Before anything else, I'd like to say that I am ridiculously blessed. This year I've seen God work in unbelievable ways in my life and it's been surreal. Even just looking back at what my life was like this time last year is different, I've experienced a paradigm shift. I know that I tend to ramble, so I'm just going to get right to my blessings! (These are in no particular order, I just wrote them as I thought of them.)
- My living situation - In case this is news for you, I'm a live-in nanny this year. It's been a wonderful experience and the best part is that I live there for free! They decided to open their home to me and I could not ask for a better place to live. Which leads me to my next point...
- My job(S) - Yes, multiple. I have three jobs this year and I love each and every one of them. Early this year I started working for Kiss My Southern Sass as the Mizzou campus representative and I love my KMSS family. I've been able build relationships with such strong, beautiful women (special shout-out to my big, Jordan and Jackie, for being awesome). It's a company that was founded and run by college students and it's been a wonderful experience. My second job (but my first priority) is nannying two children! I've learned so much about patience and patience and patience, but even though I have pretty early hours, I love every minute of it. Except for the bathroom stuff, that sucks. I started at Express about two (two and a half?) months ago and I'm loving it. But, I still can't believe that I've been blessed with these opportunities.
- My sorority - On Sunday, I was initiated into Sigma Phi Lambda (Sisters for the Lord)! If you haven't heard of it, it's a Christian sorority and it's one of the best things that's ever happened to me. Phi Lamb is filled with such beautiful, Godly women who impress and encourage me every day with their passion for God. It has inspired me so much this last semester to pursue God in everything I do. Every single person that I've come in contact with in Phi Lamb has been such an inspiration and I could go on and on about it, because I like to talk, but I won't. Phi Lamb has been a game-changer for my life and my relationship with God. I can't imagine my life without Phi Lamb now, especially my sweet, beautiful big, Andrea! The rest of my pledge family is pretty rockin' too (for real).
- My relationship - My boyfriend's cool. I like him a lot. He loves God and makes me want to better my relationship with God. I'm pretty lucky.
- My cat, Thomas - I never see him, but I put him on here because I'm really thankful for him and I love him. He's like 20 pounds, 9 years old and still kickin'. He's one of my favorite things, but someday he'll like me back. The fact that my parents still have him is a miracle because my Dad was allergic to cats and he isn't anymore.
- My family - My parents because they love me even though I chose to be kind of far away from home and they pay for my gas! And they do things like drive down to Missouri just because my car wasn't working and they wanted me to have a way to get to class, they were here for less than 24 hours. True love. Also, Jamie's an awesome brother who's growing up a lot. Even though I'm not home to see it, I still love him and creep on his Facebook. All the time.
When I see a list like this, I seriously wonder why I don't thank God all the time, because I should be. I have so much to be thankful for and I know that I take all of these things for granted. I'm challenging each of you to start celebrating Thanksgiving now and take a minute to look at everything that God has blessed you with, then THANK HIM FOR IT!
1 Thessalonians 5:18
