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.