My life has been hectic here around the holidays but sometimes I just have to make myself stop and think about my life and the people in it. It's so cliche to hear people say, around the holidays the most, that they are thankful for family, friends and Christ most all, but a New Year's Resolution of mine is to intentionally be thankful for certain things daily. I have been so blessed in my life to be able to experience so many things, go places I never thought I would go and do things that I don't feel worthy to have been involved. This holiday season though I've had a a different outlook on thankfulness. Americans, including myself, are so spoiled with clean water, air, clothes, shoes, cars, abundant amounts of food so much that we forget that it's a blessing to have the things we do. We expect its just something that will always be there and we just assume most of the time that the other people of the world live the exact same way. Sadly, to say it's not like that. In Atlanta, just a few hours away there are more than 20,000 homeless people on any given day with children being almost 40% of the total. It slips my mind most days that there isn't only extreme poverty in other countries but just down the road from us all. I'm not making this post to make everyone sad and guilty that we aren't doing anything to help these problems, but I'm making it to show us just how much the Lord has blessed us all. I am so thankful for my family and that I was raised in a Christian home with a dad and mom that love the Lord and has shown me how to make Him the basis of a relationship. I've gotten to go and experience so many things that most people my age never get to experience and I'm so thankful that they have supplied the resources and love and prayer that I've needed along the way. I've also been blessed with a best friend, my brother. He is one of the coolest people I know. His outlook on life has taught me so much in the last few years. Along with him, I'm about to be blessed with something I've ALWAYS wanted, a sister. Never did I ever think that I would have to wait this long for one, but I'm just happy that in June I will finally have one. Kelsey, I'm so excited to have you in our family and to finally have you as a sister. I couldn't ask for a better one and I look forward to the relationship and friendship that will grow in the years to come. And lastly, I'm thankful for my heavenly Father. I'm thankful that I live in a country (as of now, ha) where I'm free to worship God however I please. He has blessed me with His fellowship everyday and I am so blessed to get to experience Him as I go about life each day. If your reading this, I just want you to sit back and think about how blessed you are. You have food to eat, clothes to wear, a place to live and people all around you that love you. I love you all dearly and I'm praying that in this new year you will have a new outlook on life and thankfulness and that you experience HIm and His love. happy new year.
me overlooking the pacific ocean after the 116 mile bike ride
where we camped the 2nd night on Mt. Shasta
God's creation. both simple & complex
212 year old tree in Su-ao Yilan, Taiwan
I climbed this . . . Mt. Shasta 14,564 ft
This summer, I got to facilitate people through this all summer
Golden Gate Bridge. checked off bucket list
Sequoia Grove. check off bucket list
Mt. Shasta mid-camp 9,736ft
I thank God everyday for his wonderful creation
