More thanks.

It's well into December and I haven't finished posting my Thanksgiving "thanks," so here we go:
22. the excitement of when a one-year old recognizes you (and blows you kisses through the window)
23. wearing flip flops in November- thank you California!
24. cooking with mom
25. eating leftovers and staying up late with best friends
26. decorating for Christmas
27. dinner conversation with good friends at church
28. praying and lighting advent candles as a class
29. beautiful Christmas music
30. successful ministry events

There has been SO much going on in the past three weeks I feel like I've barely had a chance to sit down. Hopefully I can write some more later while I'm at the airport.

Home.

Home, home, home! I am home for Thanksgiving and have so many things to be thankful for. First of all, I'm thankful I get to be home, because the last two years I was not. (holidays just aren't the same away from home). I'm thankful for the warm weather and sunshine- I'm wearing flip flops today! I'm thankful for the fridge full of food and the yummy smells coming from the kitchen. I'm thankful to be going out to celebrate my birthday tonight with my parents. I'm thankful to have family here tomorrow (even if it's not the original plan, it's still family). I'm thankful that I have friends who are just as excited to see me as I am to see them, even after we've been apart an extended amount of time. I'm thankful for Thanksgivings of the past and the memories that come with them. We always miss loved ones more around the holidays, and this one will be no different. Grandma & Grandpa, we wish you were here.

2008- the last time I was home for Thanksgiving, and the last time they came to visit us in California

There are at least a dozen pictures similar to this over the years. I miss playing cards with them.

My sweet Grandpa.

Someday we'll celebrate together again, but until then we miss you dearly.

Is it Thanksgiving yet?

November has FLOWN by! I feel like the more I cross off to-do lists the more I add to them. It's never ending. haha. I am very excited for a break from school, but I know that I also have a lot of work to get done over the next week. Praying I'll be able to get things done even at home.

Last night at church Pastor Blake shared stories of thankfulness and how we all have things to be thankful for- even small things that might seem silly. He shared 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

Be joyful always;

Pray continually;

Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

This was such a good reminder to me that there is always something to be thankful for. We are not called to only give thanks when things are going well and everything is happy, but in ALL circumstances we are to give thanks. When its pouring rain and I've dropped my notebook in a puddle what can I give thanks for? That I have the ability to go inside and warm up and dry off; that I have legs that work to get me out of the rain; that I can afford an education; that I am able to put letters and words together to even write that paper; that I have access to water all the time and don't live in a desert... (you get the point). There was poster paper throughout the sanctuary and we were invited to write things we are thankful for. I started making a list of things that often get forgotten in my daily life.Things like safety, security, clean water, education, salvation, grace, warm clothes, clean bedding, a car with gas in it....the list really is never ending.

Continuing my November list of daily gifts/blessings/thanks from God:
8. drama-free roommates
9. professors and pastors who want the best for me
10. a job that allows me to rest when I'm sick
11. boyfriends who adore their girlfriends
12. Christmas shopping
13. children caring about others in need
14. roommates coming "home" after being gone forever!
15. sharing embarrassing stories with trustworthy friends
16. blessings words can't explain
17. Thanksgiving food made with love
18. surprises from my favorite people
19. Christmas sales
20. FM1 worship & dinner
21. the feeling of finishing a big assignment

In other news, my roomies surprised me for my 21st birthday with dinner at PF Changs. So fun!

My life would be incomplete without these ladies.

Things to be thankful for.

November has arrived! This is definitely my favorite month of the whole year for many reasons.

• It really starts to feel like fall and I can wear cute coats and scarves
• Holiday drinks and red cups at Starbucks!
• Stores are starting to decorate for Christmas
• Shopping early to get the perfect presents for loved ones
• Less school: Veteran's Day & Thanksgiving holidays
• Going home for Thanksgiving
• Celebrating many birthdays (including my own!)

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. I don't think I would ever tire of listening to Christmas music or having special decorations up. Christmas scented candles. Special foods. Twinkly lights everywhere. Love for friends, family, and enemies alike. Sharing presents with loved ones. Wearing tacky sweaters and also dressing up for parties and church. I get in "trouble" for starting these things too early- I have been told Christmas can't come until after Thanksgiving, but who came up with that rule? I love everything about Christmas and don't see why we can share that love a little early each year :)

In October I started keeping track of one thing I was thankful for each day and am continuing to do it in November. At the end of the day how often do we look back and think of all the little things we can be thankful for. It doesn't have to be a life changing event, just something that we were blessed by.

Here is my thankful November list so far:
1. crisp winter weather
2. meetings with caring professors
3. Falconettes and red cups
4. love and hugs from kids in jammies
5. reading and rocking little boys to sleep
6. that extra hour to sleep
7. scheduled break days from classes

As the month continues the list will grow. Thank you Jesus for the blessings in my life.

"I get to be the one"

I love music that has meaning. I listen to the lyrics in every song and try to figure out what the songwriter is trying to say. What does it mean? How can it be implied? Is it literal or figurative? I spend a lot of time really thinking about the words in a song and it's usually why I like a particular song. I downloaded JJ Heller's newest CD, Deeper, 2 weeks ago when it was released and I have been slightly obsessed with the first song called "I get to be the one." Look it up. Listen to it. If you have children or ever plan on having children it will touch you immensely. Here are the lyrics:


Well hello.
Little baby.
Your eyes have never seen the sun.
You should know,
Little baby,
That I am the lucky one.

I get to be the one to hold your hand,
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones,
I'll be there to watch you grow.
I get to be the one.

Don't feel alone now.
Little baby.
Do you hear me singing you a song?
I can't wait to show you,
Little baby,
How to crawl, how to walk, how to run.

I get to be the one to hold your hand,
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones,
I'll be there to watch you grow.
I get to be the one.

How does someone so small
Hold my heart so tightly?
I don't even know you,
I love you completely.

I get to be the one to hold your hand,
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones,
I'll be there to watch you grow.
I get to be the one.

JJ Heller and her baby Nora born in September

Last night I was holding a 5 month old little girl, listening to this song, just thinking how truly amazing raising a child is. As a parent you are there from the beginning. You have every memory. You know every smile, every laugh, every cry. I can't wait to have that. Someday :)



Blessed.

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever! And there are so many things I want to say, but it all boils down to one statement: I am blessed. There are so many things in my life that are blessing me right now I don't even know where to begin.
I am blessed by my church and all the people there. I truly am part of a family and I absolutely love that feeling. I love knowing I will be at church at least twice a week, maybe more, and get to see so many awesome people in my life.

I am blessed by my roommates. All of us have come from different past roommate situations and we have all had different struggles, but this year just feels so right. We are all totally on the same page in so many different areas, it makes living together such a blessing. We were even talking about it last night and how we love coming home and doing things together. I love them all.

I am blessed by school. Even though getting up at 8am is not exactly my favorite thing in the whole world, I am so glad to go to class once I am awake. In my "Gender in the Global Context" class I am learning things about women all over the world who struggle and overcome all odds to gain freedom from so many different areas. It is inspiring to know what is going on outside of my little bubble here at SPU and in the United States. I am thankful for my Theology Capstone class where we spend 2 hours each week talking about our gifts, struggles, goals, trials, and everything else in between. It has become something I always look forward to.

I am blessed by the Falconettes (a women's service group on campus). We had our retreat this past weekend and it was so great getting to know more ladies who have a heart for serving their community. I am blessed by the times we spend together each week and the friendships I already see developing.

I am blessed by my family at home who supports me no matter what. I am blessed by the relationships that have started developing with family members I have never really known before. And I am so excited to go home for Thanksgiving to a house full of people.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows." James 1:17

Hosanna

Praise is rising, eyes are turning to You, we turn to You
Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You, we long for You
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Hear the sound of hearts returning to You, we turn to You
In Your Kingdom broken lives are made new, You make us new
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna, hosanna

Grad School?

How come it's only the first week of the school year and I can't get the idea of grad school out of my head?! I have to get through this year first!!! But seriously, the past month or so I have been thinking SO much about going to grad school- where to go, what to study, when to go, etc. I am really leaning towards getting a master's in Christian Education and would love to have some sort of emphasis in Children's Ministry, because I feel God calling me that direction. It is so amazing how I can see the path God has lead me on to get to this point in my life.

I so love being in Seattle now and the life that I have with church and work and friendships, it's hard to imagine leaving. I know that God has the whole thing planned out, but it would be great if I could get a hint on the next few steps I'm supposed to take...Do I go straight to grad school after graduation? Do I take a year off? Do I go to school in southern California and move "home"? Do I go somewhere I've never been before?

Everyone around me (okay not everyone, but it feels like it!) is talking about engagements, planning weddings, getting married, and anything else along those lines. And while I am soooo happy for them, I feel a little lost in the mix. I know in my heart I'm not ready for marriage yet, but the idea of starting in a new place at a new school (getting a master's?!)...its a little scary. It would be great to say I know exactly what the next few years holds, but I cannot.

"You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me." Psalm 59:9-10

First Day of School

Well, I made it through my last first day of college. It didn't start out so great however. I set my alarm for 6:45 to get up and get ready in time for my 8am class. Well THAT didn't happen. My alarm didn't go off and I woke up at 7:45 :/ I threw some sweats on and put my hair in a ponytail and made it to class with a minute to spare. I was thoroughly impressed with myself. So I sat thru my first two classes and then came back to my apartment to actually get dressed and ready for the day. It rained all day today, probably in honor of the first day of school, to remind us all that we're back to the land of cold and wetness.

Then this afternoon I had my Theology Capstone class and it was so great. There are only 6 students and 2 professors so we met at one of the professor's homes right near campus. We talked a lot about our journey at SPU and in the school of theology, how we got to where we are today, where we think we're going, and our intended vocation. We discussed how a vocation is more than just a job, it is a calling. Something God has called us to do and something we can do to honor and praise Him. When we listen to his calling that is when we are fulfilling his vocation for our lives.

I have been thinking a lot about this idea lately and feel with 100% certainty that I am exactly where God wants me to be. Looking back I can see so many places where God has guided me in the direction of children's ministry. I may not know what tomorrow brings, but I know that I am moving forward with this goal in mind. God is in control of my life and has the whole picture figured out, so why would I worry? Why would I ever fret knowing that he always has my best interest in mind? I am so thankful for a God who loves and cares for his children so much.

On a separate note, I am officially moved into my apartment and am mostly unpacked and set up. I just want to hang out in my room and enjoy my time at school, but alas there is already homework to be done. However, nothing more will be getting done tonight. Tomorrow is a new day with new hopes and goals :)

Move-in day with my lovely roommates :)

1st Day of School picture in my room

Who I am.

So here I am, at Panera once again. I'm actually really liking my time here- it might become a regular thing during the school year :) I cannot believe that school is actually starting on Monday! I have been so preoccupied with church and the idea of moving, I haven't even been able to think about the school part of my Seattle life. I am already not looking forward to that overwhelming feeling I get when I look at all of my syllabi. Everything always gets done, but that first day really just overwhelms me every time. Once I get my room put together and my desk set up I will be able to think about going to class and finding classrooms and setting up notebooks. I'm such a nerd, new notebooks are always my favorite :)
My life lately has been filled with children and I love it! I am so blessed by them and the things they do and say. I babysat for one family a couple days ago and they have three boys (very fun, but very busy and very dirty haha). The oldest boy (age 6) informed that he looooooves cooking and will be a chef when he grows up. He is going to have a noodle restaurant downtown. And he wanted me to be sure to come so he gave me directions: go downtown and turn left and it'll be right there.
Perfect.

I love the simplicity in the mind of a child. They make up their mind with something they want and they tell everyone about it. Why do we have such a difficult time with that? Adults go back and forth and back and forth and still are confused about what they should do. [My dad always says that adults ask little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they (the adults) are still looking for ideas for themselves too] I have been praying God would lead me in a clear direction for my future and right now I am positive that I am right where I should be. It's not always easy, but that doesn't mean it's wrong. Just like that little boy is so confident of who he wants to be, I should be so confident of who I already am. I am a daughter and servant of Jesus Christ.

5. more. days.

There are the loudest children EVER running around me right now at Tully's. And I work with children practically every day. I have been around some crazy ones and they don't typically bother me. Well, these ones are just nuts, and I think what bothers me is that their parents are doing absolutely nothing about it. It's okay to have rambunctious children, as long as they know when and where it is appropriate.
All that to say, I'm at Tully's counting down the days until I can go online from my own computer in my own room. I am so ready to move in, especially with all the traffic and road construction going on in Seattle. The bridge I would typically take to get to Seattle has been closed all weekend so I have to go around on a different one, adding an additional 3-4 miles and anywhere from 30-45 more minutes! It's crazy how long it takes to get places. I'm loving having a car and am so blessed to not be relying on public transportation, but it's almost become more of a crazy game- how long will it take me to get there this time?? haha

I'm also so excited to finally decorate my room and put everything in its place. I love everything I've purchased and made so far- my bedspread, rug, calendar, curtains, etc. and I can't wait to start putting it all together!

I know this week will fly by, but I am ready for it to be Saturday already! :)

One more week.

I have been in Seattle one whole week already and only have one left before I can finally move into my apartment!! Two roomies are already there and I am counting down the days until I can be there too! It is slightly weird to be staying in someone else's [huge] house, by myself, with practically nothing to do when I'm here. Here are some things that have been keeping me busy lately:

Internship stuff! I have been getting curriculum together, making copies, running up three flights of stairs to get to KidTown (only to return to the office remembering something important I forgot), teaching Sunday School, directing kids & parents to new locations, meeting new people, getting lots of coffee, and more.

Driving back and forth and back and forth across the 520 bridge.

AND, last but not least:

Listening to Lady A's newest CD :)

Along with some babysitting, seeing friends, moving the brother into SU, and watching HIMYM, I am pretty much just hanging around. Next week will be busier because I will be back at work on top of church. I feel like I'm waiting for an airplane to take off: hurry up and wait. It's all in God's timing right? Gotta rely on Him when I get antsy :)