Still Grateful.

Author's Note: I thought this had published back in December but it was still saved in my drafts. Enjoy it now as a reminder to continue to be thankful! 

   I know, it's December 1st and I did not finish my November grateful challenge! My only excuse is that I had finals, then a week off for Thanksgiving which was packed with craziness, then my next semester began. I sincerely apologize! I took the last thankfulness questions and answered them below and then I will share what December holds!

Day 14: What sight are you grateful for?
   A bit cliche, but definitely a sunset, especially when there are clouds in the sky that create shadows and shades across the sky.

Day 15: What season are you grateful for?
   Fall or Winter. I love fall because of the cooler air, crunchy, fallen leaves, Thanksgiving, etc., and I love winter because of long, cold nights cuddled on my couch with my little puppy, snow, snow, and snow (!), the hot drinks during the warm car rides, Christmas, etc.

Day 16: What about your body are you grateful for?
   This one is hard to answer without sounding a little conceited I think, but I like my smile.

Day 17: What knowledge are you grateful for?
   I am thankful that I can continually expand my knowledge of my Savior. Also since I love to learn about history and literature, I am thankful for that knowledge too.

Day 18: What piece of art are you grateful for?
   This is hard to choose one, but I'll go with one of the first ones that popped into my head: "View of Toledo" by El Greco. I've seen this painting several times at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the use of shadows, depth, and colors have always amazed me. I've seen several of his other paintings there and they are striking as well.

   There is one other painting that I remember seeing and it almost brought me to tears: Rembrandt's "Christ on the Cross." This is one of those paintings that needs no description.







Day 19: What touch are you grateful for?
   This one is a little weird: I love touching the cover on my steering wheel. It's soft and fuzzy and warms my hands.

Day 20: Who in your life are you grateful for?
   My pastor. He preaches with with heart, sharing the Word of God, guided by the Holy Spirit. I have come to realize just how important it is to have a minister like this and I am extremely grateful.

Day 21: What song are you most grateful for?
   Lately, it's been Natalie Grant's "King of the World." It seems to be extremely fitting over the last few weeks in our nation and in my life. Click here to watch the lyric video.

Day 22: What story are you grateful for?
     The Bible. Hands down.

Day 23: What tradition are you grateful for?
     Thanksgiving morning. My family. Pajamas. Cinnamon rolls. Thanksgiving parade.

Day 24: What challenge are you grateful for?
     To drink more water. I know that's weird but I've been feeling so much better since I've been drinking more water.

Day 25: What moment this week are you most grateful for?
     I realized that in less than a year, I will be done with my bachelor's degree. That was exciting for me.

Day 26: What form of expression are you most grateful for?
     Writing. Poetry. Music. Photography.


Day 27: What small thing that you use daily are you grateful for?
     My coffee maker! I drink way more coffee than I should but I'm thankful for it and all my mugs. I have a mug addiction.

Day 28: What small thing happened today that you are grateful for?
     I made it to work a little earlier than normal. Small I know.

Day 29: What friend/family member are you grateful for today?
     My parents. They have become such good friends to me and they're more than just parents now. I trust them with basically all my problems and they are right there with advice and support.

Day 30: What talent or skill do you have that you are grateful for?
   Definitely being able to play the piano. I don't get to play as often as I would like, but I love it. Playing in church every Sunday night is a good time to get in some practice. I know I mentioned this one already previously, but it's one I'm especially grateful for.


~Abby

Grateful: Day 13

What abilities are you grateful for?

   Well, today especially, I am thankful for my ability to play piano. Our church piano was just tuned this week and it sounded incredibly beautiful as I played in the evening service. No twangy keys or squeaky pedals, just lovely notes.
   I am also thankful for my ability to write. I know I let my writing on here slide a bit, but it is not because I want to... but when you write assignments, discussion posts, lessons, and notes all the time, your brain begins to fry. But I am thankful for my ability to write, even when I get frustrated with myself while doing it.

So what abilities are you thankful for today?
~ Abby

Grateful: Day 12

What texture are you grateful for?

   This one was weird and I had to think about it for a while but I thought of two. The first one is something that, at least in the northeast, you can only experience in the spring, summer, and early fall: grass on your feet. This one is a little weird, but I love the feeling on grass on my feet, especially if it has just rained and the grass is still a little damp. I know, it's strange, just go with me on this.

   The second one is probably a bit more normal: pages and covers of books, especially an old leather book with thin, delicate pages. It is like a piece of the past in the present. I also love the smell of old books too, but I'll save that for another day.

What texture are you thankful for? Think of a normal one and a not-so normal one!

~ Abby

Grateful: Day 11

What holiday are you most grateful for?

   Thanksgiving! It's almost here and I am so excited! Family, friends, laughter, stories, the parade, food! There is absolutely nothing wrong with this holiday; maybe that's why it is my favorite. I greatly appreciate the loved ones I get to spend time with and the joy and thankfulness we share. Plus, we have our Thanksgiving Eve service at my church the day before which is one of my most treasured services of the entire year.

So what holiday are you thankful for?

~ Abby

PS - Because today is Veteran's Day, I want to say a special thank you to the men and women who have served our nation. Thank you for incredible sacrifices for our country and may God bless you for it!

Grateful: Day 10

What taste are you most grateful for?

   This is an easy one... coffee!!! I will not launch into all the different kinds of coffee I like or how I like them or how much of it I drink, the answer to this one is definitely coffee!

   Enjoy these lovely pictures of coffee I found online...

Here's some lovely coffee quotes for you to enjoy as well... 

I would rather suffer with coffee than be senseless. - Napoleon Bonaparte

I have measured out my life with coffee spoons. - T.S. Eliot

I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now. - Louisa May Alcott

Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love. - Charles Maurice de Talleyrand

Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of coffee. - Stephanie Piro

What taste are you thankful for today?

~ Abby

Grateful: Day 9

What place are you most grateful for?

   In today's economic situation especially, I am especially thankful for my job! The people are great, they treat me well, and can always make me laugh. In addition to this, a few of them have actually been willing to listen to me share a thought here and there about Jesus. For me, I am able to apply myself to the work I have and give Him the glory. Most of it is just the little things, but it is still important that I do my best and that God gets the all of the glory in it.

To live well is to work well, to show a good activity. - Thomas Aquinas

What place in your life are you grateful for today?

~ Abby

Grateful: Day 8

What book are you most grateful for today?

   Today being Election Day, I am more than ever thankful for my Bible. I have spent hours praying over chapters and specific verses for our nation. I am thankful for the peace, hope, and strength I receive. I stand on the promises within and I praise God for the truth found in His word!

   In addition to all of this, I am thankful for my collection of books… I will share a picture one day of my bookshelf (when it is clean and organized) so you can see some of my collection… the bookshelf only holds about 1/3 of them!!

What book are you thankful for?

~ Abby

Grateful: Day 7

What memory are you grateful for?

  Well, Thanksgiving is coming up and for some reason, I thought of a Thanksgiving at my great grandma’s house many years ago. I was only six or seven and my Dad’s family had crowded into her small ranch house. I was in her kitchen watching her cook or clean or whatever she was doing at that point and I remember just listening to her tell me stories (I don’t really remember them) and I asked if I could have a cookie out of her large glass cookie jar on the counter. She pulled a chair up to the counter for me so I could climb up and pull out one of those little round Italian cookies covered in chocolate sprinkles.

  So what memory are you thankful for?

~ Abby 

Grateful: Day 6

What in nature are you grateful for?

  Wind blowing through the trees, smell of a field of flowers, mountains that display incredible strength and dignity, a quietness that can only be found when you leave everything else behind.

  One of my favorite things to do when I need to get away is drive to a large park near my house and either sit in the large field and watch the clouds, or go for a walk in the woods. Not only does my stress level come down, but the time in the quiet allows me to just sit and commune with my Jesus. It’s needed in this time of confusion and unknown.

  So what are you thankful for in nature today?

~ Abby

Grateful: Day 5

What sound are you grateful for today?

   Today especially, I am thankful for the sounds of people's voices. Whether is someone talking to reconnect, listening to a speaker or minister give a talk, a group of people singing a hymn or God's voice whispering into my heart, I am thankful for the sounds of language.

How about you?

~Abby

Grateful: Day 4

What food are you most grateful for?

   Gluten-free waffles and brown rice & quinoa pasta. Since I cut gluten out of my diet to help with my migraines over a year ago, I have been able to find yummy substitutes, like the waffles and pasta.

   Thinking about it though, I'm thankful for any food. It is so easy for us to stop being thankful for the little things, like food, but so many in this world do not have steady meals so I am especially thankful for that today.

   What food are you grateful for?

Blessings,
~Abby

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

- Matthew 6:9-13

Grateful: Day 3

Good afternoon readers! Here is today's gratefulness challenge...

What color are you grateful for?

   I have only one answer for this because today I am thankful for yellow. I am thankful for yellow sunshine, yellow flowers, yellow birds and butterflies, even yellow foods. Whether it is bright like a canary, or subtle like a goldenrod, the color yellow has a way of cheering up your soul. Waking up to a bright blue sky with the yellow sunshine surrounding you reminds us of God's overwhelming love.

So what color are you grateful for today?

Blessings!
~Abby

Grateful: Day 2

What technology are you grateful for?

This one is hard for me because I have a love-hate relationship with technology... But... 

I am thankful for my cell phone because it keeps me connected with my family and friends, including those who are far away.

I love that my computer allows me to do my school from home and I can use it to update my blog :) 

I am thankful for the connection with other Christians over the internet. There are dozens of people who I can contact with prayer requests and I know they are praying. 

What technology are you grateful for today?

Blessings!

~Abby

Grateful: Day 1

Apologies for being absent for over a month! My crazy schedule has been getting the best of me. So it's November which means dozens of thankfulness challenges are everywhere! Here's day one...

"What smell are you grateful for today?"

There's so many but I thought I would pick just a few simple ones...

Warm days full of fresh cut grass & flowers...

A quiet, misty morning at camp...

Fall candles like apple cider or pumpkin pie...

Thanksgiving morning when my parents are making turkey & rice dressing...

Grandma's kitchen after she's been cooking all day...

Evergreen trees covered in snow...

Cup of coffee or tea or hot cocoa...

That enough for now... What are you thankful for?

Blessings!

~Abby

Last days of November...

I wanted to finish up Thanksgiving before posting a Christmas post. It has been crazy here, and every time I went to blog, something else came up! Grrrr…. Anyway, I’ll post the last three days of November, and have a Christmas post up later on today.

Day 28- I am thankful for… family. I have mentioned specific members of my family, but I wanted to say how thankful I am for extended family: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. I grew up with two of my cousins especially (we were tight, let me tell you!), and it’s still wonderful when I get to see them! Family isn’t just those that you’re related to by blood… It’s those you accept into your heart as family.

Day 29- I am thankful for… snow! I loooooooooove snow! I’m not fond of driving in it, but I will. Winter is without a doubt, my FAVOURITE season of the year. Fall is an extremely close second, but I love the smell of the air right before a snow storm, drinking hot cocoa after a snowball fight, smelling bread & cookies baking in the oven, watching the cardinal & juncos play in the falling snow, etc. It’s quiet, peaceful, relaxing, and calm. Who doesn’t love snow?!

Day 30- I am thankful for… the Christmas Season! It’s here! It’s finally here!  Music, lights, parties, presents, decorations, snow, long lines at stores, crazy traffic, but it’s still here!!! I love this time of year, and most people hate it. I understand that most people hate it for personal reasons, but I love it because of personal reasons. It’s the time that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! If you haven’t read much of my blog, this is something you need to know: I am a Christian, simple as that. (Please don’t let this hinder you from reading my blog! Contact me if you have a question, and I’ll be happy to pray for you and help if I can!) The real reason behind CHRISTmas, is… well, Christ! Focus this season on the birth of Christ and what it means to you! Share it in the comments below? I’d love to hear how His coming has affected your life!

Okay, a Christmas post is next! 

Days 22-27! Happy Thanksgiving!

Days 22-27 of the November Thankfulness Challenge.  Tomorrow will be a special Thanksgiving post!

Day 22- I am thankful for… conversation. You get to know people; you share your deepest secrets, hopes and dreams. Conversation opens people up and it’s a great witnessing tool.

Day 23- I am thankful for… birds. Strange one, I know. I love in the summer, waking up at camp at 5 (yes, am!), shuffling to the ladies’ room for a shower, yawning, and then, pausing to listen to the birds singing praise to the Lord. How awesome is that?! It was a good daily reminder of why I was there!

Day 24- I am thankful for… long car rides. Whether it’s with family or friends, I know I’m in for lots of laughs, maybe some tears, and a whole bunch of time to know people better.

Day 25- I am thankful for… made-up games. Another unusual choice, but I have a reason. I used to pretend I was Lucy from “The Chronicles of Narnia” I was on the Dawn Treader or riding a horse through the Western Woods. I learned how to deal with stuff, even if it was made up. I sound nuts… I promise I’m normal… Well, kind of ;) My mom makes up games for long car rides too… There was one where we go through the alphabet and have to name different songs for each letter, or characters from the Bible… or sing the first lines of Christmas carols… we are a very extraordinary family!

Day 26- I am thankful for… music. Hymns, choruses, background jazz at Starbucks, opera at Barnes & Noble, The Messiah by Handel, Christmas carols, country music for the summer (well, all year round really) Christian contemporary for youth meetings, classical for studying, movie soundtracks for writing, etc. Music is a gift and a blessing.

Day 27- I am thankful for… late nights. Some of my best memories have been made at night: sitting in the boathouse at camp, eating Nutella and talking about Jesus; sitting on a couch, watching movies with my best friends; having dance parties for two; telling secrets under the blankets, etc.

May you all have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

~Abby

November Thankfulness Challenge! Days 19-21

Hello readers! I’m going to do a little plugging and ask that you follow me here & Twitter, share the posts on your Facebook and Google+! You can also add me on Google+ and let me know you found me through the blog! Comments are always welcome… I would love to interact with you and get to know my readers better! It would be a big help to me and hopefully these posts bless you today, and in the future as well!

I promise that’s it. Here are days 19-21 of the November Thankfulness Challenge!

Day 19- I am thankful for… hope. Imagine your life without hope. You would have nothing to push you through bad days… you might as well give up. Hope in Christ saves you from that. You never have to feel that way. You will not want to give up because the hope that we have in Christ gives us that extra shove when we need it and when we do not.

Day 20- I am thankful for… my notebook. It’s spiral-bound with a picture of a girl under a tree and it is perfect for my writing ideas, words I like the sound of, quotes, pictures, and even a sketch or two. But I carry it basically everywhere and I write lists in it, things to look up, and anything other thing. It keeps me organized and sound.

Day 21- I am thankful for… prayer. I can send out a mass text and within 5-15 minutes, people are messaging me, sending love and prayers. I’ll get calls with people praying with me over the phone, asking what they should be doing. It’s just amazing! I don’t know where I would be without this important aspect of my life… lost probably.

Many Blessings!

~Abby

Thankfulness Challenge: Days 9-18.

I'm doing a terrible job at this... it's been a busy couple of days. Here's the next group of days for the November Thankfulness Challenge!

Day 9- I am thankful for... technology! I am thankful for being able to keep in touch with so many people so easily from all over the country, and you, my dear readers! I would not be the person I am today without being able to call or text a friend, view wedding pictures of those I would otherwise be unable to see, send birthday wishes, etc. It can be viewed as a bad thing, but used for the right reasons.

Day 10- I am thankful for... my darling friends... everyone else! I mentioned two on previous days but then I felt bad in case others feel like I'm slighting them. I have several dear friends that I do not speak to everyday, but I am eternally grateful for! There are so many of them that I will not name them, but you know who are. I've known some of them since I was born and others I have just become close with, but I love them all. They encourage me, purposefully or just by their examples, they make me laugh and cry, they are there. I have so many people that I can count on to pray when I need it, be there when I need to cry, etc. I pray for them and thank God that He gave me such a wide circle of friends.

Day 11- I am thankful for... my dogs! I love my babies! They bring such happiness and excitement into our lives. Something as simple as a dog's bark when you walk in the door from a long day at work can flip the whole day around.

Day 12- I am thankful for... laughter. This is something my family and friends do... a lot!!! No matter what I'm feeling like, a quick laugh and the day is a little bit better... and the situation doesn't look as bleak.

Day 13- I am thankful for... the people who protect our country. I have a few friends and family who members have served in the military. People protect our land with their lives and that make me proud to be an American.

Day 14- I am thankful for... solitude. Sometimes being alone is good. Walking through the park with the wind blowing autumn leaves around your legs, thinking, praying, reading, humming, etc. It sounds a bit strange but I like when I can be alone with my thoughts. I also get lots of ideas for my writing!

Day 15- I am thankful for... books! I can't believe this isn't an item on further up on the list! Books have opened a different world for me! I can live in those worlds, those situations, meet those people, be their friends, go to their parties, go on adventures, cry with them and laugh at them. I don't understand people who don't like to read. They must no be doing it correctly! (But I'll leave that for another time.)

Day 16- I am thankful for... my church family. Growing together in Jesus and helping each other along the way.... What else could I add?

Day 17- I am thankful for... food! I love food. I love eating, making it, making it, boiling it, steaming it, frying it, etc. But what I'm more thankful for with this, is the opportunities that go along with... the chance to gather with friends and laugh, talk, and eat! Thanksgiving is coming soon!!!!

Day 18- I am thankful for... traditions! Thanksgiving traditions, Christmas traditions, Easter traditions, birthday traditions, family traditions, friend traditions, etc. Tradition can become just that, but I enjoy them, and I don't tire of them!!!

Okay, that's the next batch. Share below what you're thankful for!

Blessings!
~Abby

November Thankfulness Challenge!

It’s November!

I haven’t posted like I promised. I think I’ll stop promising. But what I will do is a “30 day Thankfulness Challenge!” Many of my friends have been posting this on Facebook but I thought I would do it on my blog. Below are the first 8 days!

Day 1- I am thankful for… my parents. They are wonderful! They are there and can always make me laugh, or at least smile, when I’m having a terrible day. They are a great encouragement by showing excellent examples of their love for each other and their walks with the Lord.

Day 2- I am thankful for… my job. I started at a new job back in June and I absolutely LOVE it! There are days, of course, when it becomes tedious and long but I am enjoying it either way.

Day 3- I am thankful for… beautiful sunshine! This one sounds a bit odd, but there is nothing like waking up all groggy and "blehh" in the morning then turning towards the window and being reminded that sun is shining and Jesus loves me! That’s a big job for some sunshine!

Day 4- I am thankful for… my Savior. His love has become more apparent than ever to me as we have been watching The Bible series in our church on Sunday nights. The mercy and grace of our is just amazing! I can’t believe that He said a sinner, such as me!

Day 5- I am thankful for… my sister, E! She is awesome! Depending on the day, we can fight and be at each others throats or laughing so hard, we are on the floor! She is talented and smart: perfect example, she’s teaching herself guitar and Chinese!

Day 6- I am thankful for… my dear friend Sarah. She has been there for me through thick and thin, especially recently.  (And, I’ve known her since I was a few months old!) I know that she is there to listen, to pray, to encourage, and to “fangirl” over things with me. *wink* She has pushed me back to reading, encouraged me in my writing ventures, and taken me places in NYC that I would probably never have gone to otherwise. Love you, Sarah!

Day 7- I am thankful for… my friend Bethany. We became good friends through a very odd bunch of circumstances a few years back, but it was a friendship worth forging. She introduced me to Starbucks, midnight Skype calls, The Mummy movies, and lots of other things. We don’t talk as much as normal friends do, but let’s face it… our friendship was never “normal” to begin with! Love you, Bethany.

Day 8- I am thankful for… coffee! Another odd choice, I know. Well, there’s a good reason for this one.  Aside from all the awesome caffeine side effects, some of the best conversations I have had have been over a cup of coffee. Whether it’s outside Starbucks, teeth chattering in the middle of January, or inside a kitchen with warm baked goods, it’s afforded a comfortable place to open up.

Okay, I’m all caught up! What are YOU thankful for?

Blessings!

~Abby