Celebration

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26

My birthday was awesome!

I received so many sweet Facebook posts, messages, texts, and phone calls. 

I talked with my family and even got to FaceTime with one of my best friends. 

The weekend as a whole was a whirlwind of fun from start to finish. 

Here are the highlights:

  • Thrift store shopping
  • Barnes and Noble 
  • Barbecue
  • Finding Dory
  • 2 get togethers
  • Fireworks
  • Reading
  • Coffee
  • In PJs till lunchtime 

I basically partied like a rockstar all weekend. 

And while I’m thankful for good work, getting back into my routine will be hard tomorrow. 

Now, it’s time for this 26 year old to go to bed! 

Remember: the new blog schedule is Monday and Friday. 

Let me know if you have any topics you’d like me to discuss more in-depth. 

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Memorial Day 2016

This Memorial Day was awesome.

Here are the highlights:

  • Slept in
  • Hung out with 2 of my friends at the mall and their house 
  • Ate Chick-fil-A
  • Had my first visitor over at my new place
  • Watched a movie 
  • Ate pizza 
  • Laughed a lot
  • Finished a book

The day was quite restful. 

I’m so thankful for servicemen–the fallen heroes, the veterans, and those who are active duty–because the life I enjoy wouldn’t be possible without their sacrifices. 

Did I mention my sister Sofia turned 12?

Wow…

I’m thankful for Sofia’s sweet spirit and for how she so willingly embraced me as her big sister 5 years ago. 

Her friendship and love mean a lot to me. 

She even laughs at my jokes sometimes! (Wink, wink)

Happy Birthday, Sof! 

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Gathering around the table

Happy Easter!

Did you have fun celebrating with your family and friends?

I know that I did!

A group of Rhema students and alumni–all of us from other states–gathered this afternoon to eat hot dogs and enjoy each other’s company.

After lunch, we played Apples to Apples and talked about Jesus.

Considering that Jesus ate breakfast with the disciples after His resurrection, I think He’s pleased when we gather together to celebrate.

There’s something powerful about fellowshipping around the dinner table because food is a connecting point.

Transplant life (a term my friend Carli coined) is a great way to create a habit of hospitality because you know what it’s like to be alone in a new town.

Make a menu, get everyone to chip in, and pick a location. This is all you need to host a party! It’s not as hard as you think.

Who doesn’t love to eat?

Of course, I missed my family and hiding eggs for my cousins, but I am glad that my friend Sheri invited me to the get together.

My first Easter in Tulsa was awesome!

I am so thankful for the hospitality of my Rhema friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Heavenly Birthday

I just got back from a birthday party that turned into a prayer and worship meeting. 

It’s no surprise because my friend Kristin has a heart that beats for worship, for Jesus. 

There’s nothing like coming together as one in worship. 

It was hard to leave the house. We were all so filled with the joy of the Lord. Our cups were running over! 

I’ve never been to a birthday party quite like this one. Something Kristin said is stuck in my mind:

This party is not really about me–it’s all about Jesus. 

Colossians 3:3 says, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

As Christians, we understand that our lives are not really our lives. We are dead! It’s Christ who lives and operates through us. 

Every moment of every day is to be lived in surrender (even on your birthday).

This night of celebration was beautiful. Fellowship, friends, and worship are 3 things that go together well–whether it’s a birthday party or a church service. 

I am thankful for Kristin and I know that her 19th year will be awesome. 

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5 good reasons

Today, I just want to give thanks. Here are 5 things I am thankful for:

1. The opportunity to go to Rhema. 

Being able to sit in a classroom and learn more about the things of God is an honor. 

2. My new job. 

Working for Wisdom Ministries is such a blessing. I am getting a lot of great experience in how administration within a ministry operated AND the opportunity to learn more as an editor. 

3. My home. 

I live with the sweetest couple who have done nothing but encourage me. It’s nice to come home here. 

4. The Holy Spirit.

 A year ago, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. My relationship with God is so much richer now. I’m not sure what many of you guys believe about the subject, but I know that my life has changed for the better and that God has made this gift available to all Christians who ask for it. 

5. This blog. 

I can’t believe that this blog is finally more than an idea in my head! The chance to grow as a writer and to document all that I’m learning as a 25 year old is not something I take lightly. 

And now here’s where you get to tell me what you’re thankful for. I want to celebrate all the blessings in your life along with you. 

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Christmas Cowboy

Christmas 2015 was a lot of fun! 

Today’s been a whirlwind, so I’ll keep it brief and share a cute picture:

  Here’s a cowboy playing his guitar. 
Courage hadn’t stopped playing it since we gave it to him this morning. 

Our family is blessed beyond measure and we all had a good time eating and opening presents. 

The new year will be here in less than a week!

2016 here we come!

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Christmas Eve Adventures

I didn’t make it into any pictures, but my Christmas Eve was awesome. 

The Kennedy/Neely Christmas parties were a success!

Opening presents with my cousins was fun because they picked out their own gifts for everyone this year. It’s cool to see the people they are becoming. 

My cousin Mathew celebrated his first Christmas as a father and I love his fiancé Kristen. He picked a winner for sure!

I pray that you have a wonderful time with your friends and family over the next few days. 

Merry Christmas!

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Christmas traditions

Do you have a favorite Christmas album? 

There’s one CD that lives in my CD player during the holidays. 

Everyone has certain traditions that make Christmas time special. 

Here are mine:

  1. Watch The Grinch
  2. Go Christmas caroling
  3. Read the Christmas story at least once a week
  4. Eat a few  gingerbread cookies (it’s even better when you make them yourself)

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

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One thankful girl

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s hard to believe 2015 is almost over.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve accomplished so much this year. 

Blogging everyday, learning sign language, running a half marathon, and going to Rhema?

Wow. I am a truly thankful. 

Here’s few other things I’m thankful for:

  1. My family. I have a big family and it only keeps growing. I’m an aunt now and we’ve added a lot of cousins. 
  2. My friends. I’m thankful for my friends who’re actually more like family. They’ve been with me through everything. I’m also thankful for new friends. The Lord continues to send the most amazing people into my life. 
  3. My job. I have a great job. It’s been nothing but a blessing since day one. 
  4. Reading. I’m really close to my goal of 50 books. The gift of reading is something that I do not take lightly. 

I can go on and on…

How about you?

What are you thankful for this year?

Take some time to write it out. 

Talk about it with your family over dinner.

 Praise God for being the giver of all these precious gifts. 

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Labor Day Learning

Happy Labor Day!

I hope you ate some tasty food. 

We had barbecue (my personal favorite) and sang America, the Beautiful. 

Did you know that Labor Day’s been around since the 1800s? 

The holiday was and is about celebrating all the laborers who work hard, building and maintaining America’s varying infrastructures. 

 

This is the closest I’ve ever come to being a lumberjack. Happy Labor Day!

 From homes and offices to highways and bridges–and everything in between–America would look a lot different without the hard work of tradesmen. 

I encourage you to read up on the history of Labor Day. Google that junk, as my friend Bethany would say. 

Yes, there is more to the holiday than simply enjoying a long weekend and eating barbecue (though I want to know when National Barbecue Day rolls around). 

Put down your fork for 5 minutes and learn something. 

History is all around us. It’s not confined to a dusty textbook. And it can only be ignored for so long. 

I don’t want to be a mindless zombie when it comes to holidays. 

I want to take the time to celebrate each one by honoring its unique history.