My Besties

These pictures are of me and my best friends this past summer when we went on a little mini road trip to stay at a bed and breakfeast for one night. We had such a good time together, laughing and dancing in the car the entire way there. These girls are amazing and as we get older and older I realize just how much I have been blessed by their friendship through the years. Mayerly is the one on the bottom picture, bottom left and she is getting married this upcoming June. I am so happy for her and her fiance Luke. They are both truly incredible but I can't help but feel a sense of sadness as she is the first to "go". Natalie, the bottom picture, top right, moved to Texas with her family right after senior year and it has been hard with the distance between us. But the awesome and amazing thing is that I know we will always be the best of friends through out our lifetime. I love my natabee...and last but certainly not least, there is Emily, the bottom picture, top right. She and mine's friendship started freshman year of high school. We were not alike at all, she was very sporty and athletic...I don't play sports! She comes from a smaller family...I have 6 siblings. She is the only girl...I have 4 sisters. But even though we are unalike in alot of ways, we are still the best of friends and I am so incredible blessed to have her in my life.

So this is a shout out kind of blog to my besties. I miss you all and love you so so much. You have all been such a blessing in my life and I am very thankful for each and every one of you!! Thank you for always being there for me when I made the stupid mistakes and rejoicing with me when we saw a victory!!! I'll see you guys, Mayerly and Emily, in 2 weeks and I can't wait!!!

Thanksgiving Day

Because I am not able to go back home to Alaska for Thanksgiving day...due the expensive costs of tickets, I am spending this thanksgiving in Hood River, Oregon at my friend Nate’s house. Today will NOT be a day of life long traditions but I am satisfied to just sit here on my computer and catch up with those that I haven’t been able to keep in contact with because of the fast pace of life at the beach. The past couple of weeks leading up to this break have been filled with anxiety and I was ready for a change of pace. Even though grading tests doesn’t seem like it would be all that hard, trust me...it’s hard. But I enjoy the office life that I am apart of and wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world.

    But to focus on the topic of today and what it stands for. Our teacher for this week, Keith Krell made an interesting remark on today...He encourages thanksliving instead of thanksgiving. Why is it that we only have one day out of a year to really say how truly thankful we are for the things that the Lord has provided us with? What a horrible attitude we have about thanksgiving too. As if it is only for “stuffing” your face with the food that your mom always makes and to have that excuse to be completely piggish. Not to say that you shouldn’t enjoy the provisions that the Lord gives us...but seriously...

    But back to the subject of being thankful. There are so many things to be thankful for and I could take an entire day writing them all out... I am thankful for the grace and mercy that the Lord extends to us without any “conditions”. I am thankful for His continued love and faithfulness. That He never gets tired of me when I fail at the same sin, over and over again.

I am thankful for the amazing family that I have been blessed with. For the support and love my parents have given me throughout my 19 years of life. For always taking me back and for loving me in my rebellious years. Thankyou Mom and Dad for raising me to know that you will both always love me but not as much as my Heavenly Father does. I am thankful for my wonderful sisters, even though we may not always agree on things, we will still love one another through the years. *Thanks Ash and Kel for my amazing brother-in-laws*

I am thankful for all of my amazing friends who have supported me through the years with their love and friendship. Thank you for all the late nights we have shared filled with so many memories. Envisioning what our future was going to look like. I don’t know about you girls, but I still do that! :) I am thankful for all that I have learned these past 2 years at Ecola Bible School and for the family that I have gotten because of it. Sitting in class together, learning about how Dave Duff loves to tell stories...learning how to pass notes without getting a demerit. haha Good times...good times.