Thankful Thursday! (89)

"Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."

~Colossians 2:7

Today, I am thankful for:

1)  Fun times with friends at Chet's Santa pictures event, and one of the more entertaining conversations I've witnessed lately between Steve and Sarah Y. lol =)

2) Getting to catch up with Angie for a few hours over dinner at Los Cabos... fun times and great food!  And snowman pics. =)

3) A fun night playing Phase 10 and catching up with the Woodlake Fam Group at Braums (Starbucks was crazy packed due to finals week). My Christmasy-looking cards made me happy!

4) My job, which I accepted 12 years ago today!  (Fun fact: Next year starts my 15th year as a CR, and if I'm still in this field, I can retire with full benefits 20 years from now at age 55!)

5) God's power to bring change when things feel stagnant!

6) The Harry Potter book series - I would sooo be besties with Neville!  There are a bazillion things I love about these characters and this book especially.  (Hence listening to another 16 minutes as I was in bed around 1:00 am.  Not my wisest choice. lol)

7) My beloved niece and nephews, who I'm praying for more than usual lately.  At such young ages, they're facing some things I never had to endure, things I cannot stop or control and I would not wish on any child, especially the kids I love most in the world. Their childlike reactions each make sense with their unique personalities and sibling order: feeling distraught and fearful, shutting down all emotion, becoming extra defiant, and feeling guilt and self-blame. I know God can heal and redeem what has been broken in and around them, and He can guard their hearts and minds with peace and hopeful determination (and mine as well). So that's the prayer!

In the meantime, I'm excited to get to watch them in CHA's Christmas program tonight, where Carter has a key role in the Christmas play! ❤

And that's all I've got for today.  Happy Thursday!