Day 2: Support

Day 2: Today's gratitude is dedicated to support. 

So, in true form of this crazy credential program, I have a lot of assignments that are due right now. Because I will probably talk about it a lot, here's a quick "what-you-really-need-to-know" about this monster of a project that we have named PACT. It's basically an intensive project that will supposedly prove my competency as a teacher based on my pages and pages of planning, commentary, discussion and dissection of various teacher things. In other words, a high-stress emphasis on aspects of teaching that are innate to people.... ANYWAY! I'm in a crazy phase of this project.... deadline to submit for feedback is 11:59 tonight.....

So today's gratitude. Today I'm so thankful for the support that I have in my life. There were 3 specific things today that really struck me in an otherwise chaotic day:

1. I got a sincere, heartfelt, supportive phone call from my friend, Amy right at one of those moments today where I was feeling the intensity! Sam, Amy and I meet as often as we can to share life with each other and spend some time reflecting on what God is doing through all the craziness. Getting that phone call from her so kind and calming and brought me out of my self-induced chaos just for a moment, which was so nice. 

2. While I was in one of those chaotic classes this afternoon, my friend Nate walked through the door! It was such an AWESOME surprise because he doesn't even go to Sac State (.....yet.... ;) )Anyway, it was one of those moments when all I needed was a good hug from one of my people. I texted his awesome wife, Kelcie, and she said she was sitting in the parking lot waiting for him! Knowing how close friends are can sometimes be such a comfort of support.  God plants familiar faces just when I need to be reminded of another reality beyond the current and confined one that school sometimes brings on. 

3. I'm also thankful for getting to carpool with people on days like this. Sometimes, campanionship and chatter in a car before and after a whirlwind means the most to people! Thanks girls! 

Day 1: Warm Evenings

Day 1
Today's gratitude is thrown to warm evenings! 

Today, I am thankful for warm evenings. Today was a gorgeous day and I was inside most of the day working on homework, sitting in class, and working on more homework. Yes, productivity is a good thing, but still beautiful weather is also a good thing! I was so very pleasantly surprised to walk outside on my way to church at 6:45, yes 6:45 at night and have it still feel decent and lovely! It brought me right back to this past summer where my nights were filled with card games with friends, bike rides across town, chocolate milk, and well....... if I keep going I'll have about 7 days of things to be thankful for, so I'll stop there! Anyway. I'm thankful for warm nights that bring joy and comfort. It's the small things right now, and tonight the crisp air was quite a nice, and unexpected, gift!

40 Days of Gratitude

Well, it's been quite some time since I've sat down to write a blog post. And lucky you.... I'm going to embark on a 40 day spree of writing! Today is Ash Wednesday which marks the first day of Lent. Lent is marked by 40 days of fasting of some sort. Some people choose to add something to their life instead. I have to admit that I had a hard time thinking of something to fast from or add to my life this year. Partially because I feel like it is way to soon for it to already be Lent which means Easter isn't too far off which just seems crazy to me! 2012 is blowing me by! The other reason I have had a hard time is because I wanted to take on a significant challenge during these 40 days.

I was inspired by my good friend David, who has given up Facebook and Social Media for the past few years for Lent. This year he is taking a creative twist on it and choosing to be more intentional about blogging. I have to admit (as this is a day of confessing....) that I thought his idea was brilliant and I'm going to copy it... to some degree!

Over these next 40 days (technically it is 46 because Sunday 'doesn't count') I'm going to be intentional about giving gratitude for at least ONE person, place or thing. My hope is that by doing this, it will not only just help me recognize all the blessings in my life, big and small, but that it will also help you realize how lucky you are and that blessings come in all shapes and forms. ALSO: You have my permission to keep me accountable and on track. And without further ado.....