So Incredibly Blessed

I realize this is a little late, but I can celebrate Thanksgiving every day, so I don't care. I also realize that I said I wasn't blogging until after finals & have written...oh, about 3 posts since then. But I don't feel like I can think about Spanish, Rhetorical Theory, Brit Lit, or Romanticism anymore at this moment.

So, here goes...what I'm thankful for this year:

1. The things God's teaching me everyday. I don't even know how to expound on this without writing a book. But I'm learning so much right now & I love it.
   
2. My family: This is the time of year when I just want to be home. Not just because I'm tired of school, but I just want to be home with my family & my bed there. I often take for granted the home that I grew up in. To have parents who are married & love each other & me & my brother unconditionally. Parents who gently lead me in the right direction as a child, just as they do now. I think of people who didn't grow up knowing about Jesus & knowing the Truth...it's scary. I'm so thankful for who they are. My dad is one of the most giving people I know. He is so talented & is always using those talents to help other people. I rarely see him sit for more than 20 minutes...he's the most hardworking people I know. My mom is my best friend. I am so blessed to have so many good friends, but she is the one who very rarely gets on my nerves, makes me mad, or makes me feel like I'm anything but just what God created me to be. She is my encourager, my laughter, my joy, my teacher, & my constant entertainment. Ben...is crazy. He keeps me entertained. Although he's never satisfied with my disinterest in all of the sports statistics that he wants me to care about, he never fails to continue telling me. I love that he is so passionate about the things he loves. I love seeing him grow & become someone who I am really proud of.
   
3. My friends: I have so many people that hold me accountable, encourage me daily, make me laugh until my sides hurt, don't laugh at me when I cry in cheesy movies, are okay with my tv addiction, don't mind that I quote Friends or refer to Gilmore Girls every 5 minutes. Even my friends that I might see once a year...they're the kind that I can talk to every few weeks & we pick up right where we left off. They are all the embodiment of 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "encourage each other & build each other up."
4. My job: Just the fact that I have a job right now is such a blessing. It probably won't last forever, or as long as I'd like for it to...but right now, I have a job, & so many people don't.
5. A light at the end of the tunnel. I know that sounds kind of negative but...I hate school. I love every part of it except the academic part. I just don't enjoy it, classes don't excite me, I don't learn things that make me want to jump into a career right now, & I don't get to do anything that I'm passionate about. Don't get me wrong - I'm so thankful that I've had the opportunity to go to school & learn so much, whether in class or not. This is so much more than so many people have. But...I'll be glad when it's over in May!
6. A car that works. Its paint may be peeling like a day-old Krispy Kreme donut...but it works.
   
7. Photography. Before you think it's dumb that I have that on my list, just listen. I love taking pictures because it's a challenge. With each flash, it's an attempt to capture just a fraction of the beauty that God surrounds me with daily. I'm not going to know what to do when I'm not enveloped by these mountains & waterfalls & creeks & Dahlonega sunrises & sunsets.
   
8. The fact that when I graduate, I can do ANYthing. Be anything. Yes, that's scary & intimidating & often I wish my opportunities were a little more restricted. I can go anywhere in the WORLD. I have absolutely nothing holding me back right now. I may have to remind myself daily to be thankful for this, but I am.

Because I can't quite find the way to conclude,
peace & blessins.