Gracias a Dios

Life lately has been full of laughter and tears.

There has been really good times.

There has been really sad times.  

I've let tears fall in the grocery store looking for pepperoni.

I've laughed on the side of a mountain with good friends.

I've sobbed talking to my family on FaceTime.  

I've giggled with my roommates late at night.

I've quietly cried talking with my boss on the street.  

I've laughed hard at the lunch table with coworkers.  

I'm realizing that this is life here,

at least for now.

It's quite amazing in the midst of being extremely difficult.

I'm finding that walking around this town 

gives me the chance to really dwell on the goodness of this place.

I am grateful for so much.  

Will you walk with me for a moment?  

[I promise I won't cry…] 

Thank you Lord for birthday celebrations,

chocolate cake, and simple gifts.  

Thank You for thoughtful and generous parents 

who surprise me and show me so much LOVE.

for Young Life, warm nights, 

basketball courts in the middle of town,

and leaders here and there that inspire me to chase You.  

Thank you God for these women who make this place 

feel a little more like home,

and for eating crap on my [BIG!] bed.  

for baseball and the way that it reminds me of You. 

[strange, right?]

for window curtains, a moto helmet, and a shower curtain 

all lent to me by selfless friends.  

Thank you Jesus for students who 

look adorable hold a baseball bat,

put a smile on my face,

and give me a run for my money.

for a trip to Santiago for groceries, house things, 

and of course sweet frog.  

It might seem like life would be perfect living on an island.

It isn't.

It surely is wonderful, 

but along with that it is incredibly hard too.  

I'm choosing to be grateful in it all.  

What have you been grateful for lately?