Thankful: Catch up day

Day 14: A blessing

I am so incredibly thankful for the blessing of friendships! God has gone above and beyond any expectations I could have when I think about friendship. With every chapter in my life, every job, every home, I have had the blessing of loyal, trusting, caring friendships. I love my dear friends! 

And would would you believe I'm missing people?!

Day 15: An annoyance

Something that really annoys me is lack of manners. My mamma raised me right, but there is a funny story from when I was younger that seems appropriate to share before I move on. It was Christmas morning, and remember how my grandparents would pack up and bring gifts super early for us? Well, my mom always made sure we said please and thank you if we didn't do it on our own. So this particular Christmas morning I was 2 or 3 years old and had just opened a gift from my grandparents. My mom said, "What do you say?" Fully expecting a "thank you" in response, I actually said, "Open it!" Sure there was laughter, but I think my mom was pretty embarrassed!

So, back to the annoyance, it just irks me when people are rude, disrespectful, and lack manners. I am thankful for this because it reminds me to be kind and courteous, regardless of how I feel or what I have going on in my life. 

Day 16: Something I own 

Two items popped into my head when I thought about this prompt, so I'll give you both. 

1. I am thankful to own my Bible, in my language! So many nations lack this gift. Even more, I'm thankful I live in a country that I can take it with me wherever I go and read it at anytime. 

2. I am thankful to own a passport. That little book has allowed me to see so much already, and I can't wait to put it to good use again! 

Thankful Day 13: An ability

I am thankful for the ability to do triathlons! May seem silly, but really, physical activity is a gift that a lot of us take for granted. Plus, how many people are willing and able to swim, bike, and run in one event?! I've done four indoor sprint triathlons at the YMCA. They're a blast; it's just a 500 yd swim, 6 mi bike, and 2 mi run. My strongest leg is swimming, and my weakest is running. Most people I talk to about competing with me cringe when they hear the word 'swim.'

I'm at the point where I don't really have to train for these triathlons which isn't necessarily bad, I just don't always get the times I would like because of it. Eventually, I want to do an Ironman 70.3, which is a half Ironman. 70.3 is the total distance. These bad boys consist of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and a half marathon, 13.1 miles of running. I will need proper gear, I will need to be able to afford to eat a LOT of food, and there wouldn't be an option not to train!

Beka and I before our first triathlon in 2009! 

This was taken Sunday after our third Tri for KP. 

We race this particular event in honor of our former executive director at the Y. 

He cheered us on at our first tri, and passed away months later. 

Beka actually posted a blog about triathlons today too! You can read it here. 

Thankful Day 12: An opportunity

I'm thankful for the opportunity to travel. 

The last year and a half I've traveled on 3 continents, consisting of 7 countries and countless cities and towns. Every chance I get, I travel. Traveling teaches you so much about the world, new cultures, and yourself. With each trip, your outlook on life and how things work changes. The world is oh-so-big and yet so tiny. I met a girl at a hostel in South Korea from my (considerably small) hometown!

South Korea 

Taiwan 

Japan 

Thailand 

South Africa 

U.S.A. 

Mexico 

I'm looking forward to more opportunities to travel in the future! 

Thankful Day 11: Something I was taught

I'm a day late, but who's counting? 

I am very grateful for this lesson I learned from my good friend, Beka. One semester we took a Bible class together. It was an intense class full of the word and in depth learning. Throughout the class, there were a few times I didn't quite understand the teaching. The lesson taught that I want to talk about is to always go to the Bible when in doubt, whether that be with something going on in life, or whether you're confused about the word itself. If the latter is the case, she taught me to clarify the word with the word. This has greatly influenced how I go about living life. I am so thankful for the knowledge of truth and the wisdom to know that I can always go to it! 

1 Corinthians 4:33

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. 

 

Thankful Day 10: A memory

A memory I'm thankful for is of a family tradition we had while I was growing up, and it happens to involve my favorite holiday, Christmas!

You see, when I was younger, every Christmas morning, my grandparents would wake up super early, pack their vehicle with gifts for the grand-kids, and start their route. They stopped at our house first, I think because my brother is the oldest grandchild in town. When they arrived, honestly many times I was still sleeping (that's a whole new blog post!) but my brother made sure that I wouldn't delay opening presents and had my mom drag me out of bed, many times hanging limp over her shoulder. We would open our stockings first, and then on to the gifts! My mom usually made a breakfast casserole that we would enjoy also. Once the presents were all opened, my grandparents would say their goodbyes and head to the next house full of eagerly waiting grandchildren. Around noon we would pack up and go to my grandparents house where the whole family gathered for a delicious feast!

I didn't have time to search for the perfect picture to capture this memory, so I settled for these:

Christmas, probably '87 or '88

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Thankful Day 9: A photo

 Ok, so I am cheating a bit on this one by posting more than one picture. I'm justifying it because the subjects are the same in all three.

I am beyond thankful for these two! I mean, they traveled across the WORLD to see me. 

We also have fun at home. 

We love a good beach too! 

My mom and grandma are key people in my life and I wouldn't be who I am if it weren't for them. 

Lentil Chili

Today I made lentil chili. It's so delicious, I wanted to share the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 T olive oil
• 1 medium onion
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• 1 red pepper
• 3 small-medium carrots, coined 
• 1 1/2 C lentils 
• 4 cups water
• 2-3 tomatoes, diced 
• 1/2 avocado per serving (optional) 
• plain yogurt (optional)
• shredded cheese (optional) 
• Spices:
• salt
• 2 T chili powder
• 1 T cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Saute chopped onion, pressed garlic, and chopped red pepper, add a bit of salt 
2. Add water, lentils, and spices. bring to a boil, cover and simmer.
3. Add carrots about 30 minutes in
4. Add the tomatoes the last 10 minutes 
5. The lentils will take approximately 45-60 minutes 

Once the lentils are soft, add desired toppings and bon appétit!

Thankful Day 8: Words

Where has the day gone? 

I am most thankful for the word of God. I'm thankful that his word is living and active. I'm thankful that his word will not return void. I'm thankful that the Word is God. 

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Isaiah 5:11
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, 
    and shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

John 1:1 
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Thankful Day 7: A job

Hands down the job I've been most thankful for was my job as a wellness coordinator at Breakthrough. This is one of the many examples I have to show that God knows what's best for me. You see, my job at BT started out as an internship. Before BT, I had big plans to go to Australia for my internship. When that fell through, this position was offered to me. To be frank, I wasn't too thrilled about the opportunity, but I decided to give it a try anyways. I immediately fell. in. love! After my internship, I said my goodbyes but two weeks later I got a call, and they offered me a job! I worked there after university until I moved to Korea last year.

Breakthrough is a non-profit organization that helps adults with mental illnesses live productive, meaningful lives. Breakthrough meets each individual where they are at. If someone needs a job, they'll do their best to help them find one or work with them on acquiring job skills. If someone needs help with education, they'll provide a tutor or someone to help them enroll. If someone needs an exercise plan and help with their food, they'll motivate and encourage them to improve their health. If someone needs a place to go every day to get out of the house and to be needed and appreciated, Breakthrough provides that.

As a wellness coordinator, I was a health teacher in many ways. So I taught, but let me tell you, they (the members and staff) taught me more than I ever taught them. I met some of the most caring, loving, and accepting people I've ever met in my life. Breakthrough taught me that we are all valuable and have something to offer. Breakthrough taught me to see the good in everyone. Breakthrough taught me that there are times in life when things just get hard, and it's okay not to hold it all together at every second of every day. Breakthrough taught me the importance of work, and the importance of rest. Breakthrough taught me that life is all about relationships. Breakthrough taught me that mental illness does not discriminate- it effects people of all races, religions, education levels, ages, etc. Mental illness is real, and 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in a given year (NAMI.)

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be party of such an amazing organization. Breakthrough will always have part of my heart.

Thankful Day 6: A failure

Let me begin by saying, this is a deep and personal prompt! Sometimes we succeed, and well, sometimes we don't. Hopefully with every failure comes learning and growth.

In my life the failure that resulted in the most growth was from a past relationship I was in. I met someone and against the advice of fellow believers, I began dating him. To be honest, I fell hard and fast, which is very unlike me. Before I knew it, the relationship headed south and I was in over my head. As quickly as I had gotten myself into that mess, God graciously pulled me out of it.

During that time I felt God's grace and mercy more than ever. I realized that I am part of the body of Christ, and what I do has an effect on them. I learned that discipline is necessary and can be painful. I learned that I am not on a pedal stool and I am just as capable of sin as the next person. I learned that I need to guard my heart. I learned how important it is to live in community & accountability with other godly women.

Thankful Day 5: A talent

A talent I am thankful for is that I am a creative person. I love crafts and working with my hands. I've dabbled with photography a bit too. I have fun thinking about projects, finding or buying the supplies, of course making it, and lots of times I love to give it away as a gift! It's also a great way to bond and spend time with friends.

Thankful Day 4: An experience

I had to think about this one for a while. I've decided I'm most thankful for my trip to Spain in 2006. I went to visit my best friend, Kelsey, who was studying there for the semester. It was the first time I went to another continent, and the first time I stepped foot on an airplane! I give thanks to that experience for opening my eyes to the world (literally) of traveling abroad.

Segovia, Spain 

Thankful Day 3: A place

I'm grateful for places that remind me how vast God is and how small I am. The place that came to my mind first was Rialto Beach in Washington. Kelsey and I were in Seattle and discovered we were only 4 hours away from Forks, the town the Twilight books take place. Naturally, we had to go and am I glad we did! To this day, it has been the most beautiful day of my life. We saw mountains, the ocean, walked through a rain forest, and throughout the day it was sunny, rainy, and snowy!

Rialto Beach 

Other shots from that day 

Thankful Day 2: A role I've played

I'm most thankful for the role I played as a kindergarten teacher. Yes, you read that correctly. It was a whirlwind of a year, but it was worth it. Kids are so intelligent, eager to learn, energetic, accepting, and loving. What a joy it was to love them, to watch them grow, both physically and mentally, and to share the gospel with them. It was also a very humbling job. Think you're patient? Work with children! Don't be surprised if I end up working with little ones again.

The Thankful Project Day 1: A person

Happy November!

I'm excited Beka found The Thankful Project over at Chasing Happy. It's 28 days of intentional gratitude and community. Each day there is a prompt, and a lot of them are going to be challenging, but I'm going to give it a go. I'm also attempting #30thankfuldays on Instagram, follow me at lisha85_04. Without further ado, a person I'm thankful for:

Do you ever feel like you take the people that love you the most for granted? I know I do. Everyday, whether I show it or not, I am grateful for Christ. I am thankful that he loves me more than I could ever know. He loves those that deny him. He loves those that spit on him. He loves sinners. He loves me.  He loves you.