Thankful Thursdays 9/6/12

It's back again, because I want to remember all the good gifts God has given me.  I'm starting over, counting to 1000 again.

1 Living close to family
2 An aunt who lets me sleep in at her house
3 making lemon balm salve with ingredients from the garden
4 Mike in New Orleans with Mercy Chefs feeding 2200 people in a day
5 the smell of fall coming in New England
6 labor day adventure with Arwen
7 making up recipes that turn out well
8 Wednesday night church when I've been working every Sunday for over a month
9 productivity at work
10 rain gear that works
11 coworkers who care about my well being
12 a commute that's just long enough to collect my thoughts
13 the pool is back open
14 the most delicious peach I have ever eaten
15 peaceful environment to work in
16 student athletes who say "thank you"
17 student athletes who keep me laughing
18 feeling so incredibly fortunate every morning when I go to work
19 still feeling the same way when I'm on the way home at the end of every day
20 bluegrass music in CT, it happened
21 my cousin's safety during the recent hurricane and flooding in Louisiana
22 "your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me" over and over again this week

Catching up on Thankful Thursdays

It's hard to believe that I haven't updated this list since 2/2, but considering all that has happened in the month of February, it's understandable

1002 celebrating my actual birthday with my parents
1003 the freedom to go where God leads because I am no longer a home owner
1004 the hard work done by my parents to get everything packed up
1005 the amazing church family that was so willing to step in and help me move
1006 the constant reminder of God's timing in the selling of my house considering the economy

1007 the reminder that asking for help is an opportunity for others to serve
1008 an opportunity to reevaluate what stuff is really needed and what just weighs you down

1009 a whole 10 days with my parents
1010 living with people again
1011 Valentines Day flowers to remind this single girl that she is not alone
1012 the freedom that comes after doing hard things that needed to be done
1013 birthday blessings from friends around the world
1014 birthday breakfast for a friend
1015 a terrible experience having blood taken reminding me of sweet woman who was part of my church family growing up, and who saved me from a lot of terrible blood draw experiences as a child

1016 a reason to run
1017 the celebration of a really great year with lots of changes
1018 Jon Acuff blogs about singleness
1019 being forced out of my comfort zone
1020 trained cats
1021 the conviction that I need to use my gifts more
1022 encouragement
1023 this song on the radio

Thankful Thursday 2/2/2012

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

990 fresh mountain air
991 an opportunity to present at a national meeting for my profession
992 a change of pace for the afternoon
993 YouTube hip-hop workout videos
994 a handicapped accessible hotel room
995

996 the story of Naaman in 2 Kings and the reminder that God asks for obedience
997 my brother being able to go be with my Nana when she had to go to the hospital due to a fall

998 that the injuries from the fall were minor
999 that she was in the hospital already when she got pneumonia which was quickly realized and treated

1000 that my niece is okay after an accident that took her to the emergency for some wound closure

1001 that my brother and sister in law have helpful neighbors

Thankful Thursday 1/26/2012

977 a buyer for my house
978 a place to live for a couple months
979 a winning streak
980 Godly advice
981 Adoption
982 safety during a storm
983 an awesome morning run with my running buddy
984 a clear winter night
985 the John ringtone
986 awesome neighbors to watch my dog
987 the reminder that God is with me no matter what comes
988 not having to rely on my own strength to do hard things
989 peace

Thankful Thursday 1/19/2012

960 good communication with cousins
961 my coworker's son at work due to a snow day
962 a sweet note from my uncle in the mail
963 a 1988 Saudi Olympic team pin
964 dinner and a movie with the girls
965 the buzz of a nationally ranked team in a small town
966 God's perfect timing
967 a really great run
968 an offer
969 phone chats at the dog park with the BFF
970 practicing patience
971 hope
972 waking up with favorite Psalms running through my head
973 the amazing group of Godly women, near and far, that have been placed in my life
974 reflecting on a really great 30th year
975 an opportunity to comfort a grieving friend
976 eternal perspective

Thankful Thursday 1/12/2012

946 amazingly warm weather in January
947 a peaceful run on a busy day
948 my neighbors who stepped in to watch my dog when she became an escape artist
949 choosing to come home instead of stay late
950 watching the game with friends on TV
951 being in my own church on Sunday
952 a sermon that was exactly what I needed to hear
953 Communion with my church family
954 early morning swim time
955 low key laid back mornings
956 a hunger for God's Word
957 peace amidst an uncertain future
958 friends who don't just talk about serving the poor and broken, but actually do it
959 an attitude adjustment
960 the courage to tell people I care about, that I care about them, I haven't always been very good at that
961 reconnecting with old friends
962 A loving God who hears our prayers
963 Jewelry that reminds me to pray for friends and family who are serving God overseas

960

Thankful Thursday 1/5/2012

936 game night with friends

937 single friends to encourage me in my faith
938 Bible study while on the road
939 a great friend who watches my dog while I'm gone and texts me photos of her

940 successfully staying on my eating plan while traveling
941 God's gift of a new year
942 hope about the future
943 hard working real estate agent
944 an afternoon off to use my new sewing machine

945 rest

Catching up on Thankful Thursday 12/22 and 12/29

911 solutions to my inability to wear earrings because of my metal allergies
912 getting to wear my Saudi gold
913 getting to drive around and see where my mom went to college
914 time to be crafty
915 getting to actually watch the Pats
916 safe drive to the airport
917 Cooking school with the fam {more on that later)
918 a possible way to treat my allergies and asthma that doesn't involve steroids

920 a laid back, drama free Christmas
921 a day with just my parents
922 one on one time with my little brother
923 one on one time with his girlfriend
924 my mom's laughter while getting pedicures

925 an awesome church on Christmas eve
926 getting to watch my niece and nephew open their gifts via skype
927 Christmas carols, all the verses, and the profound truths they convey
928 Sunset run with my brother

929 Sunrise run

930 decorating a Christmas tree with my family for the first time in years

931 taking in history
932 hearing stories from veterans who served our family

933 Sushi with the fam

934 God placing people in my path to encourage me as I make scary choices

935 Peace in my heart amidst the drama surrounding me

Thankful Thursday 12/15/2011

890 The sunset of 12/8/11

891 The ability to text photos

Making it as if Arwen is here shopping with me

892 Packing up and sending Christmas presents to my niece and nephew and smiling about what their reactions will be, I love giving gifts.

I love them

893 consistently good quiet times in God's Word
894 baptisms
895 Traditional Christmas music live with choir and ensemble
896 CS Lewis quotes
897 The constant reminder of the REASON we celebrate Christmas
896 safe travels
897 the reminder that my identity lies fully in Christ, and not in what I do, or whether we are win or not

898 unlimited cell phone minutes on the weekend
899 encouragement from friends
900 time away from the constant needs of lots of student athletes I work with to focus on the needs of just one
901 the kindness of musicians who play in our arena and use our locker rooms
902 amazing doctors who are so incredibly gifted and use their abilities to bring healing

903 my coworker's strange love for post-it-notes
904 this video


905 The reminder that God answers prayers
906 a fun night of games and hanging out with single people who aren't in college
907 that God has done so much in my heart that I let people throw a party at my house knowing I would be an hour or so late to it ( more on that later)
908 my biological family of missionaries and third culture kids, I LOVE that my cousin's sons' LOVE this song


909 time to craft
910 the sunrise on 12/9/11

Thankful Thursday 12/8/2011

875 being home to go to church on a Sunday
876 the friends who called or texted to check on me when I was sick
877 a doctor who knows me well enough to just believe me and call in drugs
878 just hanging out on a Sunday night
879 the inspiring friends I have the great privilege of knowing, who spend their lives running hard after God, and daily impacting eternity

880 my BFF's husband who gives straightforward advice about dating, and also waves at the phone with his feet

881 being home to dig into the Word with the girls on a Monday night

882 God just completely showing me that He still works miracles in people's hearts, and that I shouldn't ever think anyone is ever beyond His help

883 celebrating the accomplishments of my students
884 that 2, yes 2!!!! young women that I know are getting baptized this Sunday! 2!
885 long talks with my mom
886 time to clean my house and catch up
887 sitting writing Christmas cards, smiling about various people that God has blessed my life with

888 profound moments in the grocery store checkout

889 this video

Thankful Thursday 12/1/2011

859 No matter how long it's been since we talked, no matter the distance between us, my Saudi family is always there for each other when we need each other

860 The gift of donated organs
861 The peace that comes when someone who died was clear about their faith beforehand
862 Remembering hilarious things my brother has done, that make me laugh (The "shark attack", the lawyer on the beach, the change at Sully's)

You know, cause most family photos look like that...
863 a morning to sleep in and catch up on some much needed rest
864 getting to help a friend with homework on a topic I love
865 God's clear hand in the midst of really hard times
866 a movie night with some of the girls
867 God's Word encouraging me about circumstances I currently find myself in
868 smooth travel
869 caterers showing up
870 FROZEN YOGURT
871 an encouraging message from a friend reminding me to wait patiently on the Lord
872 This Louie Giglio video


873 God really giving me clarity
874 the reminder that it's not what we say, it's how we live

Thankful Thursday 11/24/2011

836. staying connected with people even though I've been traveling a lot
837. Not having to drive
838. being able to be at friends' wedding
839. The show teenage and pregnant leading to the Gospel
840. Safe Clarence the driver
841. candles
842. Spiritual conversations while on the road
843. watching God move in peoples' lives
844. an unexpected care package from my family
845. trusting my gut and making a friend go to the hospital
846. a friend's 10 day old baby making it through heart surgery
847. Quiet places and a park to run through in the downtown of a city
848. encouragement and perspective from a friend
849. sweet notes from a friend to remind me that I am not alone
850. people responding when I blow my bicycle horn
851. safe travel
852. a day to celebrate being thankful
853. family, real and fictive
854. "that's completely rational for a girl brain, life isn't reality, it's a romance novel with Fabio on the cover"
855. accountability
856. this song

857. silence
858. working headphones

Thankful Thursday 11/17/2011

818 safe travels
819 really fun basketball games
820 contentment
821 the gift of tickets to good, God honoring concert

822 good talks with my road roomie

823 laughing so hard I can't breath
824 camp people
825 the reminder that He isn't done with me yet
826 music that reminds me of truths about God's faithfulness


827 awesome sunsets

828 a broken heart for hurting people in a world where it's easy to be numb
829 the gift of teaching a group of students who love learning
830 Polo
831 hard rain during the night
832 Godly men who love, lead, and provide for their families, or want that in the future
833 looking back and seeing all that God has done in a friend's life
834 answered prayer
835 generosity

Thankful Thursday 11/10/2011

801 my "little" brother who makes me laugh
802 long runs
803 running into friends while running errands
804 impromptu movie nights
805 the reminder that most of my problems are first world problems, so really they aren't actual problems

806 Hilarious moments that keep me laughing for days
807 that I am a citizen of a country that allows me to vote
808 an opportunity to teach my students about how to vote in my exercise science class
809 old school youtube videos of Christian musicians
810 amazing weather
811 amazing talks with my running buddy
812 my Sunday school class, love them, so thankful for them
813 music to live to my life to
814 the realization that had I not stepped out in faith, I would have missed out on so much blessing
815 realizing a God moment and taking time to be in it

816 hearing a good friend talk about an opportunity to share a hard part of her past with another sister in Christ who is walking through a similar hard place right now

817 getting to give rides to church :)

Thankful Thursday 11/3/2011

782 crisp clear night with bright stars
783 bonfire with friends
784 peace about the future
785 contentment to just be here, where I am at, for the time He has me here
786 the perfect analogy
787 a great Saturday morning chat with Arwen
789 conversations that involve eternal perspective
790 smart wool socks
791 a month devoted to giving thanks
792 this song by Matt Maher on the radio


793 rain
794 sisters looking out for each other
795 sweet times with the Lord during quiet times this week
796 friends around the world who I would do almost anything to get together with (note ALMOST anything)who I can stay in touch with via facebook
797 finally finding a decently priced plane ticket for Christmas with the fam
798 birthdays
799 some awesome runs, with and without my running buddy
800 my Monday night girls

Give Thanks

Several years ago, while shopping in Nashville, I came across an awesome November calendar in Pottery Barn kids. The calendar was quite expensive for what it was, so I showed it to my mom, knowing that she could do better. Originally it was a gift idea for my niece and nephew, but the next fall, a giant box arrived at my house, with one from my mom for me.

Ever since I have displayed the calendar in my office window during November and written something I'm thankful for to put in each of the pockets.

Last year I didn't take out the slips of paper when I put it away in December, so I pulled them all out this morning.

Here is a sampling:

That John is alive and doing well
Last year my uncle went through a major health crisis, it was really scary. At this time last year he was out of a coma, we were grateful. He doesn't even remember last November. But this November he is still alive, and doing well, and I am still grateful

That I live in a country where I can have a say in the government

That I have a job I enjoy

My church family, near and far

Great coworkers

That I am able to run, which is a form of exercise I fully enjoy

My awesome parents

Good weather

my hilarious niece and nephew

good friends to run and swim with

my brothers

Thankful Thursday 10/27/2011

767 Good talks with a new believer
768 answered prayer
769 bonfire with the girls
770 Sunday potluck at church
771 conviction

772 this video

how can you not laugh

773 a good Monday night chat
774 catching up on sleep
775 awesome morning run with my running buddy
776 male peacocks with real feathers
777 lunch with an old friend from Saudi
778 awesome crockpot recipes
779 a long chat with Arwen
780 sweet goodnight texts from good friends
781 the reminder of the great privilege it is to live in a country where we are free to worship God without fear

Thankful Thursday 10/20/2011

754 people actually doing what they said they were going to do
755 celebrating birthdays for friends
756 learning about the cheetos cure for nausea
757 a free Saturday morning
758 kitchen experiments that turn out awesome
759 good advise from people with more knowledge than myself
760 three different stories about Mary and Martha the same week
761 God's Word making sense of my life
762 Jon Acuff blogs
763 crock pot food
764 undisrupted, focused class
765 an amazing morning run
766 Ryan Hall videos

Thankful Thursday 10/13/2011

740 a great meeting about moving forward with some big changes
741 people who walk you step by step through scary processes
742 Friday night plans
743 Small children trying to ride sheep
744 an awesome run before church
745 awesome conversations with people I work with
746 New life in Christ
747 people offering encouragement when I am stressed out
748 working with really positive people
749 the reminder that this world is not my home
750 knowing that projects I am working on will have a major impact on someone else's life
751 That my dad can be reached via email even though he is in the middle of the ocean
752 friends who are athletic trainers at other schools and will give me straight answers
753 the recipe for mug brownies

Thankful Thursday 10/6/2011

725 Dumping things in a crock pot in the morning and coming home to an awesome meal
726 A quiet uneventful weekend for fall break
727 hanging out with friends laughing
728 productivity at work
729 watching a group of women start to form authentic community
730 my favorite candle

731 a really great Saturday morning run
732 this song by Laura Story


733 getting to swim with the swim bike runners
734 Colombian coffee
735 Easy solutions to big problems
736 good sleep on crisp nights with the window open
737 Dropkick Murphys at a football game in west Kentucky
738 three days in a row of sleeping in
739 James chapter 3