Day 4: Voting

Yup Yup Yup!  I'm one of THOSE Millennials.  You know.  The kind that actually sees voting as not only a right, but as a responsibility!  I'm so so SO Thankful that I live in a country that affords me the opportunity to have a hand in my governmental system.  The results may not always be what I would want them to be, but as long as I cast my educated vote, I can always say I did my part to see things change the way I think they should!  

Day 3: Mildred

As I stopped to gas up the car tonight after work, I grumbled to myself a little about how it seems I'm always putting gas in my dear Mildred.

Then I stopped myself.

I'm THANKFUL for my faithful, trusty Mildred.  She's beautiful and wonderful and gets me from place to place.  She's provided transportation for multiple family trips to the Nebraska/Colorado area this year, which was a HUGE blessing!

I'm also thankful that I was able to get exactly what I wanted in a vehicle at a price I could afford! She's not 100% mine yet, but it won't be long!

5 Thankful Things: October

1.  I'm thankful for the weather and colors that come with Autumn!  I LOVE this time of year; in fact, it's my absolute favorite!  There's just something about the crisp, cool breezes and the colorful fall leaves... bonfires and scarves and boots and hayrides.  Just LOVE.

2.  I'm thankful for my best friend Helen being born this month many moons ago.  She's one of the biggest blessings in my life, and I'm thankful that she loves birthdays, too! :)

3.  I'm thankful for a church family that finds fellowship important.  Every October, we have a church hayride and bonfire, and this year was no exception.  I so enjoy the annual hayride!

4.  I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to practice my photo-ing  skills this month. I'm thankful for the camera I was able to buy a few months ago, and I'm thankful for those that entrust me with the taking of their family photos!

5.  I'm thankful that at my last visit to the nose doctor, I was NOT told I needed more surgery.  I'm not entirely thankful for the rudeness and lack of concern displayed, but at least I can be thankful that they didn't recommend more surgery!

I'm also planning to do Thankful November again this year, so here are my first two entries:

Day 1- I'm thankful for daylight savings time!  I know, I know.  Most people are NOT thankful for this because it messes with their sleeping schedules and the whole spring forward thing in a few months, but I LOVE the extra hour of sleep!

Day 2- I'm thankful to be part of a church that has pleasant business meetings.  This may not seem like a big deal to some people, but growing up in a church where business meetings often turned into heated arguments and hurt feelings, I SO appreciate the blessing of a church family that harmonizes!

November is wonderful because it reminds us to be thankful.  Doing the Thankful 30 for the last few years is actually what inspired the idea for my monthly 5 Thankful Things this year.  I hope you take time to recount God's blessings this holiday season!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Don't tell anyone, but I may or may not have dug out my Christmas CD's a few weeks ago.  I LOVE Christmas music!

Watching: Grey's Anatomy.  I never ever thought I could get in to a medical show, but even when it totally grosses me out, I just can't stop! 

Reading: Honestly? I'm still reading Karen Kingsbury's A Thousand Tomorrows.  I know, I know.  I was reading that LAST month, but it's been something I read whenever I have a few free minutes at lunch or waiting for something (like at the dr.'s office or whatever), so it takes a while!

Eating: I switched to oatmeal at lunch a few weeks ago, and I'm loving it!  I cook plain oatmeal with water, then add a little brown sugar and a few chopped walnuts before eating.  So yummy!

Wishing: That fall could stay a little longer!  I love this time of year, and the colors and cool breezes always make me just a little happier.  

Needing: To find out what's going on with my nose.  I had surgery in March, but my nose hasn't felt right since then.  It feels like someone stuffed a wad of gum up there.  Thankfully, I'll be meeting for a second opinion on Tuesday.

Rejoicing: This may seem redundant, but I'm rejoicing in a few things.  1) I'm rejoicing in the great things being revealed to me in our Scripture Seekers!  It's so fun to see things for myself! 2) I'm rejoicing in the fact that the Lord made a season in which the leaves turn bright colors and the air is crisp and cool. 

Indulging: Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer.  I LOVE that stuff in my coffee or hot cocoa!

Loathing: How fast the end of the year will be here.  These next two months are going to FLY by, and I just can't believe how fast it's gone.

Saying: No new catch phrases here.  That tends to happen when I'm away from my sister Helen for too long.

Meditating: Last week in Scripture Seekers, we talked about Simeon, who was waiting for the Messiah.  While my mom got all kinds of other things out of the passage, what stuck out most to me was how Simeon continued to faithfully serve the Lord while he waited.  We have no idea how old Simeon was or how long he had to wait, but he was faithful and devout while he waited.  That was a real challenge to me.

Picturing: Last weekend's hayride at church-

5 Thankful Things: September

1. I'm thankful for a job that allows me to stay home from work when I'm sick even after I've used all my sick leave for the year having surgery and stuff. I'm not so thankful for the sickness, but I'm thankful for the meds I was able to get to make me feel all better!

2. I'm thankful for God's obvious leading in my life.  I'm thankful that no matter what happens, I can always know for absolute sure that God is in control and only wants what is best for me.  When I let go of what I want and ask for what God wants, I know that the results are always best!

3.  I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to practice my photography! I took my sister's family pictures a few weeks ago, and the weather and lighting were just perfect!  I'm really enjoying getting to know this hobby of mine better and developing my own skills!

4. I'm thankful for the weekend Leah & I were able to spend with Helen in Ohio a week ago!  We had so much fun just being together. Oh, and I'm thankful for Young's Dairy because they have the BEST ice cream!

5.  I'm thankful for the cooler weather!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this time of year, and the chilly temps are just I've been waiting for!  I love sweaters and fuzzy socks and hot tea with honey (when I'm not even sick!) and chilly breezes and colorful leaves and everything about this time of year (MINUS Halloween.  Loath and despise that "holiday"!)