I am thankful for...

1. My savior.....the Bible Study that I am working my way through is really teaching me to not take for granted that Jesus died for me. When you grow up in the church and you have heard that phrase over and over, it is hard to just understand and believe it on the surface level, but when you really take those words and contemplate on them....its powerful.

2. My husbandy....love, love this guy. He makes me laugh, he allows me to do crazy Pinterest projects and then comforts me when they fail miserably, he takes care of me, he cooks dinner, he cleans the kitchen, and he vacuums the house because the vacuum is too heavy for me to operate. He lets me decorate for Christmas, he lets me order Christmas cards, he lets me buy $4 coffee occasionally, and most importantly, he loves me!

3. My momma...I am beyond thankful for my mom. When she was my age, I was already 3 years old...I cannot imagine having a three year old right now, but she did it and she did it well! I have never been "without", in fact I have always had everything I needed and much, much more. She is a great example of what it means to be a mother, a mother that I hope to be like when I have my own children. She has been an example of compassion in my life.

4. My daddy...I am also beyond thankful for my dad. He is a true definition of man and father. He read us books over and over again and always used his funny voices, he would play outside with us for hours, he coached an endless amount of softball and baseball games...he is just a good daddy. He also sets a good example of what it means to be a man with the way that he loves my mom. Although I am his daughter, his example showed me what I should look for in a husband.

5. My brothers...these guys are goofballs, but I love them. They are funny and witty like my dad, and caring like my mother. They might be younger than me, but they are definitely bigger than me now! They will be successful young men one day, and I am proud of them for that.

6. The rest of my family....my family is so big and I am thankful for that! I love having the example of two wonderful, godly grandmothers. I love having several aunts and uncles and cousins everywhere I go, and now I have a whole new family on the Fugate side that I can be thankful for.

7. My education...I am thankful that I have the opportunity to get a higher education at the University of Arkansas. I love my college, I love the town that it is in, and I love the major that I have chosen. My professors are amazing and so knowledgable and passionate about education, and their influence in my life will help me to be a great teacher one day. I love getting to work in the schools and see how my future will look in the near future. I love that God led me to Fayetteville because the town in itself has truly transformed my heart and mind. Fayetteville is such a giving, compassionate place to be. The people are so different and unique and diverse, yet in a town of almost 75,000 I feel so comfortable and cozy and welcome.

8. My home, my transportation...I am thankful that I have always had a roof over my head, and a car to get me from place to place. That is often something that I take for granted because it is something that I have always had.

9. My health...I am thankful that I can think for myself, that I can walk on my own two feet and that I can freely move my body however I want to. I am thankful that I am healthy.

10. Miscellaneous...chap-stick, lotion, fuzzy socks, xl t-shirts, Amazon prime, Diet Dr. Pepper...the list goes on and on!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Samantha

Give Thanks

In the midst of school and work and the craziness of life, I have learned to find beauty, purpose and peace in all things. And sometimes it doesn't hurt to just take a break from it all and go hiking!!!

I love, love, love this guy and am beyond thankful for him! Because of him, I am able to view life differently. He is my rock and I can always count on him to make me laugh! Seriously, even I am just now realizing how funny this guy is. He is the only one who can make me laugh when I am in a sour mood...and he doesn't even have to try! I wish that I could record him singing the theme song (with made up words) to One Tree Hill, or record him Egyptian dancing in the living room to get my attention...or post a picture of him trying on my new red skinny jeans! God knew what he was doing when He put us together...

And here are the trees that I was talking about in my last post....they are not near as vibrant as they were in October, and the colors have gone from bright yellows and pinks to dark reds and oranges, but you can still see how bold the colors are. I don't understand how someone could see something like this and not believe in the existence of our Creator. 

I am thankful for each one of these crazy people. My mom is my best friend, and the person that I can talk to about anything. Because of her role in my life, I know what it means to be a great wife, and I will make a great mother because of her example. My dad is so supportive...and absolutely hilarious. I knew when looking for a husband, that I wanted to find one that embodied dad's spirit. Joe is completely different from my father, but he treats me just like my dad would want me to be treated..like a princess. I am also thankful for my little, bigger than me, brothers! They are growing up to be really good guys, and they make me proud!

I am so thankful for my family in general. I was raised with so much love and support around me. I never went without. I have lived an amazing life thus far. I have wonderful grandparents, a special Mimi, and a godly great-grandmother. I have great aunts (great (as in wonderful) aunts and great-aunts (as in grandfathers sisters)! so...great great-aunts?), uncles, and cousins, and now I have great in-laws and a bigger extended family! I am so thankful that Joe's family and I mesh well together. 

Lastly, I am just thankful for a loving, forgiving Father. You may be rejoicing or feel like the world is doomed because of the results of the Presidential election, but no matter what "party" you represent, don't forget that "the spirit gives you life...the flesh counts for nothing."-John 6:63. God's will has been done whether you can admit that or not. God has revealed over and over to me the past few weeks that this Earthly life that I am living pales in comparison to the glory of Heaven....while that is true, I can still be a light in this earthly life. I pray that my life is driven by conviction and not convenience. I pray that I can remember to encourage, thank and love every person around me so that I can reveal a heart that has been forgiven. 

Everyone has something to be thankful of this November....let your gratitude for Christ shine through your daily actions so that you can spread the light in this world. 

Samantha