Happy Thanksgiving Break :)

Sorry for my absence in the blog world. I can't tell you how badly I have wanted to have time to sit down and write here so many times, but this semester has proved to be extremely busy. Along with being busy, it seems that I have gotten to be very selfish with my time (not that I haven't always been)... but it's become worse lately. It's hard for me to make myself sit down and do the things that I need to be doing. This especially has been the case with being in the Word... I've always struggled with consistently spending time with Him and can so clearly see the strain that has on our relationship. So that is something I have been trying to improve on... not to rid myself of guilt or because it is a burden but because I know that He will use it for my benefit.



But I am glad to be back, finallyyyy. I feel like things have changed in quite a few ways since my last post.. For one, my sweet Meg and Jack have grown and changed even more. I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival tomorrow for the Thanksgiving holidays, and can't wait to be with them the rest of the week. Seriously, what a treat they are. If only they knew how much joy they bring to our family...

I am also still loving my wonderful roommates -- we recently celebrated the engagement of Lia a couple of weeks ago while we are also not looking forward to her leaving us in December. But on the bright side, she will be going to work at Disney World in January as someone pretty awesome...... Belle! So so excited for her but sad to have her leave. Ak, Louise and I are planning to go visit for Spring Break though so that is definitely something I'm already looking forward to :)

One thing the Lord has really been showing me this semester is my desperate need for gratitude. Not just for the big, obvious things I have right in front of me but also for the smallest things I overlook everyday. I'm currently reading the book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and it has been such an eye-opener for me. She writes about living a life of thanksgiving and how doing just that allowed her to truly see God. I have been so encouraged by it and truly desire this type of change in my heart. Along with this need for a more grateful life, He has also shown me that while I claim to know of His grace firsthand (which I believe I do), I do not always live as though that's the case. I am so thankful for the grace He has granted in forgetting my past and still my everyday sin but so often I get stuck in the past and allow it to hinder my growth and freedom in his acceptance. He has made us free and forgiven for a purpose, and I need to embrace that. His acceptance is all I need after all.

From One Thousand Gifts :

"To learn how to be grateful and happy, whether hands full or hands empty. That is a secret worth spending a life on learning."

"All beauty is only reflection. And whether I am conscious of it or not, any created thing of which I am amazed, it is the glimpse of His face to which I bow down."

"To fully live -- to live full of grace and joy and all that is beauty eternal. It is possible, wildly."


That is all for the night. Hope to have encouraged you in some way :)

aj