oh how i have missed blogging. it is one of those things that once i go so long without writing, i feel pressure to write something really good or at least explain my absence. i’m not going to do either. my older sister louanne and her husband mike have a blog and often, on thursdays, louanne does a post called “thankful thursday.” recently i have been feeling so incredibly thankful. so in an effort to get myself going again, why not start with talking about all the things i am so incredibly thankful for. the list is not exhaustive.

christmas lights.

nadia, her sweetness, and her smile. and that she tells me she loves me.

mike and louanne and their wisdom.

my mom always being there for me and encouraging me that God is sovereign in my life.

joseph holm, his kindness, gentleness, and sweet nature.

utnage’s delicious meals that she always blesses me with.

allie and her laughter.

joy and ben langford and their constant prayers, love, and time spent with me.

the Psalms, they speak to my emotional soul.

aunt patti and her incredible generosity.

chad and him being so much like me and also so loving.

toasted pine nuts. this seems weird, but they are SO good. i put them on all my food.

monday night group and the love and Spirit that emanates from everyone there.

candles that produce smell, they soothe me.

my dad and brooke, constant helps to me.

melissa, her dance moves and how much enjoyment i get from her.

lindsey hadden’s one-of-a-kind personality.

jessica and three years of always getting to share life.

rainer maria rilke’s Book of Hours, Love Poems to God.

my ihome, i am so blessed to be able to listen to music.

an A in history of the middle east, you have no idea.

and most of all, God’s mercy on me.

(photo of nadia courtesy of louanne and photo of me, utnage, and allie courtesy of allie)