praise

wednesday night i was challenged to praise God. granted, that doesn't sound all that hard. but it took me a minute to think of a way God had blessed me that day. silly me for having to ponder how God has blessed me. really? so i wanted to share with you blessings and praises of how amazing our God is and how i've so easily been overlooking them.

• with erin's family (a friend from camp), i want to praise God for her dad, who went to be with his Heavenly Father this week. i thank God for his life and raising beautiful daughters, like my friend erin.
• with travis's family (a mentor from austin), i want to praise God for the birth of jake michael. i thank God for keep tara safe and for giving jenna and molly a beautiful, healthy baby brother.
• for my church that has welcomed me with open arms. a group of brothers and sisters who so desperately desire to follow God's calling in living in love and helping those around them. i thank God for the family they are becoming.
• for my family, a mom and dad who love me and a studly little/big brother who is growing up before my very eyes.
• for my friends, all over God's great earth - from hawaii to florida, arizona to alabama, all over texas, east austin to the southside, even in my same apartment. i praise God for the people He has put in my life to encourage and strengthen me, to laugh and cry with me, to show me Christ's love... no matter how much space is in between.
• for new beginnings and for the future, unknown and scary. i praise God for the opportunities that lay ahead even though i hate not knowing what they are. i trust that He will lead me (and push me if He needs to) along the path of life.

i know that isn't everything, but it's a good start. may God be praised!