Chels in Progress

dinner dates a new plant family laughs new tires coconut soy candles cinnamon crunch bagels a little bit of rain friends who stick through thick and thin Frozen 90s music at work

{one} electric blankets. {two} two days in a row off of work. {three} picking up my DSLR again. {four} roommate bonding. {five} personal growth. {six} the smell of new boots, still lingering. {seven} the encouragement endeavor. {eight} being in community with other single twentysomethings who love the Lord. {nine} cheese + grapes combo. I can't even explain its perfection. {ten} breaking free study by beth moore, and the weekly discussion dates with my sis. ♥

breakfast with dear friends . time with my momma . my dad's sense of humor . [passing my kidney stone] the smell of coffee . pumpkins and wreaths . my roommates . football season. Angels baseball. my life group . homemade bean dip. worship nights . new friends . {giggles} healed hearts . nail polish. chilly nights. time to sleep in . time in prayer . day dreaming .

I struggle with my family.  It seems so ridiculous to say.  They love me more than anyone else in the world, they've been by my side through all my ups and downs, and I love them tons.  But they also drive me the most crazy.  I'll spare you the elaboration, especially because this post is supposed to focus on the things I'm most thankful for about them. Top Ten Things About My Family That I'm Thankful For : {1} That my mom can do many basic functional things, like eating, showering, writing, et cetera.  It sounds crazy.  And she'd probably hate that this is on a public blog, but it's one of the things I'm most thankful for.  Her MS has robbed her of so many things, and these basic abilities are such blessings, even though they too have also slowed down. {2} That my dad is a local small business owner.  Even though we struggle, the fact that he is his own boss has been a blessing.  He was always able to make it to my sports games, plays...

{1} Joined the high school youth group leader squad. and got asked if I was a) a senior in high school, b) someone's sister, c) a babysitter. {2} Sold my guitar to a sister who wants to use it for worship. check out my last post. {3} Hearing testimonies + worship music with dear friends and new faces. {4} Freesoulcaffé + thrift store hopped with Allie Ray. {5} Discovered that Air1 now reaches Orange and LA Counties. {6} Warmer weather = skirt + tights + boots. {7} Comfy reindeer sweater twice in one week. {8} Made a paper chain by firelight. {9} Found a rad book on U.S. National Parks for 50¢ at the thrift store. {10} Christmas cards, decorations, smells, and music. and red cups at Starbucks.

“But do you believe miracles still happen?  Many Christians I’ve met do not. Often, this is because they confuse miracles with magic. I remind them that miracles don’t have to break that laws of nature to be a supernatural event.” - Bruce Wilkinson Today was so cool. So I've had this guitar (which I've never learned to play) for about four years, give or take.   It was a gift from an ex-boyfriend, and it's a beautiful guitar, but it's been just sitting in its case for a great deal of time now.  After figuring out that the guitar is not my forte, and guessing it wouldn't be a good idea to try to give it back, I decided to sell it.  We put it on Craigslist the day before Thanksgiving, but only received one offer, from a man offering half of what I was asking.  I may not be the best at bartering, but I was determined to not give up.We decided to re-list it this weekend, hoping it would be seen. Today my dad stopped by my work to tell me that a gir...

Rain. Hikes with my coworkers. (and having to climb down hillsides and brush to get back on the right trails) Coffee Bean's hot chocolate . This Mexican blanket that's been in my family for 20 years. (which I stole for my bed) Sweet new friends . My hair being the longest it's been in 7 years . My life group , and our intentional conversations. My ISP teammate moving to East Asia . A little Vietnamese restaurant opening down the street... they have BOBA. My quiet time park.

" Thanksgiving after all, is a word of action ." - W.J. Cameron Last week, I didn't "feel very thankful". Well, this quote just completely humbles me. Giving thanks to the Lord is not a feeling. It is an action. So, last week's Top Ten : { 1 } My sisters in Christ. { 2 } My job. { 3 } Boot weather. { 4 } The gym. { 5 } My family. { 6 } Chia seeds. { 7 } My brothers in Christ. { 8 } Jesus Calling . { 9 } Flannel sheets. { 10 } Forgiveness. Thank You, Lord. For all of this. And everything.