Giving Thanks - Day 21

I'm thankful for toilet paper.

Enough said.

Giving Thanks - Day 20

I'm thankful for authors.

What if no one ever wrote a book because they were too worried, scared, timid, self-depracating? What a sad world that would be. What if there were no written language, and books couldn't be written? What if libraries were empty buildings?

I just can't imagine a world without books. All sorts of books: fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, fantasies, biographies, how-to's, religious, art, picture books, children's, young adult, and everything I missed in-between.

And books wouldn't exist without the brave souls to write them.

Giving Thanks - Day 19

I'm thankful for hot water.

There was a time when to have hot water, you had to boil it. It didn't just come out of the tap all warm. And for that matter, I'm thankful for cold water too, because I don't want to just have boiling hot water; I couldn't do it.

So yes, I'm thankful for the modern marvels of plumbing.

Giving Thanks - Day 18

I'm thankful for movies. I enjoy movies so much, especially the experience of going to the theater: the candy, soda, popcorn, comfy seats, big red curtain, amazing sound and picture, the audience laughing/crying/cheering with you! Of course, I'm speaking of The Warren, the best theater in Oklahoma :) If you haven't been there, you should go as soon as possible!

Anyway, back to movies. I love the story telling, the costumes, the music, just everything. I'm so grateful to watch Talkies, in color, with surround sound and just all the advancements that have been made in that industry. It's just wonderful.

Some of my FAVORITE movies are (in no particular order, and just the first three to come to my mind):

You saw that coming, didn't you?

Giving Thanks - Day 17

I'm thankful for modern medicine.

It saves lives. There isn't yet a cure for every illness and death can't be eliminated entirely, but people are granted extra hours and days and moments to spend how they choose because of medicine.

Phillipians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Giving Thanks - Day 16

I'm thankful for Harry Potter. These books addressed so many deep issues: good vs evil, self-love vs altruism, love vs hate, power vs equality, etc. They are my favorite series to read and my favorite movies to watch (although the books are better, of course.)

I know that the setting is that of a school for witchcraft and wizardry, but that's only the backdrop, the minute details, the fantasy, on which the larger story is presented. These books really helped me as a young teen to begin pondering the more important things other than what boy I should date or who was talking about me behind my back. I think its a very important series that every teen and young adult should read, and parents too! This series could be used to open a dialogue to discuss future decisions that must be made: does love really triumph over evil, why is Voldemort evil, was Snape evil and why or why not; what kind of a role model is Hermione for young girls (the BEST), what do you think of Draco's attitude, what kind of friendship do Ron, Hermione and Harry have - is it healthy [...]? I could go on, but I'll stop myself.

I don't judge anyone who chooses not to read these, or chooses not to allow their children to read them. You are simply choosing what is best for you and for your children, and I support you in that; you know yourself and your children much better than I ever will.

Thank you for listening to my opinion though.

If you're a teen or child who's parents have asked or told you not to read these, please respect their decision and DON'T read it. If you feel very strongly, ask them again, with respect and a heart prepared to obey, not argue.

Giving Thanks - Day 15

I'm thankful for flowers.

They're just so effortlessly beautiful. There's a lesson there, I know it.


Matthew 6:28-29 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Giving Thanks - Day 14

I'm thankful for music.

I hear music in everyday things: the dishwasher, a fan, the blink of a turn signal.

I try to imagine a world without music and it feels empty.

Music fills in the missing spaces, the emotions that don't have words.

I just can't imagine a day without music, or even an hour.


Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Giving Thanks - Day 13

I'm thankful for flashlights.

I hate the dark, especially when it's unexpected, like a sudden power outage.

So I'm just thankful for the technology of flashlights, and that you don't necessarily need batteries for them.

:)


Psalm 69:30  I will praise the name of God with song, And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Giving Thanks - Day 12

I am thankful for social media.

It's weird to know that I can remember a time before Facebook. In fact, I remember the day I signed up for FB. It just so happened to be the same day they unveiled the original Newsfeed. Back then, only college students could join.

I actually remember the day my parents got the internet. I was young enough that I got a special platform of AOL, just for kids. Remember AOL? "You've got mail" You just said that in the computer voice, didn't you?

Remember dial up? Oh I am thankful that's gone!

I'm thankful for social media: facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, and the internet in general that enables me to educate myself, find entertainment, and connect with friends and family and YOU! :)


Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Giving Thanks - Day 11

I'm thankful for our jobs.

Neither of us have our dream job, but we both have jobs.

I'm thankful for all that I have learned where I currently work and for the opportunities it has opened up for me. I'm thankful for those I work for and work with. I do feel that my jobs helps make a difference in our community and that helps me keep going on the days that I don't like my job. Sometimes it gets really boring. But I can still find something to be grateful for in those times.

I'm also thankful that our jobs enable us to give to others. :)



Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Giving Thanks - Day 10

I am thankful for digital photography.

I vaguely remember the days of film photography and having pictures developed. It was always exciting to finally go pick the pictures up after days of anticipation! Disposable cameras were the best because I always forgot what I had used them for.

Although there were some downsides, such as never knowing how well a picture turned out. I have thrown away an entire camera's worth of pictures before because none of them turned out.

Oh, and having to buy film and treat it correctly so as not to ruin it.

And lets not forget keeping all of those pictures organized! Ugh!

Like I said, I am thankful for digital photography! :)


Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!