Football

Today I am thankful for football.

It seems so insignificant compared to yesterday's post, but football is something small that I appreciate. I love spending Saturdays with my family watching games we both care and don't care about. It's a common interest we share, and something that brings us together in a fun competitive way. And it's always fun when the hogs win!

Hugs from my Daddy

Today I am thankful for hugs from my daddy.

This may be a post that makes me cry, but I just have to write it.

My daddy had a heart attack a week ago. In China. And he didn't know it until Tuesday. And he couldn't get home until Wednesday night.

I can't think of anything worse than that.

BUT...

God is faithful. Always.

On Wednesday night, I got to give my daddy a hug after he got off a plane and before he went to the hospital.
On Thursday afternoon, I got to give my daddy a hug in his hospital bed before he nervously went in for a heart cath.
On Friday morning, I got to hug my daddy on his way home from the hospital, because God miraculously caused the blockage to correct itself before the doctors could do anything about it themselves.

I can't think of anything better than that.

Loving Choices

Today I am thankful for Loving Choices.

I experienced my first Loving Choices banquet tonight and it was so awesome. I was taking care of a restless two year old the whole time, but I still left encouraged and challenged. If you're not familiar with the work they're doing in northwest Arkansas, please check it out. God is doing great things in the lives of the unborn and their moms.

A Growth Moment

Today I am thankful for a growth moment.

Ryan mentioned to me in passing on Thursday that we were singing 'Waiting Here for You' on Sunday. It's one of my favorite songs as of late, and I was excited about it. I jokingly said, "Can I sing the solo?"

Well, I got a text last night from our music pastor that said Ryan had mentioned I was interested, and would I do it? Ummm...

So I guess I'll be singing a short solo tomorrow in church. Sooo not me, but it's a growth moment. It's another version of stepping outside of my box and allowing God to receive the glory. This song is especially poignant for my stage of life now anyways, and I look forward to praising Him with my church family.

A Greater Passion

Today I am thankful for a greater passion.

The cardinals are a big deal to my dear husband. Not the beautiful birds, but the baseball team. It take a lot for us to miss a game, especially I'd they are playing in a championship series, as they are now. But...this week has been different. Last night, we had LifeGroup at our house and we turned the game off in the 7th inning. Major sacrifice. Tonight, we're at the church so that Ryan can give trip training for an upcoming mission trip. We're missing almost all of the game. It surprises me that he's not rising through the material, but it shouldnt. He has a greater passion. He is more concerned with the salvation of a people group on Africa than he is for a win on the baseball field. I love that about him.

A New Phone

Today I am thankful for a new phone.

Now that we are officially in our 12th month of marriage, we decided to celebrate with new smartphones. It took all day to get my contacts cleaned up, but I am now obsessed. Let's hope I don't become one of those people who can't leave the phone alone for two seconds, though!!

Budget Crunching

Today I am thankful for budget crunching.

I do love working out a good budget at work and at church. But, the process that takes place beforehand wears me out. The latter I only hear about, but the former I am extremely involved in. Everyone wants this number or that number, or this line item changed or that number moved to a different category. It's exhausting. But it's necessary.

Right?