Giving of Thanks

Grandma's Couch

Grandma's house is one of the best places to visit. I wouldn't say that she spoiled us, at least not in the stereotypical sort of way. She would, however, let our imaginations run wild and we would play and make messes to our hearts content.

Tonight, some of us cousins and my cousin's child, dog piled on Grandma's couch. We were flipping through cookbooks and the timeless photo albums. I felt cocooned, surrounded by love.

It wasn't the same couch, but it is in the same spot as the old orange and brown one that we would turn upside down in the living room and make a mansion of a tent out of blankets and chairs and brooms, and... so many grand things.

We would take the cushions from the couch and spread them down the hallway. "Don't touch the carpet- that is the water and there are sharks in there!" We would yell this as we jumped from one cushion to the next.

I don't overturn couches and build tent houses or jump on the couch cushions anymore, but tonight as I was in Grandma's living room sitting on the couch, it sure was nice thinking about it.

Fickle

This afternoon, the weather in Oklahoma was a breezy 78 degrees.

Sometime tonight it is supposed to drop to a frigid 28 degrees.

Maybe that is the reason for the tornado watch north of Tulsa, and the thunder rumblings outside?

It is good to be home.

P.T.L.

(Praise The Lord)

Today I had two interviews, and they went well.

I think I have a job. I haven't signed my name anywhere, I don't have anything to prove it, but unless something goes wrong mysteriously, I will be a working nurse soon.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Milestone

Today was milestone in my life.

In the sad day in age of Facebook, where people's thoughts, feelings, and latest news is old news in matter of seconds, I still want to tell you and document this occasion!

For the past year (almost), my sister and I (and joined by Amanda) have been training for a 1/2 marathon. Amanda lives upstairs from me. Every Tuesday and Thursday we would run together. There were days that I would lay in bed and send her texts "So... are we running this morning? It sounds like it is raining." We would drag ourselves out of bed. Some days were torture, other days we thought we reached euphoria, or at least had fun while we ran.

In retrospect it doesn't seem like a big deal. 13.1 miles? If I can do it, then anyone can! And I guess that is why it was a big deal to me, that I am not the runner type, yet I did it. No excuses, guys.

I am not a runner. But I am not supposed to say that anymore because I can run 13.1 miles without walking (Never mind the fact that tonight I could barely put on my pajamas without wincing because of the soreness).

Thank you friends for the support and thank you God for the strength. It has pushed me farther and to new heights in life.

Something New

I learned how to do something new today, and I think it a fine addition to my bad-hair-day-hat.

Please don't be disappointed if you and everyone else receives knitted hats with yarn flowers for Christmas.

Knocking

"Ask, and it will be given to you;

seek, and you will find;

knock, and it will be opened to you"

Matthew 7:7

Ask: This is easy. I do it all the time.

Seek: Maybe this indicates more perseverance?

Knock: _______________.

My question, what do you think knocking means?

Vegan Pumpkin Cranberry Apple Pecan

I want to make this recipe. It is almost too good to be true!

Here

Here I am

waiting, listening, longing

There is silence

Here I am

trying, failing, doing

There is learning

Here I am

talking, walking, living

There is trust

Here I am

praying, thinking, praying

There is faith

Here I am

doubt, impatience, frustration

There is perseverance

Here I am

remembering, planning, living

There is life

Here I am

helping, teaching, healing

There is service

Here I am

waiting, listening, longing

Send Me.

Men, I Salute Thee

Right now there is a plumber in my house.

This morning a man came and fixed the lights in my bathroom and in my pantry closet.

Sometime in between the plumber and light-fixer, a gentleman rescued Kelsey and I from the impending adversity of changing a tire.

Yesterday, an Iraqi refugee re-parked my car in the parking garage.

These men did things that (stereotypical) women do not like doing. I suppose I am somewhat typical.

I salute thee and thank thee for all of thine graciousness. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

(please and thank you.)

Things I Really Like/Thankful For

A good night's sleep

Angelic music

Cilantro

AFM magazine

Bargains

Autumn

Family

Beans

A can-opener

My refugee friends

The internet

My piano

Education

Traveling

Prayer

Gelato

And so much more.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. I will recount all of His wonderful deeds"

-Psalm 9:1

The Third Time Is Not Always The Charm

6:30 a.m. Today I tried to give plasma. Today was not the first day, today was my third day, and I still had no success.

I guess it is the life of the unemployed: selling plasma, volunteering places, going to thrift stores (even those are sometimes expensive!).

The first time I went to "sell" my plasma, (I think they are technically "reimbursing" us for our time) I was told that I would have to wait at least 4 hours. I did not have four hours to give.

I went back the next week. "Do you have your S.S. card with you? And a piece of mail to prove a place of residence?" Umm.. nope.

A few days later: I have my S.S. card. I have a letter (FedLoan....) and the waiting line was short!

After getting my finger pricked and asking a me dozens of questions that are only asked because we live in an incredibly sinful world, she took my temperature. Only to realize that I had a fever. Really?

The phlebotomist and I had a nice chat about me being from Southern. She watched Jeopardy last night and SAU's very own Hans Van Walter. "He looked familiar", she gleefully said, "So I cheered for him".

Andrew + Tree Photos