What would I have?

This simple little phrase has left me thinking all week long.  All too often when things don't go exactly as I would like, I become discouraged.  When hard times come into my life, I get frustrated.  How quickly I forget about all the wonderful things God has done for me.  

As I read this small phrase, I began to think back over the past several weeks of my life.  If I woke up today with the things I thanked God for yesterday..what would I have?  Or perhaps the real question should be..."Would I have anything?"

In the year 2012 I am going to make a new habit for myself.  Even before I open my Bible for my morning devotions and before I bow my head to pray; I will simply stop and think.  Think back to all that God has done for me, for my family, for my church.  Then, I will silently thank God.  For at any moment, it could all be taken away from me.  

Next time I am tempted to get down and discouraged..I will simply stop, think, and thank God.

I have truly been blessed beyond measure.  I have an incredible family.  I have two parents who love each other dearly, and put God first in all they do.  My sisters..are my best friends, lucky me!  I have friends who stick with me through thick and thin. I have the privilege of attending the best church in  the entire world led by a true man of God.  I've been blessed with a job that works with my crazy school schedule.  A job in which, I have the opportunity to touch little people's lives.  I live in the greatest country in the world, a country where as of now I still have the freedom to worship as I please.  I could go on and on.  God is so good!

If I wake up tomorrow with only the things I thanked God for today I hope and pray that nothing would change.  

You see I truly believe God wants to give me so much.  After all, He loves me more then I can possibly imagine.  However, if God gives to me and I am ungrateful...why would He give me more?

So, Thank you, God! Thank you so much for Life!

Christmas Celebration in Photographs

Because Christmas landed on a Sunday this year, our celebration was a little different than most years.  

We started off the day by all traveling in our separate directions.  We each hopped on our buses to go pick up children for our Christmas morning service.  

Our Christmas Service was absolutely wonderful.  The children did a short Christmas program in which they portrayed the true meaning of Christmas. How easy it is to get caught up in the hustle and bustle the holidays bring, however Christmas is all about the Christ Child who was born to die for you and me. 

After the Christmas service we headed back home again.  We all helped finishing up the last minute preparations before our dinner.

A confession: This cheese ball is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season.  It is divine!

Some others get a little too excited about the deviled eggs!

Homemade candies, a holiday tradition.

While the ham was in the oven we enjoyed messing around getting a few pictures in front of the Christmas tree.

Anticipation is building...

This Christmas was absolutely wonderful in every way!

Merry Christmas to you!

Seven down one to go

Last week I officially completed my student teaching.  I was filled with mixed emotions as I stood before my students for the last time.  

I can not believe I have successfully completed seven semesters of college now, and only have one more semester to go.  

I am excited as to what the future holds; as for God His way is perfect!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Beginning with Thanksgiving, we entered into what I like to call the most wonderful time of the year.

I love everything about the Christmas season.  I love the hustle and bustle the holiday season brings.  I love the smiles on every one's faces. I love the winter chill in the air.  I love boots, scarfs, and puffy vests.  The Christmas season also brings many holiday traditions.  One of which include the infamous Christmas Lights Activity.

This activity begins with all college students loading up on several buses and taking a trip to Chicago. From there, we simply split up and go and do as we desire.  This year was my final Christmas Lights Activity so I decided to make it my best.  

We began the evening by going to Ed Debevics. If you have never eaten at this "interesting" place..it is most definitely a must try.  Yes, the food is good....but the service is the best.  All I can say is a table of nine girls made for a lot of fun! 

Our waiter, whose entire purpose and job was to aggravate, provoke, and annoy each and everyone of us, definitely succeeded and was tipped well. 

After dinner, we walked around window shopping in the Windy City.

 We made our last stop at Starbucks.  After all, a trip to Chicago would never be complete without a stop at one of the hundreds of Starbucks in Chicago.  Honestly, I am not a huge coffee fan.  However, a vanilla bean frappuccino...that's a different story.

This Christmas Lights Activity was definitely an activity to remember, one of the best yet!

Busy Busy Busy

This semester seemes to be flying quickly by. So quickly in fact that I have hardly had time to blog much at all. So, I thought I would do a quick update of few things that have been going on in my life the past couple months.  

 First of all in September, I began student teaching.  I absolutely love it! Something about finally being able to stand behind the podium and tell people what to do. :) I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching my 7th and 8th grade American Republic class and my 12th grade Speech class.  I will be sad to leave them in just a few short weeks. 

College life in general has kept me on my toes as well. In October the college had an activity in which we went on a hayride. It was alot of fun to simply be with my college buddies:

 One of my biggest highlights of the past month, was my trip to Michigan.  This was a trip my girlfriends I have been wanting to take for some time.  And finally we were able to make the trip out to visit our friend, Susan.  We had so much fun catching up with each other.  We have all been friends since the times we were babies, we have so much in common, and it was a blessing and joy to all talk about where our lives were all taking us.

We had such a good time together!

Now, i promise to write before 2012. :)