Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for finally getting to post this on the right day. The end. 

Just kidding, friends! But actually only kinda. Getting to post this on the right day means that I finally have time for proper reflection after a hectic week it's great to say the least. But moving on. 

Man oh man. This is the last "Thankful Thursday" post until next year and as much as I don't want to be cliche, I just want to write about this topic because I am becoming increasingly more aware of what a wonderful blessing this is in my life. 

This week, I am thankful for my friends and my family. 

It seems a little crazy for me to even try to write a post about this because I KNOW there is no possible way for me to be able to do justice to all these incredible people so I'm really not sure I even want to try. In fact, the more I think about this the more hesitant I am. So change of plans, I'm going to choose a song that sums up how I feel about my friends and family and how I relate it back to these relationships.

I know this song is supposed to be about a romantic relationship, but the general idea of the song is what I really want you all to take away from this. Because in the end, that's what friendships or family ties really are, they are a relationship between two people.

All the friends and family in my life who have brought me up when I was down; all the friends and family who have shared happy stories or sad ones because they know I love to listen; all the friends and family who have loved on me; all my friends and family who supported me and my causes; all my friends and family who have believe in me when I didn't believe in myself... (I honestly could keep on writing, but I don't want you all to have to sit here forever reading this so time to wrap this up.)

At the center of all those relationships with all of these beautiful people is God. So that's why I love this song so much and have chosen it for this post. Because I view each of these people as a blessing and a gift from God, and I know He gave me each and every one of you for a reason, some which I haven't found yet, some reasons that I've just discovered, and some reasons that I've known for years and it just keeps getting reaffirmed, and for that, I am thankful. 

I am thankful that God gave me you.

God Gave Me You
I've been a walking heartache
I've made a mess of me
The person that I've been lately
Ain't who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
And watch as the storm blows through
And I need you

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you
Gave me you

There's more here than what we're seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You'll always be love's great martyr
And I'll be the flattered fool
And I need you
Yeah!

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you

On my own I'm only
Half of what I could be
I can't do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you, gave me you
He gave me you

My current computer background. Doesn't have everyone obviously, but it has got a good portion of some of the greatest people you'll ever get the chance to meet :)

Thankful Thursday

Again, not Thursday. This time it's actually Saturday. Again, forgive me! 

It's a little shocking (and yet actually completely exciting) to think that next time I make this post, it will be Thanksgiving day! I am so incredibly excited to be with my family and share food, laughs, and simply have a grand old time with them. 

But, before that happens, I gotta get through this posting. (And school and all that, but one thing at a time.)

This week, I am thankful for the St. Paul's Community at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I honestly can't put to words what it means to me and how the people I've met through it have impacted my life, but I can without a doubt say they've changed me for the better and I cannot imagine where I would be if it weren't for this wonderful support group on my campus. 

One thing that I'm involved with at St. Paul's is the Hospitality Team. Our main duty as a team is to plan and cook a meal weekly before our Large Group event called Alpha-Omega, although we also have Hospitality Sundays once a month where we hand out little goodies to people after all the masses. 

At this week's dinner we had a "Friendsgiving" and it was wonderful to say the least. From the get go I was incredibly excited and that only grew as we set-up tables, prepared food, and decorated for the night. Once everyone was seated and passing plates, I just couldn't help but smile. I looked around at everyone and my heart wanted to burst from the joy I felt. 

As all my readers likely know, I love food. Not just in an "I love to eat it" way, but I have a large appreciation for it and all the ways it can be used, specifically, how it can be used to serve others and make a difference that way. To serve my peers through food, literally providing them with nourishment, brings me such happiness - Especially when they really enjoy it! This is probably why I love Hospitality Team so much from all my activities through St. Paul's. Every Thursday I get to work with a group of beautiful souls to prepare a meal for 120 of our closest friends and that's just plain awesome. 

For St. Paul's and Hospitality Team, I am thankful. 

Before everyone arrived

And after! Ahhhhhh, so much joy!

Thankful Thursday

I know what you're thinking, "Today's Friday, not Thursday!" 

Well, all I can say is, you're right.

I ended up not having time to post yesterday, but I hope you can all forgive me and that the day difference doesn't bother you all too much. To be honest, it will probably bother me more than it will bother any of you. 

But anyway, on to the thanks! This week I am especially thankful for music. 

Music has been part of my life for quite awhile. I started singing in the choir at church when I was in second grade and sang through my senior year in high school. I started playing viola in fourth grade although I quit that once I started playing saxophone in fifth grade. I played variations of the saxophone throughout middle school until I was asked to play the bassoon and switched over to that which I played through junior year of high school. Oh, and in high school I also played the bass recorder sophomore through senior year for Madrigals at my high school. For all the different experiences each of those musical adventures, I am thankful.

That all being said, what sparked me to write about music this week wasn't anything that was my own doing, but someone else's. I'm talking about Christian artists and their praise and worship music. This week I've found myself listening more and more to "Jesus music" to quote TobyMac (though he prefers the funky variety specifically). I've listened to it when I'm stressed, when I'm happy, when I'm doing homework, when I'm getting ready for the day, just whenever I'd usually listen to secular music, I've been switching it to the nonsecular instead. I can't give you an exact reason why because I myself don't know, but I think it has to do the message each song shares. 

I think what I especially appreciate about praise and worship music is that a majority of these songs can be considered a prayer. As someone who doesn't always have the words to express exactly what it is I'm feeling, I'm thankful for these songs that can fill in the gaps and help express whatever it is I'm feeling in my heart. For all the artist who choose to break the mold and use their talents to praise the ones who blessed them with them, I am thankful.

Psalm 46:11

Psalm 46:11 - Be still and know that I am God. 

One of my friends introduced me to the idea of "Jesus Dates" where you take some time out of every week to just spend some time with the big man Himself, however you feel most connected with Him. For some people it's in a run, for others it's in a chapel, for me, it's alone with a journal and bible usually just in my room. 

Typically during this time I choose a verse that speaks to me and just allow myself to sit with it. Often times I'm inspired or write something down that I believe is important which then will usually develop into one of these blog postings. When I came upon this verse today I was immediately reminded of my date time with Jesus or really the lack thereof that occurred this week. In the hectic week and even more activity filled weekend, I had completely forgotten to pause and take time with Him. And my heart was feeling it. 

Seeing as this verse was the one that reminded me that I was in need of my Jesus Date for this week, I decided to go ahead and use it as my "meditation" piece, if you will.

And what an incredible choice that was. 

Instead of writing this time, I simply sat with Jesus and embraced what this verse says, to "be still". My heart was feeling heavy and I began to unpack the load. I allowed myself to feel each of the emotions from the past week that I had packed up in my heart because I didn't have the time to deal with them then. There were tears, there were smiles, there were moments of silence and pain, but at the end, there was peace. I felt a warmness in my heart and imagined Jesus hugging me, holding me, and telling me He loved me.

Ooohhhffflllaaaa. I don't know if you've ever done that last part, but I highly recommend it. Even now I'm getting goose bumps thinking about it. It's just so comforting and an incredible reminder that the Savior of the ENTIRE WORLD cares for you and will listen to you and your problems. That's right. Little old beautiful wonderfully made and with a heart that Jesus desires to hold, you. 

In today's society we place a lot of value on what it is we're doing, where we're going, and who we're seeing. When we spend time with Jesus we're spending time connecting with and building a relationship with the man who died on a cross for our sins, a relationship that will help lead us to the pearly gates of Heaven, where we'll see Jesus, God the Father, the angels, and so many other wonderful and unimaginable sights. So, why don't we place more value on this?

My challenge to you all this week is to set aside one hour, just ONE hour of the 168 this week, and spend it in reflection with God. If the idea of just sitting and reflecting as I described isn't your style, I would recommend finding the way you feel most connected to God and doing that for an hour with the intentions of seeing Jesus in the activity and allowing Him to speak through that. Also, if the title "Jesus Date" doesn't fit you or isn't manly enough for the guys reading this, come up with something that feels comfortable for you. The title or the method are not important here, what is important is the time spent and the relationship being deepened.

Praying for all of you readers, God Bless!

Thankful Thursday

Seeing as it's the month of Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, and I'm a fan of alliteration, I decided to take time each Thursday to reflect on and share with you all what I'm thankful for because I think too often I get caught up in the negatives in life and believe it important to highlight the positives. My hope is that reading some of the things I'm thankful for can help you find the blessings hidden in your own lives. 

Now, on with the thanks. This week, I'm highlighting why I'm thankful for technology (and those constantly innovating and improving it). 

Stop right now and look around wherever it is you're reading from. How many different technological marvels are in your midst right now? I know there's one for sure (how else would you be reading this?) and don't doubt there are more. For me, right now I am writing this on my laptop, have my phone next to me, my iPod is right next to that, my tablet is in my backpack, and there's a TV right behind me.

While there's a group of people that often criticize the technological world we live in, I embrace it and, as I have already mentioned, am thankful for it. 

Last weekend a dear friend lost someone incredibly close to her. When I found out I was able to share a message with her instantly via text message letting her know I was there for her even though I was across the country. A few days later I was again able to share a message with her about something I experienced which reminded me of her. And for that, I am thankful.

This week I had two exams and so stress level was high and I wanted nothing more than to be with my momma and close friends from home. However, although I wasn't able to physically be present with them, they were still able to support me. Via Facebook my mom has made me laugh and made me cry. She's answered countless text messages and answered my random phone calls when I just needed someone to listen. Also via Facebook I've been messaging back and forth with my best friends since elementary school. I can always count on that ridiculous group message to make me smile like a fool or listen to me vent about the silliest little things. Via text messages I've been able to connect with friends near and far, talking about the most random of subjects or some of the more heavy. Via Snapchat I've been able to catch glimpses of the lives of my friends and see their smiling (or sometimes just plain ridiculous) faces that never fail to make me laugh out loud. Literally. And for that, I am thankful. 

This weekend I am planning a time to video chat with some friends from home, all of us together just like old times. This is something that has brought me great happiness in the past and I am greatly looking forward to it. And for that, I am thankful. 

This is only a snapshot of how this week technology has been a positive thing in my life and something I am thankful for. It doesn't account for the number of times I've been able to look up bible verses, the number of encouraging songs I've been able to listen to when feeling down, my uncle tutoring me for my stats exam from Texas, and SO much more. 

We are in the age of technology and so it's easy to forget that all of these things are not something we're entitled to. They're blessings (that's right, I said it, Snapchat is a blessing). 

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Today was the second time that someone had brought up this bible verse or the themes in it while talking with me recently I took some time to reflect on this verse today. 

These past few weeks for me have been terribly rough. I've been stressed out, crying almost daily, and overall feeling pretty down about myself. What brought this all up you may ask? Although I cannot pin point exactly what it was, I can sum up all of what I believe to been the cause into just one word: college. 

This year classes are more difficult, classmates all seem to be smarter, time has grown scarcer... And yet I don't think that's what is causing this distress I've been feeling. As I look back on the semester thus far, I believe the source is that I've been conforming more to the college lifestyle. No, I'm not out living la vida loca, but I'm allowing myself to become more caught up in negative aspects of it. 

This year, as I meet more fellow food science majors, the competitive person in me is taking over. Now, competition isn't all bad. A lot of people use competition as a motivator and generally make it into a positive thing. However, being the sports fanatic that I am, I approach competition with a win/lose mindset and lately, I've only been seeing myself as the loser. I've allowed jealousy to sneak in and pride to take over, so, in a way, I am the loser, but not in the sense I've been feeling. You see, jealousy and pride are not of God and they bring us farther from Him. By conforming to these worldly emotions, I've grown apart from something much greater than this world - I've grown farther from the one who created it.

Now, realizing these things and working to dismiss those thoughts isn't going to magically make everything better. It isn't going to make my classes easier and it isn't going to make time suddenly appear in the day, but what it can (and hopefully will) change is my attitude about the situation. This is where I believe the second part of this verse comes in. 

Part of the reason I feel so terribly about the situation is because I always think of how everything could effect the future (the worldly future that is). I think about how a bad test grade can lead to a bad class grade which can lead to a terrible GPA which can be the reason I don't get a job in a few years which could lead to me not being successful and... Well, I think you get the idea. However, the second half of this verse says that once I put down all of these worldly things and allow myself to be renewed in Him, I'll be able to see God's will for me. A will that is "good, pleasing, and perfect" not only TO Him, but FOR me as well (even if I don't always see it). 

Wowza. Can you imagine that? Knowing exactly what God wants you to do in this life that will bring you straight to Him in the afterlife? Our life in this world can so often seem like the end-all be-all, but as Christians we've got a whole eternity to worry about on the other side. And, frankly, I think that one's far more important than my competitive side needing to "win" this life by bringing myself and others down. 

So friends, dare to be different. Do not allow the attitudes and expectations of this world to bring you down, instead rise above and allow the fire you have for Christ to constantly be rekindled through faith, hope, charity, and love so that you may come closer to knowing God's greatest desire for you (besides an eternity with Him and all His angels). 

God bless!