praise God from whom all blessings flow

Well, I must say that it's sad that my first post of 2011 doesn't come until March is nearly over. It's also sad that it's not going to be a long or particularly eloquent one. All sadness aside, however, I just wanted to share quickly a few things that I am thankful for.

It's wonderful to be a part of the most amazing community of roommates and friends here in Abilene that truly make this home. Whether it's an excellent dinner of beans and rice prepared by Rosten, or an evening of communal discernment around an important life moment, or finally finishing the Lord of the Rings movie "marathon" we started a month ago, there's always something to appreciate about this family I'm a part of.

And over the past two days or so, I've been experiencing the wonderful blessing of God-given joy. There's nothing in particular different about what's been going on in my life recently, but I've noticed for the past couple of days that I have more lightness and yet more substantive goodness in my heart and in my attitudes toward life and other people. It can't have come from anywhere but God, and I can't help but say thanks.

Anyway, it's time for me to be off to bed. My prayer for you tonight is that you may also experience the blessing of community and the blessing of the joy of the Spirit of God in your life!

thankful thursday

Inspired by my wonderful friend Deanna, I've decided to post a Thankful Thursday post today. Basically, that means that I either don't have much of anything else to write about or that I don't have the time and energy to do so, so I'll be satisfied with giving you a little insight into things I'm thankful for today. Never a bad idea, though, right? So, right now, I'm thankful for:

1) an absolutely gorgeous day outside today here in Abilene

2) amazing roommates who are wonderful to and for me

3) a good conversation with Brad Carter of CCC this afternoon

4) a good time back home with family in preparation for my brother's wedding

5) Nellie being my sister-in-law!

6) getting to spend some time with my nephew, Jakub, who's insanely cute!

7) the photographs I've printed off and hung on my wall

8) lime potato chips -- AMAZING!

9) the MRNA crew and getting to see them later tonight

10) an hour or so last night that I spent reading FOR FUN!

11) slowly developing relationships with some of the people in the College Heights community

12) the OPPORTUNITY to study Greek and pass a test on Tuesday :)

thankful thursday

1. laughter

2. finding joy in even the most mundane tasks

3. friends' smiles

4. exciting dreams for the future!

5. a good lunch: poppyseed chicken, green beans, and salad

6. my mentoring group - every single one of them!

7. the prayer labyrinth on ACU's campus

8. getting a fair amount of homework done this evening

9. not feeling too overwhelmed this week

10. God's grace and the encouragement of others which got me through the past few weeks

11. snow sharks :o)

12. Tatia and her crazy stories :o)

13. Paul and the fun I have chatting with him

14. getting to talk to Ivan, my first and always best friend, and catch up with him and his lovely wife, Ariel

15. the bowl of cereal I'm about to eat - the traditional family bedtime snack

thankful thursday

Thankful Thursday sounds like a good tradition to join in on, right? Here's today's list...

1. thunderstorms, even when they soak me through and through

2. a nice new friend who gave me a ride home in the rain so I wouldn't have to bike back

3. a dryer to dry my drenched jeans

4. my mentoring group

5. seeing Kaylynn, even if only for a few seconds

6. a day that's been relatively homework free, meaning, I only spent 2 hours on homework

7. a wonderful dinner tonight at the Childers' house

8. new friends I made at dinner

9. great dinner-table conversation, with lots of laughing

10. wonderful roommates!

11. a moving Holocaust remembrance chapel service yesterday

12. Pre-MAC retreat tomorrow & Saturday

13. Carol & Penny to ride with to the retreat

14. my hair on good days

15. the warm blanket that's covering me now

16. hot chocolate!

17. LOST coming back on soon!

18. good times with friends at lunch yesterday

19. REVIVAL at Hope

20. the really cute picture of Jakub, my nephew, that's my computer background - see:

today's thanksgiving

- my church family at Hope

- authenticity

- friends at ACU - old and new

- Gilmore Girls

- a wonderful afternoon and evening of fellowship and fun

- singing in church and knowing those around me actually believe and live by what they’re singing

- Martin Luther King, Jr. - his dedication, his conviction, his insight

- good long conversation with Tatia, accompanied by hot chocolate

more praises

11. a good book to read for class
12. a full belly
13. Summit coming up soon!
14. chapel today being encouraging
15. getting to reminisce about Europe with Shaun
16. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
17. deep, rich colors
18. my bike
19. loan money in my bank account!
20. smiles

thanksgiving

No, I'm not confused as to the time of the year, though the rain and cooler days that we've had in Abilene this past week might have made me think that it was about time for some turkey! Rather, I've just had it on my heart recently to work on developing a more outspoken attitude of thankfulness. So, thinking back to the days of the RFC email thankfulness lists, here's a list of my own for the day:

1. a beautiful evening on a blanket at the disc golf course, reveling in God's presence

2. great class discussions today

3. food to eat -- it's time for a snack, and I have the luxury of eating one!

4. three wonderful roommates

5. neighbors who continually knock on our door because our witness of generosity and kindness has encouraged them to

6. getting to talk to all of my grandparents throughout the past few days

7. snickerdoodles

8. cookies in general -- I'm an equal opportunity cookie devourer.

9. the challenge of contemplating the things I've been learning

10. a wonderful new church and new friends there!

What about you? What are you thankful for in your life? How has God blessed you today?