November 24, 2013
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‘Tis the season.
Well hello blog. I’m sorry I continue to neglect you. We both know that happens when life gets crazy but then I look back and get frustrated that I didn’t document any of the craziness. This will be no different.
My mind is whirling. So much is going on, I can’t keep them straight nor how to process. Right now, in this moment, I’m thinking of the holidays. I must confess, I have been listening to Christmas music for over a month now. I’m ridiculously excited for Christmas, for some reason. I’m also equally excited for a vacation the week before Christmas. It’s needed as I’m feeling very burned out in many different ways. A week away (even though, I’ll be working…hello destination photography wedding job) will be good. I won’t touch church work. I won’t touch work-work. I won’t be Coach. It sounds very relaxing…but do not get me wrong, I love those things but breaks are all but necessary.
I digress. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Why? You get the family and friends without the obligation of presents but don’t get me wrong, I LOVE giving presents! There’s something about Thanksgiving with no expectations of things that makes it special. It’s simply about each other. Even then, at the same time, holidays can be very difficult. Very lonely at times. As the years go by with family get togethers, it becomes more obvious that I’m one of the few…actually to be blunt and truthful, I am the only one in the family who hasn’t found their someone else. (Meaning of the cousins that are old enough to be dating/married.) As great as it is to spend time with them, there is still this difficulty. Please, do not think I believe being married would fix all my problems. I’m not that stupid. It’s simply around the holidays it’s more evident to me that everyone else has found their somebody else.
Am I the only one a little irritated that Black Friday is becoming Black Thursday and overshadowing what the day is actually about. As if Friday isn’t bad enough? We don’t even wait until the day of Thanksgiving is over to stop being thankful. Only in America. It’s just sad. I love a good sale, don’t get me wrong, I’m as Dutch as the next guy but instead of people being with family and friends on Thanksgiving they are waiting in line. For what? A materialistic item. My friends, we should not be ok with this fact. I might miss the big deal on (fill in the blank) but I’ve spent valuable time with my family. The decision to me, in light of the paragraph above, is clear cut. I choose people. I choose family.
For some reason, I feel exponentially better from writing the above. It’s nothing ground breaking, I know. My spirit is frustrated and burdened in so many ways right now. I need to be reminded to, as elementary as it sounds, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart.
You’ve seen it on facebook by many. 30 days of thankfulness. Here’s mine…a one stop shop. No particular order after number 1.
1. Salvation and relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. My Grandparents. (Grandma & Grandpa Wynalda and Grandma Sanderson)
3. Family (Immediate and extended)
4. Where I work and that God provided from this.
5. Buch.
6. My basketball team as frustrating and difficult as they can be.
7. West Cannon family.
8. Laughter.
9. Hardships.
10. Nephews. They bring me such joy.
11. Food in the fridge.
12. Clothing to keep me warm.
13. My apartment.
14. Ways to keep in contact with friends who are no longer in GR.
15. Life.
16. Photography.
17. Handwritten Letters.
18. Algoma Christian.
19. Sunshine.
20. Moments to relax.
21. Chapstick.
22. Friends. Real friendships.
23. Vacations.
24. Scripture.
25. A car.
26. Giving gifts.
27. Hunting.
28. BSF. (Bible Study Fellowship)
29. Being adopted.
30. Christmas Music.My heart is heavy and yet, it’s joyous because in the midst of it all, He is good. Does that sound cliche? Probably but that’s where my heart rests and relinquishes worries, stresses and what have you. In Him.
