Days 195-206

So this is from a year ago at least. I ended up with a huge amount of days left and tried to group them all together but obviously that didn't work out so I'm just going to go with smaller chunks and hopefully I will actually finish this project.

Day 195: that I don't have to be good

Being good is not my job, and I'm so glad of it because I can't be good in and of myself.

Day 196: prayers

Specifically, my mother's prayers on my behalf. I'm so thankful that she prays for me. 

It's funny how conversation topics are often repeated in other places. Dr. Terry Carter came to speak at my school the same day and spoke on a similar topic to my conversation with my mom: you are the only you around here. God created you and gifted you specifically how He wanted to fulfill the purpose He has for you.

Day 197: refrigerators

Thankful for refrigerators so our food doesn't have to sit out in the warm. Also, helps food keep longer.

Day 198: breakfast shakes

Thankful for breakfast shakes because I don't have to choose between being late and eating breakfast nearly as often.

Day 199: stain remover

Thankful that my clothes aren't done for when I spill something on them.


Day 200: my salvation

I am thankful for the saving grace of Christ.

Sorry for the spelling error. I did not make this video.


Day 201: Scripture answers my doubts


A.K.A. inerrancy. Because when I have questions I can go to Scripture and trust that He has an answer for me.


Day 202: Doctors who listen


Because some doctors don't really seem to. And when you end up with one of the ones that do, you know you will be taken care of. And that is such a relieving feeling.


Day 203: I got an MRI scheduled!


So excited for this. So glad I didn't have to wait until January.

Day 204: faucets that work


running water is a lovely thing. Running water from a faucet that doesn't need to be coerced in order to stop running is even better.


Day 205: reclining chairs in the car


because sometimes you are sleepy or nauseous and reclining chairs really come in handy. This was my brothers idea, but he has a really good point.

Day 206: someone to go to appointments with me


You know, for emotional support. Really thankful for that. 

What have you been thankful in the past year or so?

Roller Skates

Let's say you're a kid who has a pair of shiny roller skates, given to you by a godparent, favorite relative, or other special person. You can put them on and go outside and get those skates a little beaten up by skating the life out of them or you can keep them in their box closed up all nice and shiny. When you grow up and they no longer fit they will still be nice and shiny.

Now stop.

Think.

What did your special person want you to do with the skates when they gave them to you? They wanted you to use them of course. They gave them to you to enjoy, not to hide away for fear of messing up. 

God gave you life to enjoy it. When you refuse to enjoy life you are refusing to use God's gift. Don't do that to Him. Go on a walk. Listen to music. Eat good food. Make friends. Don't spend 100% of your time doing what the world deems important: making a million dollars, seeking prestige, cleaning your house, drudgery. You can waste your whole life by doing unimportant things you don't even like for a prize that won't make you happy. Don't be that way. Go enjoy what God has given you.

Don't keep those skates inside.

We are all just sick books anyway

There we are. Sitting on our shelves along with all the other broken books. He comes along and picks us up and puts us on his cart and takes us back to his workshop. We know that we are broken, but we are much more broken than we know. He takes us in His hands, prying, picking, and exposing the most broken, sick parts that we didn't have any idea existed. And then He breaks us. He breaks us all apart. And it hurts. He starts cleaning us up, cutting away all of the gross and sticky bits that cling, things that get in the way. When He is not cutting us or patching us up, He sets us on a table to dry, sometimes putting boards and bricks on top of us. And we wonder sometimes, if perhaps He's forgotten. But He hasn't. He never does. While we are sitting there drying, He is measuring and cutting and gluing together a new cover, a cover that is exactly the right size and made especially, specifically for us. Then He takes us off the table and glues us into the cover. It fits perfectly. 

Days 186-194

Day 186: when your back seizes up

Because you automatically have great posture and when it goes away it's easy to remember how to have good posture.

Day 187: little purses

I am thankful for little purses because they are light and don't hurt my shoulders nearly as much as bigger ones.

Day 188: snacks

I am thankful for snacks because sometimes I get hungry between meals. It nice to know that I don't have to stay hungry between meals.

Day 189: a brother

Today I am thankful for my brother (the Artist). I love him so much. He was my first friend. I love that we can talk together about practically anything. I love that we like to spend time together. And I love the way he's growing up. I'm so proud of him. 

Day 190: notes

So I have a class with M and we were going to have a quiz and he typed up notes for himself and printed me out a second copy for me and I'm really glad that he thinks of me. :)

Day 191: backless shoes

Today I'm really thankful that when new shoes give you a blister on your heel there are other types of shoes to wear until it gets better.

Day 192: when your back stops seizing up.

Thankful for this because, well, life hurts hurts so much less this way.

Day 193: I can talk to my parents

I am really thankful that I can talk to my parents if I have something bothering me.

Day 194: naps

Oh, I am so thankful for naps. I've been staying up so late doing homework and naps help me feel better when I'm worn thin. 

What are you thankful for today?

Day 185: multiple drivers

Today I am thankful that we have multiple drivers in our family. That way when the person driving becomes tired or whatever someone else can take over. 

What are you thankful for today?

Day 184: unbrokenness

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4

Today I'm thankful that I don't have to be broken forever. The verse pretty much sums it up. Go read it in context for something really cool. :)

What are you thankful for today? 

If you don't get what I mean by unbroken or don't understand how to get there please email me at beautyofnormal@gmail.com.

Have a great evening. :)

Days 182 & 183

Day 182: sun

When you get to your (cold) school early and a beam of sunlight is waiting for you at the place you'd intended on sitting. Ahhhhh. :)

Day 183: job

So I got a job today. I applied for it this morning and got it before 1:00 I believe. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work and earn money. So excited. :D

What are you thankful for today?

Day 178-181

Day 178: Bible study apps

Today I am thankful for Bible study apps. There are three apps that I use often.

The first one is Olive Tree. I use it most often for following along during sermons. It's great because there are many highlighting options and you can make notes within the text.

Accordance has a built in lexicon. It's not written in a way I'm familiar with but it does work offline. Also, you can search for a word and it will pull up every verse the word is used in.

The CBN Bible app is great but requires Internet access and is a little slow sometimes. You view one chapter at a time. In the sidebar there are pull down boxes with commentaries, a concordance, and a lexicon where you see information for the selected verses.

Day 179: the people of a certain nearby church

I'm thankful for those people because they donate bunches of stuff to the students from my school. Like laptops, cars, kitchen supplies, furniture, etc. Very, very thankful for all the needs of poor college students being met. God's good like that. :)

Day 180: when my brother makes breakfast

(And I'm running late). This happened to me a couple days ago. I was late and was going to the kitchen to find something to take with me as I ran out the door. And there was my brother, scrambling eggs. And he'd made some for everyone, I think. Very thoughtful brother. Love him bunches. :)

Day 181: sunshine

I like how it lights up everything and feels cheerful and warm.

What are you thankful for today?

Day 177: meeting new people

Because every new person is a potential friend. And learning people's stories is one of my favorite things. And because it makes me happy. 

What are you thankful for today?

Day 176: family

Today I am thankful that I have a family. I'm thankful that I have someone to come home to.

What are you thankful for today?

Day 175: my sense of smell

I don't mean the sense of smell in general. I mean mine. Because I almost don't have one. Today I'm thankful for all those times when people complain about a bad smell and I can't smell it.

Day 174: I'm glad I'm not a housecat

We have two of them. Their lives consist of eating, sleeping, laying around not sleeping, moving to a new place to lay around, and occasionally being sick. As much as I love our cats, I'm so, so glad that I'm not one of them. I'm thankful that my life consists of more than being lazy. I'm thankful I'm not a housecat.

What are you thankful for today?

Days 153-173

Day 153: cool summer mornings

I'm thankful that the weather is cool enough in the morning to keep outdoor chores from being uncomfortable.

Day 154: registrar

I'm certain that my school has one of the best registrars in the country. She has spent so much time helping me get all my classes straightened out, transferring credits, answering questions, etc. so, so thankful for her :)

Day 155: free internet at places other than my house

It's really nice to be able to continue doing schoolwork even when I'm not at my house or school.

Day 156: when people offer to pay you for doing chores

Yay for opportunities to make money :) especially during my jobless summer.

Day 157: free summer stock

Because I like the theatre and free is my favorite price.

Day 158: when less people come to an event but it's still great

A smaller group offers a totally different flavor for a get together. Nice for a change, and I'm glad it worked out that people could come :) 

Day 159: breakthroughs

Today I'm thankful for breakthroughs: discoveries or revelations that change the way you see things.

Day 160: comfy shoes

I got new shoes today :) yay for replacing older not-so-comfy shoes.

Day 161: placemats

I am thankful for placemats because when I spill something it's easier to clean the placemat than the whole table.

Day 162: scholarships

Really thankful for the people who help provide for my education.

Day 163: debates

I've recently begun to appreciate the use of debates in politics in the US. If I watch the debates on TV I have a better idea of what the candidates stand for. So much easier than trying to sort through all the campaign stuff online.

Day 164: "Summer is waning"

My brother said that this morning. Being on the downhill slope of summer makes all that heat more bearable.

Day 165: pills

I'm not overly fond of pills, but on days when you can't chew tablets swallowable alternatives are a definite plus.

Day 166: youth minister

For the past three years or so our church has had a very good youth minister. He's taught the students about life and taken them deeper into the Scriptures. He's also been very inclusive. I've enjoyed working with him :) very thankful for who he is and what he's done in the lives of our young people.

Day 167: invisible disabilities

I'm thankful that my medical problems are not such that I have people staring at me.

Day 168: manual locks on car doors

Because when I lock it myself with my own hands I know it's locked. Yes, that's me, the person who has to lock the car with a beeper several times because I can't remember if I locked it or not. [insert eye roll/shrug]

Day 169: we got rid of our TV service

It's so nice not to have that box on as much :)

Day 170: my grandfather's place of residence

Another way of saying his house. Because "my grandfather's house's location" just seemed like too much. Anyways, he lives literally around the corner and I'm thankful that we can get to him quickly if we need to.

Day 171: running water 

I am really thankful that when I'm thirsty or need a shower or something I can just turn the water faucet on.

Day 172: electricity

Today I'm thankful for electricity. Because I can turn lights on and plug things in and etc.

Day 173: sound

The rhythmic thump of my feet on the boardwalk. The combined hum of various insects. The quiet murmur of people conversing at a distance. Sounds. They can be beautiful. And seldom do we take the time to listen. I took a walk today, and I'm glad I did. Thankful for sounds today.

Days 146-152

Day 153: air conditioning

Because summer is hot. 

Day 154: egg timers

Because sometimes I can't hear the laundry timer at the other end of the house and I can carry an egg timer around with me. Great Christmas present :)

Day 155: community colleges

So I can't make night classes and I need to take Spanish this year (but of course my school only offers it at night). Thankful for the local community college that is going to (probably--still finalizing) allow me to take Spanish online and transfer it in. Yay :)

Day 156: cousins

So I love my cousins. And last week they came over to hang out. And it was fun. I'm really thankful that I've been able to grow up being friends with at least some of my extended family.

Day 157: credits transferring

Once upon a time. I took some CLEPs before I went to college. But then they didn't transfer. And I lost a whole years worth of work and money. That was three years ago. Then last week I was trying to figure out my classes and I emailed the registrar and asked if they still didn't accept CLEP credits and she said she could look at them so I scanned copies of the documentation and Friday I got word that they accepted two of them. So now I have two less classes to take to graduate! And also was upgraded from a junior to a senior! And I haven't been this excited in a long time. I'm serious. #senioryear #wellseniorthreesemestersleft #party

Day 158: good news

I mean specific good news, not good news in general (although that is also great :D). Today I found out that a friend of mine is enrolling at my school for this next semester. Soooo excited! Wheeeeee!

What have you been thankful for this week?

Days 126-145

Day 126: a friend

I have this one friend who is kind of unexpected, in the way of friends. We have similar interests but our personalities are...very dissimilar. We do not react to things the same way (or often to the same things) and disagreements are not at all uncommon. Perhaps the most unusual thing about our friendship is the age gap. She is older than my parents. But she doesn't treat me like she is. That is what I'm thankful for. She does not allow our many differences to get in the way of being friends. And I'm so glad, because as it's turned out, she's one of my best friends. And I wouldn't want to do without her.

Day 127: fireworks at sunset

A confession: I've never really liked fireworks. And it's not the noise or the way you have to crane your neck to see them sometimes. My first distinct memory of fireworks I can recall is of watching them go up and seeing the trails of smoke left in the light of each successive firework. And I thought it was scarring the sky. I suppose I didn't understand about the smoke yet. This year it was really stormy the day of the Independence Day celebration and they moved the fireworks display forward nearly two hours. The sky was not dark at 8:00. It was sunset and the sky behind the fireworks was purple and orange. Fireworks look so different at sunset. And for the first time, I could see (and not just know) that the smoke trails float away after a bit leaving the sky clear to see the sunset and the stars. Sometimes it takes a different light to see beauty where you haven't before.

Day 128: the joys of being ill

Being ill is a wonderful thing. When you are ill you are waited on hand and foot and you are allowed to eat only what you feel like and to lie around in bed playing iPad games for hours. People make you tea and bring you ice and a bucket in case you become sicker than you are. You may shirk all your responsibilities and be lazy for how ever long your symptoms last. The thing I'm really thankful for is how my mom cares for me when I'm not feeling well. She makes sure I have everything thing I need and fetches things for me when I'm too weak or nauseous to get them for myself. So thank you, mom. I'm so glad you make sure to be there for me. And I much as I adore iPad games (mostly for their mind-numbingly, fast-paced repetitive quality) I'd rather be helping you in the kitchen.

Day 129: Excedrin (a letter)

Oh, Excedrin, thou art my one, my only. None other will do. Thou alone shalt ease my pain. I have spent time with others, but they simply art not my type. They hath not the way with them to comfort as much as thou (I thinkest it may be the presence of caffeine). Excedrin, thou lovely one, thou are the only one for me. I thank thee for they comforting presence when I am in need of thee. Nevertheless, I shalt dare hope I needest not meet thee so oft. 

Day 130: vacations

Today I'm thankful for vacations. Vacations mean that I get relax with my family and I get a break from chores and stuff. 

Day 131: cokes

Because they make me feel better when I'm sick

Day 132: family reunions

I like going to family reunions. I like getting to see relatives and hear stories and make friends...but mostly I like seeing how much my parents enjoy themselves.

Day 133: no carsickness

I am thankful for not getting motion sick easily. I have been motion sick only a handful of times, but it's enough to really enjoy being able to ride in a car without being nauseous.

Day 134: food swapping

"You going to eat those sweet potato fries?"

"You going to finish your pimento cheese?"

Let's swap"

I case you don't like (or can't finish) what you ordered.

Day 135: hungry brothers 

Thankful for being able to dispose of unwanted food while on the road without being wasteful

Day 136: God know what He's doing

"we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" -Romans 8:28

I am really thankful that even when I don't know what's going on, and I don't know where I'm going that God has a plan and will not fail to work it out.

Day 137: earbuds

I am thankful for earbuds because I can use them to watch my cartoons without feeling awkward for everyone being able to hear a twenty-something girl watching cartoons.

Day 138: finding things

I am thankful for being able to find things we've lost. The ability to think and retrace our steps. I'm thankful that we don't think something stops existing when we can no longer see it.

Day 139: consignment stores

(hand-me-downs that don't fit + consignment stores) (time) = money = school = graduation!

Day 140: hemming in...

"You hem me in, behind and before" -Psalm 139:5 (ESV)

I am thankful that God has the power to course-correct my life if I go the wrong direction.

Day 141: lozenges

Because sore throat. Less pain. Yay.

Day 142: cold care tea

The most awesomest stuff for making you feel better when you have a cold. Traditional Medicinals brand, says Gypsy Cold Care on the box if you want to know.

Day 143: go-between

I am thankful for being able to be one of the chain links in a chain from a person in need to help.

Day 144: falling leaves

Because the wind swoops them around all pretty-like and it makes me smile :D

Day 145: waiting time

Getting places early, car trips, etc. often leave time for...whatever you have time for. I am thankful for this waiting time because I can use it to finish getting ready or read or chat or anything. It's nice to have a few extra minutes.

So sorry to take so terribly long. I have been under the weather and then out of town and then under the weather and...what's happened to summer?!? Oh, well. We have fun anyway. :)

What have you been thankful for the past 20 days?

Aaand...here's some happy music for you for being good while I was gone. Because I can :) 

Day 125: moving on

Today I am thankful that I am not defined by the past. I do not have to be held back by things that I've gone through. I can be hurt and I can make mistakes, but I can learn from them and I can move past them. My past will only tie me down if I let it. So today I'm thankful for being able to move on and I'm thankful that my past does not have to define my future.

What are you thankful for today?

Day 124: iPad

Today I am thankful to have an iPad. Because it means I can write on the road like I am now. :) It also means that I can carry many books with me without added weight.

What are you thankful for today?

Days 114-123

Day 114: wisdom search

Wisdom Search is what we call our family devotions that we have in the mornings. I am thankful for wisdom search because it means we come together as a family to study the Scriptures. And also because it's taught me that getting up early in the morning is a good thing. And I get to see my dad before he goes to work in the morning :)

Day 115: advice

I am thankful that people (like parents) give me advice that I maybe don't like. Because they can see things that I miss, and they are often right. 

Day 116: game nights

I am thankful for game nights because I like to play games, I like to hang out with people, and it gives me a regular opportunity to see others whom I would not normally see if we didn't have game night.

Day 117: Dad

Today I am thankful for my dad. I am thankful for Dad because he provides for us, loves us, plays with us, is willing to keep creepy guys away from me, taught me how to drive (that was an adventure), likes to try new things with me, and a whole bunch of other reasons. But mostly, Dad, thanks for caring. Thank you for loving me enough to correct me and discipline me when I was a child, and for giving me advice now that I've grown. Thank you for everything you do and say (and don't do and say) to let me know you're there for me. You're a favorite of mine.

Day 118: sense of direction 

Because I like to know where I am. I am so, so thankful for this. I take this for granted a lot. Sunday we took Dad to a really huge Bass Pro shop and when it was time to leave I was able to help navigate out of there. And then I thought what if I couldn't do this. Yikes! Really glad I have a sense of direction.

Day 119: feeling better

I am feeling so much better than I was a couple weeks ago. I even had a friend over Tuesday.

Day 120: hand-me-downs

Reasons hand-me-downs win 10+ awesome points:

1) they usually consist of things I couldn't afford if I'd seen them in a retail store

2) I get to play dress up

3) I get to keep anything (everything!) I like free of charge

4) if something needs alteration, we can play around with it without losing money if we mess up

5) I can sort through it on my own time in the comfort of my own home 

6) I can walk right into my closet to see if a color matches what I already have

7) it's usually a surprise, and I like surprise gifts of new wardrobes

I could think of more reasons, but 7 seemed like the perfect number to stop at.

Day 121: a brother

I have a brother. You may know him as the Musician. I remember praying for a brother before he was born. I remember being so excited when I found out the new baby was going to be a boy. My brother is, I'm convinced, one of the best people on earth. I'm proud of the way he's growing up and I love that we've turned out to be pretty good friends. M: thanks for being the awesome guy that you are. I love you.

Day 122: when people respond negatively to RSVPs

Yeah, RSVPs. Those things that a lot of people don't use anymore but are actually super helpful. I greatly appreciate when people who said maybe call and say they can't come (although I'd rather them say they could). But I'm glad they let me know. Makes planning easier and I don't have to worry something tragic happened

Day 123: rain in summer

I am thankful for rain in summer because it cools things down. Yay for a break in the heat! :D

So this week I kept working on this post and I was a couple days behind from the previous weekend, but every day adds another topic which means more to write about and I wasn't able to catch up completely until today. I'm pretty sure nine days is a record for me. Hope that won't happen like that again :)

What are you thankful for today?

Did anybody find my joke?

Days 111-113

Day 111: suggestions

Specifically suggestions that you wouldn't have thought of from people you wouldn't have thought to ask. Because other people know different things than me. 

Day 112: finding a good deal on something you were going to get anyway

Different from finding a deal on something you don't need, this kind of deal is cool because it often means getting more than you were expecting and/or for less than you were expecting to pay for it.

Day 113: baking soda

Because it seems like it can clean almost everything. Pretty cool :)

What are you thankful for today?

Day 110: my brother is a musician

Today I am thankful that my brother can play music. It sounds lovely and fills up the house. Right now a friend is over and they are practicing a piece for tonight's service. His music makes me happy. I am glad that I was able to grow up alongside a musician.

What are you thankful for today?