THIRTY days
So there really are a TON of reasons that I am thankful for my last eight months at home. It’s been extremely difficult, frustrating, and downright miserable at times… but all in all, I’m appreciative for this time and for all the ways God has used it to bless me, not to harm me (love how He works that way!). So here is my Top 10 of the past eight months…
1.Driving . I missed driving a lot last year .I missed the one place that I can always go to be alone and think. I missed blasting the music and singing along as the people in other cars get a good laugh in. And these past eight months I’ve more than made up for my lost time in driving. I drove across country. Drove for my job. Drove to Texas. Drove enough to get a speeding ticket. Drove to the beach. Drove to the mountains. Drove enough to be ready to take a break again! But I am thankful for having a car and for all the miles spent driving!
2. Pets. They say that dogs are a man’s best friend. And after spending a year without pets versus the most recent 8 months with two dogs, I can honestly say that I have two friends with me every day! They follow me around the house and communicate through their puppy eyes and wagging tails. It’s been good to have them around. I will miss them both when I leave.
3.Time with Friends. Coming home always looks different than you might expect. Relationships have changed, some friends just aren’t quite there anymore, and other friendships have become more important and stronger. It’s the nature of growing up and lives changing. Regardless of all that has happened, I’m thankful for my friendships and the time I’ve spent with them these past 8 months. I’m especially grateful for Monday dinners with Alana and Tuesday coffee dates with Colleen!
4. OBCC. Olive Branch Community Church. It’s no accident that God led me here. This church has truly become my home in the past 3 months I’ve spent there. For the first time in my life I actually know the Pastor and he knows me. I’m part of a small group with amazing people that I love! I have a home church family that fully supports me as I go back overseas and is prepared to journey with me. This is priceless!
5. Family. Since returning to America, I’ve lived back at home with my parents. Yes, it is kind of hard to move back home as a 23 year old (especially after a year of traveling overseas). But it was also good. Having the support of your family is so significant, and often something I take for granted. It’s been great to be back at home spending a lot of time with my parents and having their full support and willingness to help me in anyway they can as I prepare to head back overseas.
6. Food. Panera. Chipotle. Lou Malnati’s. Subway. Cereal for breakfast. 2 cups of coffee a day. Ice. Home baked bread. Pick up stix. Need I say more?
7. My Bed. There are a lot of comforts that I’ve picked back up pretty easily since being home, almost forgetting that I ever had gone without. But when it comes to my bed, I thank God every night! Without fail, every single night that I crawl into my warm blankets, snuggling up to get warm, I can’t help but remember all the hot, hard, uncomfortable, close-together, dirty, bug-filled beds I’ve slept in. And I am SO thankful for my bed these past 8 months!
8. A Glimpse Into Two Futures. Now I want to point out that I don’t intend for this to sound unkind. It’s not to be taken personally. If it sounds bad, I’m sorry…. But being at home has allowed me to see what I’m not missing. I’ve been at home for 8 months, and I’ve been here long enough to know that I would not be happy if I stayed here. I am more prepared to move to Manila knowing that and experiencing it. So I’m thankful for that insight.
9. World Race Weddings. In November I was able to see Haley and Kyle get married in Dallas, and at the end of this month I get to go to Chicago and see Danny and Colleen take the plunge! I am so thankful to have been there and for the World Race reunions that accompany the weddings. I miss my WR family!
10. The Little Things. I’m thankful for all the small things that many days have gone without notice, and even now, are hard to remember. The things that when you go overseas you think about missing and wonder why you never thought of them as significant in the first place…. friends being either a short drive or phone call away, fast speed internet, my own bedroom, target runs, a bathroom to get ready in, comfy couches, and so much more.
So with my remaining 30 days, I plan on appreciating and enjoying my top ten as often as I can. I am thankful for these blessings these past eight months, and I look forward to seeing and welcoming the undeniably different, yet considerable blessings that await me in Manila.
