Blue-Eyed Breather

Life is busy and hectic. Anyone agree? These past two weeks, I've felt like I haven't stopped moving. I've had projects, essays, tests, football games, church, connection time with friends, and to top it all off, I'm just flat-out exhausted (which is another issue in and of itself..hopefully not a medical thing, but we'll see). I haven't had the chance to take a breather and rest in the joy I have in Christ or to think about the many things I have to be thankful for. The whole month of November, I'm going to consciously set aside time to reflect on different blessings in my life. After all, this is the month of Thanksgiving--why not take the time to purposefully be thankful for something every day of the month? Today, I am thankful for my amazing college group at my home church in Waco. These fellow believers in Christ push me to grow deeper in my relationship with God and others. Every time I go to church, I leave feeling different because I am constantly...

I haven't written a thankful Thursday blog in a very long time, but what better day to write it than on America's birthday?? So, here it goes: 1. I'm thankful for my country. I'm thankful for the opportunities America gives its citizens. I'm thankful for the freedoms guaranteed by our government. I'm thankful for Americans' desire to excel and improve others' quality of life. I'm thankful for American traditions and beliefs. We certainly don't live in a perfect country; our government is run by people, and all people are flawed, so there's no way it could ever be perfect. But I can say with certainty that I'm proud to be an American! 2. I'm thankful for sunshine and temperatures under 100 in July. The weather the past few days has been amazing. In Texas, a week of less than 100 degree temperatures in the middle of the summer is almost unheard of, yet we've had record lows this week. I'm so thankful for the beautiful we...

1. I'm thankful for my wonderful Mom, who drove five hours to Tyler and five hours back home, picking me up and dropping me off in Waco, to take me to a doctor's appointment. She is always willing to go above and beyond to serve me, and I am so grateful for such a sweet, caring, loving mom. My mom is the best, and I am reminder of how great she is every day! 2. I'm very grateful for movie nights with my best friend and roommate. On Tuesday, we didn't have much to do, so we decided to watch Harry Potter 5. I love spending time with my roommate. We are so comfortable around each other, and I know I can rely on her to be there for me. We have had so much fun this semester! She is probably one of the most awesome people I have ever met, and I'm grateful for the time I get to spend with her. 3. I'm thankful for the Baylor tradition of Christmas on 5th street. At the event, there is a petting zoo, a stage where multiple bands perform, a tent set up with Christmas ...

God. Wonderful family Amazing friends. Highland Baptist Church Citizenship in the United States Music Technology the Vest All other treatment equipment The ability to learn A good book Jesus's gift of salvation Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Good grades Sunshine Rain Games Love Hope Faith Good deeds Direction of the Holy Spirit A sweet smile Texting Birthdays Holidays Baking Caring professors The show, Parenthood Photography Basketball Football Dancing Singing Blogging Life Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

1. Thanksgiving is exactly one week away! I love Thanksgiving. It is probably my favorite holiday. There are no expectations of receiving presents or getting lots of candy that come along with the holiday--it is simply a day to be thankful. Although we should count our blessings every day, not just once a year, I think it is really special that over the Thanksgiving holiday, we set aside time specifically to just think about all God has blessed us with and celebrate His goodness. 2. I am so thankful for an open note, open book test every once in awhile. I have one today, and I feel like I haven't had to stress about it at all. I feel confident in my knowledge in this class, especially now that we get to use our notes. If I do say so myself, I'm a pretty great notetaker! ;) 3. I'm thankful for the ability to learn. I love learning so much! There's nothing quite like absorbing new information. I cannot imagine not being able to learn and grow as a person. I'm than...

1. BU Homecoming is one of the most unique traditions at Baylor. It's a HUGE deal. Not only do the alumni come back to go to the football game, but there's also a pep rally, bonfire, parade, and multiple performances from student organizations. I love homecoming weekend because it is so special to Baylor. All those who graduated from Baylor in the past, present, and even those who will graduate in the future are one big family, and I love being a part of that. 2. It's November, aka my birthday month! November is one of my favorite months, probably because of Thanksgiving (which is my favorite holiday). It's hard to believe that it's already November again, but the calendar doesn't lie! 3. I am so grateful to live in a democratic nation that encourages citizen participation. Think for a second how much different your life would be in a dictatorship or another authoritarian government--we wouldn't have nearly the same rights aswe do today. I sent in my ab...

1. My comfy bed-I have been super tired this week, so I am grateful for my wonderful bed and warm covers. Sometimes, there's just nothing better than curling up in bed after a long day, and that's exactly how I've felt recently! 2. Changing weather- A cold front is coming through tonight! I'm super excited for colder weather. Since it is almost November, a change in temperature and humidity will be nice. Currently, I'm wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Tomorrow, I won't be able to wear this, though, unless I want to freeze my buttocks off. Yay for sweater weather! 3. My wonderful Mom- Tomorrow is my mom's birthday!! I am so thankful for my mom and that she was born. :) She is so loving and caring, always putting her loved ones before herself. I don't know what I'd do without her. Unfortunately, I won't get to see my mom on her birthday. However, I know she will have a fabulous day, and I will be thinking of her!

1. Fall Break- I'm so grateful for fall break! Even though its just one day off from school, I feel like I could use the break to relax and take a breather half-way through the semester. I have finished most of my homework for the weekend, so I really won't have much work to stress over. It's important to stop every once and awhile with the busyness of life and simply reflect on what's going on in life, putting aside stress and deadlines and focusing on the present. I plan on doing just that this weekend! 2. I'm thankful for the dedication of my professors to help me learn more about the world around me as well as my identity. Baylor professors truly care about their students, and you can see their passion for teaching in their actions. I love that my professors actually care about how I'm doing and want me to succeed in life. 3. CF studies- I'm participating in a CF study online this coming weekend. I have to blog for an hour on a special site for three...

1. I'm so grateful for all your prayers. My appointment on Tuesday went fairly well. My weight was up, my PFTs were stable, and my sputum cultures basically grew the same bacteria I've had for awhile now. All in all, it was a relatively good appointment. I could feel your prayers on Tuesday. Thank you for being a part of my life! 2. I'm loving this fall weather. It's so wonderful! I would love to have class outside, but that has yet to happen. It's just so gorgeous outdoors! The sun is shining, there's a slight breeze, and the high has been in the 80s. Fall is such an awesome season. 3. I am thankful for my time management skills. I have yet to pull an all-nighter in college, and I hardly ever feel frantic trying to study or get homework completed. My personality is such that I like to stay organized, check stuff off the list, and stay on top of my work. In college, this is definitely a useful skill. I'm so thankful that God blessed me with this gift be...

1. Sleep- This week, I have realized even more the necessity of sleep. To all those people who can pull ridiculous all-nighters, I do not know how you do it. I'm pretty sure I can't function without a decent amount of sleep every night. Sleep is my friend! It allows me to remember all I learned during the day, helps what I studied stick in my brain, and keeps me energized throughout the day. I strive to go to bed by 10:30 or 11:00 every night so that I can feel my best the next day as well as fight off infection. 2. Advising appointment- It's true, I had my advising already for next semester. It's not even October, and I'm already thinking about my next round of classes. Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit insane? I feel like this semester just got started, but here I am, already planning for the future! I am thankful that I do not have to figure out my schedule all by myself, however. I have two advisors (one for BIC, the other for speech pathology), as we...

1. I get to spend Friday and Saturday with my sister! She goes to college about two hours away from me, and this weekend is my first trip this year to see her. I'm excited to check out her apartment, talk with her roommates, and have some serious sister bonding time. I know she is happy at the school she is at, and I love my school; God has placed us where He wants us and where we will succeed. However, I definitely miss our daily interactions, and I'm excited to see my sister face to face and hear what's going on in her life. 2. I'm thankful for the janitorial staff at Baylor who work tirelessly to keep my school clean. I see them with giant vacuums and cleaning supplies constantly around campus. Baylor prides itself in its impeccably clean campus, and I know this would not be possible without the janitorial staff. 3. This week had been pretty relaxed. I haven't really had much work due, and my test week was last week. Therefore, this week I have been able to r...

1. "I am not"- I just finished reading Louie Giglio's book, "I am not, but I know I AM." It was a humbling reminder to me that I do not know everything. If I rely on my own strength and knowledge, I will fail. I will crumble under pressure to be the best. I will question my own abilities. I will never be perfect in any relationship. If I forget that my name is I am not, I will get sucked up into conforming to the world. Yet God, who is named I AM, can do all things. I AM has made the whole universe. I AM knows my struggles and hurts. I AM is my source of strength and comfort. I know I AM, and nothing can ever be better than that. I am grateful for Louie Giglio's reminder that my name is "I am not", but I know I AM. 2. Pilates- Bearobics classes have begun again at the SLC. There are a variety of classes, ranging from weight training to yoga to water aerobics and everything in between. I have gone to Pilates two weeks in a row, and each week I hav...

How is it Thursday again already? The week has just flown by. I'm seriously having issues keeping the days straight in my head. Oh college life! 1. Labor day- We have a holiday on Monday. Although I love going to class and keeping to a pretty routine schedule (really, I do), it is great to have a holiday break every once in awhile. Labor day will give me time to catch up with friends, enjoy the first football game (Sic 'em bears), and get my homework/cleaning/laundry finished. It is still warm enough outside to enjoy the summer sun, and maybe I'll even get to read for fun outdoors! That would be amazing :) 2. My church- I am so thankful for the church I go to here in Waco. I cannot even begin to describe how much my faith in Christ has grown over the past year thanks to my church, or how much it has affected my college life. Going to church regularly and being in a small group has profoundly impacted me. My faith is becoming more and more my own, and I can say without a...

WOW. This week has been a complete whirlwind. I can hardly believe it's Thursday. I moved back to Baylor last Friday and have been slowly adjusting back to college life. It is crazy how much life can change in just one week. 1. I am thankful for my family for helping me move in. It is a little bit overwhelming, unpacking all your precious belongings into a new space. You want to make everything look perfect, but you don't know what "perfect" will look like. At least, that's how I felt! My family was patient with me, helped me build furniture, and became my "interior decorators". I'm very thankful that they live close enough to help me in this transition. 2. I love almost all my classes. They just seem so interesting! I'm not going to lie, this semester is going to be difficult. But I am so excited to get started. My professors all seem wonderful, and I know that I will learn a lot! 3. My roommate is just so awesome. We are in the same small...