10 Gratitude Photos

So last night, about 11:30, Ryan and I were actually relaxed on the couch, watching the most recent episode of Ordinary Joe, when I suddenly realized I'd not written today's blog post. I knew the day had gone too smoothly! I'd completed so many things early (my steps, my Bible study, my work chores) that I totally spaced the blog! UH OH!!!!!

In hunting through some of my trusty blog prompt ideas, I found the 10-on-the-10th idea of posting pictures of ten things I'm grateful for. It may not be close to the tenth yet, but I am still wildly grateful for so much, so I'm definitely pausing to share today!

1. Ryan...and God's perfect timing.

As Ryan and I were watching that episode of Ordinary Joe, we commented about how very different both of our lives would have looked if we had begun a relationship back in high school. While I know many people are very quick to jump into the mindset of "I wish I'd found you sooner so I could have loved you longer," I have to remain grateful for God's timing in bringing us together. I had so much to learn about life, the Lord, and even myself back when I was eighteen and graduating from high school. I was begging God to let me get married back then, but I see now His wisdom in asking me to grow and wait. 

2. The beauty of Creation.

I've spent the last five or six weeks doing a super in-depth study of the first two chapters of Genesis, and my heart is just FULL to overflowing with reminders of the intricacy of God's creation. All of it - from the temperatures to the landscapes to the animals with all their purposes and differences just makes my heart swell with adoration for God's creativity and insight. There's so much He didn't have to do, but He did, and I'm driven in new ways to fully appreciate it. I want to see as much of it as I can! 

3. The chance to see so many places.

I took my first official grown-up vacation in 2009 when I was 31 years old. For the nine years before that, I was barely making ends meet financially, was trying to pay off student loans and my car, and I didn't have any excess for things like traveling. In 2009, my friend Amber and I split expenses on a long weekend trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania. We took turns driving my little Ford Focus and had a great time exploring the botanical gardens and chocolate touristy places in Hershey. And that is when I fell in love with traveling. I wanted to do more and more of it, and I'm so grateful that between my single and my married years, the Lord has provided the means for me to see so many places I never imagined I'd get to visit. I hope to have many more trips ahead, but I stand thankful for all I've experienced so far! 

4. The unexpected twists and turns.

When I entered my senior year of college, I rather hoped I could get a job as an administrative assistant somewhere, and I figured I'd land in an apartment in town, and that would be my way of life. God had bigger dreams for me than I could ever have had for myself. A chance to live in my grandparent's home? A chance to buy that home while I was still single? A chance to work in radio? A chance to delve into public speaking and publishing books? A chance to get married on a beach at sunset? I never dreamed of any of it. I'm glad He goes beyond anything I could ask or imagine. 

5. Unexpected friends.

I've said this before, but I never imagined this blog to be a way I would meet new actual friends. But it has been. Some I have met in real life and others of you I hope to meet in real life someday! I don't want to start throwing out names, because it IS almost midnight and I fear I would forget someone and that would be just terrible! But for the sake of the picture reference...staying this summer with our new friends in Colorado reminded me just what a blessing this blog can be! Hazel, Heidi, and Holly - you were such sweet hostesses!

6. The blessing of being seen.

Ryan and I are so thankful for people who reach out, even when...or should I say especially when...we are caught up in all the work duties and don't have time to reach out first like we wish we could. Whether someone sends a text, makes a phone call, sends a note in the mail, or surprises us with a little date-gift, we are so grateful for the support that makes this season of life feel a little more normal! This week, our monthiversary date was gifted to us by some friends who wanted to offer us a chance to go out and enjoy. We were so very thankful. It's not even the gift itself as much as the sentiment behind it!

7. Our Braeya-girl.

Yes, she wakes us up at 3 in the morning because she wants to play in the shower. Yes, she prefers Ryan over me any day of the week. But it blows my mind that this sweet thing has been with me for the last fifteen and a half years. How is that even possible? I remember the day I found out she had been born. I remember the day I chose her from a picture of the whole litter. And I remember the day I picked her up at my friend Kari's house and brought her home to live with me. I remember how just a couple of days later, I thought she got out of the house somehow, because I couldn't find her anywhere. I remember how hard I cried and felt like an utter failure of a cat-mom. (She was hiding under the dryer taking a nap the whole time.) We have no idea how many years we have left with her, but we love her dearly and are thankful to have her here with us. 

8. Our little town.

Last Sunday we had the opportunity to share about our work in a morning worship service. As we tried to explain our town to the people in the congregation, I was reminded anew how much I love this little town. I grew up in the country and then lived in small cities for all my adult life. Along the way, I'd always been intrigued by and drawn to the idea of life in a small town, and I get to experience it now. It is charming and delightful, just as I imagined it would be. We have no idea if small town life will always be our way of life, but I'm soaking it up while I can!

9. A husband who pushes me to be adventurous. 

You remember the waterfalls, right? I really am not that great at strong adventure. But it's good for me to be stretched outside my comfort zone...sometimes. ;) I am thankful for the things I've gotten to try because Ryan has convinced me I'm capable. Even the waterfalls. This seems like a great time to pull out our best picture ever...still...after nine years.

10. Parents who dedicated me to the Lord.

I'll close out this list with a throwback to the VERY beginning. When I was just two weeks old, my parents dedicated me to the Lord. I appreciate that they recognized that my life belonged to Him and they have allowed Him to do with me what He has chosen to do. (Sometimes I know that hasn't been easy for them.) I am also grateful for the strong foundation they provided in teaching me about Him in our home - and taking me to church to learn there as well. In this work we do, I'm reminded that not everyone has that opportunity. It is not lost to me that I did.