My mom walked into my room and handed me this photo. I was confused .... 'cause it wasn't even me, but she was confident that is was me - my dad just put the wrong name ... that's all. She started telling me about how "I was such a sick baby ..... but look at me now." Yes, we really had that kind of conversation.

Even though it's already December, I don't think it's ever too late to be thankful .... I'm thankful for my mom and her unending love that exemplifies Christ in so many ways, my dad and his caring heart, family ... for sure, my brothers that have become so "brotherly" ever since I've been away for college, my sister who is so supportive in me being here, actually being able to come to college and experience, meeting friends that will be a part of the rest of my life, funny conversations, rest in the midst of busyness, having a job to go back to, childhood friends, the same sun that rises every morning, I'm thankful for pretty colors and cute pictures, for the kids in my life that have shared so much of their time with me, for growth and maturity, thankful for a heart with emotions, thankful for community, for relationships, for laughter, for awkward moments, for change ...

... most of all, I am thankful for this life that I have, this breath that I'm breathing every minute of every day, and the God I serve in which all of this comes from.

{1 Thessalonians 5:18}