Thursday, June 26, 2014

My One Thousand Gifts #'s 219 - 225


Each week, I'm highlighting new items I've added to my list of one thousand gifts. These aren't always big things. In fact, sometimes it's the littlest things that stick out the most. 

This week, I've added 7 new things...

#219 - time with my nieces

...because after all, is there anything better? :)

#220 - $1.09 ICEEs

I'm thankful that they're cheap and ice cold. ...all nice on these ridiculously hot Alabama summer days.

#221 - free ice water

I love being able to get (safe to drink) ice water for free at restaurants. 

#222 - coupons in the paper

My goal is to save as much as possible (a good thing since I've got to make the little bit in my account last until September, which is going to be really hard to do). So these coupons are definitely helping things.

#223 - family driving my new car to me

Seriously... They drove down just for the day, brought my car to me, visited family, and then headed back that same night. How selfless, generous, and awesome are they?! :)

#224 - spending time with friends

 I'm thankful that I'm able to spend time with friends while in the States. Add that to the list of good things America has to offer :)

#225 - patience

 ...because when you keep getting answering machine after answering machine when making calls to schedule services (meaning you seem to be calling at the wrong times), patience comes in handy :)

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Saturday, June 21, 2014

The 112th Dear ____ Post

Dear God, I'm thankful that you know exactly what I need and that you'll provide it exactly when I need it. Thank you for teaching me stop worrying about this. Thank you for caring for me and loving me and always being on my side. 

Dear Car, This amazingly generous woman said she wanted to donate (as in for free) you to me to use in my travels in the States, speaking at churches and sharing my heart for Senegal. Who does that?! :) Seriously, though, I've never been more humbled and appreciative in my life! ...yet another example of God knowing what I need when I'll need it!

Dear 2 Weeks, You're how long it's been since I left Senegal. And I've had one bout of homesickness so far. I'm glad that I love the place so much that I miss it when I'm not there. Don't get me wrong. I'm happy to be in the States, but still...

Dear Sharing My Heart for Senegal, I love when I'm able to work you into conversations. And I love knowing that while I'm in the States, I'll be able to travel around doing this at churches around my own state and others. In fact, I'm headed to my first service in a little while. I can't wait!

And now for some less serious items...

Dear Strawberries, Thanks for being in season ever since I got back. You've definitely been a nice treat for my taste buds these past two weeks.

Dear Price of Gasoline, Wow! You're so high! Feel free to go down any time now. We're waiting... :)

Dear Summer, You've arrived. It's already been hot. Yesterday it was 92 degrees at a quarter to 7 last night. That means it's going to be ridiculously hot in July and August. Ugh! Boo high heat and humidity! Bring on winter! :)

Dear Not Getting a Paycheck, You're not very enjoyable, but thankfully, Jesus has been providing what I need when I need it.

Dear Babysitting, You're what I got to do the other day. And that makes my "Aunt Zizzie" heart happy for sure!

Dear People Magazine, I've always been a big fan of you. You've always been one of my first purchases upon arriving in the States. But now that your price has gone up to $5 (crazy!), I think I'll be refraining from buying any more of you for a while.

Dear World Cup, I've been able to watch the majority of you and have been enjoying doing so. And I must say... It is a lot more fun to watch things like this on an actual t.v. and not on a computer :)

Dear Nastiness, There's a lot of you on tv these days. It's sad...
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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

My One Thousand Gifts #'s 210 - 218



Each week, I'm highlighting new items I've added to my list of one thousand gifts. These aren't always big things. In fact, sometimes it's the littlest things that stick out the most. 

This week, I've added 9 new things...

#210 - a reason for a sad goodbye

My hardest goodbye was the one I had at the airport in Dakar. I hate crying in public, but that definitely didn't stop me from doing it at the airport while saying goodbye to my closest friend in Dakar and her family. The poor Senegalese guy that helped me carry my bags in was so concerned. It was sweet. But you know, even in the sadness... I can't help but be thankful. Why? ...because I had a good reason for this sad goodbye. The friendship I have with this lady, the "adopted family" I have with this family... Those are true blessings and helped me see the good in a a really, really sad goodbye.

#211 - travel buddies

It's always nicer to travel with someone, rather then by myself. So it was nice to have a few travel buddies...at least for the first leg :)

#212 - time with my brother

My brother picked me up from the airport and it was nice to have that extra bit of time with him. I do kind of like him after all :)

#213 - no jet lag

For the first time in EVER, I did not experience any jet lag at all! Although one they I think of it, this really shouldn't be listed as a "little" thing I'm thankful for, but instead a HUGE thing.

#214 - cruise control

I tend to have a "lead foot," so I'm definitely thankful for cruise control helping me drive the speed limit at all times :)

#215 - time with family

 It's so nice being back with family again. 

 #216 - a "free" flight

 Thanks to a lot of flying over the years, I've accumulated quite the collection of airline miles and I've finally decided to use them for a "free" flight next month to Texas to visit a friend. I can't wait :)

 #217 - a GPS

 ...because sometimes a person as directionally challenged as myself needs a little help :)

 #218 - being qualified to teach in 3 different areas

 When it came time to look for teaching jobs, I realized just how important this is. Thanks to being trained in Elementary Ed., Special Ed., and ESL, I have so many more jobs I can apply for. Now if one of those will just hire me... :)

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