Here Lately

Writing my thoughts down is how I reflect on what is going on in life. I have journaled at night since I was a child, and it is still the way that I think through things. It's one way that I talk to God. It's one way that I can look back and see my answered prayer requests. It helps me to grow. It helps me to be thankful. 

Thankful. 
That's one thing that I'm learning so much about lately. I'm not talking about just saying "thank you," to people I come in contact with, but I'm talking about thanking God for blessing me in the ways that He does. So many times I have overlooked how gracious and merciful He is to me. After reading a book entitled, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, I realized that I am not nearly thankful enough. Since reading that book, I started making a list of things that I am thankful for. Each time I think of something I am thankful for, I immediately write it down. 
Here are just a few things that have been added to my list: 
1. A gracious and loving God who loves me unconditionally. 
2. The word of God that teaches me how to fully love God and others, how to serve, and how to share Christ. 
3. My mom and dad who love each other and who love my brother and me. 
4. My family.
5.The blessing of supportive and loving friends. 
6. A boyfriend who loves the Lord, loves me, and makes me laugh. 
7. Children. 
8.  Dance. 
9. The legacy of family members who are no longer here.
10.My Filipino family who will forever hold a special place in my heart. 

I've been learning that it's really that simple. It's talking to God as you're driving down the road during a 45 minute drive for student teaching and just telling him "thank you." It's making a list of all of the things you're thankful for as you're sitting in a classroom with 20 students as they take a test. It's realizing how blessed we are and just giving God the credit and thanks for being awesome. It's not always easy and sometimes I tend to complain more than give thanks. But hey, I'm human and I make mistakes, but thankfully God forgives me and helps me to continue to grow. 

So not only am I learning about being thankful, but I am also growing a lot. Moving back home with my parents and brother has been a big transition for me. For the past four years, all I have really known is the life of a college student in Hattiesburg. I was with my friends all of the time and I was either in school, studying/doing homework, or at an extracurricular activity. Now I get to eat dinner with my family each night, go to my cousin's games to watch her cheer, take cooking lessons from my aunt, and spend the afternoons with my family. It's such a blessing! 
I am also student teaching (75 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders) and teaching 2, 3, and 4 year olds at the dance studio, so my schedule is busy, but that is something that I've always been used to. There's one word that I have completely eliminated from my vocabulary and that is the word STRESS. For four years in college, my excuse for everything was, "I'm so stressed out," and the truth is that I let it consume me a lot of the time. Something I read in that book I was talking about earlier was, "Stress can be an addiction and worry can be a lunge for control, but the answer to every moment is always yes because of Christ." Stress is the devil's lie to us that God is not able to do what He IS able to do. So many times I believe that lie. 
Even though my schedule is busy and I could easily be stressed, I choose not be and I replace that feeling or whatever it is, with thanks. I'm thankful that I get to be back home with family. I'm thankful that I am able to receive an education. I'm thankful that I get to work with students every day. I'm thankful that I get to teach 2, 3, and 4 year olds the love of dance each week. It's something that I'm growing in each and every day and I know that it is not through my own ability because if I was trying to do this on my own, I would fail. It's only because of God's faithfulness and sovereignty that I am able to be thankful and to be stress-free. 

Also, I received some of the BEST news the other day. Y'all know that young girl that I donated bone marrow to 2 months ago? Well, she is recovering very well and is back at home! As soon as I read the email with the news, tears of joy rolled down my cheeks. This is an answered prayer for not only me but so many others. I've been praying for this girl since June when I found out about the procedure. I don't even know her name, but she's been a huge blessing in my life and has helped me to grow more than I even thought was possible. Once again, I know that this is nothing of my own doing, but it has happened because God remains faithful. Y'all, we serve an incredible God! I don't think I can even say that enough. 

So yeah, that's what has been on my heart lately and what God has been revealing to me. I know I'm far from being the best example of a Christian, but I'm learning and growing to be more like Him. He continues to teach me how to be Christ-like. He continues to live in me and through me so that I can serve him and serve others. I'm learning to be thankful in all things. 

Until next time, 
Brittney

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." -Phil. 4:12