Thankful Thursday (#153)

"And the LORD answered,

'My Presence will go with you,

and I will give you rest.'"

~Exodus 33:14

Today, I am thankful for:

1.  Having my favorite hymn framed and on my wall now... I'm being more intentional about what I'm hanging up here, and from hot air balloons to tree bridges to hymns, my house and home decor feel more and more like a reflection of my heart, and that makes me happy! ❤

2.  The Crown, season five.  Well done and often fascinating, and I always end up Google searching things and finding photos from the real events.  I was surprised/saddened to learn that Princess Diana was only 36 when she died - that episode will be rough next year!  Also, every time I watch this show, I feel genuine, unironic pity for every member of the royal family as they strive to uphold a system that continually breaks their hearts and expects the impossible.  I wish Charles well in his new role as King, and I sincerely hope things continue to change and improve toward a healthier and more free environment for that entire family!

3.  For my friendship with Lindsay and with Sharon!  And for being reminded again that every day with the people you love is a gift, and that so many families are hurting and needing extra love, compassion, and prayer through this holiday season. ❤

4.  For family friends - we had a family dinner with Bill and Jill last week, then they came by to see my new house, and we spent a few minutes looking at the photo wall and talking about memories from their wedding... which then led into Dad and Bill sharing stories from the early years of their friendship, and it all made me happy!

5.  This epic photo of the Bellagio Conservatory this year... which has inspired me to commit to visiting Vegas during the Christmas season sometime!! ❤  You can see more Conservatory pictures on the Vital Vegas blog HERE - their photo captions and commentary always make me laugh!

6.  My new purple-ish winter coat with fur trim - fun!!

7.  My new floor... the front patio, back porch, and garage are now covered with the epoxy flakes + sparkly glitter (done by SealWise) -- you really have to see it in person to get the full effect, but I  love the way the colors turned out!

8.  Christmas lights.  This is a neighborhood near me where every home and front tree is lit up and it's super fun and cheery to drive through!

9.  Having my very own Christmas lights installed by my cousin, Al, and his friend Donavan - yay!  Someday I'll get a pic of them at night! lol

10.  My niece and nephews!!  ...I've been home sick with the flu since Monday (terribly rough at first, got some Tamiflu, feeling better but still a little tired/weak now).  I haven't minded missing work, but I hate that I had to miss the CHA Christmas program!!  Jace was in the play this year, and Kyndal Faith was chosen to say a verse all by herself - I got to see videos and pictures (they both did great!), but would've loved to be there for them in person!

Silas and Rabbi Simeon. lol

Miss K and her friends!  I love her sweet, confident self and her white and gold dress!

Jaceman and his friends - the 4th grade play in that program feels like such a big deal, and I'm happy they did well and enjoyed it! =)

11.  Shifting gears, I am grateful for what I'm learning and how I'm growing through my reading and schoolwork at CCU.  This past week, it was writing about the lifelong process of sanctification and how it compares to the gradual transformation people may experience in counseling.  I appreciate that studying these things is sharpening me -- spiritually, academically, and eventually professionally!

12.  And finally, I am thankful for God's timing in giving me this week to rest, recover, and reset!!  Monday involved fever, chills, cough, fatigue, body aches, and the worst headache I can remember.  Not sure I've ever had the flu before, but it's rough times - I kept trying to stay so still and take shallow breaths so I wouldn't cough and my head would stop hurting.  I have felt progressively better since taking Tamiflu, but I'm going to respect others by staying home until I'm certain I am not contagious.  I had felt (irrationally) stuck in a sort of anxious-holiday-binging mode for a bit, so the loss of appetite and increase of peace and rest that comes along with the flu have been good for me, as well.  It's been a break from everything but school, but when I finish one last paper and take one last final, I'm done with that till January!!  So I'm thankful all around for all of that!  And for lots of great friends and family checking in on me! ❤