Thanksgiving Day Surprise
Hey there...yeah I realize its been forever since I have updated...but oh well.
I want to first retell the story of my family's thanksgiving day surprise. So, we (my mom, sisters and grandma) are sitting around the dining room table at my grandma's house playing speed uno, when the back door opens and in walks none other than my brother. I almost died of a heart attack. I guess they did all their de-briefing in Afghanistan before heading back to the US. So he got to Fort Bragg Wednesday night between 5 and 6. Drove up to Erie on Thursday and to to my Grandma's house around 5:30-6ish. Then the shocker of all shockers....Adam decided to actually stay at our house for the weekend. He occupied his old room for 2 nights, for the first time in approximately 3 years. If I didn't know that he told my friend Meghan in an e-mail a few weeks ago that he and Maggie were having problems and he was thinking about breaking up with her, I would be completely baffled as to why he was staying at our house. But I'm pretty sure that has something to do with it. He did go out and have coffee with Maggie for a few hours with Maggie earlier this evening and I don't know how that went or anything, but he's still staying here tonight. Maybe they'll have broken up by Christmas....Ok, its probably not nice to say that and want them to break up, but neither one is a good influence on each other, and well...seeing as how most days I'm not particularly fond of either one of them...I do tend to like my brother more simply b/c he's my brother, and I'm stuck with him for the rest of my life, so I might as well like him, right? Ok...I really dont think that made any sense...but oh well. Keep praying for my brother.
So I'd like to join the Thankfulness bandwagon and post what I'm thankful for.
First and foremost, I thank Jesus Christ for loving me so much that he gave his life to save me, even though I'm so undeserving.
I thank God for each of family members, though at times they may get on my nerves, with out them and their continued support I would be lost.
I thank God for my friends. You all mean the world to me. God has truly blessed me with kind, caring, compassionate friends who can turn my frowns into smiles and my tears into laughter.
I thank God for my East Lake Road Alliance Church. For all the opportunities to minister to the youth of the church and to be fed the spiritual "meat and potatoes" that strengthen me and allow me to grow. I'm especially thankful for the little girls who I love so much: Anna, Julia, Madeline and Gracie. I love coming home and getting hugs and kisses from each one!
I thank God for First Baptist. I've found a church where I can feel at home while I'm at college. East Lake Road will always be my home church, but First Baptist is a very close second. God has truly used Pastor Keith and Debi in a special way in my life, and I thank God for them and their children who bring smiles to my face!
I thank God for IV. I had many doubts and fears about being on leadership this year, but God has brought me through it and I've learned so much. I thank God for each person in IV and for what they bring to it. IV is what it is because of each member contributing their gifts from God, and I thank God for bringing such an awesome group together!
I thank God for all the many blessings he has given me. For all of the little things, as well as the big things.
Ok, a few shoutouts and I'll shut up and get some much needed sleep:
Natalie: What can I say...its been a blast being your roommate. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the future (for however long we may be roommates...)
Beth: Though we aren't together 24/7 like we have been in the past, we are still close. God has truly blessed me with your friendship. I don't thank God enough for you and the fun, laughter, and smiles you bring to my life.
Lil Jen: You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know, Jen how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. What more do I need to say?
Ifer: I love ya hun! Its been an awesome semester of small group! I can't wait to see how God continues to use you!
Alexis: My turtle! We need to get working on the adventures of Moose and Turtle. I thank God for you and for all the fun times we've shared. Don't forget to get rejuiced with a Jesus shower as often as possible!
Mandy: My other Givan Small group girl...and favorite RA (even though you're not my RA...) I thank God for you and your ability to always make me laugh! Keep praying about small group next semester!
Maggi: I'm glad I got the chance to introduce you to the book, Magnolia. We need to have another dance session, cuz we got mad skillz! I thank God for your friendship and for the chance to get to know you!
Rachel: Though I don't talk to you as often as I should, I want you to know that I love you and I pray for you! Your friendship has been invaluable to me these last few years, and I thank God for that. I love getting e-cards from you. They always brighten my day! Love you bunches sweetie!
Jen (a.k.a. Squirrel): Again, I definitely don't talk to you as much as I should, but remember that I love you and pray for you. God has blessed me with your friendship, and I thank him that you have been like a big sister to me. I can only hope that your influence will allow me to be like a big sister to someone else!
Crystal: You are my hero! We need to have a bonding night...I feel like I never get to see you, and we definitely haven't spent enought time together. But I want you to know that I love you and pray for you and thank God for your wonderful friendship!
I am truly blessed. God has given me so much. Now I give him all the thanks, praise, honor and glory for it.
Father God, I am amazed at all You have done for me. I love You so much. Jesus, You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I pray that You would take my life and mold it. Make me more and more like You, so that others will not see me, but see You in me. Lord, You are what I desire. Show me how to live my life to give You the maximum amount of glory. Amen
Oh, and for fun, here is the poem I wrote about being thankful at small group on Monday:
God, I thank you for the love you give
And for the 20 years of life I've lived
Jesus thank you for dying on the cross
Without your sacrifice I'd be so lost
Lord, thank you for your grace divine
I'm so glad that I can call you mine
Father, thank you for your discipline
And for keeping me your will within
Jesus, thank you for my small group friends
For the fun times that I hope will never end
God, this Thanksgiving I thank you will all my heart
For all the blessing I shout "How Great Thou Art!"
ok...going to bed now.
I want to first retell the story of my family's thanksgiving day surprise. So, we (my mom, sisters and grandma) are sitting around the dining room table at my grandma's house playing speed uno, when the back door opens and in walks none other than my brother. I almost died of a heart attack. I guess they did all their de-briefing in Afghanistan before heading back to the US. So he got to Fort Bragg Wednesday night between 5 and 6. Drove up to Erie on Thursday and to to my Grandma's house around 5:30-6ish. Then the shocker of all shockers....Adam decided to actually stay at our house for the weekend. He occupied his old room for 2 nights, for the first time in approximately 3 years. If I didn't know that he told my friend Meghan in an e-mail a few weeks ago that he and Maggie were having problems and he was thinking about breaking up with her, I would be completely baffled as to why he was staying at our house. But I'm pretty sure that has something to do with it. He did go out and have coffee with Maggie for a few hours with Maggie earlier this evening and I don't know how that went or anything, but he's still staying here tonight. Maybe they'll have broken up by Christmas....Ok, its probably not nice to say that and want them to break up, but neither one is a good influence on each other, and well...seeing as how most days I'm not particularly fond of either one of them...I do tend to like my brother more simply b/c he's my brother, and I'm stuck with him for the rest of my life, so I might as well like him, right? Ok...I really dont think that made any sense...but oh well. Keep praying for my brother.
So I'd like to join the Thankfulness bandwagon and post what I'm thankful for.
First and foremost, I thank Jesus Christ for loving me so much that he gave his life to save me, even though I'm so undeserving.
I thank God for each of family members, though at times they may get on my nerves, with out them and their continued support I would be lost.
I thank God for my friends. You all mean the world to me. God has truly blessed me with kind, caring, compassionate friends who can turn my frowns into smiles and my tears into laughter.
I thank God for my East Lake Road Alliance Church. For all the opportunities to minister to the youth of the church and to be fed the spiritual "meat and potatoes" that strengthen me and allow me to grow. I'm especially thankful for the little girls who I love so much: Anna, Julia, Madeline and Gracie. I love coming home and getting hugs and kisses from each one!
I thank God for First Baptist. I've found a church where I can feel at home while I'm at college. East Lake Road will always be my home church, but First Baptist is a very close second. God has truly used Pastor Keith and Debi in a special way in my life, and I thank God for them and their children who bring smiles to my face!
I thank God for IV. I had many doubts and fears about being on leadership this year, but God has brought me through it and I've learned so much. I thank God for each person in IV and for what they bring to it. IV is what it is because of each member contributing their gifts from God, and I thank God for bringing such an awesome group together!
I thank God for all the many blessings he has given me. For all of the little things, as well as the big things.
Ok, a few shoutouts and I'll shut up and get some much needed sleep:
Natalie: What can I say...its been a blast being your roommate. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the future (for however long we may be roommates...)
Beth: Though we aren't together 24/7 like we have been in the past, we are still close. God has truly blessed me with your friendship. I don't thank God enough for you and the fun, laughter, and smiles you bring to my life.
Lil Jen: You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know, Jen how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. What more do I need to say?
Ifer: I love ya hun! Its been an awesome semester of small group! I can't wait to see how God continues to use you!
Alexis: My turtle! We need to get working on the adventures of Moose and Turtle. I thank God for you and for all the fun times we've shared. Don't forget to get rejuiced with a Jesus shower as often as possible!
Mandy: My other Givan Small group girl...and favorite RA (even though you're not my RA...) I thank God for you and your ability to always make me laugh! Keep praying about small group next semester!
Maggi: I'm glad I got the chance to introduce you to the book, Magnolia. We need to have another dance session, cuz we got mad skillz! I thank God for your friendship and for the chance to get to know you!
Rachel: Though I don't talk to you as often as I should, I want you to know that I love you and I pray for you! Your friendship has been invaluable to me these last few years, and I thank God for that. I love getting e-cards from you. They always brighten my day! Love you bunches sweetie!
Jen (a.k.a. Squirrel): Again, I definitely don't talk to you as much as I should, but remember that I love you and pray for you. God has blessed me with your friendship, and I thank him that you have been like a big sister to me. I can only hope that your influence will allow me to be like a big sister to someone else!
Crystal: You are my hero! We need to have a bonding night...I feel like I never get to see you, and we definitely haven't spent enought time together. But I want you to know that I love you and pray for you and thank God for your wonderful friendship!
I am truly blessed. God has given me so much. Now I give him all the thanks, praise, honor and glory for it.
Father God, I am amazed at all You have done for me. I love You so much. Jesus, You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I pray that You would take my life and mold it. Make me more and more like You, so that others will not see me, but see You in me. Lord, You are what I desire. Show me how to live my life to give You the maximum amount of glory. Amen
Oh, and for fun, here is the poem I wrote about being thankful at small group on Monday:
God, I thank you for the love you give
And for the 20 years of life I've lived
Jesus thank you for dying on the cross
Without your sacrifice I'd be so lost
Lord, thank you for your grace divine
I'm so glad that I can call you mine
Father, thank you for your discipline
And for keeping me your will within
Jesus, thank you for my small group friends
For the fun times that I hope will never end
God, this Thanksgiving I thank you will all my heart
For all the blessing I shout "How Great Thou Art!"
ok...going to bed now.