Thankfulness and Dating

What?!  I know, an odd title, but I hope it intrigues you enough to at least hear me out.

First of all, I will be sharing my Thankfulness Days 10 & 11:

Day 10- I'm thankful that there are still small town country doctors around who care more about making their patients healthy again than they do about being rich.  One such doctor has assisted me in [hopefully] heading off a [terrible, awful, no good, very VERY bad... at least in my case] sinus infection, which [for me] always leads to bronchitis.  Thank You, Dr. Pam!!!

Day 11-  I'm thankful that I am an American citizen, born and raised right here in the good 'ol USA!  I'm thankful for my friends, family, and those whom I have never met that serve in the military, fighting to keep me free.  Far too often, I take my freedoms for granted: freedom to worship the One True God; freedom to speak my mind; freedom to go anywhere and do anything I please [ok... within the law...].  I'm thankful that I go to bed at night without fear, in a warm bed and clean pajamas.

And now... the Dating part:

Earlier this evening, I was having a conversation with my marvelously wonderful friend Thomas about dating, when I kind of just lost it.  Poor, patient Thomas read every word of the million texts it took to get my point across.  Here's the gist of what I said:

Dating really irritates me.  For the most part, those of us who grew up Baptist, have been told from day 1 that you "date to find a mate."  Well, I agree with that to an extent, but for cryin' out loud!  Faith girls, here's a little nougat of truth for you [brace yourselves... it's pretty shocking]: Just because a guy asks you out on a date does NOT mean he wants to marry you!  And just for the record: Good first dates do NOT come with sparkling diamond rings! For some reason, at least when I was at Faith, it seemed like the second you accepted a date invitation, or even a "sit with me in chapel?" invitation, people assumed you had already chosen your china pattern AND set a wedding date!  Now, I understand that dating comes with a responsibility, and I'm not saying that we should just say "yes!" to any and every guy that asks, but if the fellow is a good friend of yours, or even a nice guy who just happens to sit next to you in one class you happen to have together, what, may I ask, is the harm in going on one single date with him?  Especially if you  both understand that it is JUST as friends!?

Being a graduate of Faith myself, I'm pretty sure that I utterly shocked Thomas, and practically left him speechless.  I pretty much told him that I think "dating" a good friend now and again may even be helpful to both parties, as it gives you practice!  Guys need to learn how to be gentlemen, and ladies need to give them the chance to learn! And, I speak for myself in this, ladies: we need to learn how to be on a date!  I, for one, need to learn how to just  be myself!  If a good guy friend of mine were to call me up and say "Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to go out Saturday afternoon? Maybe for a stroll at the mall?  We could get some Starbucks and browse?  Just as friends?" Well... depending on the guy, I'd probably say "yes!"

Here's my one rule:  I won't go on a date with anyone with whom there isn't the slightest chance of a potential relationship [which obviously means he has to be a regenerate believer.  If you don't know that pertinent information, you should probably find that out before saying yes].  That's just not fair to either party.  If we're already good friends, then I'd say there is definite potential.  I'm not saying that if I say "yes" to a date that I expect a relationship to follow.  Absolutely not!  I'm just saying that any time two members of the opposite sex go out publicly together to hang out exclusively, even if it IS just as "friends," there is always the chance that one or both parties may fall for the other.

There.  I've said it.  I feel way better, even if you hate my views and think I'm the worst person to ever walk the planet.  :)

Thankfulness Day 9: Snow

Yes, that's right.  I'm thankful for snow!  I'm thankful for the super-size, white fluffy stuff that graced the skies this morning.  I'm thankful that it was heavy and wet, and that it disappeared almost immediately upon hitting the ground.  I'm thankful for a cozy living room where I was able to enjoy the snow from my window.  

For those of you who know my mom at ALL, this part will surprise you: I'm thankful that I was able to spend all morning with my mom.... WATCHING MOVIES!  We NEVER do that, and she almost NEVER EVER plants the idea in MY head.  What fun!  We watched a double feature of Though None Go With Me and The Christmas Box. :)

Thankful for...

I didn't forget to post yesterday, I simply decided to double up on today's post.  Don't ask me why... I don't know! :)

Day 7: Sensory Details

I often take these for granted, but I'm so incredibly thankful for my sight, sense of smell, taste, etc.! Life would be so different without these, and quite frankly, I don't want to think about it.  Not being able to smell cookies baking in the oven; not seeing the leaves change color in the fall; not being able to feel the smooth, soft cheek of my beautiful niece; not being able to hear the rain as it hits the window or the sound of my family laughing.  What a sad world that would be!

Day 8: Abundance

I'm thankful that I not only have a roof over my head and clothes to wear, but that I live in a very nice house and have [in my opinion] great clothes to wear!  I don't go hungry, and I never worry about going out in the elements because I have plenty of clothes to choose from.  I'm thankful that my parents graciously have allowed me to live in their house for the last 22 years free of charge, especially since I came home from college.  I'm thankful that I have running water, and it even gets hot!  I'm thankful that I don't have to go outside my home to do laundry.  I think I take these things for granted far too often.  Not everyone is afforded these luxuries. I should be more thankful.

What are you thankful for today?

And Now... the Moment We've All Been Waiting For...

Yep, that's right!  It's time for the big announcement:  I have a full time job again!  With this wonderful news comes some other excitement, so prepare yourselves.

Three and a half weeks ago, I went to Ankeny for a few days.  I told most of the people I ran into that I was there visiting my sister at Faith, which was true, but I was also there for another reason: to interview for a full time job at Greenberg's Jewelers at Jordan Creek.  To cut the story short, I've been doing a WHOLE LOT of waiting since then, but I finally received a phone call this past Friday wherein they offered me the job! Of course, I took it, and I begin on Saturday, November 19.

For the time being, I will be staying with a dear couple from Ankeny, with whom I attended church while I was a student at Faith.  I'm soooo incredibly thankful for their kind hospitality in allowing me to live in their basement!  I can only attribute the working of these details to our incredibly awesome God!

So, in order to kill two birds with one stone so to speak, Thankfulness Day 6 is this: I'm thankful for a sovereign God, Who knows the plans He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11)!  God is so good to me, and I'm glad that, in His perfect time, everything has come together.  I'm also thankful for once again being employed full time at a job I love!

Thanks to all who have been praying.  You have no idea how much I truly needed it!  As most of you know, patience is not a strength of mine, but this experience has definitely taught me that patience and trusting God go hand in hand.

Oh, and another thing: have I ever mentioned that I just LOVE Sundays? :)

Day 5: My Best Friend

How many people can honestly say that their absolute best friend in the whole entire world just happens to be their little sister?  I'd guess that there aren't too many of us out there, but today I'm thankful that I'm 100% one of these kinds of people.

My best friend is my younger sister Laura.  We're 2 years and 10 months apart (almost to the day!). She wasn't my best friend until her first year of high school, which just happened to be my last.  We spent so much time together that year, and ever since, she has been my best friend.  She's away at college now, but at least she gets to come home for random weekends. Today I am thankful that THIS is one of those random weekends.  :)