful mother did it for me all those years. mom told me that i had to do my laundry before i leave for home, as our laundry room is being retiled and painted...all to sell the house! so, as i was doing my fouuuuuuurrrrr loads of laundry yesterday, i stopped and thought about how great it is that i can just throw in my clothes and go on with my day. i'm thankful that i have laundry machines right in my apartment. i'm thankful that i have clean clothes.

church

when i'm at school, i attend the methodist church here in milledgeville. it's really great. the people are friendly, the minister has great sermons, and it reminds me of afumc. i'm thankful that i've found a church i really enjoy. thankful that i don't go by myself (thanks laura!). thankful that i am spiritually fed. thankful to sing beautiful hymns. thankful for a little taste of home.

what are you thankful for?

Day #187:Reminder

i'm thankful for my huge pill box that sits on my bathroom counter. I have such a hard time remembering to take ALL my pills EVERY day. It's so much medication that i'm benefitting from, but so much to remember! so i'm thankful for that big, blue reminder that greets me in the morning, afternoon, and night.

Days #176-186: simplify

A lot of change is going on in my house right now. This past weekend while i was home, i was put to work "de-cluttering" my belongings. you see, we're moving. and i couldn't be more excited! but that means we have to get our house "de-junkified".

i cleaned out a couple different areas of my space this weekend and felt renewed by it. my life was just a little more simple because i got rid of things that i don't need. my life is often surrounded by what i want, not what i need. i was made aware of how easily i've taken advantage of everything that my parents have provided me. i'm lucky to even have a place to come home to, food to eat, and to be welcomed by parents who love me.

i'm thankful that i simplified my life just a little bit more this weekend. i'm thankful for the many blessings in my life. i'm thankful that i have the best parents who would do anything for me. i'm thankful that i can live the life that i have been given.

did i mention how thankful i am that these girls are in my life? and how AWESOME it was to see them this weekend at Sus' surprise party!!

new goal for the next couple of months...SIMPLIFY. i'm thankful this weekend showed me that.

Days #167-175: Good meals with good friends

as a part of being in college, i love that i can eat with different friends every night. last night, melissa, laura, elizabeth, and i had the BEST meal i've had in awhile. spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, and salad. talk about yummy. i'm thankful that i can share good meals with good friends. i'm so thankful that i have such great roommates as great friends. i'm so thankful to have great friends in my life. feeling very thankful for everyone in my life.

happy november!!

Days #161-166: Parents

I am so thankful to have the kind of relationship with my parents that I have. I can go to them with anything, cry on their shoulder, act silly in front of them, tell them my hopes and dreams, vent to them, hang out with them....and the list could go on forever. i am forever thankful for the way they raised me.

my mom is the most incredible woman i know. i'm thankful that the Lord molded her into such a strong, warm-hearted, caring, loving person. my mom is selfless. she thinks of others before herself. just this past weekend, she spent two hours at urgent care with me to make sure i didn't have strep. turns out i'm being treated for it, but she helped me at my worst, as she always has. i can't tell you how many times i've leaned and relied on my mom when i was sick. i'm so thankful for the relationship we have.

my dad is the most incredible man i know. i can ask him anything and i can almost guarantee that he'll know the answer, or know where to find it. my dad is not only an incredible father, but like my mom, he is selfless, and giving to others. we've always shared a love of music, and i'm so thankful we have that connection with each other. i think we could talk about music for days!

my parents have been there for me in the best and worst times in my life. i was dependent on them when i was diagnosed with uc. i relied on them for weeks on end to get back to being healthy. i'm thankful for the sacrifices they've made for me my whole life. i'm thankful that they were at all my colorguard performances, all my swim meets, all my games, all my EVERYthing. i hope that anyone reading this will not take that for granted because it means so much to have that support from the people who raised me.

i can't help but to get emotional when i think about how thankful i am for my parents. it reminds me of the verse in Philippians..."i thank my God every time i think of you" (Phil. 1:3)

i'm so very thankful for my mom and dad.

Days #152-160: Clean

i don't know about anyone else, but cleaning gives me a sense of renewal. and that is exactly what happened in my apartment this week. laura and i spent at least three hours scrubbing floors, counter tops, dishes, toilets, etc. on saturday. and even though it doesn't sound like fun, we had the best time. and there was nothing more satisfying the sitting in the clean place that we had just scrubbed down ourselves. i'm thankful that i don't have to live in dirt and grime. i'm thankful that cleaning gives my whole soul a sense of renewal. i'm thankful that it's an outlet for me when i get frustrated with something.

i've felt extremely thankful lately...i'm not sure what has provoked it, but i'm not complaining at all...

Days #140-151: Intolerance

over the past couple of months, i've tried so hard to find alternatives to dairy products. and let me tell you...it's hard finding what you like. you think that something will taste good...but when you try it, it's completely nasty. and if i want to drink regular milk, or anything else dairy, you'll find me taking a pill.

well i've finally found milk that i really really like. i never thought i'd say it, but i LOVE soy milk. it's really really good! i suggest you try it even if you aren't lactose intolerant!

but i'm thankful that there are alternatives. i'm thankful i can drink milk without my stomach getting upset. thankful that i can still feel somewhat normal.