fall is here

At the beginning of every season I'm always excited for something. When it's spring time I'm excited to see more of the sun and all the beautiful flowers blooming everywhere. When summer comes around I can't wait to wear flip flops and lay out in the sun endlessly reading books. When winter comes...well, I love Christmas so winter is good because of that (however, by the end of January I'm at a loss for things to like about winter). And then there is fall. My favorite of all the seasons. What's not to love about fall? Cooler weather. Boots. Leaves. Scarves. PSL. Fireplace. Thankfulness. Candles. Oh and pumpkin {everything}.

Right now my house smells so lovely ~ coffee beans in my kitchen table centerpiece, new apple ale candle, and pumpkin chocolate chip oatmeal bars baking in the oven. Any time I can use pumpkin, molasses, and fall spices in the same recipe I am a very happy girl! My parents are coming to Seattle tomorrow and the whole family will be here for dinner so I'm breaking out the crock pot again to make a pot roast. Crock pot cooking isn't all that fun when only one person is eating (or I end up with a million freezer meals of the same thing!). I can't wait to have people here to cook for and to eat with. My home feels empty with just one or two people. I crave a crowd.

I blame my mother for this feeling I have. Growing up there were always people in our home- after school, coming over for dinner, holiday meals- everyone came to our house for these things. It wasn't until middle school that I started to realize it wasn't normal to have people over for dinner three or four (or more) times a week. Feeding people is both my mom's love language and her spiritual gift, and I feel that I have inherited these things as well. Making someone a home-cooked meal or bringing treats to work is my way of blessing those around me (and also feeling blessed myself). Why not make someone's day a little bit better if I have the time and ability to?

"...Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35b

Thankful for the seeds.

Ch-ch-ch-changes are happening and I am choosing to be thankful. I am not the first person to admit to liking change or even welcoming it without a fight, but I am learning {finally} that change is a part of life and I can't do much to stop it. The first change is that summer is coming to a close. Boo. However, that means there are lots of wonderful things about fall coming....pumpkin spice lattes, scarves, boots, beautiful leaves, scented candles, my birthday, Thanksgiving, and eventually Christmas! Many stores already have their Christmas things out for sale, and while I think it is a little early, it does make me excited for my favorite time of year.

Changes are happening at work. We've just graduated 13 (mostly) potty-trained kiddos to the next classroom and are getting 9 (not potty-trained) new ones on Wednesday. I am preparing myself for the work that is ahead, but I'm excited for a fresh start and new kiddos who are excited to learn more independence in my classroom.

Changes are happening at church (which is also sort of my work). We're starting a new year- kids in new classes, new schedules, new teachers, Wednesday night church, etc. I've actually been missing a lot of these things lately which means I know I'm ready to jump back in with both feet.

Changes are happening with my friends. Getting married, getting engaged, having babies. I am so happy to be a part of all these experiences with them and look forward to more of it happening in the next year.

Changes are happening with MY life. I've thought and prayed a lot about what my next step in life is. Where do I go? What do I do? I've told God, give me a direction and I will follow. This song by Sidewalk Prophets describes my life perfectly right now. Even if it scares me or worries me, I will trust that God is leading me. I'm preparing myself to leave Seattle next summer and move back to California and attend grad school. School? Work? Friends? Church? All of those things are up in the air, but I feel okay about it.

A few days ago I was reading Ann Voskamp and she was writing about how God has provided every plant and tree and fruit we would need, but it doesn't start out that way. Things start out small, like a seed. She prays, Lord, what would happen today if I saw all the not-enough, too-little in my life to be but a seed? All the hardly-things could be holy-things -- small somethings You are growing into more glory for You. Cause me to believe again: All feasts begin as a seed.

Wow. What if I saw my life this way also. All the small things that I think don't matter. All the frustrating moments where things don't go my way. My kiddos at work are these seeds. My plans for the future are still seeds. My life is merely but a seed at this point, growing into the feast that God has planned for me from the start. Today, I am thankful for the seeds.

Today.

Today I'm thankful for:
~ college friends visiting
~ words of wisdom
~ favorite hymns
~ baking yummy desserts
~ my bro & friends
~ new books

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Undeserving Love

After reading Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, a few years ago I have been trying to be much more intentional about finding things in my life that I am thankful for. To tell you the truth, its hard not to find things that I am thankful for! Once you start looking you realize that there is more to be thankful for than not and that life is really much better than we ever would deserve. Thank you Jesus for your blessings even when we fall short of deserving them.

At church today we watch an episode from this series called What's in the Bible? and it was all about King David and King Solomon (talk about some guys who really didn't deserve God's grace!). These are always tricky stories to teach to elementary school kids...What do you mean he had more than one wife? Why did he kill that man? Isn't David a man after God's own heart? Does that mean it's okay for us to do that stuff too? (Okay so maybe a kindergartner wouldn't ask some of those questions, but a 3rd or 4th grader? Absolutely.) I am always so impressed with this series because they don't gloss over anything and are still able to tell it in a kid appropriate way. For example, this episode talks about David committing adultery, which means he stole someone else's wife. And then to cover up that adultery he had someone killed, or committed murder. BUT they also explained that he repented, asked God to forgive him, and wanted a clean heart (Psalm 51). While God still loves us when we sin or make bad choices, that doesn't mean there won't be consequences. If we lie to our boss, God will still love us but we might lose our job. If we hurt a friend, God will still love us, but that person might not trust us to be their friend...etc.

What a great way to describe these stories in a kid-friendly way. Just because God will always forgive us and always love us doesn't mean it is okay to hurt someone or do something God told us not to. We must also suffer the consequences of our actions. In the end we talked about which king we would want to be like, David who repented? or Solomon who turned away from God?

Neither of these kings deserved God's love or mercy, just like we don't deserve it either. I can't even wrap my mind around these kinds of things. Why does God keep loving us crazy people who continually do stupid things? I am thankful for these examples of people who lived before us. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to repent when I make poor choices. And I am thankful that God is always there and is always faithful. Most of the time I'm not even able to describe what it means that God is faithful, but there is a peace about it, that I know everything will be okay. I know that I am not responsible for planning my future alone. I have the ultimate designer and creator guiding my future.

"You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 118:28-29

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Things I love about Sunday:

• My ritual of listening to worship music on Pandora while I get ready in the morning
• The sound of an excited "Hi Miss Emily!"
• Catching up with people after a busy week
• Singing with the kids
• Chatting with a puppet about Jesus and things we can learn from Him
• Problem solving when something doesn't run smoothly
• Sitting in the back of the church foyer chatting with a mom and their baby who doesn't want to be in the nursery (or quietly sit through the service)
• Seeing happy kids leaving KidTown, excited to come back again
• Taking naps on the couch

Things I love about THIS Sunday:

• The comfort of gray skies and rain that is still coming down, making the earth a lovely shade of green
• New curriculum to teach the K-3 kids
• Lunch with my brother at Orrapin on Queen Anne
• Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies
• Laying on the couch and reading my newest book, Just a Minute by Wess Stafford

Praising the Lord for all that is good and right on this Sabbath day.

"I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.' Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure." 

Psalm 16:2,9

A Joyful Vacation

This past week I was blessed with the opportunity to take a trip back east and visit many people who are near and dear to my heart.

I started my trip in Boston with my bestie for life, Kayla. I can't believe we met so long ago and have continued to be such good friends no matter where life takes us. We could go months without seeing each other or even talking and when we're together again it's like no time has passed at all. She is a huge blessing in my life and I'm so sad there is a whole country between us, but I know we will always be there for each other.

From Boston, I traveled to Connecticut where I got to meet my sweet baby "niece" and spend the day with some family I don't see very often. Growing up we would travel back to New York/Connecticut at least 2 or 3 times a year to visit my grandparents and dad's side of the family. I remember loving these trips and now wish that we weren't so far apart. It's fun to hear stories of my grandparents or things that happened when my aunts and uncles were growing up. There's just something about getting together with family that makes my heart happy.

I ended my quick trip with a stop in Philadelphia where I spent the day with the Gupta family. This sweet family encourages me so much and I'm so thankful for their continued friendship even though we're far away now. The Guptas are always in my prayers, being on the move and with little Libby going through chemo. I wish I was closer to help babysit and get good advice (on just about everything) from Amy :)

Finding Joy

November Blessings Part 3:
19. Yummy Thanksgiving food for lunch at work.
20. Parents who truly care for their children and are concerned with what is in the child's best interest.
21. My almond sugar cookie recipe :)
22. Spending Thanksgiving with a great family. I'm thankful for my family back at home too. Such a blessing to have 2 loving families in my life.
23. Playing fun games with fun people.
24. Waking up early and getting a lot accomplished.
25. Beautiful Christmas music.
26. Being taken care of when I'm sick.
27. A 2 year old wanting to say a prayer for his mommy and the "baby in mommy's tummy!"
28. People who truly appreciate things you work really hard on.
29. A bombardment of hugs, love, and "Emily!!" screams from a few special 2 year olds who I've missed a lot lately....guess they missed me too :)
30. Feeling well enough to go out and see a funny play.

After stumbling upon the book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp a year or so ago and since I started following her blog, A Holy Experience, I have thought a lot more about what it means to count blessings and find joy in every aspect of life. There are gifts, both big and small, surrounding us every day, and sometimes I need that gentle reminder to stop and see all the ways in which I have been truly blessed.

Ann has created a calendar that helps give a little direction when it comes to counting blessings- things like 3 white gifts, 3 gifts of hope, a gift bringing laughter, etc. She made it for 2012, but I'm going to try and use it in 2013 (starting with this December). Maybe she'll come up with a new one for 2013, but for now my plan is to follow this calendar of  joy dares.

If we all found joy in each day the world would become a much more lovely place to be.

Birthday Blessings

November always brings so many things to be thankful for and I think it's a good reminder for me to stop and take the time to remember all the blessings in my life. This weekend I was able to celebrate my birthday with some of the most wonderful people I know! Thursday afternoon Luke and I went to see Wicked and it was incredible! I have been listening to the soundtrack since July and it was so fun to finally see the production. Friday I went to work and had a class of two year olds sing "happy birthday" to me which was very fun. Little "J" kept telling me it was our birthday. I said no, its my birthday and he laughed and so noooo its OUR birthday. Well, I'm okay sharing with that sweet little boy. Then we had story time at church and the kids sang "happy birthday" and we had mini cupcakes to celebrate. One of the 2 1/2 year olds kept saying, "It's Emily's birthday! We have to sing to her!!" It was very cute. And then last night we went out with my brother, his girlfriend, and my roomie for dinner at Buca di Beppo and dessert at home (salted caramel pear pie- yum!) I'm so thankful for all these wonderful people who made my birthday a very special one.

November Blessings Part 2:
10. Productive days getting lots of chores done.
11. Peaceful Sunday mornings at KidTown.
12. Playing with a sweet 2 year old, reading him stories, and putting him to bed.
13. The warmth of a heater.
14. Kids who remember your birthday from last year.
15. Loving parents.
16. Flowers and sweet cards from Luke.
17. Going out to dinner with some of my favorite people whom I love dearly.
18. Children who are generous with their giving.

I am looking forward to a short work week and celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday with Luke and his family. I'm excited to bake cookies and make sweet potatoes, do a little shopping, spend time with people I love, and continue remembering all the things I have to be thankful for.

30 Thankful Days

Last November I kept a simple list of things I am thankful for each day. Ideally I would love to do this every day all year long, but clearly I'm not so great at it. However, for November I have committed to be thankful in all circumstances. At the end of each day I think back over the events of that day, and consider a small blessing that turned into a big blessing on that particular day. As my dad always says, we are truly blessed - blessed with good health and a great family. Blessed with a roof over our heads and plenty of food in the fridge. Blessed with employment and a comfortable life. My mom always uses the phrase "There but for the grace of God, go I" and I've always understood the idea behind that saying, but I looked up a better explanation of it and I think it fits perfectly. This historical phrase website (called the phrase finder) describes it by saying: I too, like someone seen to have suffered misfortune, might have suffered a similar fate, but for God's mercy. It is only by God's grace that we are blessed, and by responding in thankfulness we are all acknowledging these blessings in our lives.

November Blessings Part 1:
1. My brother, Bob, and getting to see him perform with his improv group at Seattle U.
2. The return of red Starbucks cups and gingerbread lattes :)
3. Laughter with friends.
4. The women on the Alumni Falconette Board.
5. A great day at work in my new classroom, Orange Giraffes.
6. A night at home with Luke - eating chili, watching tv, and simply enjoying each others company.
7. A surprise visit from Luke after a long day at work.
8. Hugs from 2 year olds who say "I got you!" as they squeeze their little arms around your neck.
9. Sunshine on a chilly fall day.

Four years later.

Freshman Year- 4th East Emerson.
Seems just like yesterday, and yet so
long ago at the same time!

It's 2am and I am running off my second wind that kicked in about midnight. Today marked my final day of college!! I woke up around 7 and took two finals this morning, finishing around 11:30. I worked at church for a few hours, went to dinner with my family and brother's friends, went out for drinks and fondue with some girlfriends, came home exhausted, and in the last few hours I've seemed to pack up a good portion of my room. As I pack (and wait for my laundry to finish) I'm thinking about how far I have come in four years. Ups and downs. Struggles and challenges. Joys and strengths. Doors have been closed, but much better ones have been opened. Four years ago I moved to Seattle terrified because I didn't know anyone. I spent most of the year thinking, "Why did I do this?!" But was determined not to move back home. I knew, deep down, that this was where God had called me to be (even if I didn't understand it!) I have made friendships that will last me a lifetime. I have taken almost 200 credits (198 to be exact) at SPU alone. That's a lot of classes! New Testament Letters, Family Housing, Greek, Morphology, Life Cycle Nutrition, Gender in the Global Context, Curriculum & Instruction, Youth Ministry, Women in Christianity, Contemporary Mathematics, Abnormal Psychology, Child Development & Educational Ministry, Appearance & Culture, Holy Spirit, Four Gospels, Music & Worship, Cultural Anthropology....seriously, 198 credits- I could keep naming classes for a while. While some might point that out as weird bragging rights, I look at it differently. I look back and think, "Wow, I have truly earned a liberal arts degree." I have taken classes in almost every department on campus and learned about a variety of subjects. Both my majors lean towards a more holistic way of studying to start with so it has allowed me the opportunity to take these kind of classes that appealed to me.

With many classes comes many professors. Some that I loved; some that were not my favorite; some I had on repeat occasions; some I had only once. The best part is when you see a professor you had two years ago and they remember you and ask how you're doing (or return a paper you never picked up...why did you still have that UCOR 2000 paper Dr. Stiling?!) I have been tremendously blessed by the faculty at Seattle Pacific and the time they have invested in my education and personal life. I have been to numerous professors homes, because they are more than just teachers- they are mentors, friends, life-coaches, parental figures, etc. They are wonderful and I will truly miss them. [Luckily for me, I will be working across the street so I can visit them next year even though I'm technically "gone"]

The last four years have led me to where I am today: a graduate. I am forever thankful for my experiences and memories in this place of learning and will miss it dearly.

Reminiscing and Resolutions

Some 2011 highlights:

I was accepted into The School of Theology as an Educational Ministry major.

Spending time in the sunshine with my beautiful bestie, Hannah. This wonderful girl is now engaged and I couldn't be happier for her! So glad she is my roommate and friend for life.

I finished my Individual and Family Development classes, which means I have successfully completed one of my degrees. I have been so incredibly blessed by these women and the impact they have had on my life the past few years.

My "little" brother graduated high school and joined me in Seattle, across town at Seattle U.

Spent gobs of time with this little man and his brother (and sister when she joined us in July). Love this family so much!

My lovely friend Lisa was married to her high school sweetheart in July and I was honored to be a part of her special day. Such a blessing to know her and the rest of the ladies in this picture.

After Lisa's wedding I came home to help with VBS at church. I led the Discovery Science rotation and had a fun week of crazy food focused science experiments. Mentos in Diet Coke- it's always a winner!

I met this sweet little lady baby, Joanna Faith.

Went on my first road trip back to school in MY car! It worked out so great that Chelsea was able to drive with me. I was blessed to meet her this year in EdMin classes.

Started interning at First Free Methodist and have loved every minute. I continue to be amazed at how much I love what I do.

Moved back on campus and started my senior year of college. I would be hard-pressed to find more amazing roommates than these ladies. Can't imagine life without them.

Had an amazing weekend when my best friend Sarah came to visit! I showed her all my favorite places in Seattle and we even went to a Colbie Caillat concert!

Not only did I meet this wonderful woman, but I get to live with her, and now celebrate the fact that she is engaged! I have been blessed by Esther from the start, and know that it was God who brought us together as the best of friends.

Celebrated my 21st birthday in style with my favorite kiddos at church. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!

I was accepted as a Falconette and joined this women's service club at SPU. Every week I am amazed at how much I like spending time with each and every one of these women.

My best friends surprised me with dinner at PF Changs for my 21st birthday. Love them more than words can say.

Came home for Thanksgiving for the first time in 3 years. You forget how much family means until you're not around them.

Old friendships, new friendships, our last Tradition in the Loop, and now 3 of them are engaged! So much love.

Assisted with the Children's Christmas Musical at church. I am so proud of how hard these kids worked and so honored to work with such wonderful people.

Celebrated Christmas early with my roomies. French toast, presents, Big Bang, and cuddling on the couch- can't get much better than that.

The hemoglobin to my myoglobin :) Love this picture. And this girl. SO so much.

Alumni Soccer Game at WCS. Nobody has great friends like I do. Beyond blessed to come home to such great people who will always be there for me.

Kayla and Sarah. Life would not be complete without them.

Christmas with the monkeys. Love me some Lambert kids!!

Merry Christmas from Riverside.

Ended the year with a trip to the mountains with Kayla (and 11 others!). There are no words to describe this girl, my best friend for life. No matter how much time has passed, it's like nothing has changed. We will always be there for each other, and for that I am eternally thankful.

Wow, it has been quite the year. I think the recurring theme is that I am truly blessed. My life is filled with love and laughter, friendship and family. I have learned a lot in this past year, about who I am and where God wants me to be. I have gone from being in a relationship to being single, and am a better person for what I have learned. I have completed a 3rd year of college and started the last. I have spent multiple days at Disneyland and the beach. I have grown in more ways that I can count. My year has been busy, continuing work at NQACC , now teaching in the Toddler rooms; beginning an internship at First Free and earning priceless experience; applying to graduate in June; and biggest of all- deciding on staying in Seattle after graduation. I don't know where God will lead me, but I trust in his promises for my life. As long as I am in Him, I am where I am supposed to be.

Resolutions are always difficult for me. Here we go:

1. Think before I speak. Complain less and speak kinder words.

2. Limit my time on the Internet and facebook.

3. In conjunction with the last resolution, spend more time with people I care about.

4. Read 50 books and keep track of them.

5. Remember to find something to be thankful for every day.

6. Take more adventures in Seattle- new restaurants, parks, museums, and more.

7. Spend at least 2 mornings a week doing some sort of physical activity (more than just playing with kids at work!).

8. Continue to be open to what the Lord has in store for my future. Allow Him to open and close doors and give Him the control.

I'm sure I could come up with more, but I think that for now it's a good start.

Happy New Year!

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.

Today I am thankful for...



Sunshine

Trader Joe's Cashew Caramel Crunch Cookies

Inspiring books

Finding new music

A job that I LOVE :)

Springtime

only 50 days until summer :)

Back to Work

Well, Spring Break is over and it is back to the busy schedule that is my life. Don't get me wrong, I love to be busy and have a routine and know what I am doing every day (and week), but it is always nice to have a break with no schedule or anything that HAS to get done. I spent the past week and a half at home and really enjoyed every moment (even though it never warmed up like I wanted it to ha).

I have already finished up my classes for the day and I will say that I love being done by 12:30. Yes, I have to get up early, but if that's my biggest complaint for the day then I think I'm doing alright. Of course, I already have homework that needs to get started, work just called and asked if I could stay late, and then I have church tonight. You could say that Wednesdays are my busy days. :) But I'm thankful for all of it: the ability to attend classes, the chance to learn something new, an opportunity to use my new computer (!!), legs to walk on to get myself to class, a nice coat to keep me dry and warm in the rain, a job that pays me to do something I love, a chance to help out with the children at my church, and eventually a warm shower and bed to come home to at the end of it all. Since I have been reading One Thousand Gifts I have really thought more and more about the chances I have to be thankful, and I'm thinking of starting my own list of things that I can be thankful for.

Today I am thankful for life- new, old, and eternal.

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD." Psalm 150:6

Blessings

I am blessed. When I look around and see all that God has provided for me I can't be anything but blessed. I know that, as humans, we can always find things to complain about, but it takes so much more energy. I first started thinking about my blessings last week during finals. I was leaving my psychology final and could hear little screams from across the street. Of course I recognized those screams of excitement and went over to the playground asking, "Who's making all this noise?!" I was rushed by thirteen excited 2 & 1/2 and 3 year olds screaming "EMILYYYYY!!!! Come play with us!!!!" I told them I would be back after naptime and they all went back to playing, but let me tell you, it brightened my day so much. I really love those kids, even the ones that sometimes drive ya nuts. They are a blessing in my life.

There are so many other blessings I have been counting (in no particular order of course)- my school, my roommates, my friends, my family, my boyfriend, a roof over my head, healthy food to eat, clean water to drink, a warm shower at night, a comfy bed to sleep in, a loving church to worship in, an advisor who welcomes her students into her home, a job that pays me to do something I love, a successful quarter of classes complete, a break from school, rain on dry ground, sunshine to warm my skin...

Saturday morning I started reading a book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and I have fallen in love with the outlook on life that the she presents. It is about finding the simple things in life and getting through situations by praising God and being thankful for the blessings He has provided. Even through loss and heartache, God's grace overflows continually in our lives. Sometimes we just need to open our eyes to find it.

"I know there is poor and hideous suffering, and I've seen the hungry and the guns that go to war. I have lived pain, and my life can tell: I only deepen the wound of the world when I neglect to give thanks for early light that dappled through leaves and the heavy perfume of wild roses in early July and the song of crickets on humid nights and the rivers that run and the stars that rise and the rain that falls and all the good things that a good God gives. Why would the world need more anger, more outrage? How does it save the world to reject unabashed joy when it s joy that saves us? Rejecting joy to stand in solidarity with the suffering doesn't rescue the suffering. The converse does.

The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world.

When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of grace and let joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let joy soak into our broken skin and deep crevices, life grows. How can this not be the best thing for the world? For us? The clouds open when we mouth thanks."