Feeling Grateful...

*My apologies in advance for the ridiculous length of this post.

Last night, I hosted a potluck dinner and movie night with a few of my favorite people (the Vegas 7, to be exact).  I dusted and vacuumed my house, set out my new foldup chairs, went to Reasors for groceries and fresh flowers, then cooked the "KFC" (Kristin Foster Chicken) Recipe and some penne pasta with tomato sauce and parmesan!!  The Wilsons brought the movie (Get Smart, which was fun to see again) and some roasted vegetables, JEM and Kelly brought potatoes with rosemary (all from Jeff's garden), Kyle brought a tasty selection of drinks, and Laura brought a Reeses pie for dessert! =)

Here's a group shot of us after the movie:

(I'm a little shiny, but such is life when I do any cooking... it always makes me hot. lol)

Seven plates, happy yellow daisies, seasoning mix for the chicken, potatoes, chicken, veggies, pasta, more veggies, and drinks! =)

JEM and Kelly reminiscing with my 2014 Scrapbook... The guys ready to spray and kill a wasp by my front door... Lauarlai and the fluffelpuff girlfranz!

Table setup with my new foldup chairs (yay - crazy that it took me 8 years to buy them!)... Karli grading schoolwork, and Tall Kyle wordlessly taking the least comfortable seat for watching the movie - always so thoughtful... the cozy couch - Laura "resting her eyes" and JEM and Kelly watching the movie... and a rare non-posed pic of Chettles! lol

Chet with his Whole30 guacamole and JEM with a random sprig of rosemary! lol ...The leftover Reese's pie... the night is not complete until JEM puts something on his head (it's the same rosemary, but you can't really see it thanks to my decorated cabinet tops... Laura and a smiley Sammich!

All in all, a very fun night!!  I was relieved and happy that everyone seemed to enjoy the chicken, and felt proud of myself for finally stepping up to cook and host! =)  This has been a great season for me trying and cooking some new things, and the best part of it is getting more comfortable with hosting fun dinners with friends!!

* * * * * * *

I read a post today that reminded me that everyone goes through the struggle of waiting and comparing themselves to others who already have what they want -- there are a number of steps we can take in obedience to God, but we all have to lean on His grace and learn to trust Him in the areas that we truly cannot control!  Sometimes Satan can convince us that waiting means we are unworthy of having certain things, but it's a lie -- not having something yet does not mean you don't deserve it.  Everyone's journey is unique, and God is working behind the scenes when we don't see it yet.  I absolutely still want to get married and adopt and have a family, and I believe that wanting that is good.  But today, I am feeling extremely grateful for the strong community of friends and family in my life... that I don't have to go through this time of prayerful waiting alone!!

...I remember vividly my first night in the dorm at OBU, my RA made a speech about how we might miss our families right then, but pretty soon, the girls on our hall would become our new family.  She obviously meant well, but my 18-year-old already homesick self felt repulsed by the thought of anyone there ever replacing my actual family.  Now I have a clearer understanding of what she meant about friends who become like family.  I have my immediate and extended family, two women's lifegroups, a new mentor relationship I'm excited about, my amazing friend Klambster (Kristin Foster), and the nine Tulsa friends that have become "my people" over the past eight years!!  

I am deeply thankful for this group... Laura, Chet, Karli, Jeff, Kelly, Kyle, Sarah, Jessica, and Evan!

So many memories and quotes and trips and celebrations and prayer nights and good times with these people!  They were quick to be there for me in a very real way when I needed them most two years ago.  And at this point, I genuinely feel thankful that I have a solid group of Godly friends rather than one single best friend that I always turn to!

I'm thankful for all the fun we've had, and even more so for the deep conversations and heart connections!

"We can choose to let suffering soften us or harden us... We can choose whether we will love Jesus in it or resent Him for it! Only one set of choices will make us more beautiful." 

~Stasi Eldredge

The above quote is so true.  (It was on my Timehop as something I shared two years ago... I'm sure at the time, I was trying to convince myself to love Jesus enough to let go of bitterness.  Not gonna lie, it took me a while.)

But God is faithful, and He pursues us even when we stop pursuing Him.  And there is abundant grace for us when we struggle and go through suffering, so I feel no condemnation over that!

I am so thankful that Christ in me is stronger than depression, stronger than wrong desires, and stronger than apathy.  I am thankful that God pulled me out of the dark pit I felt trapped in.  And I am thankful that Christ in my friends helped me get through a season when I was too bitter or numb to sense Him working in my life.

"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."

~Proverbs 13:20

"My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you."

~John 15:12

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

~Proverbs 27:17

"The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray."

~Proverbs 12:26

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  ~Romans 15:13

These guys are especially hilarious, and I'm so thankful for all the laughter and joy they've brought to my life!!

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement."

~Philemon 1:7

  

Almost done here!  Just feeling thankful for God's grace, and wanted to write a tribute to this group of friends who have shown me grace and brought a lot of joy and encouragement and fun to my life!!

I know I am weak on my own, but I feel so much stronger lately, and that is purely the joy and power of God!  I'm feeding my spirit and body with better things that foster strength and life, and I'm thankful for the spiritual strength of my friendships to sharpen and keep me going!!

With Love,