Day 18 - Thankful for showers

It may sound ridiculous, but tonight I'm thankful for showers.  If you've been reading my blogs for a while, it might not be surprising, but if you haven't, you can read my other post about my love of showers -> here.

Anyway, I think a lot in the shower.  Showers used to seem like something that took up my time.  And if you knew me in high school or college, time wasn't something I had much of.  At one point in time, a friend and I figured out that if you put index cards in Ziploc bags and clipped them to the shower curtains, you could multitask and study in the shower.  Yeah, it was that bad.

But now, it's just refreshing.  And super filled with thoughts.  And sometimes I think clearer there than anywhere else.

Tonight I realized that I harbor a lot of anger that is keeping me from finding a place to worship God.  From finding a church.  It is literally holding me back.

I also realized I've been a pretty awful friend lately because I haven't been able to explain to her why I feel the way I do.  And I figured out the reason... well at least I finally figured out the words to describe it.  Which is helpful.

God's doing something in my life. I've got a lot of things that I haven't been acknowledging and I'm grateful He's showing them to me. And when I get out of this tunnel, I know God's got something pretty sweet there for me. 

Point of today - I like showers.  And I'm thankful for the things God works on in my heart and the things that I realize.

And yeah - it is kind of crazy, but it is what it is. 

Day 14 - Thankful for safety in Petey

Tonight I am so thankful for my car.  For Petey.  For over three years, that car has been everywhere and has just been an awesome vehicle for me. 

From moving me in and out of BG at least 3 times,  taking me to Marmon countless times, and traveling everywhere else in this state, it has been an awesome car. 

For it's many nicknames [Silver Bullet, Sardine Can, Petey, etc] and the way it acted as my giant purse: holding clothes, food, blankets, papers, and a whole lot of people... So many memories...

I wish I had a better picture
to show you the damage whatever
I hit did to my car... maybe later

But tonight, I am thankful for the way God has taken care of me in that car.  The car has had its share of problems with breaking... Tonight Petey decided that he was done driving and a tire blew out.  Not the end of the world, but it could have been bad.  It could have messed with my steering and taken me off the road down some super steep banks.  But it didn't.  It was a rear tire and I was able to pull off into a parking lot down the road.  

I was definitely taken care of tonight, by Him, by one of my best friends, and the always amazing Hoover family.  Thank you for everything!

The lovely Gimpy tow service, haha

Day 13 - Thankful for the country life

On Sunday I got to spend a few hours crammed into a combine.  It was such a cool experience.  We were taking off soybeans, and let me tell you, what a dust cloud!  Pretty sure there is at least a pound of dust just chillin' in my lungs right now.  That's the first time I got to do that.  I love being able to experience new things, and farm life has definitely stolen my heart.

Some highlights of the day

 

But getting back on track here, its day 13 and I'm thankful for where I live.  I'm thankful for the buggy that goes by my house or the one that I get stuck behind when I'm trying to get somewhere.  I'm thankful for the horses that perk up when I walk to my car every morning.  I'm thankful for the cows that are really loud when they can't see their calf nearby. I'm thankful for the fact we can have a bonfire without getting a permit. I'm thankful for the fresh veggies we get from our garden. I'm thankful for being able to see the sunset and the sunrise from our deck.  I'm thankful for the farms that I get to drive by on my way to work.  For the work they do that helps our country move along.  I'm thankful that I've gotten to experience farm life; for the few hours I got to spend in a combine on Sunday.  I am thankful I've been so blessed to be immersed in God's creation.

A few of my favorite sights: Amish working in the field, fresh tomatoes, working in the field, getting behind a tractor or buggy on the road, Berg's hill, a camp fire, and my mom's ponds... amazing

Day 7 - Thankful for my oldest friends

The extended gang - Bryon, Andrew, Katie, Kenny, Amy, and me

Today I got to speak with Kenny. It's been a really long time and it was so awesome to hear from him.  For those that don't know, I was blessed to grow up with him and his twin sister, Katie.  From the age of 5 until now, they've been a big part of my life.  So many of my memories involve these two.  I learned a lot, traveled a lot, enjoyed a lot of time, and got into plenty of trouble with them.  They are as much my siblings as Corey and David are.

Katie and I at Cedar Point

Kenny and I when he was home in 2011

All three of us have gone on completely different paths in life, but it's been so cool to see it all happen.  To see Kenny get married to his wonderful wife and serve our country has been such a blessing.  I'm totally a proud sister!  And Katie, she has a little guy who is the sweetest kid I've ever met.  She's such an amazing mother.  

Today, I'm thankful that they are a part of my family.  I'm thankful that I get to see everything that God has in store for us. 

Day 6 - Thankful for this country

Tonight as this election comes to an end, I am thankful for this country and the opportunities we are given.  I’m not so thankful for all the insane ads  and campaigns that have been going on.  And I’m thankful that today is almost over (in Ohio, that is, I’m still in California).

I’m about to get on a flight and I guess when I land we’ll pretty much know the results.  I would like to be able to watch everything keep rolling in, but I guess I’ll just have to wait until the morning.

Thank you Lord for this country and I take comfort in the fact that You are in control. 

Day 4 - Thankful for Random Trips

I have been blessed this past year (and way before that) with many random out of the blue trips.  I've been able to visit friends and family all over the place and spend time with them. 

Right now I'm chillen' in California watching Princess Bride with Brandy.  How cool is that?  So grateful that God has put people in my life I can go visit and hang out with and be encouraged by.

Day 3 - Thankful for my dance family

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I'm on the right in the second row.  This was my last ballet dance

I’m not sure where I’d be without my dance training.  My many years of competition, teaching, and just dancing made me who I am.  And yes, I’m thankful for all of that, but I’m really grateful for the people God put in my life because of it.  My dance family has been such a blessing to my life. Today though, I’m thankful I met two daughters, a mom, and a grandma.  I first met them when their oldest was 6.  And was informed this past week that she’s turning 16.  Talk about crazy (not to mention that I feel old all of a sudden)!

This is the little one that is soon to be 16

 I was on the way to Target last Thursday and the desire was on my heart to stop by the dance studio.  I’m so glad I did because this wonderful family was there and the encouragement they gave me was so needed.

I love how God gives you exactly what you need, right when you need it.

So blessed by them.

Day 2 – Thankful for Harry Potter and Lunch Meat

For November, I'm going to try to write down what I'm thankful for each day.  A way to get back into blogging. I know I missed yesterday, but I do have something for today:

I’m currently sitting in the airport, waiting ever so patiently to board (in like an hour) to head out to see only the coolest person ever…. Brandy!  

[[it’s kind of funny considering she just left my house last Saturday, but I’m all for it!]] 

Anyway, I just sat down by a charging station because my lovely R2D2 phone doesn’t stay charged much anymore. (Oh R2, what would I do without you, despite your lack of charge holding skills?) This guy sitting beside me sat down and is eating Arby fries… talk about a heavenly smell when I haven’t ate since lunch and its way past supper.  Instead of giving into temptation and buying myself a few of those amazing fries, I pull out my Ziploc baggie that has my cold cut sandwich inside… 

 

And I thought to myself, I feel like Ron Weasley. Ha!! You know when Harry and Ron first meet and Harry buys all those sweets and Ron just look longingly at them and pulls out his corned beef sandwich!? Yeah, that’s me right now, pulling out my sandwich.  Only difference is my sandwich rocks!  Buffalo Chicken cold cut.  

Amazing-ness 
 

I've traveled far and wide and experienced countless things thanks to all of the books I've read.  Thank you Mom for always reading, making me want to read like you.   

So for today, I’m thankful for all of the awesome books I’ve grown up with, including Harry Potter.  And for the extraordinary buffalo chicken sandwich I’m about to bite into. 

Happy Friday!

[[ I know I missed Day 1 for November, but I want to say I’m so thankful for the desires God has put in my heart.  His Spirit guides me and it’s so cool when I realize how He is working in my life. ]]