#TheGalatiansProject

This year marks a milestone for me: I'm officially a quarter-of-a-century years old. Now while to some of you this is probably no big deal, this has been a daunting birthday for me. It has loomed in the not-so-distant future but now I am here. Laugh as you will but it was always a scary number to me. Maybe it's because as a kid twenty-five seemed soooo 'old' and adultish, or maybe because as it got closer to the date, the more I realize that the life my twelve-year-old self imagined and the life I'm living are drastically different. 

However different doesn't necessarily mean bad. At twenty-five I work a job I love that allows me to jet-set on a monthly basis, have been blessed to travel the world for fun,  in the middle of my Masters degree, and pursuing the Lords call to go into the mission field. As I prepare my heart for missions I just felt like God wanted me to take the focus on "me" and focus on serving others. 
Galatians 5:13 "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love".
So for the next month my focus is on others: serving others, loving others, and being a kind heart and shining light to show others that it's not about me or you- it's about love. Welcome to #TheGalatiansProject

The 24 Days of Blessings

December is one of my favorite months. Not because of Hallmark Channel playing non-stop Christmas movies or the piles of holiday sweets that end up at your desk at work or even the lights; I love this time of year because it renews my spirit with faith and hope. I see so much hurt, pain and struggles in the world and it makes me want to extend my arms and help every single cause. Children, single moms, underprivileged families, abandoned animals, children in 3rd world countries, the lonely neighbor down the street... there are so many worthy groups and this is the time of year where humanity pulls together to help those less fortunate. 

Christmas is the season to count the blessings you do have, because as is evident in our world, everybody is not as fortunate as the next. In the 24-days leading to Christmas, I realized that I had so many blessings in my life that I don't thank God for every day and this is the time of year to stop. reflect. and give thanks.

The 24 Days of Blessings 

24. Clean, running water

23. A closest chalk full of "I have nothing to wear" clothes

22. A real bed 

21. Too many shoes to keep track of

20. Never having said "I'm starving" and meant it

19. A job that I actually don't loath

18. A warm coat for those chilly North Carolina days

17. Ladybug, my reliable (although she's getting up there in years) car

16. Being able to physically & financially afford to travel 

15. The gift of sight & sound

14. A Christmas meal that will leave you begging for Spandex

13. Witness true-love

12. Never having a Christmas without a gift under the tree

11. The blessing of knowing how to Sign, a language that is seldom learned but I find the most rewarding

10. Attending University, a right denied to many women around the world

9. The ability to read & write- still foreign to so many

8. The knowledge that God's plan for me is bigger than what I could have ever imagined

7. The military who make it possible for me to go to work in pants, pray, express my beliefs, and not worry about being attacked because of it

6. Parents who would lay down their lives for mine

5. Brothers who will stand up for me, even when I wasn't the nicest big sis

4. A handful of best friends who don't mind silly snapchats & texts

3. The wonderful unconditional love of my dog Abby

2. A family who loves one another

1. The biggest blessing of all: Jesus's birth

Merry Christmas to All

A Thankful Heart

15 Things I'm Thankful For 

15. Hallmark Movie Channel

There's nothing like wasting an entire Saturday glued on the couch watching happy (yes, predictable) Hallmark Movies. Oh and don't even get me started about Christmas Hallmark movies; haven't met one yet I didn't like!

14. Gluten-Free Flour

If it wasn't for GF Flour I may cry. From baking every weekend to not even being able to enjoy a cookie without feeling sick, GF Flour has been a Godsend!

13. AC & Heat

I used to want to live in the 1800's, but then I realized I wouldn't have AC or Heat and just think about how horrific that would be. No AC in North Carolina summers or Heat in Minnesota winters; yup I would've died.

12. Nike Workout Shorts

Come on, you know you live in yours on the weekend, after work, working out, after working out...

11. Jello 

Youbetcha. A nice jello salad is the best way to start a holiday season! It's happy and squishy and colorful; who doesn't love Jello?!

10. Starbucks Holiday Drinks 

Gingerbread latte. Eggnog latte. Tall nonfat white peppermint mocha with light whip. Bring it on. Got my Holiday Star Dash going on and I'm going to win.

9. Chick-fil-A

It's a staple in our household at least once a week during baseball season. The smell of waffle fries is enough to make you drool. Oh, and am I the only one who craves them on a Sunday?!

8. Books  

My bookshelves are overflowing with books and yet I always seem to buy more. I can't resist the smell of a fresh new book. Oh, and Yes, I do judge a book by its cover.

#Bookwormproblems

7. Joy of Writing

Writing is a release and such a joy. I'm so thankful that I get to sneak away and write whenever I can. I can express myself, share ideas, and it's amazing that other people like what I say and are inspired by it. So amazing.

6. The Ocean 

The smell of salt in the air. The foam of the waves. The presence of the Lord is so obvious that it's sometimes overwhelming. I'm so incredibly thankful I got the opportunity to live by the water for several years. 

5. The Gift of Travel

The thought that a year ago I was living in England is so humbling. If it weren't for the pushing of my family, I wouldn't have been able to do it. Now, one year later, I've been traveling for pleasure and for work, and have three trips in the works. How incredibly wonderful!

4. My Job 

This year, one of the biggest things I've been thankful for is God providing me with a wonderful first job that is not something I would've dreamed I would be doing. I've been able to travel, fly, and work with some wonderful people. Considering how many people haven't found that first job or are out of work, I'm thankful that I was blessed with this gift.

3.  Faithful Friends

This past year it's really been highlighted who are friends for a lifetime and friends just for a season. I'm thankful that friends have stuck by my side and encouraged me to grow personally and spiritually. Thanks for being a listening ear and a cheerful smile. 

2. Unconditional Love of Family 

To my family to always think better of me than myself; who push me to my limits because they know I can handle it. Who always try to thing in perspective and always make me laugh. We only have one another in this world, and I'm so glad we've grown our little family into a tight family unit. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful family.

1. God's Plan

His plan for my life is bigger than my own and for that I am thankful, because if it was up to me to plan my life, it'd be a complete mess and I would never reach my full potential. You experience life when you're pushed out of your comfort zone, and God knows that I am greater than this. It's humbling to know that and I am thankful for his unconditional love even when I majorly screw up. It amazes me that even when I venture off the path and fall down a hill, he can bring me past a river and up a mountain to get back on the path, and most of the time it's greater than you expected.

So for these things, I am thankful on this holiday weekend and I encourage everyone to count your blessings this holiday season because there is so much to be grateful for- from the little things to the big things, we are more blessed than w realize.