Day 24

I am thankful for family traditions.

my mom dipping coconut balls

my sister making millionaires 

Coconut balls

Peanut butter balls

Day 23

I am thankful for the opportunity to help one of my favorite kids celebrate Christmas.

Day 22

I am thankful for students who come back to visit.

Day 21

I am thankful that HIS grace is sufficient.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Day 20

I am thankful for lessons learned, shared experiences, and the opportunity to work with a team.

I am thankful for intentional conversations, willingness to be vulnerable, and time for relationships to deepen and strengthen.

I am thankful for the times we had together as a team to just "be." I am thankful for lopping and for times to serve together. I was so encouraged as I observed these dear ones step out of their comfort zones and engage in conversations. Their desire to grow and struggle and learn with great attitudes and eagerness to become more like Jesus was amazing to see.

I am humbled to be one of the "leaders" of this team. I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do in and through us as we seek to serve well.

I am thankful for each and every member of the team that I have the pleasure to travel with to Haiti over spring break.

Day 19.

I am thankful for childhood friends who are still dear friends of mine today.

Day 18.

I am thankful for the Gospel.

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Day 17.

I am so very thankful for the body of believers that I have the privilege of worshiping with every Sunday at First Free.

I am thankful for the amazing staff, their commitment to the Word and their desire to see the Gospel transform people's lives.

I have met some amazing people through the seven years that First has been my church home.

My cup overflows with gratitude.

Day 16

I am thankful for the Navs.

I am thankful for the "mission" to knowing Christ and making Him known.

I am thankful for their commitment to scripture memory and discipleship.

I am so thankful for my cousin Luke for dragging me to Nav Night my first Thursday at K-State.

I am thankful for the countless amazing people that I have met as a result of my time at summer training programs, conferences, retreats. etc.

I am thankful for Lindsay & Linda and the time they took to disciple me at STP.

I am thankful for the amazing opportunity I had to spend two summers at Snow Mountain Ranch.

I am thankful for the opportunities to go to Zambia and Malawi and EA. Those experiences have been life-changing.

I am thankful for the ladies who I had the privilege to be in Bible study with my freshman year in West Hall.

I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the leadership of FC way back in the fall of 2002.

I am thankful for the girls who I had the privilege of leading in Bible study.

I am thankful that many of those friendships have remained.

I am thankful for the new friendships that have begun.

I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to be a part of an amazing body of believers.

Day 15

I am thankful for the people that I met when I moved to Wichita in January of 2005.

Day 14

I am so very thankful for the house on Indianapolis.

Day 13

I am thankful for my friend Amy Martin. We met eventually (after several suggestions of mutual friends) during our last few years at K-State. I vividly remember the day. We were in the classroom in the lower level of the Derb at some kind of RA thing. I overheard someone say her name and realized that SHE was the one that I had been told I needed to meet. We became fast friends. We bounded our love for Java (Bluestem Bistro) and our shared experiences from being RA's and our time spent overseas. Our friendship really thrived though once we both left Manhattan and lived in different states.

We have THE best talks. Some of my most favorite talks with her were when I would be driving to and from CV. I knew the exact spot where I could call her on my way back where I FINALLY had a signal. She was the first person I called when I realized that I actually HAD cell phone service in the land that once was the "land of no cell-phone service (i.e. Cedar Vale).

She helps me process so much of life even across the miles. We have shared many laughs together and our fair share of tears. We have brainstormed writing several books, (maybe one day we will actually do it.) We have walked with each other through some of the darkest days but also some of the most exciting times of each others lives. Our paths do continue to cross, though a trip to the east coast is definitely HIGH on the list of things I MUST make happen. (summer - 2012?) 

She is truly the definition of a heart sister. 

I am grateful for Amy and her friendship.

(in other news, Amy we are in desperate need of an updated picture!)

Day 12.

So thankful for the Lord leading me to the finest institution in the land... I remember the day (November 3, 1999) when my dad and I went up to Manhattan for a senior day. That was the day it all changed. THAT was the day when I knew that this is the place I needed to spend the next 4ish years of my life. Hands down one of the best decisions I have ever made. The 4 and a half years that I spent in Manhattan are truly some of the best years of my life. Living on the 4th floor of West Hall impacted my life more than I could even begin to describe. Hanging out with my cousin Luke on the first Thursday night I lived in Manhattan was for sure a decision that changed the course of my life.  Being an RA in Ford Hall was the best job ever. I worked alongside some of the greatest people I know. Manhattan holds a special place in my heart sure, but more so than my love for that city and the amazing people that I met during my time at K-State, it is a place where I can confidently say that I fell more in love with Jesus.

A fun little side note: 

I thoroughly enjoyed watching my Wildcats beat A&M 

What a crazy insane game... GO STATE!

Day 11.

I am thankful for all of the men and women who have fought for the freedoms that I enjoy day after day without giving it a second thought.

My Grandpa Call fought in World War II and my Poppo was in the Air Force. One of my favorite students is currently serving in the Army. They are my heroes. I am grateful.

Day 10

I am thankful that I have see their faces and know their names....

I read this last night...

“Orphans are easier to forget until you see their faces and you know their names.”
- David Platt

 

THE coolest part of this picture is that the little guy just met his forever family, THIS WEEK. 

I am excited to see these faces and know THEIR names.

  More on my spring break adventure later...

Day 9

I am thankful for the countless men and women who have invested their time in ME.

I went to a funeral of one of those dear ones today. I was flooded with memories of all the people who I have had the privilege to learn from. I am so thankful for all my Sunday School teachers, Awana leaders, camp counselors, youth group volunteers, pastors, teachers, coaches, professors, campus directors, small group leaders and I'm sure there are some I am forgetting. I am grateful for the time they spent, the lessons they taught, their desire to serve, and their patience in putting up with me.

Today there aren't any pictures, only memories. precious memories.

Day 8.

They are the reason I come to work everyday.

Day 7.

I am thankful for my MNGP's.

They make Monday's one of the highlights of my week.

Day 6.

I am thankful for my grandparents.

I never realized what a blessing it was to have grown up with 3 of my grandparents so close by. (and for many years my Great Grammy Carter was just down the street.) They were present in so much of my childhood. Birthday parties, volleyball and basketball games, and so many other activities that I was involved in. I am who I am because of them. Their faith, their loyalty, their sacrifice, their commitment to the Lord and to their family, their generosity, and so many other things, have made a huge impact on my life. I am blessed to have so many memories with each of them. I am blessed to be their grand-daughter.

Day 5

I am thankful for my cousins who are some of my very dearest friends.

Day 4.

I am so thankful for my sister.

She has put up with A LOT from me over the years. Not only is she my sister, but she's one of my dearest friends. I am grateful that the Lord allowed us the privilege of going to K-State together, of living in the same city again after college, of teaching at the same high school and being involved in the same body of believers.

Day 3.

I am so thankful for my mom.

(and not just today on her birthday, but everyday.)

I am very much like her. She "gets" me, when most people don't.

She gives of her time and talents sacrificially.

She has taught me everything I know when it comes to hospitality and entertaining.

She is one of the best people I know and I am blessed to have her as my mom.

I am so grateful for my parents.

Day 2.

I am thankful for my Dad.

I call him Pops.

He calls me Mandy Lynn.

He works harder than anyone I know.

Day 1.

I am grateful for the people who have partnered with me and have 

supported the various opportunities I have had to GO and to serve.