Thankful Thursday: Encouragement, and a Challenge

Sorry, I thought I'd had this set to post on the correct day. I guess I'm more technologically challenged than I thought!


This week, I have been oh so thankful for the encouragement that's been coming from different people and places. Whether it be at Crossfit as I'm trying to not die as I'm one of the last to finish the day's WOD, or someone complimenting my hair when I'm really not feeling beautiful. When someone takes the time to care or offer kind words, it really lifts my spirits. It has reminded me of something that I promised myself that I wouldn't forget: Even the littlest encouragement can completely turn someone's day around for the better.

Now that I've been reminded, I want to get back on track with being an encourager. My goal is to encourage at least 3 people in some way each day. Will you join me?

I can't wait to see how this blesses you, as I know it will. So, go forth and encourage!

Thankful Thursday: Learning to be Social

I really have so much to be thankful for. I've been returning to write this post all day, but I have been trouble choosing my topic, because I feel like I have so many options.

I am thankful that I have been learning how to better get along in social situations. I've always been the awkward kid who kind of hung out on the edge of the crowd. You know, the one who wants to fit in but doesn't? Yep, that's me.

I have a few really good friends, and I have no idea what I would do without them. They accept me, love me, and even put up with me. Unfortunately, we all live in different places. I'm here in SW MO, one of my best friends is in UT, a few are back in STL (including my man), and one decided it would be a brilliant idea to go halfway across the world to China. I love them so much, and I cherish our times together and conversations.

But it sucks to be that awkward person when you're around the same people all the time at school. But this semester, I've been growing; coming out of my shell. I'm making friends at the gym, talking to other people in my major, even having a good time with them!

I'm thankful that I'm learning how to better interact with others in social situations (it only took me 20 years, right?). What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday: Answered Prayers

This week, I have been watching in awe as God has been answering prayers all around me, whether they be prayers regarding my life or regarding my friends' lives.

For example, we've been praying about a job that one of my friends interviewed for recently. If she was offered the job, she would be able to live in town and be closer to her friends, church, and everything in general.

Another (possibly groundbreaking) example: Instead of praying and begging for God to send me friends, or "fix" me so that I have an easier time relating to people, I have been praying for awhile now that He would help me to be content in loving Him and in having a relationship with Him; that I wouldn't be chasing after people of the world so that I would have someone to talk to (locally) and just shoot the breeze with. Funnily enough, when God became my focus, He sent me someone that I can see a friendship growing with.

But really, God answers all prayers, whether it be yes, no, not yet, I've got something better, or even any other answer that He chooses to give. While dwelling upon the "yeses" in my life recently, I've seen the "not yets" and the "something betters" that are coming, and that have come, into fruition.

I am thankful for God who reigns with Truth and Grace. I am thankful that He hears and answers prayers. I am thankful that no matter how difficult I find it to fathom, He loves me, and He wants to have an active relationship with me.

I am thankful. What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday: a best friend

One of the highlights of this week was getting to talk to my friend, who I usually call "Chief" for the first time in awhile. We usually don't talk all the time- shoot, weeks and months usually pass between our conversations, but somehow, we never drift apart. Every time Chief and I talk, it feels like the last conversation was just yesterday.

I don't know if he knows it (even though I tell him all the time), but Chief, and my friendship with him, mean a lot to me. We've been friends since elementary school. We went through middle school and high school together. And now that we're attending universities in different parts of the state, we're still going through college together.

I tell Chief all the time, but I am forever grateful for our unconditional friendship. I love the support that we can give each other. I love how even though time may pass, it feels like we never miss a beat. If I could have a guy as my Maid of Honor someday, it would be Chief. (But that might be a little too weird for both of us.)

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm thankful for Chief, for my friendship with him, and for the years we've shared together.

What, or who, are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday: Doing Life Together

I'm sorry that this is being posted so late in the day! I definitely did not do my best planning or time management today, that's for sure.

Today and this week, I have been focusing on my thankfulness for the times I've had recently where I just get to sit down with a friend and chat about life. It's something that I don't always get, but when I do, I love it. Just doing life with people- whether or not we've both got it all together, or if we meet up and catch up all the time- is so great, and I love that I have relationships with these people that we can "do life together" without it feeling awkward or forced.

Thankful Thursday: Can't Help Lovin' that Man

As always, I am very thankful for Mitch. I don't deserve that wonderful man, but while I have him, you'd better believe I intend to keep 'im!

This week, I am thankful for him because he decided to come all the way (3 1/2ish hours) to take care of me and drive my gimpy self around. I am thankful that he had the next few days off from work so that he could do this. Last night, after listening to me stressing about the fact that I couldn't walk (long story short- 1 mile walk across campus barefoot to save myself from blistering shoes = massive blisters on the bottoms of my feet), he got off the phone in a hurry. Then, about 30 minutes later, he called me and said that he was on his way to come help me out.

I was overwhelmed. I love that man. I love him all the time, but the times that he does something extra-caring take the cake.

Once again, I am thankful for the loving and caring man that I call my boyfriend. What are you thankful for?

p.s.- sorry about the mush!

Thankful Thursday: Back to School Edition

I am thankful for the professors that I am studying with, that they are willingly and eagerly sharing knowledge with us. I am thankful for the friends that I have here at MSU, and in town, and how warmly they welcomed be back for the school year. I am thankful that I have been sleeping solidly for the first time in a long time, so that my body is recharged for each day. I am thankful for the communities that I am a part of- both the community of my college ministry and the community of the Voice Department and my voice studio. I am thankful for Mitch's patience and support. I am thankful for my adoptive family. I am thankful for my voice teacher, and the way that she is always honest but encouraging. I am thankful for the wonderful and acclaimed faculty that I study under, that they chose to be at MSU. I am thankful for the opportunity to get this education. And I am thankful for the hours that I will be spending in the library today, because it means that I was able to create or find that time in my hectic schedule.

Have a wonderful day!