Today I'm just thankful

It's been a while since I have sat down and written a post. Honestly, I would love to write every day to just spill my thoughts because sometimes that just seems to help me, but in reality I just don't have time for that. A lot has happened since I last wrote- Thanksgiving (which is probably my favorite holiday), exams (which were so very brutal), and my first semester of junior year nursing school has ended (AND I MADE IT THROUGH!) Praise the Lord! Truly, this is a praise. This semester truly showed me that there is a God and he loves me very very much all I have to do is reach out for him. And this semester, more than ever in my entire life, I depended on God like I depend on my earthly Daddy every single day. Every week of the semester I had a huge test, I wrote a 10-20 page paper on each patient I took care of, I spent anywhere from 8-15 hours in the hospital and I spent 18 hours a week in class all while trying to balance my grades and keep a social life. Thank goodness for some of the best friends and family I've ever had to keep me sane. At times I thought I would never make it through, but with determination, faith and tons of love and support I made it! 

So here we are now, on Christmas break and let me tell you- it is AMAZING! I have been able to sleep in a few days, I've spent time with my family and Joe's family, I've gotten all my Christmas shopping done, and now I'm just waiting for Christmas! I am super excited for this week. One, because we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the most perfect Christmas present ever. Two, because I get to spend endless amounts of time with my family and the ones I love. And three, because for the first time in 5 years Joe and I have NO CLUE what we are getting each other. To be honest, we have never been good at surprises. I always get so excited and tell him what he's getting and well, he just doesn't know how to shop for me so I always have to pick my presents out. But this year will be so fun! I hate waiting on surprises but I know it will be worth the wait! I trust that they will be the best presents I've ever gotten because he is doing this completely on his own. 

So, this week when you are celebrating with your families remember why we really celebrate Christmas. The gifts and Santa and the food are all wonderful but remember that precious baby that was born many, many years ago and remember the most perfect sacrifice he made for us so that we can spend eternal life with him. In church today our preacher made the best statement, "The best gift you could receive for Christmas is love from your Heavenly Father". And he is so very correct. I would be fine without a single gift under my tree as long as I know I get to spend eternal life with my Heavenly Father. I encourage you to read the love chapter (1Corinthians 13) and read the birth of Jesus (Luke 2) in the bible and realize that the perfect gift of love has already been given to us. He loves you so so much and his desire is for everyone to know him and commit their lives to him so that we can spend forever with him in Heaven. At times I catch myself pondering what Christmas is like in Heaven and I think about all my loved ones who are in Heaven, especially my Papa and Granny Pansy, and I just think about the perfect time they are having. I am so happy for them and I wouldn't wish them back on this earth for anything! 

So to the ones who are reading, I hope you have the best Christmas you have ever had. I hope it is filled with love and joy and Jesus and the best food you've ever eaten. Always remember the true reason for the season. 

Until I write again,

Merry Christmas!!!