Thank You

I think it is fitting that my 100th post (Really? 100 posts? That is RIDICULOUS!) should fall on Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for - seriously, so so much. Far too much to list here, but I'm still going to list a few:

- I am with my family! I love my parents and my brothers so much. I can't even explain what it is to be home. I'm not super talkative or anything right now, I'm just drinking in the feeling of being home. I've walked in my mama's shadow all night, just wanting to be next to her, able to hug her or laugh with her. And my brothers are still the same goobers as always. I love them. And Daddy - sitting on the porch with him, just laying my head on his shoulder. It is so good to be HOME. AND Aunt Madeline, Uncle Ron, and my cousin Michael are here too, and my Uncle David will be joining us tomorrow! More to be thankful for.
- I got to see Liz for the first time since May! It was so good to see her face and actually be able to hug her! I am so thankful for our friendship, how it was withstood her moving senior year, both of us going to different colleges, spending these last almost 7 months without seeing each other once. Liz is such a giver, she pours so much into me and encourages me and reminds me that it is OK to be silly and to be myself. I love you and thank God for you every time I think of you, Liz!
- I have an amazing roommate. I love Karen so much. She encourages me, calls me out, listens to me without judging, laughs at my stupid jokes, puts up with a lot (more than can be mentioned, haha), and is one of the most amazing people I know. She always has time to listen, even when she has 15 tests the next day. And nothing is ever too petty for her time. I admire Karen so much.
- I have amazing friends! Katie, Olivia, Chelsea, Leila (yes, Leils, I know we haven't talked in forever; I'm working on that), Hilary, Laura, my Tri Delt pledge class, the upperclassmen I know who consider me their friend...They are amazing and Furman would not be so great without them. And my RA/prayer group friends. Julie, Stephen, James, Mary Grace, Robbie, Cole...I always look forward to spending time with them! So encouraging, so fun, so hilarious. I am so thankful for y'all.
- My Birmingham family/friends/MBCC. I don't see y'all as much as I used to, but I would not be who I am without them. They have shaped me, taught me, raised me, and poured into me in ways that stun me. Sometimes I sit back in awe, amazed at this amazing group of people God has placed in my life.
- My extended family. I miss them, I wish I got to see themmore, but they are always in my heart.
- My Hungarian friends! I miss them like nobody's business. Seriously. It makes my heart ache sometimes, but I am so thankful for them and I pray for them constantly. I can't wait to see them again!
- My country and freedoms. May I never forget the freedom and liberty I have, and may I never take it for granted. I am so thankful for the people who make it possible for me to have this life in this incredible country.
- I have always had a bed to sleep on, clothes to wear, food to eat. Thank You, Lord, that I have never known hunger or thirst or cold or heat. That is a blessing not everyone has, one that I take for granted and feel entitled to.
- Most importantly of all, my freedom in Christ. Jesus did not have to sacrifice it all to save me, but He did it anyways. My only value is in Him; without Him, I am literally nothing. Lord, I am so thankful for You, for Your love and grace and mercy. Thank You for what You have been teaching me this semester. I am so thankful for Your discipline, for Your conviction, and for Your truth.

The list is truly unending. I am blessed, with so much to be thankful for. I hope that I learn to live in thankfulness every day, not just today.