This is the last portion of my 28 things of which I'm grateful as I turn 28 today.
21. Vacations - Vacations are exactly what the doctor orders sometimes. I had a 10 day vacation last year and I think it really has carried over to this year. I've often looked back at that vacation with gratitude and joy considering the way I was able to release any amount of stress in my life and just relax. I wish I could go on vacations all the time, but working hard allows for us to go on vacation once in a while. How much sweeter is the vacation when it's something that is so rare and unique!
22. A child's laugh - There are few things that send joy directly to my heart like a child's laugh. Pure joy. Period.
23. Facebook - Facebook has created opportunities to connect with people like never before. I honestly feel like a better friend because of Facebook. Call it lame if you want. I think I am able to be aware of the good and bad things going on in friends lives when sometimes time doesn't allow a phone call. (Side note: Facebook is really good when it's your birthday! I had over 200 people wishing me a happy birthday on Facebook! Seriously... that makes a girl feel loved!)
24. Strength - Strength is something that while I'm still struggling to find it in certain areas, I'm blessed to have found it in a few small areas. I will take joy in that!
25. Infertility - While I wish this weren't a word in my vocabulary, I will say it has been a blessing. It has created conversation drawing Adam and I closer than ever. It's created opportunities to bond in new ways with friends going through the same thing. It's created a greater dependency on God...which lets be honest, is always needed. I will choose to praise Him through this storm.
26. Good News - Have you ever received good news? When that happens, it doesn't matter how bad your day has been...the good news really makes the day nearly 100% better. What a blessing to receive good news.
27. Holidays - The holidays are my favorite times of the year. There are a lot of different holidays throughout the year, but I am most looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am thankful for the reminders that the holidays stand for, but also for the community that takes place during that time. While everyone is depressed that winter is right around the corner...I'm joyful for the holidays. :)
28. Looking forward to ... - Have you ever been so excited for something? Maybe a vacation, a life event... Well, that is something of which I'm thankful. I am thankful for the built up excitement, the anticipation and sometimes nervousness of the unknown. There are many things I am looking forward to. I anxiously await what the future holds.
Happy 28 years!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
28 things 11-20
I've decided to write about 28 blessings since I'm turning 28 tomorrow. Here are numbers 11-20.
11. Home - What a blessing to have a roof over my head! Oftentimes I look around my house and think, "Oh I wish I could change the cabinets or the flooring or the window treatments...." But when it comes down to it, I have a roof over my head. I have plenty of room to live with my husband and two pooches.
12. Pictures - I often look back at pictures of me as child, or in high school and college or on my wedding day. Pictures are so valuable to help remind us of special moments. They also help us see ourselves in a different way than we may remember. I'm not the best photographer or scrapbooker, but I love that I can look back in time and refresh my memory with events, people or moments in time.
13. Water - I love the water. I love swimming. I love boating. I love tubing. I love all things water. Although I don't live on or near large bodies of water, I am fortunate to have experiences that make me thankful for them. I remember when I went to Hawaii. The water was so clear and beautiful. I remember swimming at Guion pool in Indianapolis in the summers. The water was so frigid and cold. I hated every minute of it then, but look back and see how dedication made me a better person. I remember just a couple of weeks ago being in Michigan City for a wedding and swimming across a lake with two friends. The joy of that swim and experience in the water is indescribable. Water hits a spot with me. Love it and so thankful to get to experience it often.
14. Sunsets - Living in the country, we are very fortunate to see sunsets in an incredible way. I often find myself walking outside sometimes in the extreme heat or cold to be able to experience the sunset. God can truly paint a beautiful picture. There is something so calming about the sunsets...with purples, pinks, yellows and oranges... I absolutely love it. I think God knows that all it takes after a stressful day is an incredible sunset to quite my busy heart and make me grateful for the air in my lungs.
15. Pastors/Church Family - I am incredibly grateful for teachers in my life. There are teachers all around us...all of the time. My favorite teachers are the ones in my church family. There are multiple ones ranging from our lead teacher/pastor at church to many members of the church family. They see things from many different perspectives and provide insight in ways I normally wouldn't detect on my own. Learning is something I like in moderation and I love that on the weekend, when my mind is clear and open to rest, I still receive challenges and opportunities to grow. What a blessing.
16. Zoos - I. love. zoos. Seriously. If I could travel to every zoo in the country, I would be a happy camper. I don't know what it is. I love seeing all sorts of animals. And it doesn't matter how many times I've seen it, they still amaze me. Creation is beautiful. Life is beautiful. Animals have a way of surprising me. Zoos bring me so much joy. I'm thankful there are these 'entertainment' avenues nearby.
17. Kind Strangers - Do you ever see a kind stranger? If you do, do you let their action affect you? I find fewer things make me happier than when I see a kind stranger. It doesn't even have to be kindness directed towards me. It's simply kindness. It's like the Liberty Mutual Commercials. There is something that warms me from the inside out when I see kind strangers. I am so thankful that I'm present enough to catch that glimpse of love from one person to another...and not just anyone...a complete stranger.
18. The choice of forgiveness - Have you ever taken the high road? Sucked up your pride? Forgiven someone? There is something spiritually fulfilling when you do the right thing. More powerful is when you choose to forgive. We have been called to love others like Christ loved the church. In that love is forgiveness. We have been forgiven. We need to extend that forgiveness to others. There have been times when someone owed me an apology. The easy road is to hold a grudge. The hard road is to forgive. I'm thankful that I've had opportunities and wisdom to forgive. I cannot explain the way it made me feel. You should try it.
19. Quotes - I'll often run across quotes that are the subtle reminders of how we should act or how we're loved. Quotes seem to 'magically' appear at the absolutely right times. I believe I'm a better person because of the quotes I stumble upon from time to time.
20. Starbucks - Since tomorrow is my birthday, I thought I'd end this post with one of my favorite indulgences that I can experience because I'm fortunate to be able to afford Starbucks from time to time. Tomorrow's is on the house since I got my "free Starbucks birthday card" in the mail, but a "good cup o' joe" (as Adam likes to call it) makes the day feel right. A Pumpkin Spice Latte says Fall is here! Starbucks has a way of making my day better. That may be sad, but it's true. I'm not hiding it, nor am I ashamed.
11. Home - What a blessing to have a roof over my head! Oftentimes I look around my house and think, "Oh I wish I could change the cabinets or the flooring or the window treatments...." But when it comes down to it, I have a roof over my head. I have plenty of room to live with my husband and two pooches.
12. Pictures - I often look back at pictures of me as child, or in high school and college or on my wedding day. Pictures are so valuable to help remind us of special moments. They also help us see ourselves in a different way than we may remember. I'm not the best photographer or scrapbooker, but I love that I can look back in time and refresh my memory with events, people or moments in time.
13. Water - I love the water. I love swimming. I love boating. I love tubing. I love all things water. Although I don't live on or near large bodies of water, I am fortunate to have experiences that make me thankful for them. I remember when I went to Hawaii. The water was so clear and beautiful. I remember swimming at Guion pool in Indianapolis in the summers. The water was so frigid and cold. I hated every minute of it then, but look back and see how dedication made me a better person. I remember just a couple of weeks ago being in Michigan City for a wedding and swimming across a lake with two friends. The joy of that swim and experience in the water is indescribable. Water hits a spot with me. Love it and so thankful to get to experience it often.
14. Sunsets - Living in the country, we are very fortunate to see sunsets in an incredible way. I often find myself walking outside sometimes in the extreme heat or cold to be able to experience the sunset. God can truly paint a beautiful picture. There is something so calming about the sunsets...with purples, pinks, yellows and oranges... I absolutely love it. I think God knows that all it takes after a stressful day is an incredible sunset to quite my busy heart and make me grateful for the air in my lungs.
15. Pastors/Church Family - I am incredibly grateful for teachers in my life. There are teachers all around us...all of the time. My favorite teachers are the ones in my church family. There are multiple ones ranging from our lead teacher/pastor at church to many members of the church family. They see things from many different perspectives and provide insight in ways I normally wouldn't detect on my own. Learning is something I like in moderation and I love that on the weekend, when my mind is clear and open to rest, I still receive challenges and opportunities to grow. What a blessing.
16. Zoos - I. love. zoos. Seriously. If I could travel to every zoo in the country, I would be a happy camper. I don't know what it is. I love seeing all sorts of animals. And it doesn't matter how many times I've seen it, they still amaze me. Creation is beautiful. Life is beautiful. Animals have a way of surprising me. Zoos bring me so much joy. I'm thankful there are these 'entertainment' avenues nearby.
17. Kind Strangers - Do you ever see a kind stranger? If you do, do you let their action affect you? I find fewer things make me happier than when I see a kind stranger. It doesn't even have to be kindness directed towards me. It's simply kindness. It's like the Liberty Mutual Commercials. There is something that warms me from the inside out when I see kind strangers. I am so thankful that I'm present enough to catch that glimpse of love from one person to another...and not just anyone...a complete stranger.
18. The choice of forgiveness - Have you ever taken the high road? Sucked up your pride? Forgiven someone? There is something spiritually fulfilling when you do the right thing. More powerful is when you choose to forgive. We have been called to love others like Christ loved the church. In that love is forgiveness. We have been forgiven. We need to extend that forgiveness to others. There have been times when someone owed me an apology. The easy road is to hold a grudge. The hard road is to forgive. I'm thankful that I've had opportunities and wisdom to forgive. I cannot explain the way it made me feel. You should try it.
19. Quotes - I'll often run across quotes that are the subtle reminders of how we should act or how we're loved. Quotes seem to 'magically' appear at the absolutely right times. I believe I'm a better person because of the quotes I stumble upon from time to time.
20. Starbucks - Since tomorrow is my birthday, I thought I'd end this post with one of my favorite indulgences that I can experience because I'm fortunate to be able to afford Starbucks from time to time. Tomorrow's is on the house since I got my "free Starbucks birthday card" in the mail, but a "good cup o' joe" (as Adam likes to call it) makes the day feel right. A Pumpkin Spice Latte says Fall is here! Starbucks has a way of making my day better. That may be sad, but it's true. I'm not hiding it, nor am I ashamed.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
28 things 1-10
I am embarking on another birthday. I must say, I look forward to my birthdays much more than I thought I would at this age. I think it's different now. It's not about the presents or the attention on me. It's all about people intentionally wanting to be with me or to connect. I love that. I love intentional relationships. As I get older, I think I value that more and more too.
So, I decided since I'm turning 28, I would make a list of 28 blessings (In no particular order)
We'll start out with 1-10 today.
We'll start out with 1-10 today.
1. Adam - This is so obvious, I know. But I cannot ever fail to mention him when I think about the blessings in my life. It's so incredible how God creates someone who compliments you in the exact ways you need it. I could not ask for a better husband, friend, supporter, partner, leader, giver, protector than him.
2. My Redeemer - Again...so obvious. I have been completely humbled this last year. I have found forgiveness, freedom and peace in areas of guilt and restlessness. Daily, I am reminded of how much I am loved and how there is no one as gracious and patient with me as God.
3. Family - (This includes my parents, in-laws, siblings and sibling in-laws.). Do you ever just look around at the people in your life and realize how much support you have and how people unconditionally love you despite your many flaws? I have recognized how incredibly blessed I am to have family and be married to family with such beautiful hearts. I know not everyone has such great relationships with their inlaws/extended family. I am so thankful for the ones in my life.
4. Hope - I have learned what hope is all about over the last year. I have learned hope through quality time with God. I have learned hope through my friends who have encouraged and spoken truth in my life. Hope is never ending and is always peeking around the corner...especially when you least expect it.
5. Emotions - Sometimes I think I am way too emotional. I saw "The Help" yesterday and felt like I was the only one in the theater crying. But I am thankful I can feel so deeply. I am thankful I have the ability to let things affect me. With that, I am changed, challenged and encouraged all at the same time. Emotions help me see my passions and help me to connect with others. I'm very thankful for that.
6. Courage - I changed jobs this year for the first time in almost 6 years. I tend to like change, but this took a lot of courage. It was a leap of faith really. I believe I'm a healthier person because I took this leap. And I believe I am impacting others in new ways...ways I never thought I could.
7. Food - Some have heard me say, "The best meals are with food." I have no doubt that I love food. I love new food, good food, dessert food, raw food... FOOD period. But more than anything, I am thankful for each and every meal. I am thankful for the conversations that surround food. I'm thankful for the atmosphere food creates. It's incredible what can happen when food is present.
8. Seasons - We are embarking on Fall and I cannot be more excited! I am thankful to experience all four seasons, here in Indiana. Fall is by far my favorite, but there is purpose in each season.
9. Hamm & Beans - You may think I'm silly for being so thankful for my dogs, but they do something for me I can't explain. I suppose this is a glimpse of parenthood, but these rotten lil' thangs bring me so much joy. They provide comfort and snuggles as the most appropriate times and make me smile and feel loved so often.
10. Now - Now, the present, right here... I am thankful to know what it means to be present and in the moment. I am thankful to have learned how to step back in a situation and be aware of all the great things surrounding me. When I was watching Oprah's Behind the Scenes, I noticed Oprah's ability to do that in her last few shows. All she wanted was to be present and not miss anything. I have the ability to be present. It's comes down to if I'm willing to do it. Sometimes it's easier not to. But I'm thankful for the encouragement of others to be in the moment...as much as possible.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
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