Thankful Thoughts: Day Five

Today, I'm thankful for old friends. I've made several new friends lately with all the new life experiences that have ambushed me, but today I was reminded that there's a great comfort in the friends that know you better than yourself. Praise the Lord for those friends that take the time to get to know you that well, and stick around after they do... even if it isn't in the most conventional of ways... God has blessed me with solid, godly friends that I've had for years, and I'm excited for my new friends to become those solid friends that I keep for years.

"There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother..."

Thanks: Day Four

Tonight's thankful thought will be brief. I feel like everyday could be thankfulness for friends. Tonight, I just spent some INCREDIBLE time with AMAZING friends and had a blast! But more on that later... maybe...

Today, I'm thankful for my junior highers. I teach junior high P.E. every afternoon. And then after school, I coach junior high girls' basketball. I was nervous at the beginning of the year. Junior highers??? The dreaded children that no one else wants??? Yes. Those are the kids I get to teach every day. And they have been such a joy! Yes, I've disciplined them when needed, but they know I mean business. And we can have a BLAST together. They keep me on my toes (in more than just dodgeball) and give me more reasons to smile. They bring so much excitement to my afternoon. Love those kids!!!

Outfit of the Day: a little brown and bronze

Since Wednesday is never my best-dressed day, I'll give up on that parameter.

Today's sweater is from The Limited:
Thanks to all sorts of coupons, special deals, a $15 off coupon and my teacher discount, this sweater was a steal! I love the kimono sleeves, the texture of the sweater and the length of the torso. It looks superb with a skinny belt, chunky belt, or no belt. :) Today, I went with no belt. :)


Skirt courtesy of the one and only Target! Clearance racks often contain the most wonderful things. And sure enough, I found this puppy hidden amongst the plus sizes. For those of you who know how I'm built, you'll know I have an "athletic figure" . . . meaning I have zero hips. Which came in handy in turning this around the waist pencil skirt into a skirt I could easily wear around my hips. :) And at $4.98, I looked classy and didn't break the bank!

Today, I busted out my boots. Big fan of these Maurice's clearance find. :) LOVE! The weather was chilly this morning, so the boots just completed the Friday ensemble.
My nails were painted a deep plum and my ears were graced with bronze beaded pendant earrings from Portugal. :)

Thankful Thoughts: Day Three

In order to try to stay caught up, I have to start blogging at night. NOT when my brain is in high gear. Actually, I don't remember the last time it was really firing on all cylinders. But I digress...

Today is day three of November. I'm thankful for opportunities. Not a day goes by where I have not been handed an opportunity to impact a life, smile at a student, or even change someone's world by praying for them.

I tend to think that if I only had opportunity, I'd change the world. I really do have chances to impact many lives. As a teacher, especially in my position, I interact with almost every student in the school in a given week. I can show them the love and grace of Christ... EVERY time I see them. And when I'm not around them, I can be praying for them. Prayer is never the least we can do. It's the most.

I have millions of tiny opportunities to share love and grace. I am thankful that my God continues to give me chances when I continue to blow it.

He is gracious and giving. Praise His name. Let His words fill me and His grace and love overflow from my life and heart.

Thankful Thoughts: Day Two

Day two was a reminder that I am thankful for the body's ability to protect itself and heal itself. Last night, I sat outside in 37 degree weather while it was pouring down rain. I was praying that I didn't get frostbite. But, my body kept shivering. It knew I was freezing! As annoying as shivering is, my body was trying to tell me how dumb it was to be that cold! My body was telling the rational side of my brain to make wiser decisions, but the "I'm a 22-year-old who wants to watch an MLS game, so I'll be invincible for the night" side kept me outside with friends freezing royally. So yes, my body might be smarter than my mind. But how incredible is it that the God of the universe made our bodies to respond to our surroundings and protect us and prompt us to do things like bundle up and get more sleep??? Truly incredible. The human body is immaculate.

I will praise You,
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.
Psalm 139:14

Here's a video that I LOVE to watch (about Laminin, some of you might have seen it...) that points everything about our body back to the Creator. :) Praise His excellent name!

freezing at the Sporting KC game

Thankful Thoughts of November: Day One

As a trend for the month of November which serves as the carrier of the holiday that reminds us to be thankful one day of the year, I thought I would take a small effort to blog everyday about something significant in my life that I truly should thank God for more than I do.

Day one (which was yesterday) is friendships. I'm sure I'll mention this one at least once more during the month. In my last post, you saw a little glimpse into my friendships. God has truly blessed me with a group of friends that is encouraging, hilarious, easy-going, and excited to try new things (or at least include new people)! They have brightened every Tuesday night for the past couple months with their "dinner night" as we all (usually about ten of us) gather in the kitchen and take part in making dinner. This extravaganza brings laughter, occasionally some tears (from the laughter) and nerves about trying new things (for me, it's slicing bread...). But every week, we enjoy time together preparing dinner and dessert. Then, time is spent reflecting on the greatness of our God in different ways, whether it be from a sermon or a glimpse at our own lives. I truly love this group and love the time we've been able to share together.

Today (day two) will bring something else. :) And it might just be a different group of friends. ;)

Praise the Lord for His goodness in even the "small" ways. :)

Small groups and soccer.

My list of things to blog about is growing, yet my free time is shrinking! Tuesday night's are small group nights for a local church here in KC. It isn't the church I attend, but I was included by a friend, only to make several other friends. Last night, we spent our evening at a soccer game and encouraging a high school senior on senior night. I just love the bond that the body of Christ brings no matter where your life may take you. My life brought me to KC and my Lord dropped me in the midst of a group of godly, encouraging friends. Praise the Lord for His excellent goodness. :)