Thanksgiving Thoughts

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His Name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever. And His faithfulness to all generations."

Psalm 100:4-5

There is so much to be thankful for this year. As I curled up this morning with my cup of hot coffee, I couldn't help but reflect on all that the Lord has done in the past year and particularly, how I was feeling last Thanksgiving.

Last year on this day, I was preparing to move to Oklahoma in just a few days. As much as I love this holiday and spending it with my family, I remember feeling just a bit anxious. I was moving to a new city, new state, new job, new apartment, new car, etc. I remember very clearly thinking "what am I getting myself into?" I remember it being a day of bittersweet feelings: my first Thanksgiving home from China but also knowing that I was once again moving away from everyone I loved.

But just as God always is, He has been faithful each and every step of the way. From guiding me to the perfect apartment to providing me with incredible friends in my new city.

I am unfortunately not able to be home with my family this Thanksgiving, but I am blessed to have friends who are allowing me to take part in their family's Thanksgiving festivities. Speaking of family time, I fly to New York 3 weeks from tomorrow to spend a week and a half with my family!

Whatever you are doing this Thanksgiving, I pray that you take the time to reflect on all that the Lord has done in your life.

For some, this Thanksgiving may be a day of pain and heartache. Maybe it is your first Thanksgiving after losing someone you love or maybe life hasn't turned out quite like you expected it would. I pray that if this is you, that you feel His presence and comfort like never before.

 

Happy Thanksgiving 2015 from Tulsa! Praying that you are filled with God's peace and blessing this Thanksgiving day.



 

{30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 2} What I Wore

Yesterday was a self portrait of myself and today was a "What I wore" prompt for my 30 Day Photography Challenge. Yesterday I told you how much I dislike photographing myself and that has not changed today. Therefore, rather than take another picture of myself, I thought I would just show you what I wore today instead. 

Sometimes I wish I were more stylish and could give you the link for each clothing item and where it was bought. But I will let you in on a little secret. I know, I know, this is what "What Not to Wear" would tell you not to wear but it is my favorite. 

Thrift stores. There, I said it. I buy most of my clothing at a consignment shop. I love them! You never what you will find or what kind of deals you will come out with. You can still look cute and not spend a lot of money. That is my theory anyways. Most of my wardrobe is found there which is what makes this post a little surprising. Only one of these items was bought used!

My shirt is a gray and white striped a.n.a. brand from J.C.Penney's. It cost around $10.

ISO 100  |  SS 1/125  |  f/5.6

My boots are my favorite. My Mom bought them for me for my birthday back in March. I was still in China at that point, but was in need of a new brown pair of boots since my others had the zipper break on them last fall. They are Franco Sarto brand and are originally $180 leather boots. I think my Mom said she bought them form $50 in the spring. What a deal! Thankfully they fit and are so comfortable!

ISO 100  |  SS 1/125  |  f/4.5

This scarf I have had for years. I probably bought it 4 or 5 years ago at J.C.Penny's. I had been wanting an orange scarf for fall and I found it for probably around $10 and it has paid for itself! I wear it all the time in the fall and winter months and just love it!

My white vest is from Old Navy. Also really old! I would love to replace it since it's getting a little grungy after all these years, so maybe once I have a job that will be one of my first purchases. I bough it in the fall of 2008 when I was nannying. So yes....6 years old....

ISO 100  |  SS 1/125  |  f/7.1

And last but definitively not least are my jeans. Yes, they are Calvin Klein, but no, they are not Calvin Klein prices. They were bought at my favorite consignment shop for I think $8. Can't beat that and they are so comfortable! I buy all of my favorite jeans at this consignment shop. I think jeans are much more comfortable if bought used because then they are worn a much softer than brand new ones!

ISO 100  |  SS 1/125  |  f/5

So there you have it. My "What I wore" post. Can I just say how much I am loving fall clothing?

Day 22 of Thankfulness: Seasons

I am thankful for seasons.

I didn't realize how blessed I was to grow up in a climate where I could experience all four seasons until now when I'm in a climate where we don't. I just love the different seasons.

The freshness and excitement of new life in the spring.

 The smell of freshly cut grass, swimming, and being outdoors barefoot on a beautiful summer day.

The vibrant colors and crispness in the air when fall (my favorite season and the one I have missed the most) arrives.

And yes, even the freezing cold weather and snow covered roads in the winter. Now I could live in an area where snow doesn't last quite as long as NY but last year just didn't feel like Christmas with the warm temperatures and lack of snow in southern China.

Yes, I absolutely love the seasons. I have no idea where I am going to end up when I leave China, but I hope it's an area where there are seasons. Nothing quite like the changing of the seasons.

The Final Season

As I have mentioned before, one of the hardest things about living overseas is missing out. Missing out on holidays, parties, and especially in my family, sporting events. I am the 2nd oldest of 7 children, 5 of which are boys. I grew up in a sport loving family! We all were swimmers, and my brothers have all played baseball and most of them have also played football. Me? I was not gifted in the "hand eye coordination" area. Even Kiah is an excellent swimmer and started playing softball this year.

Due to technology, I have been able to keep up with how my siblings are doing. I remember last June when our high school baseball team made it to the state tournament (this would involve Thad and Tage), I woke up at 5 a.m. in order to "listen online" to the game. It was wonderful actually. I remember drinking coffee, eating pancakes, and watching the sun rise as I enjoyed listening to a ball game. Doesn't get much better than that! Swimming is easy to keep up with. Times are times and I know swimming. Baseball? Yeah, I know the game but the stats are hard for me to "visualize it." I am able to look up the games online to see who won and lost but other than that, not much of it makes sense. I miss going to games. I had my fair share of games when I was home this spring though. I LOVED it!

I just realized the other day what I'll be missing this fall. Football. Now, I am not a huge fan of football (shhh, don't tell my brothers that!). Honestly, the game bores me. But I DO love going to a game on a Friday night, sitting under the lights with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, staying warm underneath a blanket, sitting with my Mom and sister, just enjoying being together. I realized that I won't JUST be missing a season, I'll be missing the LAST SEASON of football in our family. Tage is the youngest boy and he will be a senior (!) this fall. And I will miss it.

*Sigh* Just missing home today.