30 Days of Thankfulness (pt 2)

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4. I am thankful God blessed us with Emily. Being a mom has been the hardest, most stressful but rewarding and loving job I have ever done.

5. I am so thankful to be an American.

6. I am thankful to have a cozy home in a safe place (that’s also within walking distance to Super Target, Chick-fil-a, and many many other convenient places).

7. I am thankful Paul has a good job that supports our family and gives me the ability to stay home with Emily.

8. I am thankful to live in a state that has good weather for gardening.  There’s nothing like fresh tomatoes and basil that grow until the first frost (usually end of October!).

9. I am thankful for our awesome church.  A place where we can worship God and fellowship with other believers.  Also a place where Emily feels loved and safe.

10. I am thankful to have reliable internet and technologies to keep in touch with our family and friends who live far away.

11. And today especially, I am reminded to be thankful for our country’s military veterans.  I saw this poem online and felt it very appropriate for today.

Heroes
By Jared Jenkins

In war, there are lives risked and lives taken
Men and women giving their best to defend what they love
They defend their country
Their honor
Their people

Some call them soldiers
Others call them heroes

Our veterans have risked their lives for us
They have lived through hell and fought with honor
Many have killed
And regret doing so

For every life, there is a soul
For every soul, there is a life
For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance
For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle
Some, memories of defeat
Some, memories of victory

Our veterans were more than soldiers
They were, and still are heroes

 

30 Days of Thankfulness

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With the changing of the seasons and upcoming holidays, I am jumping on the bandwagon to to document all the blessings in my life.  There are several online “30 days of Thankfulness,” and while I am not following any one in particular, I’m going to attempt to blog my 30.  I’m already “behind” so I don’t plan to write everyday, but I do plan to document at least 30 things I am thankful for.  To catch up for my first 3 days of November, here are my first 3 “I’m thankful for’s:”

1. My Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

2. My parents who have shown me unconditional love and support and a great example of how to love one another.

3. My sweet and hard working husband who is also my best friend, confidant, personal comedian, handyman and awesome father.

Selfish Request

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I apologize in advance, but I just cannot help myself. If you do not use Facebook, please feel free to stop reading.

This year we rented an Outer Banks vacation home in Corolla through Village Realty. We also used Village Realty last year when we stayed in Nags Head. They are a wonderful company to work with and have a wide range of vacation homes.  Each year they have a photo contest and this year I submitted a few photos.  Three of my submissions were chosen as semi-finalists.  The voting takes place through Facebook and runs until October 19th.  There are many AWESOME photos.  They all make me long for the salty sea air and cool breezes. The big prize is a week long stay in a Village Realty home and there are a few other prizes for category winners.  We’d love your vote if you have a chance!

Here are the direct links:

Emily in the pool – http://www.villagerealtyobx.com/OuterBanks/VacationRentals/PhotoContest/KoolKids/5840/

Emily ready to jump in the pool – http://www.villagerealtyobx.com/OuterBanks/VacationRentals/PhotoContest/KoolKids/5836/

Paul & Emily at the Elizabethan Gardens (Manteo) – http://www.villagerealtyobx.com/OuterBanks/VacationRentals/PhotoContest/obxoutandabout/5838/

We really appreciate your help!  Thanks a bunch!

 

Where was I 10 years ago?

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I remember much about that beautiful September morning. The place: UNC Asheville, the date: Tuesday, September 11, 2001. I was a busy college senior, president of SGA, still living on campus (& loving it) and I awoke oddly early. I had a 9:25am class on women in economic history with Dr. Nickless. I made myself a little breakfast, watched some TV, checked email & IM away messages and then headed to class from my dorm room in Garner Hall.

The sky was a beautiful deep Carolina blue. The air was crisp and it was starting to feel like fall. Campus was quiet, no leaf blowers.  I heard birds singing as I walked in Karpen Hall. I was the 1st student in class. Before the professor arrived I heard some chatter in the hallway about a plane crash. Did not think much about it. About 20 minutes into class a professor interrupted us and asked us to turn on the TV. Thankfully ‘back then’ you could still turn on a TV and get something over the air. The local ABC station came in most clearly and I can still see the stunned and bewildered look on Peter Jennings face.

What was going on? This did not make sense. All they could report was 2 jets had crashed into the 2 World Trade Center Towers and another in Washington DC. And then it happened. The first tower began to crumble. I held my breath. This cannot be happening. More reports about missing planes and the Pentagon. The professor dismissed class. The hallway was crowded but hushed. I don’t think I took a deep breath again until I had made it outside. The sky was still blue and cloudless.

Suddenly I remembered that my father had a business trip planned for Washington DC. Was he there? Being the busy college student that I was I hadn’t talked to my parents in a few days and now I HAD to. Cell service was spotty. He answered. He was in his office in RTP.  My heart breathed a sigh of relief.

Now my mind was reeling. What did this mean? I rushed to the student center. TVs were on. People were watching in disbelief. I went to my student government office and waited for CNN to load on my computer. There was nothing new. The country was on lock down. No planes in the sky. No one knew how many more were in jeopardy.  Classes were cancelled for the rest of the day.

Paul was working at the Radioshack plant just outside of town. Phone lines were jammed and it took me several tries to reach him. He had been following the events and assured me that everything would be ok. I would see him soon he promised.

Now we had to do something. What? Collect money. Donate blood. Pray. I am thankful I was surrounded by people of action. My SGA representatives did an awesome job of organizing a blood drive & cash collection for the Red Cross. My Christian group friends came together to pray on the morning of September 12th.

It was a beautiful September morning. The air was cool and crisp without a cloud in the sky. As we stood holding hands around the American flag I felt raindrops. I will never forget the ‘tears’ I felt falling from the sky on that cloudless morning. Our lives would never be the same and I will never forget.