Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful to be on this thankfulness journey. It has helped me switch my mostly-constant negative mindset to a more positive focus. Knowing I wanted to post something I'm thankful for everyday (and without repeats!) has made me think more about what I'm thankful for. This has made more of a difference in my "down" days than I anticipated. So grateful for that!

Happy thanksgiving everyone! Hope you are enjoying good food and time with fun people!

Much love from Maui :)

Thankful Days 20 & 21

I'm thankful for the people in this world who choose to see the good in others (and me) and encourage them to grow in the good areas. They choose to focus on the good things in me (and voice them), despite my hang ups, which gives me strength to overcome the struggles that are results of my hang ups.  I've been blessed to have such powerful influences all throughout my life, and I cannot measure the difference it has made over 24 years. I look forward to seeing the entire impact it all had when I get to heaven, and I'm overwhelmed to try and comprehend everything so far. I can't help but be thankful.

In light of this, I'm thankful for the organizations that invest in others without judgement. I'm thinking of numerous non-profits that work tirelessly, and often solely on volunteer man-power, to make a positive difference in an ever-hurting world. Among other efforts, Salvation Army and Goodwill both work to provide jobs of those who seem unemployable to others. Big Brothers Big Sisters works to provide mentors to kids who need a positive influence in their lives. Samaritan's Purse works to provide children around the world with a Christmas gift, and church-less communities/countries with a Christ-centered church. So many big organizations like these, and then there are the smaller ones all over with just as big a mission to make a difference! I am thankful they exist in this world, and I'm even more thankful (humbled, really) to be able to serve with some of these people!

Thankful Days 18 & 19

I'm thankful for dance. It's an art form, a creative way to express myself, and fun way to exercise! I love that there are so many types of dance. So much to learn about each of them and try them all.

I'm thankful for healthcare professionals. Even though health insurance is often the bane of my existence, the caretakers I meet often make my time and frustration worthwhile. I appreciate what they've done to help me feel better so often, and especially the ones that have gone out of their way to investigate my case further.

Thankful Day 16 & 17

Thankful for church family that's been my second family my entire life and in every place I've lived. It's made the biggest difference in how well I've adjusted to a new city, and I have friends all over the world now.  If a church can make me love and miss Abilene, I'd say it's worth the effort to go to church :)

Thankful for friends. Having fun with friends is my favorite activity, and they are the spice of life, or however that goes. I'm just thankful for them.

Thankful Day 15

Today I am thankful for my experience at ACU. It was the only out-of-state school I applied to, and they offered me the best financial deal. The first 2 years were difficult, as I had no idea of the culture shock that would happen, but I'm glad I stuck it out. Because of my association with ACU and the connections I made there, I've gotten to travel the world and make life-long friends.

4 years ago, I spent a semester abroad in South America with 14 other students and a host couple from ACU. I spent Thanksgiving week in a hospital there because I was very ill. All of the other students and host families visited me in the hospital, and I still have the hand-made cards that brought tears to my eyes. When I returned to ACU in Abilene the following semester, I ran into the director of ACU's daily chapel services one day. I introduced myself and we talked about whatever it was that I went to see him for that day. Before we parted ways, he said, "Oh I remember you! We prayed for you in chapel when you were in the hospital in South America last semester. Are you doing better?"

That's the ACU difference. So glad I went there and the impact it's had on my life so far.

Thankful Day 13 & 14

I'm thankful for my parents and God.

Both the utmost of influences on my life, and yet, the most difficult to aptly describe here! Thankful for both of them, though.

Thankful Day 12

I'm thankful for my roommate, Rachel, today. We've only known each other 2 1/2 months, yet most people think we've been friends for years already. The Lord definitely had his hand in bringing us together, and I'm so grateful. We are often on the same page about many things, and we make each other laugh constantly. Helps that we're both from Southern California :)

She has such a beautiful reverence for following the Lord and serving him through our church's children's ministry. I selfishly pray we can spend many more years living close to each other, but really hope the Lord blesses her with amazing happenings in her life.

Thankful Day 11

I'm thankful for this country, our freedom, and the people who fought/are fighting for it today. Many people want to live in this country because of the freedoms and rights we have as citizens. And I was just born into it. So thankful to be from here and living here.

Thank you veterans and those currently serving.

Thankful Day 10

I'm thankful for transportation modes today. Cars make errands and trips quicker and more enjoyable, bikes are fun to ride and good exercise, feet are the original mode and still useful today, and planes make world-wide education and cross-cultural influence possible. So many other modes of transportation, and what a blessed and diverse world I live in.

Thankful Day 9

I'm thankful for animals today. Much like the scenery, I'm sure everything has its purpose in the world or food chain, but so many of those animals are just fun to look at or pet. Take fish, for example. I don't even know how many different kinds of fish there are, but a lot of them-especially out here :)- are just really pretty with all their bright colors, and I think they're funny because of how the get around. Or how about birds? So many different kinds with different colors and different sounds they make! Not to mention the dogs and cats we usually keep as pets (or family members!). I'm also thankful for zoos and aquariums where I can go look at all those animals all at once. We don't have a zoo out here, and it makes me miss the tiny Abilene zoo where I could feed the giraffes! Good thing I can just put on a snorkel and check out the natural aquarium at the beach :)

Thankful Day 8

I'm thankful for music, and the ability to enjoy and create it. My parents listened to many different types of music while I grew up, and I am so thankful for that type of education. Maybe you've heard the saying, "Music is what feelings sound like." I find that to be true to some extent, but I also find that music has the ability to change my mood. I'm thankful there are so many different types of music, and especially thankful for how it moves people in ways nothing else could. Having been in choir for so many years, I got to witness people being stirred towards the Lord through music, in ways they had never been moved before. What a gift we have in music, and I'm thankful for this blessing.

Thankful Day 7

I'm thankful for the scenery. Lots of beautiful things to look at that God created- all with a purpose, even if we don't know why some things exist. I'm thankful that there is so much to see in our world that I will never run out of places to see or explore. And even if I could run out of places, heaven will be far better than this.

Thankful Day 6

I'm thankful for the right to vote today. Not all countries have this luxury, and not all women had this right throughout history. And even though my one vote may not make a huge difference, at least I can say I stated my opinion, and took action on my beliefs. Many countries' citizens cannot choose their leaders- I am thankful I can do more than just complain about what I think is wrong. I can actually try to change it.

If you can, get out there and vote today. Thanks.

Thankful Day 5

Today, I'm thankful for food, and how many choices I have over what to eat. I am particularly thankful for how much easier companies have made it to choose gluten free foods. When I went gluten free 5 years ago, not many foods were so blatantly marked as gluten free. Now, more companies are marketing their foods as free of certain allergens, such as wheat or gluten or dairy, and I'm so thankful that my shopping for wheat free foods is not as arduous as it could be!

I'm also thankful food is so tasty... I don't imagine manna being very tasty back in the Bible days... :)

Thankful Day 4

I'm thankful for the internet. It has helped me keep in contact with lots of people over the years, research and learn about many things, and entertain me via youtube, hulu, facebook/pinterest, and of course, awkwardfamilyphotos.com. :)

Hope you guys have a great Sunday.

Thankful Day 2 & 3

Friday- I'm thankful for the Maui County Pool. It's right behind our apartment complex- I can walk there, and it's free to use! I'm thankful I love to swim and I have this pool to exercise in, for free! They have lap hours 6:30-8am MWF and are open the rest of the day for other activities. Such a great gift.

Saturday- I'm thankful for my apartment. Usually full of people coming and going and having fun and sharing difficult moments, but also a great place of rest. Even though it's not my own stuff, I'm thankful for a well-furnished home to live in.

Thankful Day 1

I've always wanted to do this project, but never felt like daily posts on facebook was a good way to keep track of it all, so yay for this blog! :)

Today I'm thankful for my job in the bookstore. I've mentioned it several times before, but I truly am thankful for it, and really love working there. I've heard previous interns hated working in the bookstore, and I'm so glad I don't!

This week I was in charge of finishing Christmas decorating- a blast, but certainly lots of time on my feet! I used to hate making displays of the merchandise, but I'm growing in confidence of that task and it's exciting. My boss, Leslie, is wonderful to work with because she knows how to assign tasks clearly, and encourage my exercising freedom to try new things. She also prays with each co-worker as they come on shift, and takes time to check in with each of us to see how we're really doing during the day.

Thankful that I enjoy such a large part of my job!