I know that Thanksgiving is over now (trust me, I've been hearing "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" at work since November 1,) but this Thanksgiving was a little bit different and sad for me.
I worked a nine and a half hour shift on both Thanksgiving and Black Friday, so I didn't get to spend the morning making corn casserole and sweet potatoes while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from the kitchen. My parents enjoyed their day at the parks but were sad that a piece of the family couldn't be there to celebrate with them. I felt disconnected from it all; I was bitter about having to work on Thanksgiving and not being able to spend more than one full day with my family the entire week. It's like I didn't have a Thanksgiving at all. Though after stuffing my face with too much food at our work's Thanksgiving potluck, I realized I had so much more to be thankful for than my closeted chefs of coworkers.
Yes, this Thanksgiving was a bit out of the norm, and for someone who doesn't necessarily like change, it was a bit disconcerting. I will say, though, that it really put things into perspective for me. It showed me that I should cherish the time that I do have with my family and friends, however limited it may be. It made me realize that the biggest blessings are often disguised in small packages of moments that God has dropped at our feet in hopes we open them with haste and hold them tightly to our chests. So, here's a few things I'm thankful for this holiday season:
I'm thankful for my coworkers, who have become more like a family, no matter how dysfunctional we are at times. I'm thankful for my new school opening its doors and heart to me, and I can't wait to be an LSU Tiger in January. I'm thankful for my friends, both old and new, for showing me that distance is no obstacle for the truest of friends. I'm thankful for memories I'll cherish forever with people I'll never forget. I'm thankful for my real family for always showing me love face to face or through FaceTime. Finally, I'm thankful for God for placing each of these blessings in my life.
It goes to show that no matter how big or small the package is, every moment counts. From nights at Freddy's after fireworks shifts to Friendsgiving dinners, cracking jokes at work to having an awards ceremony to celebrate each other, both the simple and elaborate moments are equally ones that I never will forget. I have counted each one and will continue to count them forever, for I am truly #blessed. Happy Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Friday, November 10, 2017
{November 10, 2017}
I know you're probably wondering where I've been and if I'm alright. I will say that a lot has happened, both good and bad, in the last month that has preoccupied me to say the least. I've made some friends, lost a few, and have been doing my best to be successful in my job. I will say that I miss my family, I miss college, and I miss home.
I crave that feeling of home again, though in January, I am making a new one in Baton Rouge. I know that I haven't felt that sense of home in quite some time, and I want that so badly. Disney has been a great temporary home, but because I knew that it was only temporary, I never really embraced it as my home. Now, I have less than 8 weeks left until I go back to Louisiana, and here I am regretting not immersing myself in that temporary home.
My home became a bit emptier last week, as one of my roommates decided to leave the program and go back home. She unfortunately didn't think Disney felt like home, so she returned to her true home. I don't blame her at all, though it does make me sad to see her go since she was one of my best friends here. With her gone, the sense of home she created in my heart has disappeared, and I have been searching for a way to fill that void.
I thought about it more after crying for a few hours after she left. Living with her was temporary, but I knew that we would see each other after the program to catch up on life, and that feeling of home was not evicted but just taking a short sublease.
Here's the thing though: no matter who enters or exits the home of my heart, God is always a permanent resident, and He will be there to guide me and to vent about work to and to binge-watch TV shows and to take impromptu trips with.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." -Psalm 46:1
Right now, I'm going to enjoy having a bedroom to myself, and while I may be looking at bare walls and an empty bed across from me, the Spirit of God dwells within this place, and His light fills the room, even as I lie in the darkness. I am alone, though I am never lonely in the company of the Lord, and I plan to fully immerse myself into His companionship and love.
I crave that feeling of home again, though in January, I am making a new one in Baton Rouge. I know that I haven't felt that sense of home in quite some time, and I want that so badly. Disney has been a great temporary home, but because I knew that it was only temporary, I never really embraced it as my home. Now, I have less than 8 weeks left until I go back to Louisiana, and here I am regretting not immersing myself in that temporary home.
My home became a bit emptier last week, as one of my roommates decided to leave the program and go back home. She unfortunately didn't think Disney felt like home, so she returned to her true home. I don't blame her at all, though it does make me sad to see her go since she was one of my best friends here. With her gone, the sense of home she created in my heart has disappeared, and I have been searching for a way to fill that void.
I thought about it more after crying for a few hours after she left. Living with her was temporary, but I knew that we would see each other after the program to catch up on life, and that feeling of home was not evicted but just taking a short sublease.
Here's the thing though: no matter who enters or exits the home of my heart, God is always a permanent resident, and He will be there to guide me and to vent about work to and to binge-watch TV shows and to take impromptu trips with.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." -Psalm 46:1
Right now, I'm going to enjoy having a bedroom to myself, and while I may be looking at bare walls and an empty bed across from me, the Spirit of God dwells within this place, and His light fills the room, even as I lie in the darkness. I am alone, though I am never lonely in the company of the Lord, and I plan to fully immerse myself into His companionship and love.
{September 21, 2017}
I would first like to say that I know it's been a very long while since I've last updated, but these last weeks have been a whirlwind to say the least.
I'm all settled in to the Disney College Program, and I'm enjoying my time living and working here so far. Sure, there's been some highs and lows, but overall, this has been an incredible experience, one I've been particularly in need of.
If you followed recent news, you know about our friend Irma who dropped by Florida last week. The good news is that we received no major damage in the apartment complexes or on Disney grounds. Everyone in the Disney community banded together to ensure we were all safe, and I really felt the spirit of God in that moment and in the moments after, as groups from across the nation donated supplies and money to relief efforts in trying to restore the thousands of families affected by this natural disaster.
As soon as the curfew was lifted Monday evening, my roommate Devin and I were hungry since we failed to buy any food before the hurricane that counted as actual sustenance for a meal. So, we decided to venture out and see what places might happen to be open. Before we got in her car, I stopped outside the apartment to snap a picture of the sky because just behind the clouds was a rainbow. After the storm that raged over Florida for 2 days, God gave us a rainbow, a light among the darkness.
While debris littered the ground and homes frantically searched for power and water to be restored, God sent us a rainbow to tell us that everything would be okay. He controls all, and by His grace, He would restore all that had been broken to its former glory. After such a powerful storm, it is hard not to look at the damages and losses, but God takes the brokenness and makes us see the beauty beyond and gives us hope for a new day.
I thank God for sending me that rainbow because it reminded me that even the darkest of days can still be beautiful. It's a lesson that I needed and continue to need even now, so thank you, God.
I'm all settled in to the Disney College Program, and I'm enjoying my time living and working here so far. Sure, there's been some highs and lows, but overall, this has been an incredible experience, one I've been particularly in need of.
If you followed recent news, you know about our friend Irma who dropped by Florida last week. The good news is that we received no major damage in the apartment complexes or on Disney grounds. Everyone in the Disney community banded together to ensure we were all safe, and I really felt the spirit of God in that moment and in the moments after, as groups from across the nation donated supplies and money to relief efforts in trying to restore the thousands of families affected by this natural disaster.
As soon as the curfew was lifted Monday evening, my roommate Devin and I were hungry since we failed to buy any food before the hurricane that counted as actual sustenance for a meal. So, we decided to venture out and see what places might happen to be open. Before we got in her car, I stopped outside the apartment to snap a picture of the sky because just behind the clouds was a rainbow. After the storm that raged over Florida for 2 days, God gave us a rainbow, a light among the darkness.
While debris littered the ground and homes frantically searched for power and water to be restored, God sent us a rainbow to tell us that everything would be okay. He controls all, and by His grace, He would restore all that had been broken to its former glory. After such a powerful storm, it is hard not to look at the damages and losses, but God takes the brokenness and makes us see the beauty beyond and gives us hope for a new day.
I thank God for sending me that rainbow because it reminded me that even the darkest of days can still be beautiful. It's a lesson that I needed and continue to need even now, so thank you, God.
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