Grateful Heart
It’s been a big year. I have a lot to be thankful for. My thoughts feel a bit scattered—my gratitude covers so many areas of my life that it’s overwhelming. So, to organize my thoughts, here is a list of some of the things I’m thankful for, in no particular order.
1. My not-so-new-anymore job. The opportunity to be a front desk receptionist came along when I was at my wit’s end and was feeling hopeless. This job has brought with it so much security, so many open doors, and many new friendships. I’ve switched to doing I.T. work for them and love that, too. I’m so grateful that I get to continue to be a lifelong learner. I learn something new everyday.
2. More weddings this summer/fall. More of my friends got married—and I am so thankful that I get to see them happy. I love weddings because I get to celebrate the beginning of a new family while also seeing a lot of other friends. The time together is precious and joyous.
3. Babies. Oh my goodness. New little lives make me over-the-moon happy. This summer I got to dance with my buddy, Andrew’s, little girl (at a wedding!). I got to go to a shower for another friend’s baby (they had an adorable baby girl!). And I got to hangout with ALL of my cousins this year, and that meant ALL of the second cousins too (they’re not all babies anymore…but it’s hard to admit that some of them are getting so old…). And I am eagerly waiting to hear about my cousin’s any-day-now mystery baby! Boy or girl? Nobody knows!
4. My soon-to-be sister. I could not have asked for a better helpmate for my brother. She is funny and sweet, but tough and sincere. She is beautiful and also willing to bum around on a Saturday. I cannot wait until I can officially call her my sister. Next year is going to be a big year, too, folks. And it is going to be awesome.
5. New mentors and friends. I became a Mary Kay consultant in August. And the most fulfilling part of the whole thing has been meeting the women—the new friends and mentors. I’ve been able to invest time in ladies in my life that I haven’t talked to in a long time (since 2012 for some of them) and other women I never met before this year. It’s been very exciting, and I feel very blessed.
6. Traveling. The weddings and babies and friends are mostly all far away. I am thankful that I am able to travel—that I have a reliable vehicle to get me across country. And I am thankful that friends are able to stop when they’re traveling too.
7. Friends who are doing mission work abroad. I have several friends from college that have taught/are teaching abroad. A couple of them have blogs, and they shared their Thanksgiving blogs today. Steph just moved this year, and her heart for the work she is doing is inspiring. I am so proud of her and am thankful that I can call her my friend. Hillary has been abroad for 3 years now, and she has given so much of herself. It astounds me. Her faithfulness and willingness to stay where God has planted her is breathtaking. I read both of their blogs this morning, and feel like their voices are so significant and need to be heard. These women of faith are excellent examples of a what a servant's heart looks like.
I know there are things that I haven’t touched on, but think this is a good place to stop.
One last thing.
Please know, that if you are reading this I am thankful for you, too. The people who asked about my writing and my blog when I wasn’t posting—you have a special place in my heart. Those of you that have followed up with me about the things I’ve written about—books, sewing projects, food, whatever it was—you keep me going. Those you who are silent readers—you are important. Whether you started reading a year ago (it’s been a year since I started the blog!!!) or you just started reading this month. Thank you.
