It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 22)

Today (November 22), I am thankful for the life I have been blessed with.

I wish I had the words that could adequately describe to you how blessed I feel. Today is a day we set aside for our family, food, and time to just reflect on all that we are thankful for. That in itself is a blessing. 

A few things I am feeling especially thankful for today...

My family (those related by blood and those related by heart) that I like to call home

My dad who gives the best hugs and most heartfelt 'I love you's'

My little sister who is becoming a dear friend

My brother who I miss, but am incredibly proud of

His sweet girlfriend who we all love

Three best friends that witness my tears, my laughter, my anger and still love me

Two jobs that help pay the bills, but even more, that I enjoy working at

A school where I can grow and learn not only academically, but personally, relationally, and spiritually

The delicious food my family spent the day making (and the time spent together making it)

A God who has my heart, who will never leave me nor forsake me, who loves me for everything I was, am, and will be, and who I can find refuge and peace in when this blessing-of-a-life becomes hard to handle

I could go on for days.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is full of love and thanksgiving!

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 21)

Today (November 21), I am thankful for home.

This break, being able to spend a couple of days at home, has been such a blessing and so needed. It's been great getting to catch up with friends from high school, have lunch with my aunt, curl up next to my dog, have life chats with my dad, and bake pies with my sister. I forget sometimes how much I enjoy visits home.
Feeling incredibly blessed today.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 20)

Today (November 20), I am thankful for long drives.

Driving home today was just what I needed; a little extra time to just clear and organize my thoughts. 

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 19)

Today (November 19), I am thankful for running.

It's a gorgeous day out today AND I had a few extra hours so of course I went for a nice, long run. I have missed running outside. I even used this run as an excuse to explore a bit! I ended up going on a route that I haven't gone on before which led me through downtown, where I had to stop in a couple of shops(: It has been a good day!

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 18)

Today (November 18), I am thankful for baking.

I baked some red velvet cupcakes (my favorite) last night. They were delicious! 

I can't really explain why I love baking so much. There is something about it that just relaxes me. 

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 17)

Today (November 17), I am thankful for being involved.

Today was Rochester's Theatre Fest, which is where a bunch of high school students come to learn more about theatre and the like through various workshops. I'm so proud to be apart of the Rochester Theatre Program, it's full of some pretty fantastic people!

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 16)

Today (November 16), I am thankful for good times with good friends.

I enjoyed a really fun evening getting to say 'see you later' to one of my friends, Anthony as he makes his way to Thailand to be awesome!

Mr. Turtle, youtube cats, slow motion everything, and lots of laughter, need I say more?

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 15)

Today (November 15), I am thankful for a night of nothing.

I got to do nothing tonight. I haven't gotten time to do that in so long. Too long. I have greatly enjoyed being able to spend time on random adventures, snuggling up in my pajamas, and watching TV tonight. I do not take nights of nothing for granted. They're the best.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 14)

Today (November 14), I am thankful for finishing 8-page research papers in 2 hours.

I am exhausted, but I'm done! I planned to organize my time better today, but things got in the way. So there I was, beginning my 8-page research paper due by midnight, at 10. It's okay though, it's done! I am still sane, I am still alive! 

I'm going to bed.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 13)

Today (November 13), I am thankful for shortened classes.

Tonight was my four-hour Psychology class. It's not a bad class, by any means. But, it's extremely difficult to sit through a class for four stinkin' hours! I don't have that kind of attention span! 

However, tonight, our class only lasted two hours. AND she brought us snacks.

*Insert happy tears*

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 12)

Today (November 12), I am thankful for pumpkins and friends!

What better way to celebrate Fall than take advantage of the wonderful gourd-like squash, otherwise known as the pumpkin? (Yes, I turned to Wikipedia to see if a pumpkin was a gourd or a squash and apparently it's both! Although in Australian English, 'pumpkin' generally refers to a winter squash) 

Now that I've educated you all on pumpkins, back to being thankful...

I had the pleasure of making some delicious pumpkin seeds with some pretty fantastic guys tonight! It was a blast goofing off with them, they always make life fun!

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 11)

Today (November 11), I am thankful for hallways.

I'm really struggling with being in the hallway right now. It's scary and it's hard and I'm terrified. I'm afraid of what door will open and where it leads. But I do know that whatever lies behind the doors in front of me, it's going to be okay. God's got some kind of plan in the works. I just need to be patient and praise Him while I'm in this hallway.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 10)

Today (November 10), I am thankful for cute elephant-bird-babies.

Go see Seussical and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. So stinkin' cute.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 9)

Today (November 9), I am thankful for accidentally oversleeping.

Yes, I slept through my 8am and chorus today. 

At first I felt guilty for oversleeping, but then I realized that I couldn't help it (I didn't have my alarm to wake me up) so I was just going to accept it. I felt so rested, especially after a stressful and long day yesterday. Oversleeping was glorious. I wish I could do it everyday. 

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 8)

Today (November 8), I am thankful for pumpkin pancakes and my dear friend Liz.

This morning, my lovely friend, Liz, took me out to breakfast to celebrate my Queen-ness (and to also keep our annual pumpkin pancake tradition alive). It was a wonderful breakfast, both the food and the company. 

I am very grateful for such a good friend. 

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 7)

Today (November 7), I am thankful for Suessical.

I really love this show.

I haven't even been able to watch the whole thing due to being backstage, but it's such a great show. Throughout the show I catch things here and there and I have to practice self-control to keep my laughter on the inside because laughing loudly backstage is frowned upon. 

But even more so, I love getting the chance to spend hours every night with some pretty fantastic friends. One of my favorite things about theatre is the community it builds. Especially here at Rochester, each show has so many inside jokes, crazy moments, and more laughter than my bladder can handle. 

I am incredibly blessed and so grateful for the chance to be apart of this show and the Rochester College Theatre Department in general, it's pretty great!

Go see Suissical!

Click here for the scoop!

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 6)

Today (November 6), I am thankful for warmth.

You know that feeling of just being cold? Like you are cold to the bone?

One of my favorite things is going from that to getting cozy in bed or snuggling on the couch under a nice blanket and finally feeling that warmth take over.

It's so good.

I also really love going to bed with fresh, out-of-the-dryer blankets. That's the best.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 5)

Today (November 5), I am thankful for my fears.

You probably think I'm crazy and I can't exactly argue that. However, I really am thankful for my fears. As much as they really suck most of the time, I wouldn't be who I am without them.

Most of the time, especially when I'm in the thick of dealing with my fears, I hate them. They make me miserable. They make me over think and doubt everything. But they also challenge me. I'm challenged to see through their ugliness and find peace in truth.
And let me tell you, that peace-that's a wonderful place.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.
Psalm 56:3

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 4)

Today (November 4) I am thankful for sleep. 

The past few weeks have been so busy, there has barely been time to sleep. But last night, I slept. It was marvelous. I went to bed kind of late, but not only did we get an extra hour (thanks to daylight saving), I slept in until 11:30!

So wonderful(:

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 3)

Today (November 3) I am thankful for His peaceful presence.

Don't be afraid-I'm right here.

Don't get discouraged-I am your God.

I will be your strength.

I will be your help.

I will hold you up with My righteous right hand.

-Isaiah 41:10

When my heart is feeling overwhelmed and uneasy, I find so much comfort in reading this.

I am incredibly thankful for that.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 2)

Today (November 2), I am thankful for restful days.

I love Fridays. I love being able to relax, do laundry, and not have any plans. Today was just a nice day. I had class in the morning, then had the entire afternoon to just be. Granted, I had to work tonight, but I enjoy my job (and I was surprised with Starbucks halfway through my shift. What could be better? I can't think of many things). It has been a good, restful day. So blessed by these kind of days, even if they are far and few between.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 1)

Heyguesswhat! 

It's November! Which of course means that Thanksgiving is headed our way! I was perusing Facebook today and one of my friends posted a status about her goal to post something she is thankful for everyday in November. Well, I thought that was a brilliant idea, so I am going to do just that.

Today (November 1), I am thankful for opportunity. I am happy to say that come January, I will be interning at South Oakland Shelter! The news couldn't have come soon enough! It's been a bittersweet semester so far. Being at Rochester College is always amazing, surrounded by irreplaceable people. It has also been a scary semester, knowing that my time at Rochester is coming to an end in April.
That means real life.
That means a lot of unknown.
Hearing the news about the internship put a little peace in all of the answers I don't have. I'm so excited to see what this internship has in store. It's going to be good.

God is good.

bestillandsmile