Still… you are Family

I know this might sound complicated or a little strange, but I’m still really close with my first boyfriend’s family (CK and I had dated for five years back in the good old days, when life was easy). Being in a relationship with CK for five years, I pretty much grew up with his family. Even now, they still seem like my family away from home. Anyway, this year his sister Doll invited me over for Thanksgiving in Circle City (fyi: CK and his parents were not there, just in case you were wondering). I’m so blessed they still even want me to even be around their family during the holidays. Their friendship is priceless to me and the love they have shown me speaks volumes. Thanksgiving was such a blast, I can’t explain to you how much fun it was! I spent the entire day over Doll’s house eating, playing Apples to Apples with the girls and enjoying everyone’s company. The best part about that day was right before dinner we had testimony and worship time. I think this is what I miss the most about spending Thanksgiving with CK’s family. It was so meaningful for me to still be able to sit down and share what I’m thankful for with them. The next day a bunch of us all headed down to Mitch & Doll’s cabin for the night. Molls, Kris, Joel, Charlie and I spent most of the time down there together building campfires, four-wheeling, shooting guns and just having fun hanging out. Since CK and I stopped dating, it had been two years since I’ve been down to the cabin. I was amazed how little it changed, the cabin seemed like it was stuck in time capsule. I never thought I would ever get the chance to go back there, just goes to show you just never know what little curve balls life will throw at you. Needless to say I left the cabin and the Thanksgiving weekend behind with a full heart. I truly believe being around family is so important during the holidays. Even though I couldn’t spend Thanksgiving this year with my own family, I still felt like I was.

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” -Desmond Tutu

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving, is that time of year for loads of food, warm winter sweaters and being around those you love. Coming to a table of family and friends in remembrance for all that we have to be thankful for. For myself this year has been incredibly hard but I couldn’t be more thankful for the friends and family God has blessed me with. It has been through their encouragement, friendship and love that I have been able to push through all the struggles that have crossed my path. Without them and my Father’s undying love for me I would have not gotten through all of it. Here is a short re-cap of what I’m thankful for: My company went through three layoffs, I’m thankful I still have a job. After three months I found out my boyfriend cheated on me with his ex, I’m thankful I found out before I got too far into it. I ran my second marathon this year, I’m thankful I finished well. Dating again has been a huge rollercoaster ride, I’m thankful I’m not in any bad relationships and I am learning to be content being single. I almost made a huge mistake by moving to B-Ripple, I’m thankful God took me out of that situation. When my wallet and all my credit cards got stolen, I’m thankful nothing bad happened and even though it was a pain I got everything taken care of. I moved into my first one bedroom apartment, I’m thankful God provided the funds to do that. And when I thought all was lost and it didn’t seem like there was anywhere to turn, I’m thankful God was right there beside me. Needless to say I have much to be thankful for. Even though my struggles may seem minuscule compared to the rest of the world, they really challenged me this year to grow stronger and deeper in my faith than ever before. I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful thanksgiving and is blessed by the ones you love. Lastly, I will leave you with a verse that I hold dear to my heart. It will be my prayer for you this Thanksgiving.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” – Philippians 1:3-11

The Scoop

Bummer… JF is no longer coming through Circle City before he heads home for Thanksgiving. It turns out last night he made it to the next round of the singing competition which will be held late wednesday night in Chicago. I’m kind of disapointed because I was looking forward to getting to see him but I guess I’ll just have to wait till the next time he comes in town. Just thought I would update you guys and let you know.

The Holiday

Turning on my radio this morning to 93.9…Christmas music started playing out of it. What is going on ?!? Thanksgiving is still a week and a half away and we are already promoting Christmas? Does anyone else feel like the fall this year just came and went with the breeze? I love the Christmas season don’t get me wrong, I just think we should enjoy Thanksgiving and the rest of fall first before getting all pumped up for Christmas quite yet. I feel like it is being a little overly forced this year, due to the economy. Granted, I have already noticed a huge change in the stores as well. Lights are going up, Christmas music is now playing over the intercom and there is people everywhere trying to make a dash for the one day only sales. I went to the mall on Sunday with my girlfriend Carrie and I couldn’t believe how many people were there. I don’t mean to sound like the Grinch, I am really excited about Christmas I’m just not ready to give up the fall yet. I guess my hesitation for the Christmas season to start might be due to the fact I’m not dating anyone this holiday season once again. I kind of miss those days searching all over town for the perfect gift to give him and bringing in the New Year’s wrapped in his arms. Those days are long over now and I know someday I will have someone to share them with again but it kind of chokes me up just thinking about it. Even though I won’t be thinking of anyone special for the holidays, I am very grateful for the wonderful family I have. This year I will be spending almost two weeks in Florida with them! I haven’t seen them in a long time so it will be good to go back home and warm up while everyone freezes back here…hehe. Plus, I get to meet my sister Ash’s new boyfriend… I still have yet to approve the guy she has been dating the past six months! So needless to say, going to see everyone back home makes me so happy… I love them so much!