A Time To Give Back

I have not spent a lot of time on here talking about my internship for school.  With my profession (counseling) there is a lot of confidentiality, so I cannot share much even though I would love to.  In case you haven't been around here long, I work at a residential homeless shelter for women and children.  And I am in love with what I do and who I work with.
I have mentioned before that I was scared and nervous to work with this population.  If you had asked me a year ago if I would, I would have said an emphatic no.  But the Lord showed me where He wanted me and I have fallen in love with this population.
I saw this video posted on Facebook last week.  Go watch it now, I will wait.  I had tears streaming down my face at the end of the video for many reasons.  One, I have been that person who has denied the hungry.  Two, after working with the homeless I cry anytime I see someone being kind to them because I know that could be either a past or future client of mine.
I bring this topic up because I desire to bring awareness to this population.  Fearing the homeless is a normal reaction for us.  But what if that was your mom, dad, sister, brother, or friend?  Wouldn't you want someone to be kind to them?  Wouldn't you want someone to reach out and feed them?  Wouldn't you want someone to love on them? I know I would.
There are many things we can do for this population.  Yes many are on drugs and will use money for that.  BUT they are also hungry and need to be loved on.  Can you spare a granola bar or an hour of your time?  I know I can.
If you do not feel comfortable reaching those directly on the streets, go to a shelter and volunteer.  Serve food or just offer to mentor them. This time of year is one of the best times for you to do this.  With it being Thanksgiving this week and Christmas soon, it is a great time to give back.  So take some time and find your way to give back.  Spend some time with the least loved people and show them Jesus.

A Grateful Heart

I find it important to reflect back on things that I am grateful and thankful for.  Sometimes it's the little things, sometimes it's the big things.  Most days I find myself in disbelief over the life God has given me.  I am such a blessed person and I do not think I recognize that enough.
I am grateful for the family God has blessed me with.  He knew what he was doing when he sent me to my parents and my siblings.  I know I have talked a lot recently about how much I love them, but seriously guys you have no idea how thankful I am for them.  I wouldn't be getting through life without them.

I am grateful for the friends I have...new and old.  I have had some awesome friends the last few years.  I am grateful for the ones who have stood beside me no matter what.  I have also been blessed to have made some awesome new friends.   Between Lili and all the other girls in grad school, they are key in keeping me sane through grad school.
I am grateful for my nanny family.  I got so blessed last fall when Wendy asked me to nanny for her.  I could not have picked a better family to be around.  I love those kids and I love spending time with them.  And Wendy and Gabe could not be nicer or better to me.  I don't even look at it as a job anymore, it's more of a time to relax and have fun.

I am grateful for running.  I may ride the struggle bus with it a lot, but at the end of the day I love it and look forward to that time to myself.  I love reaching goals and pushing myself to achieve them. And I love when I find a buddy to run with!

I am grateful for perfect Florida days.  There is absolutely nothing more relaxing to me than to float in the pool on a hot day.  I took time off this past weekend and did just that.
I am grateful for ice cream for the days that have not been so great. It's a great little pick me up at the end of a rough day. And it is my weakness. And sometimes I just need it. 
Finding the things in life to make me grateful makes my days so much better and more enjoyable.  I am a firm believer that you can find something good and positive, even in the worst of days.  So friends, find something today or yesterday that you are grateful for and focus on that, not on all the negative!

Big Home, Little Home

this was written about a week ago

Last Thursday my parents headed out for one of their many amazing trips. This time to Barcelona and Italy. And now that I live in town...this means I get to watch the house and the animals. Yay me. So I packed Brutus and I up and moved back into the house I grew up in.

And let's just say it's a big adjustment to me. 20 of my apartment could fit into their house (ok maybe only 10). But for reals it's a whole lot bigger. And a whole lot more work. And at night a whole lot creepier. 

My little home is just perfect for me. I like that it is small. It is the perfect size for one person. Everything is quickly accessible. It's warm and cozy and it has my bed. 

My parents house is just big. I grew up here, but I almost feel like a visitor. It's just not home home to me anymore. I mean yes it's home. But it's not where I live? I really don't know how to say that. It's just that I have created my own home for myself and Brutus. 

This past week has been an adventure to say the least. I wake up at 5:30 and feed the dog and cats. Then back to bed. Then up again to begin my day. I have to plan my day around taking the dog out. And just in general taking care of a much larger home. 

Needless to say I have come to appreciate my small little home. I love the size of it, big enough to have space but small enough to be cozy. I love that none of my furniture is new and that I redid most of it myself. I love that it is mine. All mine. 

It has always been in the back of my head when I might move out and have a larger place. And after being back at my parents for a week, I don't think I will be moving anytime soon. I have learned to love and appreciate my place and where I am at now. 

It always the little things that remind me what I need to be thankful for :)

Thankful Thursday

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday post in quite some time, so I thought today would be the perfect day for it! I may not always see it, but I always have something to be thankful for.

And today I am VERY thankful for my trainer Sherry. Our workout yesterday had to have been one of the best ones to date. And no it was not because she kicked my butt super hard like she said she was going to.

We probably laughed more the last half of the workout then anything. I may have called her old, and she may have not helped me when the big ball fell on my face.

I told her, "Not to make you feel old, but you are 15 years older than me." "Only 15?!" "Oh wait never mind 17!" Then an older man over hearing our conversation came up and he was like "Oh I'm 63." I then told him I couldn't do that kind of math to figure out how much older he is then me!

God was working some kind of magic last May when he put the two of us together. I could not have asked for a more perfect trainer or friend! We can laugh and we can be serious. I tell her just about everything going on in my life or bitch to her about the workout.

And at the end of the day...she really does kick my butt!

A Thankful Heart

This time last week I posted about how thankful I had been lately.  And this week I am extremely thankful again...but for some other reasons.

This week has been a week of MANY answered prayers.  And for that I am beyond thankful to be serving a God who answers prayers.

As I have said before I have been struggling through this whole grad school application thing.  Well finally Sunday night I prayed that God would relieve the stress and show me the way.  I gave it up to Him and knew He would guide me.

And of course He did! 

I knew I would be meeting with my advisors this week to schedule next semester.  And one of my advisors is amazing and I knew he would be able to help me make some decisions.

He flat out told me that it would be basically impossible for me to get into any MA/PhD program.  Other then one local one and it would be a stretch.  

You would think I would have freaked out over this, but I was SO grateful he was able to tell me that.  I needed to be pointed in the right direction and thats what he did.

So now I know that a Masters in Counseling is more the route I need to go.  Now I just need to decide where that will be...

This is one less thing I have to stress about and I am so thankful for that!

What are you thankful for today?

I Am Thankful

Usually on Thursdays I am updating you all on my weight loss.  And while I have lost 1 pound this week ( FINALLY!!!!) I have something that has been on my mind more that I need to share.
Throughout this week the constant thought of "I am so thankful for..." has run through my mind constantly.  I have been blessed beyond measure and I am SO thankful for everyone and everything in my life.  
Since I have been so thankful and since Carina has this link-up going on, I thought I would share with you all what I am so thankful for.

I am thankful for my parents who are beyond supportive of me and my dreams.  I was on the phone with my Dad the other day and we were talking about grad schools for me.  The fact that he desires to help me make the best decision is amazing.  But the fact that he said him and Mom would support me in whatever decision I made was even better. I am so thankful to have parents like that!

I am thankful for a roommate who leaves me sweet sweet notes...all the time! They mean so much to me.  Who doesn't love being told they are loved?!

I am thankful for a friend who is honest in telling me she wants be to stay around here! I am so grateful for the time I have with Lo every week, and just knowing my friends genuinely want me around warms my heart every time.

I am thankful to have a job in the office I do on campus.  My boss is amazing, the people I work with are amazing, and I actually kinda like what I am doing.  
I am thankful to be at Milligan.  For one have you seen our campus? Gorgeous.  For two I know I am receiving the right education.  And three I am surrounded by God loving people.  

And last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for the God I serve.  He is amazing.  No words can describe how thankful I am to know that I have a loving God who wants the best for me.  
What are you thankful for today?