Thankful Thursday: Feels Like Home

Awhile back- well, even last semester- I felt like a wanderer. I didn't really fit in anywhere, and I felt like my "home base" wasn't really defined. But now? It's a whole new ball game. I used to be the girl who never got homesick and never really understood how or why people did. But now, my heart aches for two different places. It aches to be "home" with my boyfriend when I'm at school, and when I'm "home" with Mitch, my heart aches to be "home" with my adopted family.

Although it feels as if I'm going to break in two at times, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am content in both places and lack nothing. I'm loved and cared for in both places, and I have safety, security, and joy. And it will still get better. Because in just one more year, both of my "homes" will be in the same place- or at least within an hour's drive. Being "home" is one thing, but feeling like I have "home" is a feeling that delights me over and over again.

So today, I am thankful for the homes that my heart has and holds dear. What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday: Little Teachers

Today is beautiful. Today, the adoption of a little boy that has stolen my heart (along with everybody else's) is finalized. Although he's not my son, this little man has taught me more than I could ever fathom about God's most true and perfect love for us.

The very first time I met Little Man, he stole my heart. I loved everything about him, even though he was screaming in the middle of my "grown-up talk" with his mom in Starbucks. I want the best for him, I want to protect him, and I want him to be successful.

I now that I'm not exactly a great writer by any means, nor am I a great theologian, but today, reflecting upon the finalized adoption, I better realized my relationship with God. From the moment He thought of me, He loved me. Even though I sin and fall short and break his heart, He loves me. He has a plan for my life that is greater than anything that I could ever dream up on my own. He wants the best for me, and he has the best for me. He wants to forever have a relationship with me, and He is fighting for me and will not let me go or slip away easily.

Little Man, 3 days shy of his first birthday, has shown me this. I never expected to learn through "demonstration", if you could call it that. I was looking to learn and better understand through prayer and Bible study. But I am so thankful that God chose to show me this way. It has left me newly broken over sin, and with a stronger heart for Him than ever before. This understanding, although hard, is also healing. It heals my loneliness. It draws me close. And it brings me Home.

Thank you, Little Man, for teaching me what I've been desperately wanting to learn for so long. I love you, and I am so thankful to be a part of your life. Miss Emily loves you.

Thankful Thursday: The Gift of Music

As you may or may not know, I'm a music major- a vocal music education major, to be exact. But I find that I don't stop often enough to think about what a marvelous gift I've been given.

As far as I can remember, I've been singing. We have embarrassing home videos of me making up silly songs when I was barely old enough for grade school. When I started violin, it came pretty quickly to me, and my ear has always been at least three steps ahead of my voice or my fingers. That's not something that can come from me.

No- something like that can only be gifted my my Creator, and I've found that He's drawing me closer to Himself every time I open my mouth to sing- not only in worship, but also in other settings, like a practice room or an ensemble rehearsal.

And while I'm enjoying the opportunities that the gift of music is giving me on this Earth, I can't help but look forward to and be panting for the time when I will be singing of His glory for ever and ever with the countless others who love Him.

I am thankful for the gift of music and song, because it constantly brings me closer to God. I am thankful because of the opportunities that it affords me while I'm still dwelling in this world. I am thankful.

Thankful Thursday: Back after a short Absence

Hey there! Sorry about the absence- last week, I was on vacation and didn't have (or particularly want) Internet access, and the Thursday before, things got more than a little crazy around here. Things should be back to normal now, though! So, now for the topic you're probably waiting to hear about...

This week, I have been particularly been thankful for the network of friends that I have, and the way that I'm still "in the loop" even though we're miles apart. I love that even though I'm home for the summer and working all the time, I'll still get text messages asking my opinion on birthday party stuff, or funny pictures that reminded them of something, or just communication in general! And I love every bit of it.

Because seriously, don't abandon the people in your life when they aren't right there. It hurts your friendship more than you' d think.

So, this week, I am thankful for the friends I have now, and I am definitely thankful that even though we're 200 miles apart right now, you'd hardly know it from the way we keep up with each other.


What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday: Summer!

Summer is officially here! Not only is it already hot in St. Louis, I've already made my first trip to the Muny for the season. Right now, I'm thankful that I'm young enough that I can have dreams and big ideas for my summers and not be too discouraged when they don't work out.

So far, this summer's plans include:

-spending as much time with Mitch as possible

-really getting into God's Word

-going to the lake

-loving on my little man

-visiting my favorite people

-relaxing

-school

-working

-quilting

-getting in shape

-losing weight

-not planning (ironic, huh?)

-having fun!

So, here's to being old enough to have options and young enough to be flexible!

Thankful Thursday: Smiling

There are some days when I can't think of anything to write about for this post. I feel like I've said just about everything, and I don't want to be redundant.

But this week, I think I'm most thankful for the experiences I've had that pout a smile on my face.

It's no secret that I don't smile near as much as normal when I'm under stressful situations. But this week, I got to spend time with my favorite people. I got to see my favorite little man and play with him. I got to see my heart-family, and even though we stuck to our normal routine of hanging out and then running around on errands, it was really the best day.

And then even though I had to leave them and come back home, I got to spend the evening outside with the boyfriend. We played tennis with some other people- me playing for the first time EVER, and he was supportive. It was a good evening, and it definitely put a smile on my face.

So, this week, I am definitely thankful for the things that put a smile on my face and in my heart. What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday: A Privilege, Not a Right

One of the reasons I enjoy being back home is that I get to see my boyfriend and spend quality time with him. During the semester, I get to see him maybe once a month. Right now, since he's been sent to work on a far-away job, we're averaging seeing each other about once a week. It's not the ideal situation, but I am thankful to even have that opportunity.

So, last night was date night- our first one in, oh I'd have to say about 2 or 3 months. We went to dinner, which was followed by a nice walk on the riverfront. It's pretty much my favorite date night activity, and I was glad Mitch let me pick even though he probably did not want to go for a walk after working all day.

So, this week I am thankful for being able to see Mitch more frequently again, because I have learned that it is a privilege, and not a right. What are you thankful for?