It's been harder than I thought to keep up with this blog! I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. So much has happened I hardly know where to start. Since it is Thanksgiving tomorrow I thought I would make a list of things and people I am grateful for.
I've started making these lists in my journal every few weeks. I call them "Blessings Lists" and base them after the 30 Reasons to be Happy lists that I use to make in college. I had my students make them in class a couple weeks ago and I am still blown away by how much they found to be grateful for despite the fact that some of them are really struggling. I kept my student's lists in the bottom drawer of my desk and anytime I am having a bad day at work or wondering what on earth I am doing as a high school theology teacher, I pull out these lists and am instantly reminded why I am here and why I love my job.
Blessings 11/23/11
1. My family
2. Going home for Thanksgiving today!
3. My community
4. Bishop Ward
5. FJVs
6. The St. Louis and Nashville JVs
7. Anne
8. Father Dirk's homilies
9. Time to pause
10. Spiritual direction
11. Conversations by candlelight
12. Silence
13. Cooking together
14. Painting
15. My bed
16. Peppermint tea on a cold morning
17. Seeing the sunrise everyday
18. The smell of lavender and vanilla
19. Annie and Renee
20. A new understanding
21. Warm sweaters, leggings, and scarfs
22. Kindness from strangers
23. Laughter
24. Brunch at the Jesuits
25. Learning to trust God
26. Sunflowers
27. The ability to run
28. Open-mindedness
29. Vulnerability
30. Feeling like I am exactly where I am meant to be
