It has been a decade since I have blogged, but what better way to welcome myself back to the blogging world than with a blog of all of the people in my life I am thankful for. (This is long so beware and read at your own risk....you will be glad you did though.)
I am thankful for Jesus Christ.
How lucky are we?! I mean, God sent his son down here to this horrible world to live a perfect life, die, and rise again...all just for us!! It's simply indescribable! I am so thankful that I have chosen to live a life for Christ and that He loves me so much, even when I make stupid mistakes. His power of forgiveness is one that I strive to have myself and I love Him more than all the love in my entire heart. God has blessed me with each and every person I am about to list and without them or Him, I would not be the person I am today. So without further ado...
I am thankful for my parents.
I kid you not, I have the BEST parents in the world...and I'm not just saying that. They support me in all that I have ever done, not to mention shelled out the money when I've needed it, which is probably more often than they'd like. Dad, you have the kindest heart of any man I have ever met. You have so much love to give and you are always so patient with us three girls! You are the best elementary principal I have ever met because you are so selfless and want what is best for everyone. Without you, that place wouldn't even be standing...and I seriously mean that. Thank you for all you do for everyone else and being a Godly, loving, and the best model of the type of man that I hope to marry someday. Mom, you have the biggest heart of anyone I know. You spread yourself so thin, but you give your all in everything you do. You think about the little people and try to make everyone feel welcome and loved. That is a great trait to have and I hope I can possess that one of these days. Thanks for always being there for me and listening to me rant even when I know you'd rather not. I know that times get tough sometimes but your faith in God is one that is hard to copy so I know that when things are not the best, you are going to be just fine. I pray for both of you every night and miss you when I am at college. Thanks for being there for me and taking time to let me know you still care about me and love me each and every day. Much love!
I am thankful for the power of forgiveness.
Without this, I would be such a hateful person. We all would really. There are so many people and things that have hurt me in this world that without this power, I probably wouldn't be a very happy person. I know that God forgives all of us ALL the time, so why is it so hard for us to forgive people? Forgiving people is something I am so passionate about and try to do everyday. I think we could all be better people if we strove to do that too....wanna give it a try with me?! I'm always needing accountability! ;)
I am thankful for my seestah.
I'm not going to be all mushy about her because she wouldn't want me to. Yeah she is probably gagging as we speak. But I'm thankful for you Payton because without you, my entire life would have been so boring. I'm really glad that mom and dad decided to have you because on that day, God gave me a permanent best friend. We may not get along all the time, but there is no one I'd rather have as a sister. Even though we don't talk as much now with me away, I hope you know that I love you very much and think and pray for you each day. Thanks for giving me laughs, making me cry, and letting me be your sister. Love ya!
I am thankful for my grandparents.
Okay, now seriously people, do you know better grandparents than Bob and Ilene?! Nope, didn't think so. They are the epitome of grandparents. I miss them so much it's crazy. I mean, how could I not miss my grandma's amazing cooking, her loving heart, and encouraging words and hugs...or my grandpa's stories and great big bear hugs?? They have always been there for me whether it be a sheep show, basketball or softball game, or an FFA activity. In college, they have supported me in more ways than one, send me encouraging letters, pray for me, and of course, loved me more than ever. I am so thankful God gave me them and that He has allowed them to be such a big part of my life.
I am thankful for cru.
Even though I wasn't too fond of cru last year, this year I am beyond thankful for it. I look forward to it each and every Thursday. It has given me some of the best friends I could ask for, it is helping me grow closer to God, and it is showing me some great examples of Christians I need to strive to be like. God is so good and I am so thankful He made me stay plugged in to this great organization because without it, I wouldn't enjoy college, nor my walk with the Lord near as much!
I am thankful for Jeania and Rick.
You two are such a great aunt and uncle. There aren't two other people made better for each other than you two. You balance out each other so well, not to mention raised some of the best kids you could ask for. I am so thankful for your family and what they mean to me. Your kids show me so much love and I know they learned that from you. You both have such big hearts for others and are great people all around. Even though you moved even farther away from me, I still love you and can't wait to see you soon...not to mention I may be coming to live with you in the next couple of years. That in itself is something I am so thankful I have as an option. You all are the greatest and I love you with all that I have!
I am thankful for education.
Growing up in a family of educators, I know how important education is. I was privileged to go to the best school system in the state and now I'm getting to go to the best college in the state. Without education, our world wouldn't be near as advanced as it is now and we wouldn't have near the gadgets and gizmos we base our lives around. So yep, I'm thankful for education and the people that have devoted their lives to it!
I am thankful for Adam and Crystal.
I am very fortunate to be so close to my youth pastor and his wife. Not many students get the opportunity like I received to build such a strong relationship with these two people. There isn't enough space in the blog to write how much I love these two people. They have done so much for me that I probably did not even deserve. The friendship I have developed over the past few years is one that many people don't understand, and you know what? I could care less. Without you guys, I know I wouldn't still be in college up here at OSU, I wouldn't know my loving Savior, and I wouldn't have been through some of the best and maybe some of the worst experiences of my life. Thanks for always believing in me and continuing to be my best friends. You guys mean the world to me! I'm throwing this person in here to. Daylon- You are in there with these two as well. Whenever they are there for me, whether you want to be or not, you usually are too. We have gotten to be pretty good friends and I am thankful for our friendship. You and your brothers mean a lot to me and I'm very lucky to know you all!
I am thankful for a house.
There are so many people in this world who are living in poverty and have little to nothing. I have a house, a bed, food, water, etc. Those right there are things that I should be beyond thankful for. I am so blessed to be able to have the things I have and I hope that I share my blessings with the people around me in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. Having all of these things are defnitely something I am very, very thankful for!!
I am thankful for my entire family.
All of my family means so much to me and I love each one of them equally. This year we have been blessed with three new additions to the family..Aubrey, Landri, and Heidi. They are the three most precious girls ever and I love them so much. God has blessed our family so much and I am thankful that we are all healthy and able to spend time with one another. I love all of you very much and thank God everyday you all are in my life.
I am thankful for SPURS.
SPURS is an organization I'm involved in where we cheer for the basketball boys, make them posters, sell programs, work with Coaches vs. Cancer, and represent OSU athletics. I have made some awesome friends from being involved in this and it has helped me to get more plugged in on campus. I love it and am very thankful I've been given the opportunity to be in the organization.
I am thankful for each and every one of my friends.
Stephanie- you are such a good friends and it is such a God thing that God put us in each other's lives. I wouldn't be able to function without you at times. Deavon and Ashlyn- you know what you mean to me and I love you both with all of my heart. You always have been and continue to be two of my best friends. You are always there for me and I appreciate that a lot. Madison- I am so thankful God gave me you in the 1st grade. We have been through the most together and you will always, always be my very best friend. I love you til the end and back. Christen- Somehow God put you in my life too and I don't know why he did, but boy am I thankful for you. You are the best roommate I could ask for, not to mention friend. I'm so excited for you and your new adventures in life. I can't wait to be standing next to you in May when you marry your best friend. Carmena and Chelsea- Even though we have only been friends a short time, I am beyond thankful for you all. Whenever Reeves told me I needed to get to know you both, I was a little hesitant, but I'm so thankful I did. You are two of the funniest, nicest girls I know and I am grateful for you. Things happen for a reason and I believe you are in my life because of that! There are so many more of you that I could name but this blog would be a novel and no one would read it so....just know that if you are reading this or if I have talked to you within the last year, you mean a lot to me and I consider you a friend. I'm so thankful for each and every one of you....new and old!
I am thankful for life.
I am so thankful that I can type on this computer, run and play basketball, hang out with friends, watch tv, buy things, make people's day, mentor Misty, help people in need, read, write, listen to music, go to church without being convicted, eat out, induldge in sweets I shouldn't, take pictures, joke around, travel, go to sporting events, be myself, encourage others, blog, hold babies, paint, and everything else in my life I have forgotten to mention.
Everything in this life...I am thankful to God in heaven for. All of the experiences and situations He has put me through have made me that much stronger. I am thankful for the person I have become and I continue to become. Thanks be to God always.
Over and out...(most of you probably didn't make it all the way down here to the end, but if you did, thanks for reading....and guess what?! I'm thankful for you!!)
