I have spent far too much time moping around.
I have spent far too much time thinking about me.
I'm done.
A wise philosopher named Madame Blueberry from the Veggie Tales series once said 'A thankful heart is a happy heart'.
So today, I would like to share ten things that I am extraordinarily grateful for.
10) Cellairis.
I genuinely never knew I could love working in a kiosk in the mall so much. People look at me like I'm crazy sometimes when I express how much I love my job. But it's true. For those of you who do not know, I sell cell phone cases approximately 25 hours a week. I spend my days talking to the people of Springfield, and I love every second of it. I have an incredible co-worker who has a heart of gold. Her sense of humor is out of this world, and she inspires me to be more responsible. I also have an awesome boss who is supportive of all of my crazy endeavors and regularly encourages the dreams God has placed in my heart. I will honestly miss my job when I'm on the World Race.
9) The men in my life
Christian, Nathan, and Brad. Thank you so much for showing me who Jesus is by the way you treat me. Thank you for your consistency in kind rebuke and uplifting words. I came to my college not knowing how I would ever trust men. Through your friendship, I am learning slowly but surely. Your future wives will be the most blessed women. and I can not wait to meet them. Because if God created them to be with you, then they will be some of the most beautifully crafted women in the world.
8) JRLC & James River Assembly
I go to a very different school. We are much more like a family than a student body. When one of us hurts, we all hurt. I have learned more about myself and more about my God in the last two years than I ever could have imagined. To each and every student at JRLC, I love you so much. I respect and admire each of you individually. I have loved watching you bloom into the people God is calling you to be. It has been an honor to stand by your side through this time and I can not wait to stand on a stage with some of the finest people I have ever encountered and leave with a degree in leadership. To the staff at JRLC, thank you for loving us. Thank you for taking your life and devoting it to some crazy kids that can't see straight most of the time. It has been a pleasure to serve my school. If anyone is looking into colleges, I definitely recommend you look at JRLC.
And to the church that has welcomed me in more ways than one. More important than opportunity, you have given me an appreciation for fellowship. I will miss the leadership and people of this church very much.
7) Valerie Saxton
You are one of the greatest friends I ever could have asked for. Your loyalty has taught me more about life than you ever could have imagined. You've seen me through everything and your presence means so much to me. I love you Val$ax. Always have, always will.
6) Every financial or prayer supporter
Many days, you are what gets me through. I can feel your prayers on my best or worst days. The gratititude in my heart towards those who have believed in the vision God put on my heart enough to give their money to it is overwhelming. I will spend my life hoping that you know how much I am thankful for each and every one of you. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for praying. I love you all.
5) You.
You know who you are, and I am grateful. Even after all we have been through, I am grateful.
4) ou(R) Squad
I barely know you, and I love you. I love your hearts for Jesus. I love your consistency in prayer. I love your drive and motivation. I can not wait to spend a year of my life with each of you. And to Marie and Emily, I am forever changed because of who you both are. We shall adventure together forevermore.
3) Kaitlyn and Taylor
I get teary-eyed just imagining where my life would be without the two of you. I love our cozy days bundled up on the couch, talking about the Lord. I love our trips to El Charro drowning in gluttony. I love guitar filled nights with Kaitlyn's voice beautifully floating through Taylor's living room. I love Taylor and I knowing all of the words to Kaitlyn's songs. I love our random health kicks where we work out like crazy women and concoct different healthy recipes that we swear taste better than the original. I love our dance parties, our closet moments, and our dreams. Thank you for showing me that I don't have to be perfect to be loved. Thank you for standing by me when I did not make it easy. Thank you for understanding that my heart is kind, even when I acted otherwise. Thank you for giving me a place that I belong. Thank you for being my home for the last two years. As I travel this world, I carry both of you with me. In every country, I will thank the Lord that I know both of you. And I swear that I will write letters. I adore you both more than I can explain. And even the most beautiful string of words could not explain the thankfulness that lies within my heart to you both.
2) My family
To the brother I believe in, the nephews and niece that I pray for daily, the grandmother I admire, the cousins that feel more like brothers, and the aunts and uncles that amaze me, I love you all. To Georgette and all of the Thomaston clan, thank you for being one of my biggest fans. I will always love you more than the miles between Georgia and Missiouri.
To my mother. What an incredible woman you are. You have shown me grace, poise, and gentleness for as long as I can remember. I truly am who I am because of who you have shown me I could be. Thank you for loving my potential when the rest of the world gave up. Thank you for holding onto hope when none could be seen. I am a product of a mother who never stopped praying. As proud as you say you are of me, I am just as proud of you. Who you are is magnetic. The depths of your soul sing the name of Jesus. I will forever be 'Doodle', 'Trouble', and 'Karahbear'. But most importantly, I will forever be your baby girl.
And to my father. All of the years I have spent dreaming about who you were are some of the best dreams I ever could have. Through your songs, stories, and poems, I can see that even my wildest dreams can not come close to the beauty that is who you are. I am proud to be the daughter of Kit Patrick Park. Thank you for loving me fully for the three years you could. Thank you for fighting everything inside of you to give me a life that you believed I deserved. I can not wait to meet you in Heaven.
1) Jesus
I do not have words. Thank you for calling a hopeless, depressed, and lifeless girl beautiful and planting dreams in her heart and breathing life into her bones. Where You have taken me so far has been breathtaking. I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with You. I love you. I love you. I love you.
