I'm thankful

... for a place I can call my own with a roof over my head, heat, hot water and cozy sheets.
... for videos of my family that I will cherish the rest of my life
... for my beautiful piano from my mom that I can play whenever I want to just let go
... that I have the opportunity to be in an amazing master's program, and pursuing my dream job
... for the wonderful people God has specifically placed in my life for different reasons
... for cozy pajamas and new slippers, hot tea and a new book
... for my best friends and my soul sisters
... for my family coming together this Thanksgiving for the first time since my mom & Chase died
... for strength and health
... for loving the simple things
... for unending memories
... for hope
... for grace
... for peace
... for hot coffee with steamed nonfat on my early, rainy mornings :)
... for the fact that I am SO richly blessed in my life and it's all because of His faithfulness

hard seasons...

they're inevitable. This is mine. I definitely welcome it though, because I know that no matter what, the Lord is shaping my life, guiding my steps, and leading me to the paths that he has created for me. I just have to trust that no matter what is occurring in my life, it is for his greater plan and purpose if I follow his direction. And that's where I am. :) And I think it's a good thing.

I just had the opportunity to speak to a group of potential MAT program candidates about what life in the program is like, and what they should expect. I was heartfelt and honest with them about the life commitment it requires for a year, and how essentially everything that is important to you is on pause for 11 months. It's during this time that we're refined, that we determine what really is important to us, what we're passionate about, what we're willing to sacrifice, and where we want to be when this is all over. We can either give it our best, our adequate effort, or our least amount of effort, but our success will be dependent on what we we've put into it.

Despite the challenges this week has brought,, what I'm doing and sacrificing for teaching was brought into perspective when I came to my 5th grade class, stood outside the door and had a student who saw me in the hall run up to me and throw her arms around me, telling me how happy she was that I was there that day. I was greeted with their smiling faces and hugs in the morning, and it was just a simple reminder that for those reasons and so many more is why I am putting in long days, late nights, early mornings, living with limited resources and letting other things other than my faith and trust in God take a back seat until this is all over.

I have SO much to be thankful for. In everything, and every season, give thanks.