What I am Thankful For

It's a long list, I have so many things and people to be thankful for! Don't be offended if you're name is not on here, I am thankful for you, too!

Jesus Christ, My Lord and Savior. He's given me everything.
The Bible, for being a light to my path.
My Mom, for all of her sacrifice, and for putting up with me.
Norm, for taking me in as his own, and teaching me how to function as a normal human.
My Sister, for loving me no matter what and being my friend.
 My extended Family
Trinity Evangel Church, for the amazing teaching, and the amazing love and fellowship.
Grace Bible Church
Grace Academy
ENGS
My home, good food, clean water, clothing, indoor plumbing, transportation, technology, etc.
Good Health
Living in the USA
The US military
Leila, Andy, Merian, + Lucy Bowers
Russ + Marie Hanley
Sean, Mo, Maggie, Calvin, Hallie, + Keelah Higgins
Dave + Gale Light
Ron, Jen, Abigail, Aaron, Isaiah Van Der Becken
Keri, Brian, Kenley, + Claire Ronk
Katie, Ben, Emmett, + Ammelia Hanson
Len + Susan Bone
Haley Douma
Autumn Huning
Chuck + Teresa Weinberg
Andi McAuliffe
Jolie + Ryan Hall
Ian + Kimmy Lugg
Jim, Gail, Jesse, + Esther Martin
Rose LaJoye
Cheryl Crane
Alicia, Katherine, Olivia, + Caroline Martin
Patti Frisk
Darrel Whitcomb
Timothy + Renee Lugg
Jonathan + Sonja Sarr
Marybeth Young
John + Helen Zimmer
Brenden, Diega, Sofia, Elena, Lydia, + Marisa Drage/Bravo
Dave, Brenda, Kaileigh, + Caleb Alford
Rick + Dawnell Holt

Oh Christmas tree...

Today at nanny school, we skipped classes. I know. Shocking. but it was for something REALLY cool. every year chagrin falls decorates the whole town for Christmas. Well this year...they got a HUGE christmas tree. It's 60 feet tall. and 40 feet wide. woah. that's kinda big. They brought it on a semi truck. it was a bit of a wide load. Then they used a crane to lift it into a hole. Here is the pictorial evidence.

We don't generally wear sweats and t shirts. But it was work out day and art day. sorry you had to witness the outfits. :)

more talking and less listening.

Generally listening is way better than talking when it comes to having a conversation with other people. But when it comes to what is going on in your mind, talking can be much better.  When I'm tired and emotional it's so easy to put myself down, to tell myself that I'm fat and ugly and no one likes me and I'm a failure. This is such a horrible mind set and I am working SO hard at telling myself the truth. I am loved and to God I am beautiful and I have family that loves me and friends that love me and I can do all things in life through Christ that strengthens me. I have to constantly tell myself these things, and being here in Ohio has been a huge challenge for me. I feel like I have made leaps and bounds in this area. I have learned that what people say to me and about me does not matter. These people have known me for a very short time. They do not care about me and what they say shouldn't matter. Who ever said "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is such a liar. WORDS HURT. They hurt a lot. But i have learned that I don't need to over analyze what people say. I don't need to believe everything people say, but I also don't need to think that everyone is lying. If people talk bad about me, who cares? If people tell me they love me, they're not lying. This goes along with laughing to keep from crying. Sometimes I just have to blow things off. I just have to laugh and move on. because it's just not that important. These things might not seem important to you, but to me, these things are HUGE. Thank you for reading my word vomit :)

Halloween, Justin Beiber, and a few other things.

I know I haven't written in a while. The homework is really piling on, and not there isn't a lot of exciting stuff to talk about. Halloween was fun. In Chagrin Falls halloween is a big deal, anyone who's anyone comes here to trick or treat. The fire dept. makes a haunted house in their fire house. Which is terrifying, apparently. I didn't go in because I don't do chainsaws. But a few of my friends did and they all were scarred. There was also a guy running up and down the streets with a chainsaw. I didn't like him very much. Overall it was a good night, we had lots of fun, and everyone has fun costumes.

Of course once Halloween was over, everyone started listening to christmas music. You may be thinking, "So what?" But honestly it's horrible! Because every girl in this dorm loves the new Justin Beiber Christmas CD. HELP ME! My roommate subjects me to it almost everyday. Even on my birthday!

Speaking of birthdays, mine was good. My ride to my practicum family wasn't going to be able to take me, so I just sat around all day and watched Harry Potter. It was really strange not to be with my sister on our birthday. My parents took her out to lunch. and dinner. But I got Vera Bradley and a new iPod. I also got a few gifts from friends in WA, and they really made my day. My favorite was a video from my favorite fake children. I watch it almost every day. I love it! I also went out to dinner with my roommate at a nice little place called Yours Truly. It was a good day.

Other than those things, life is pretty boring here. We're learning a lot of good stuff. I'm ready for it to be over though, and I'm having to work really hard to be content and have joy. Only 35 days until my family gets here!