Thanksgiving

When getting ready in the morning of Thanksgiving I looked in the mirror and cried to myself, trying to pull myself together for the day. This Thanksgiving was different than the last two. I wouldn't be with his family.. Everything is different now..

But downstairs I heard the laughing of my family playing cards and telling jokes. I smelled my mom's cooking. I heard my dog barking and I decided to wipe my tears away because I have so much to be thankful for.

Thankful for a new season. Thankful for God and his faithfulness. Thankful for family that loves me unconditionally. Thankful that I'm about to be an aunt for the first time. Thankful for the many blessings God has given me..

Then I walked downstairs and had an amazing day..

Here's a toast to new beginnings..

Tea

so growing up I've always thought people who like tea were so cool, like they all were apart of this club and everyone who was truly in the club could tell if you were faking and didn't really like tea lol

truth was I never ever liked tea unless I dumped honey or sugar in it. so I resigned to an occasional coffee here and there and watched from afar longingly as they had their cool collections of flavors and accessories... *sigh*

I even have a super cute little green tea kettle that I keep in my apartment just for looks.

well recently my dad introduced me to a caffeine free, 100% natural tea by Good Earth called Sweet and Spicy.

And they lived happily ever after....

I seriously fell in love and I drink it every day now. If that makes me apart of the "club", cool. if not, I don't care cause I found a tea I ACTUALLY LIKE!

not that anyone cares lol

Day 30: who are you?

well isn't that a loaded question...

many would answer this by listing their vocation,

likes and dislikes,

things that make them unique from others..

I'll answer with Whose I am.
therefore defining who I am,
who I've always been,
and who I'm meant to be

Song of Solomon 6:3

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine

Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned

I've learned what I deserve.

I've learned to never lose hope.

I've learned it's ok to lay on the floor and cry

as long as you eventually get up.

I've learned I can't get up without Him.

I've learned to forgive in a new way.

I've learned to not focus on the "what if's"

I've learned that rest is very important

Let's just say last month was very hard and I'm so glad it's over...

Day 28- a picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

Picture to the left was near the end of '09

picture below is end of summer '10.

I've changed so much... not only grown and matured but have been through a lot of life changing things.. I've had to forgive and been forgiven. I've suffered loss and experienced reconciliations. I've let go of many things that needed to be.. I've learned more about myself, God, and my purpose in this life. It seems from year to year I'm light years beyond where I was before. And I'm proud of that

thanks Nathaniel for posting this

"Every heartache and hardship, and the profound loneliness such things bring, has a back door. They allow us entry into a communion with Christ we don't usually experience in our days of ease and song."

(Mark Buchanan in Spiritual Rhythm)

check out my brother's blog @ http://naterhoads.wordpress.com/

and we both go

down together.

we may stay there forever.

Just trying to get up...

I will forever remember November 1st... the day I had to endure the most painful death of all