26 things... Electricity

I know, I said I was putting 26 things on hiatus... but I was struggling to think of something to write today... and since there is no football this weekend... I thought I would give it one last hurrah.

I am thankful for... electricity.

I am reminded of this when I wake up late because the alarm didn't go off... or when I have to shower in the dark because there are no windows in my bathroom... or when I have to read and work by candlelight like in the old times.  However, I have never been more mindful of this, than when I went to Honduras a few years ago on a mission trip.

I went with a team of college students from my church.  We spent a week working in schools and doing outreach in the mountain villages around Guaimaca, Honduras.  We were all confronted head on by how much we take for granted back home.  Many of these people do not have electricity or indoor plumbing. It was heartbreaking on so many levels.  It was humbling to say the least.

I find that the farther removed I am from this experience the more I fall back into my "forgetfulness," the easier it is for me to get comfortable.  Sometimes when I get this way I go back and look at pictures from my trip to make me realize just how fortunate I am.  So, today, I am thankful for electricity because I know that many of our brothers and sisters around the world are going to bed after reading by candlelight... we are so blessed!

While on our trip we worked with World Baptist Missions... check them out!

26 things... Digital Camera

I am thankful for... my Digital Camera.

I love having a digital camera. It would be so hard to go back to the days when you just took a picture and hoped it turned out... now we have "insta- develop" cameras. I love taking a picture and then viewing it instantly to make sure it has the right lighting, framing, etc.

I have a super small camera that I take everywhere... it is so handy, I use it to take pictures of just about everything. (I will post some great new pics next week).

We are so lucky to live in a time where we can preserve our memories so easily!

26 things... Cranberry Lemonade

*Let me start with a little disclaimer... I am writing 26 things I am thankful for... they are not the 26 things I am most thankful for... some will be serious others will be funny. Just thought I would make sure I clarified that.*

I am thankful for Cranberry Lemonade.

I used to have a pretty serious two Diet Coke a day habit. I really wanted to cut back, but I was never able to find anything I really liked to replace one of the Diet Cokes... until I found this product. It is lemonade with a tangy punch... and it's not thick like juice, it's a light treat. It's perfect!

Thanks Cranberry Lemonade... with your help I have cut back to a one Diet Coke a day habit!

26 things... You may not know about me...

In honor of my 26th birthday I decided to write 26 random things you may not know about me...

-My eyes change color depending on what I am wearing

-I can pop my hips out of joint

-I lived in Arkansas when Bill Clinton was elected President in 1992

-I could eat Mexican food everyday for the rest of my life

-I have scars on my face from when I got chicken pox in 2nd grade

-I have always wanted to learn sign language

-I want to volunteer at the Olympics one day... hopefully Chicago 2016!

-I did not miss a day of school from 7th-12th grade

-Police found a suspected serial killer less than 2 miles from my home

-My eyes were crossed when I was young... I had surgery to fix this when I was 2

-I am terrified of snakes

-I got my start in news anchoring my elementary school announcements

-I have always wanted to visit Belize... not really sure why

-I can do both right and left handed cartwheels

-When I was little I had an imaginary friend named China

-I don't like to eat chicken on the bone... fried of grilled it doesn't matter

-I love decorating for Christmas, I would keep my tree up year round if I could

-Every time I go to the ballet I want to start taking class again

-I have a ridge in the top of my mouth where the orthodontist stretched my jaw when I was in 5th grade

-I love getting "real" mail... because I usually just get bills in my box

-I think Bob Costas has the coolest job in the whole world

-I don't know my blood type

-I love going for long walks... but I don't like walking on a track

-I want to name my first child after my Mackie

-I love collecting bags and purses... the same way some people feel about shoes

-I get squeamish at he sight of blood in real life... but ER is one of my favorite shows of all time

So there you go... 26 random facts about me. Hopefully, you got to know me a little better today... and WOW... 26, I still can't believe I'm that old!!!

26 Things... Bible

I am thankful for the Bible.

I know, I know... this may sound like the Sunday School, I'm dating a seminary student answer... but when I was thinking about what I'm thankful for in general this is the first thing that came to my mind.

There is no other book like it. It contains the Gospel which has completely transformed every facet of my life. It is constantly changing what I think about, how I think, and what I think is important. When I have a bad day there are passages in it that speak directly to my heart. If I am having a wonderful day, there are passages that help me express my joy. When I am at the end of my rope and I don't even know what to pray, I can pray the scriptures and they express exactly what my heart is saying.

It is truly a guide book for life and to Life. I know that God never changes... and it is awesome to see how faithful he has been through the ages. I am so blessed to be able to read and learn His word each and everyday! What an AWESOME God we serve that He would choose to reveal himself to us through this amazing book.

"The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

26 Things... Apples

I am thankful for Apples... Macintosh Apples that is... :-)

When we were roomates in college, Brittany had a Mac and she was always raving about how much she loved it! I didn't really have too much experience with Macs, I was a PC girl... or so I thought. The more I researched Macs, the more I started to like them... and now I can say that I love mine probably as much as Brittany loved hers!!

I also LOVE my IPods... yes I have 2, it's a long story. They have made my journeys to North Carolina much much better! I don't have to worry about finding radio stations and they going out of range... I just plug in my Ipod and drive drive drive!

I also enjoy downloading sermons from great churches around the country on my IPod. I have never really been able to sit still long enough at home to listen to sermons (I always see so much around the house that I need to do.) However, in the car I am a "captive audience." It is so wonderful to be able to compile many different sermon series together in one handheld device.

I think I am now officially an Apple Girl!

26 things...

I was thinking the other day about starting a long term series for my blog. You know, something I can do each week, yet it will always be new. I came up with the idea for 26 things... I will choose one for each letter of the alphabet. The topics will be broad so they can accommodate many different subjects.

For the first cycle I am going to do... 26 Things I am thankful for...

I invite you to join me by commenting on my posts with things you are thankful for. I think it will be a great way to reflect on just how blessed we all are!

On a side note... How bout them Dawgs?!?!?! I guess they just wanted to make it exciting for all the fans! Great game last night! Feels good to have a "W" against Spurrier. It's going to be an interesting season. It's GREAT to be a Georgia Bulldog!