Thanksgivings

Sometimes I get so caught up in school and whats required of me that I forget to notice the little things. The little encouragements that God sends us everyday to remind us that  He is still there, hasn’t forgotten us, and that He is loving us and providing for us. Monday was a rough day for me. I had two test, both of which I felt completely unprepared for, and I was running on about four hours of sleep. After having class all day and finishing my second test at 4:15, I began my short drive home. I was exhausted, frustrated, and feeling completely inadequate. This was also the first day after we changed our clocks, so the fact that the sun was blinding me as it was beginning to set at 4:15 in the afternoon was really irritating me. So pretty much I was just a hot mess with lots of frustration... and I was hungry. As I was thinking to myself how bad my day was and how annoyed I was with Lakeshore traffic, something caught my attention. It was a tree covered with red leaves on the side of Lakeshore. Rays from that sun that was blinding me hit those leaves at just the right angle to transform that tree into the most exquisite thing I had ever seen. At that moment, I focused on my surroundings and realized how my attitude was greatly subtracting from the beauty that God created. The sky was a magnificent blue. The color blue that you only see on those perfect days in the south. That beautiful blue sky was spotted with maybe 3 huge white fluffy clouds. The sun was halfway hiding behind one of these. It was literally the most beautiful day I have ever seen. I couldn’t help but smile and say, “O hey God, thanks for the reminder. You make beautiful things.” 

I know Thanksgiving is still a little ways away, but I just want to share a few of the things I have been so incredibly blessed with.

I have the best family anyone could ask for. My Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Siter-in-law, and Brother-in-law are such blessings. They are a constant source of encouragement, prayer, and words of wisdom (which I seem to need on the daily). I am also incredibly thankful for the newest addition to our family. My nephew Finn is by far the cutest baby I've ever seen (thats a huge deal considering I don't usually like very many kids). He makes me smile from miles away. And now I'm gonna be that crazy aunt that just has to share a picture.

The other thing I realized when I look back over the month of October is what wonderful friends God has blessed me with. Even the ones that live far away. Here's a synopsis of my month and the great friends that God brought my way!

The first visit of my friend Sarah (she came to see us twice in October). We had a great night in Birmingham and I made some other new friends as well!

Soon after, I got to go to a Tennessee football game. Double daddy-daughter date with my friend Lindsay and her dad.

While I was there, I also got to see my favorite twins! 

Happy Birthday in a few hours :) Love you both!

Then it was back to Birmingham for Mallard Ball! The party didn't go exactly as planned, but I still spent some quality time with great friends :)

Love my ADPi Family! 

Two of my favorite ADPis

Then I got such a great surprise when I got to see Parker Duncan (friends since we were 5) when he had a soccer game in Birmingham!

Then Hannah came to visit for the UT Alabama game. Which regardless of the outcome was one of the most fun football games I've ever been to!

The next week: the one with all the parties. Me and my roommate Jenny threw a surprise party for my roommate Kelly! It was such a success!

I love my roommates!!!! (Sarah I'm so sad you got there after we took this :()

Then to close our month, we threw a Halloween Party!!!! (3 nights after Kelly's party) I don't know what I would do without these girls. 

We were different phases of Britney Spears... and a flight attendant haha

All this to say: I let myself get so consumed and bogged down sometimes, but look how much I have to be thankful for and how many great things happened in just one month! 

I have been reading Ruthless Trust. If you haven't read this you really should. Trusting God when I think my timing and my plans are better is my biggest struggle. When I find myself losing courage and stamina and beginning to lean on myself and not on God and realizing that I am utterly and completely failing, I remember something that I read,

"We are made for that which is too big for us. We are made for God, and nothing less will  ever satisfy us." -Ruthless Trust

I need constant reminders that my life has purpose and that everything happens for a reason. GOD MAKES BEAUTIFUL THINGS! WE ARE ALL ONE OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL THINGS.

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new
You are making me new

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new

-Beautiful Things

Sorry I made this first one so incredibly long. Happy November:)