gratitude.

Today's challenge was to tell 3 people I am grateful for them and why.  I only remembered the challenge when I was alone, so I emailed all of my thank-yous.  One name popped out at me first, but I usually am always thanking this friend for being such a good one.  I thought I should pick 3 that I might not talk to that often, or might not have thanked them before.  I started to make a list of friends and realized I am a very lucky girl.  I am so grateful to have so many people in my life to thank for loving and supporting me.  I finally chose three and thought about these special three and just how important they are in my life as well as others.  All three of these people love me unconditionally - one of them is there for me through thick and thin...and she's definitely seen the "thin" me right in the "thick" of it, the second one is my "bosom buddy", we are so much alike it is crazy! but she is a better person than I could ever hope to be - she has such grace. And last but certainly not least is probably the bestest friend I could ever ask for.  Hands down.

I can learn something from each of these wonderful people in the areas of friendship. 

From #1: Always have a listening ear & be understanding of others

From #2: Laugh & Cry with your friends...but laugh more :)

From #3: Be in communication with your friends as much as possible...without being annoying...But don't expect them to respond.

Coffee.

Today's challenge was to buy the customer behind me's coffee.  It was kind of fun.  I probably wouldn't have stopped for something today, but since it was my challenge, I had to ;)  I just got a glass of iced green tea, and bought the woman in the drive thru's drinks behind me.  I also bought a pack of Starbucks Via to send to the troops.  When I had asked to pay for the drinks behind me, it shocked the barista.  She asked, "Wow, Can I ask why?"  I just replied that I was having a great day and wanted to pass it along.  Which is true.  I absolutely LOVE fieldwork.  When I walked into the SDC room this morning, Carson gave me the biggest hug.  It pretty much made my week.  I also am falling more in love with each of the kids.  This is going to be the perfect job for me! I am running my first group tomorrow!

smile.

Today's challenge was to smile at everyone I met.  At first I thought this challenge was going to be easy, but then I became kind of self conscious about it.  And it was also easy to forget.  With every smile, I got a response back, whether it be another smile, a wave, or even a few verbal "hellos".  The verbal responses were a pleasant surprise and somewhat of a positive reinforcement.  

I loved this picture of a smile...Who can look at this and not smile?

I am especially excited about tomorrow's challenge.  

random act of kindness.

Today was the first day of taking "the plunge".  I challenged myself to commit one random act of kindness.  I had forgotten about my challenge earlier this morning, but remembered on my way home for lunch.  When I got home, my mom was complaining about back pain, and I offered to give her a massage.  She readily accepted.  

As the day went on, we both looked for ways to help each other out - She tossed a load of my laundry into the wash and I offered to clean up the kitchen after dinner.  

So far this is a fun experiment.  

the plunge.

Despite being a little overwhelmed, I had a great week.  I LOVE fieldwork.  I know that I am definitely going into the right profession.  I was so excited driving out there this week.  I also had a few breaks during the week - Hayden's game & Starbucks with Michelle & Ken too!

After a stressful Friday morning that dragged into the afternoon, I had a blast at Friday Night Dinner.  I can't remember laughing that much in a long time.  

Saturday night I was reminded that staying "in" can be just as much fun as going out.  I went over to my friend Carli's to watch the end of the Yankees/Angels game with her & Nicole.  BOO YAH ANGELS!   It was nice to catch my breath in the craziness of this weekend with them.

Friday night during The Anchoring, one of my girls told me about some challenge thing they do at her school.  Every day during announcements, they present a challenge for the kids to carry out if they wish.  The challenges promotes peace on campus.  She was really excited about it and told me how she writes them in her notebook and tries to carry them out each day. I also knows that she writes down what we talk about in The Anchoring and tries to apply it to her life.  I have seen very few people earnestly try to live out their faith.  

She has inspired me to do the same.  For the next month and a half I have written out challenges for each day to carry out.  Some are silly, some are for stress relief, but most are to show kindness to those around me and to help me value this great life I live.  Each night I will try to write about my challenge for that day.  

I am really excited to see how it all unfolds and what comes of it.  So, tomorrow, I take the plunge.

music.

This week was filled with music.  I got to hear some really great live music this week with some awesome people.  On Thursday I saw State Radio and Dusty Rhodes and the River Band.  Both acts were great.  Chad gave Summer & I a shout-out! Even though it was kind of undeserved...but we will take it!  I also scored another State Radio set list! 

Saturday night I saw Brett Dennen, G. Love, and Jason Mraz.  In the middle of G. Love's set, he called out Tristan Prettyman!  I was so stoked...I kinda went a little overboard.  The show was really fun and laid back, and we had a fun group of girls.  It had been awhile since the last time I heard some live music before this week, and now I am hooked.  I think in a week or two I will hit up Hotel Cafe.

This was definitely a great week.  I am truly in love with my life.  This week I heard a definition of Happiness that I love - "Happiness is having someone to love, someone to love you, and something to look forward to."  In this moment, I am bursting with happiness.

Even though this week we found out how losing our house is definitely a reality, I still can't believe how well things are going.  Everything seems to be coming together so well.  I am falling more and more in love with my Anchoring kids each week, school is going well, and I am enjoying my friends and making new ones more than ever.  I am so excited to see how this year unfolds.  

P.S.  I loved this - On Friday night, I had my kids journal about what God was to them that day, and he simply said, God is bigger than a frown.

country music.

This time of year is always a little rough.  At home we are all on edge and not quite sure how to relate to one another.  As I left the house this morning to go grocery shopping, I was feeling pretty bitter, angry, and depressed.  The day was definitely not going as I had envisioned it to.  I didn't have motivation to do much and was afraid that it was going to be yet another wasted day. After grocery shopping, I hopped back in my car, and Kenny Chesney's song, "Never Wanted Nothin More" came on.  I started singing along and it completely changed my mood.  I love the lyrics, "I'm what I am and what I'm not.  I'm sure happy with what I've got."  I realized I was spending way too much energy on being bitter.  The rest of they way home I marveled at how big/great/fun God is.  He totally spoke to me through a country song.  I just really felt like He was saying to me, that I didn't have to spend the rest of the day feeling sorry for myself, He created this day for me to enjoy.  I may not be perfect, and this life may not be perfect, but God loves me and is happy with me anyways and "I never wanted nothin more!".

The rest of the day turned out to be quite delightful.  I worked in the yard, went to the library (!), ran some errands, and made a yummy dinner while listening to some great jazz.  I also spent some time on my hammock this afternoon reading.  

P.S. The picture is not of Kenny Chesney...I just liked it.