Give Thanks

I'm still terrible at this blogging thing, but I'm doing my best here. How on earth do people keep up with these things?

Ah well, some day. Some day. Today, however, I've decided to take the opportunity to use this blog as a way to give thanks to God. It's so easy to focus on the trials in my life, to lose sight of all that God is doing and has done, but today I just want to take time to list some of the things that I'm thankful for. And believe me, there are many things to give thanks for.

So, in no particular order, here's what I'm thankful for today:

1. My office plant Francesca, because no matter how many times I neglect her, she still thrives. She even has seedlings!

2. My amazing bosses, Deb and Jim. They're so flexible and patient with me, and are just a joy to work for.

3. Audio books, and their ability to get me caught up on reading while I work at my desk. If it weren't for this site, I wouldn't have discovered the young adult genre, and probably wouldn't have discovered my desire to be a youth services librarian (*fingers crossed*). AND I never would have gotten around to reading Les Miserable and The Count of Monte Cristo. Their length always intimidated me, but now they've become two of my absolute favorite books!

4. My two best friends Josie Marie and Rachel Anne. Life always seems to separate us somehow, but it also always brings us back together somehow. I'm looking forward to being friends with these girls for a lifetime, and can't wait for our future B.F.F. road trips, getting to become "Auntie Tiff" to their future children, and of course drooling and knitting together when we someday share nursing homes. :-)

5. Little answers to prayer. Like when you're visiting a college & career group for the first time, are incredibly nervous and praying that someone will at least talk to you, and as soon as you pull into the parking lot, Amy Schmidt from Tabor (who is also visiting for the first time) pulls into the space right next to you. Yay God! Yay Amy!

6. The Prince of Egypt soundtrack. Need I say more?

7. My incredibly giving, unselfish, patient, kind, loving, and supportive parents (That includes you, step-Dan! :-D). I don't think I even need to say more than that. They're just wonderful.

8. A brother who seeks God in times of great trial, and who leads by example of what it means to follow Christ. I'm not gonna lie, his life totally sucks right now, but God has done GREAT things in him and through him these past few months, and I'm so proud of the godly man he's become because of these hard times.

9. Hot morning showers---because I get one every day and many around the world don't. It's just one of those blessings that I always take for granted.

10. Living in a state that has sunny blue skies followed by torrential rain, hail, and tornado warnings in the SAME day. Kansas weather is AWESOME.

And there it is. Today's list. I think I'll keep this PTL (Praise the Lord) list up. It makes me smile. I already feel ten times more joyful and optimistic than I did a mere hour ago! Anyways, I shall now end this post, and what better way to end it than with some super awesome Bible verses? Behold...

Ephesians 5: 18b-20

"Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Corinthians 15: 56-57

"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

And now...because posts are better with a picture...a picture of the day from icanhascheezburger.