Something I’ve always known and celebrated but never knew how to fully live out until the race. I mean when do we really show our true gratitude? When something big happens to us or when we finally get what we’ve been wanting? I mean those are great things to be grateful for but truly we should be grateful for everything. The hard times especially because they’re what lead us to the good times and those are the times were most grateful. 

The race has fully opened my eyes and shown me the littlest things that I’m most thankful for that the big things have no hold on. Though I am still thankful for each and every second of my days on this earth and in this kingdom I am blessed to serve in. With that being said, here’s a list of 20 things I’m grateful for, big and small:

1. When the air smells like rain and grass
2. When the sky turns pink at sunset
3. Long hugs after ministry
4. Phone calls with my family
5. Being held by Jules
6. Sweet kid giggles
7. Adoption 
8. The sound of crashing waves
9. Worship, especially on the days I’m most exhausted 
10. Living in community, even when it’s past quiet hours and the house is loud!
11. The ladies at ministry holding me tight and telling me they love me
12. Coffee shops with Wi-Fi
13. Charlie (our van driver to ministry)
14. The kids playing with my hair at ministry though it ends up knotted
15. Ice cream after crying
16. Heinz ketchup (controversial, I know)
17. Loud chatter at 7am on Saturday
18. Belly laughs
19. Chuy’s chips and queso
20. The ability to worship the Lord freely