early thanksgiving
it's never too early to be thankful, right? right.

well every thanksgiving, my family gets together and we share stuff that we're thankful for in the past year. i know, it's not that creative, but hey, it's all good.

anyways, i've been thinking about it a lot, and you know, i realize that i really do have a whole lot to be thankful for. i'll try my best not to make it too mishy mushy and really sound sincere, so bear with me.

so much has happened in the past year, i suppose we'll date it back to last thanksgiving. so here it goes..

(i'm going to try not to list specific names because i'm really scared of leaving people out)

i'm thankful for my family. my parents have given me countless wake-up calls, and most of the time, they go incredibly under-appreciated. i usually just pick up the phone with a groggy voice, and mutter "i'm awake i'm awake" and don't even remember to thank them. i'm also thankful for my brother and sister. it's definitely tough seeing them kinda "all grown up" now, but i guess i'm going to have to get used to it. thanks for not forgetting about me these past few months while i've been up here at UT. i'm sorry i missed your birthdays, but trust me, i will make it up to you guys. most of all, thanks for keeping me in your prayers. and try not to worry about me so much, i'm a big kid now.

i'm thankful for my old friends. thanks for always sticking by me, no matter how unintentional i've been in my relationships. thanks for always lending a listening ear and a crying shoulder. i know it's cliche, but i really do believe that i have the best friends in the world. thanks for all the laughs, all the tears, and all the moments that really make life worth living. thanks for keeping me accountable, and for praying for me whenever the need arose. you guys are awesome.

i'm thankful for my new friends, the people i've gotten to know since coming to college. it's kinda hard to believe that a year ago on this day, i hadn't really taken the effort to go out and meet new people, but i'm so thankful that God finally brought me out of the comfort of my room and into the lives of you guys. thank you guys for accepting me as a third roommate, for laughing with me, for laughing at me, for taking the time to get to know me better, for all the late-night food runs, for showing me the true meaning of compassion, for being amazingly patient with me, for trusting me, for making my day, for balling with me, for supporting me, for praying for me, for eating with me, for putting up with me, and for all the unbelievable memories that i will certainly never forget. i know it's a broad list, but i'm sure you guys will know who you are. thank you for helping me feel at home here at UT.

last, but certainly not least, i'm thankful for God's guiding hand in my life. i feel like every single time that i've felt so helpless, guilty, or just all in all unworthy of His love, He has kept His promise and never left my side. He has provided for me in my biggest times of need. He has been there for me even when i have neglected Him. He has made up for my lack of faith with answered prayers and a core of indescribable friendships to encourage and build me up. He has given me strength and comfort during times when i have felt so incredibly inadequate. He has given me patience in areas where i truly needed it the most. Thank You, God.

so during this time designated for "thanksgiving," i can't help but get teary-eyed whenever i think about this past year and how thankful i am for everything that's happened. i'm not sure who's really reading this, but more likely than not, i am thankful for you.

=)