Gratitude Challenge: Days 6-8

Instead of giving you all excuses of why I haven't been keeping up on this I'm just gonna start writing about the things I've been thankful for.

Sundays. (Don't worry. I'm not going to do a consecutive Thank You for every single day of the week). I'm so thankful for Sundays. Sometimes I complain about how early I have to get up and how all I want to do is sleep...and while that might be true... I wouldn't trade my Sundays for anything.
I get to hold babies all morning long. I get to laugh about "baby tattoos" and which babies are going to be dating in 15 years with Emily Marker and Shelby.
I get to eat delicious food in the cafe. At church. So convenient.
I get to spend all day with dear friends. The friends who have become family. The friends who hold me accountable and love me. This community, this church, these people are incredible and I can't imagine what it would be like to live life without them.

My job. The Lord has blessed me with two amazing jobs. At the same location.
It's hard. And sometimes frustrating but at the end of the day, so rewarding.

My family.
I'm thankful for my Dad. Who can spout off anything and everything you could ever want or need to know about any war. Who fixes my car when I'm being a girl and have no idea what's wrong with it. And who will make the "chipmunk face" if you beg him long enough.
For my Mom. Who can only drink wine with cranberry juice. Who has a passion for preschoolers like I've never seen before. And who loves to laugh.
For Chelsea. Who loves lace, ribbon, oxfords, and anything vintage. Who puts up with me and my need for quality time. Who always makes me laugh....even when she is telling me that I'm acting like a baby.
For Brenna. Who loves music more than life itself. Who is an incredible musician. Who has a huge heart. And who loves movies.

Sarah Schepens

Today I hung out with Sarah for one of the last times before she goes on her mission so I just wanted to take some time and write about her and how much she has impacted me. :)

Sarah is so wise and just has this peace about her. No matter what goes on, or what is happening she always seems to be filled with this incomprehensible peace. It's definitely a gift from God.
Over the past few months I've had the privilege of getting to know her. Her story is amazing. I still remember the first time we hung out outside of Life Group at Starbucks and she just told me her story. She's been through so much and has so much to offer.
She's given me advice that I've really taken to heart.
She's become a "big sister" in my life. I look up to her and I know that I can go to her with anything and she always knows just what to say.
Today was probably the last time I'll get to see her for awhile because she is moving to Jordan for a year. While this is REALLY sad and slightly depressing, she is going to do INCREDIBLE things over there so it's hard to be too sad about her leaving.
She's been preparing for this trip for a long time and I can't wait to see how God uses her!

I'll miss you, friend!!!

Really trying to not be "emo" but...

I feel like I'm losing everyone.
It feels like the end of senior year again.
Where everyone was leaving and there I stood.

I feel like I don't have that "best" connected
to the "friend" anymore.

I think it's just that things are changing again.
And I hate change.

Because I know I DO have best friends. But
those relationships aren't the same anymore.

Which is bound to happen.

I mean, shit, we're basically all 20 now.

But the change is just really hard to accept.

People moving out, people moving away, people
finding new people to attach that "best" onto.

It's not that I don't want people to have other
friends... NOT AT ALL. Please don't think that.

I want people to have those other
friends... but I want that "best" to still be
attached to me too. But I don't think it can
really work that way.

Maybe it's just jealousy that I'm not changing
in the same ways that they are?

Ugh. I hate trying to define my feelings.
As you can see... I'm not very good at it.