a happy birthday indeed

25 things i am grateful for today (in no particular order)

• i have parents that love Jesus, love me, and love each other
• i have 2 brothers that bring joy to my life in their unique ways, who encourage me, and are pursuing God's heart for their lives
• the means to get an amazing education, all (so far) without debt! = generous family + God's provision
• being able to live at home so i can save money as i go to school
• a car in great condition and economical
• a job that takes me out of my boxes and bubbles, gives me a means to give back and where i am learning sooo much
• in general, the constant provision of the Lord through my family and friends to meet my needs above and beyond
• beautiful sunny 75 degree days to drink in and breathe out
• more opportunities than i could ask for to travel overseas, to take Jesus to others, and to learn so so so much about the Lord's heart for the world through people--thailand, nepal, china, india, the philippines, kenya, democratic republic of congo, mexico...and the places still to come
• with that, the love he has put in me for other cultures, for adventure
• friends to sit, love laugh, cry, listen, talk, relax, be challenged, share with...close by and far away...friends that i can be me, can breathe a sigh of relief with
• the expression of beauty and creativity through art--painting, photography, stained class, ceramics...the way this can nurture and drain in a good way at the same time
• fun music--the stuff that makes you move :)
• a church that i love! i have been so blessed esp lately (when i can go) by the worship, the word, prayer times, testimony, by cell group, just a place where i always come away feeling filled
• coffee, ice cream, hummus, sushi, mmmm i could go on---really maybe i should just be grateful for taste buds :)
• finding good deals when shopping. bargains are the best!
• the beach, the mountains, a great big tree, an endless starry sky, sunsets--you get the picture
• dogs. they bring my heart joy. it is true.
• moments of stillness, of silence, of reflection, of space
• the way the Lord has preserved me, my heart as i wait on him
• the ability to remember...memories of joyful funny happy things and the memories that make me grow too
• inside jokes. laughter!
• just that i have made it to 25 and i can say i am doing something with my life by the grace and mercy of God--he has just given me so so much and enabled me to grow and utilize at least some of what he has given
• people that have invested and poured into me along the way; teachers, mentors, pastors, bosses, peers, whether once or daily do things that make me who i am
• a relationship with the God who listens, who saves, who makes me whole, who has a plan, who knows me completely, who cares about the little things but sees the big picture, who picks me up, who casts out fear with love, who created me to be who i am 25 years ago and is not done yet. what an amazing God that i serve. all of what i have, what i am grateful for is because of Jesus--what he has given or made possible.

thank you Lord for 25 years. only 75 more to go. ha!