Google it!

I am so thankful for my new addition to the gadgets and toys that make my life a better place :)
I know I am getting all excited about something that is material, but in actuality the fact that someone would even think of giving me this awesome little gift 'just because' and it is one of those things that are exactly what I would love to have but probably would not buy for myself - that was priceless! It really made my day!

So as I was thinking about how I am thankful about this new little speaker that pushes some serious sound and I can actually move it around wirelessly, I could not help but notice how I am also thankful for my faithful friend in time of doubt - Google! Yes, Google is definitely my friend!I google at least 10 things each day, seriously! Google cares that I am not lost when I am in need of information and is always there when I need it! If those are not qualities of a friend, then I don't know what is! Ok, ok, I am just kidding...LOL

Great friends who care and Google...what else can a girl need ;) But on a serious note - I am thankful for the genuine and much useful 'just because' gift that is so well thought of, I can see that the person was paying attention! Thank you - you know who you are! ;)

Lately I have been thinking a lot about friends and the friendships in my life. There are people who come into our lives and they are really great people and great friends, but only for a season. They teach you good things and much needed lessons about life and about who you are as a person. Then, there are people who really want to have meaningful friendships but themselves do not realise that for a friendship to be great it means there must be a give-and-take, it means being that good friend for another not only when it's easy and convenient but when it counts. And then there are people who are genuinely there for you, they know you and they still want to be there no matter what, because they are in it not just for what they can take away from the friendship, but they want to know you and understand you...those are the friends that stick around, the ride or die kind of friends because they really do care and have your best interest at heart. Jesus is that kind of friend to us, He is the ultimate friend, even if the world disappoints and people walk in and out of your life - He will never leave you not forsake you :)

...and for that I am thankful...

"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me."

~ John 15:12-15

"Wounds from a sincere friend
    are better than many kisses from an enemy."

~ Proverbs 27:6

"The heartfelt counsel of a friend
    is as sweet as perfume and incense."

~ Proverbs 27:9

"As iron sharpens iron,
    so a friend sharpens a friend." 

~ Proverb 27:17

Seasons

I love the changing of seasons. The last time I actually witnessed a change of seasons was when I was 12 years old. In Kazakhstan, where I grew up, the seasons were distributes equally - three months of winter, three months of spring, three months of summer and three months of autumn.

I particularly loved it when after summer came fall and all the leaves would change colour from green to multiple colours of orange and red! We would collect the leaves and make garlands from them by tying the stem of the leaf to another leaf and we would decorate the entire park with long strings of bright, leafy garlands!

Then came the winter and you wait for that first day when the snow would fall and everything would look so white and clean, like a fairytale! We would go outside and play in the snow, build snowmen and have snow ball fights.

I did not particularly like the change from winter to spring, that awkward moment when everything is melting and the dirt mixes with the slush...yack! But then the reward of new life and first flowers and leaves springs forth and everything blooms all at the same time!

I love that life is also like that. There are moments that are cold and the yucky slush of awkward and unclear and unknown life moments and circumstances arise and cause this melancholic feeling, making you desire the beauty of the spring blooms. It is amazing to know that in the seasons of life you can almost be sure that after winter comes spring and then the warm summer of life. It helps me understand and embrace the fact that God can see the whole picture and He will bring things full circle. It makes it ok to have that winter experience because I know that it is the time of stepping back and allowing for things to take their natural course, no need to strive...just like nature needs rest before the revival, so does my heart and my Spirit need to rest before life springs back up in it's full swing. The key is to recognise the season God has you in, because there is a purpose behind every season...

...and for that I am thankful...

Everything Has Its Time

To everything there is a season, 

A time for every purpose under heaven: 

A time to be born, And a time to die; 

A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill, And a time to heal;

A time to break down, And a time to build up;

A time to weep, And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, And a time to lose;

A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

A time to tear, And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;

A time to love, And a time to hate;

A time of war, And a time of peace.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Acceptance

One of the most powerful moments in life of each individual is coming to full acceptance of who he or she is. This means full acceptance of the past, all the flaws, all the shortcomings, all the mistakes and insecurities...

We have a tendency to believe the lies we have collected over a period of our lifetime which are stuck in our heads. These are the voices of either our parents who communicated to us that we were not worthy of love, or the cruel bullies who put us down when we were children, or ignorant teachers who communicated to us that we were not smart enough. It is the voice of our social system that programs us to perform and compete in the areas where we were never meant to perform anyway because it was never the area of our giftedness and which punishes us when we fail. It is the religious institutions that preached to us, drilling that we must be 'good enough' to earn our salvation and go to heaven...What this does is causes us SHAME ('Self Hatred Aimed at ME' - Dr. David Allen) which causes us to create false selves, put on masks, so that we perform and dance the dance of perfection in the eyes of the spectators, until they find something else to hate on...then we create more false selves and put on more masks trying to conform to this world and please people...It's a cycle, and looking from outside in we look really good doing it, covering up our trues self and our shame...

Full acceptance of the fact that I am never going to be perfect and I am never going to measure up to someone's complete expectations nor will I ever be good enough in the eyes of every human being (and thank God I do not need to be) - is freedom! This is what liberating yourself from mental slavery is all about - to stop being people pleasers and embracing our humanness...the truth is, we really are not that good and we are not worthy, but it is also true that it is not expected of us...

Instead, it is the revelation that it is not by works, not by my own effort that I am made perfect, but by God's love manifested in Christ. It is the realisation that it is because of our shortcomings that we need Christ who took on my sin and my shame and gave me Himself, thus making me perfect! Today I am reminded that Christ took my imperfections, my insecurities and my sin and His blood covers me and washes me clean...I am made perfect through Him alone!

...and for that I am thankful...

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 

~ Philippians 3:12-14

Tears...

Tears...tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Sometimes caused by a bad experience or simply the compilation of life pressures...Tears are a part of life.

Pain is not something we tend to seek or welcome easily because, let's face it, no one wants to feel hurt. Although I am not an easy person to cry or to get sad, I am actually thankful for my tears...before you think I am weird, let me explain: 

I consider myself a happy person for the most part, someone who enjoys life and has fun no matter what I do. But, like anyone else, there are definitely moments that cause grief and sorrow in my heart. Also, like most people, I used to try to protect myself from even getting to that vulnerable place where I can get hurt, but we all know, that in order to experience the fulness of life and the beauty of all that life and relationships have to offer, you have to take those walls down at least sometimes and become vulnerable, even though you might get hurt. I learned that tears are a part of life and those moments of sorrow are inevitable if we at least remotely allow people close, because at some point they will disappoint us...

The way I learned to look at it is that situations that cause tears are actually a gift, a blessing in disguise. They either reveal something about yourself or others around you. Either way, they are definitely learning opportunities. For one, they reveal how much something really means to you. Secondly, it is in those times it is revealed who is truly there for you. It is in those moments that you realise who knows you the best and who cares for you genuinely. It is in those moments that you realise who are the people on your speed-dial that you can trust to call and share your heart with...it is in those times that you know whose friendship is real and who has your best interest at heart...tears are revealing and they are also like the rain that washes over your soul, cleansing your heart, giving you the relief you need to face the challenges...just don't stay there too long. Know that God is still in control and He already knows the outcome. It is just a matter of time before you get clarity, just let Him do what He does best - let Him lead you and guide you to that place or peace and rest. Christ is still my hope because through Him I can overcome! He counts our tears..tears can be good for the soul...

...and for that I am thankful...

"Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll -- are they not in your record?

Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise--

in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling,  that I may walk before God in the light of life."

~ Psalm 56:8-13

Real Talk

There is something so calming and peaceful about sitting around a fire pit and having conversations about real life stuff, the kind of stuff that matters. Bon fires are one of my favourite things to do. So many meaningful conversations have been inspired by something so simple - burning wood!

Bon fires are another example of how we can take something so simple and create an experience around it which will create memories forever - and that is priceless!

Saturday night was one of those nights, where we were able to put our cell phones and shared some of the most incredible stories, the kinds that you leave at the bon fire...we shared our thoughts and opinions, as we gazed at the flames. That was also where God touched our hearts as we seeked Him on these issues...it was a real-talk kind of experience, the kind that makes you stop and think about the implications of the important things in life...

...and for that I am thankful...

In Spirit and in Truth...

Have you ever heard a song that took you into a trance, the kind of experience where the music lifts you up, takes up your spirit and carries you into another dimension...and the words pierce your heart with a supernatural power that you cannot explain?

Imagine melting into a praise and worship in this way, crying out to the Lord with all that you are and all that you have to give! The kind of giving in where there you no longer exist in the flesh, but the flesh falls away and all that is left is a communion of spirits - yours and that of God, intertwining in a love dance!

That is what I love to experience when I hear Spirit-filled worship! I am so thankful that I can hear and feel music in this way, that I can comprehend the words and the meaning of those words...I am thankful that I can raise my voice in praise and worship to my King of Kings, my Friend, the Lover of my soul...that even in the midst of pain and hardships I can lift my cry to Him; that in the moments of my joy I get to lift my voice in joyful noise. I am FREE to worship...

...and for that I am THANKFUL...

"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."~ John 4:23-24 

Breaking Dawn

Have you ever stopped and wondered...how we can look at something and realise how beautiful it is? Have you ever wondered that we can see and appreciate such an array of colours and shapes and dimensions, recognising the obvious and breathtaking beauty that surrounds us daily?

I am not a morning person. I would much rather stay up late till wee hours of the morning and get up at about 11:00 am in the comfort of my bed and comforter and my soft best friend pillow...I am one of those people who needs strong coffee in the morning to even feel human.

Somehow, about a year ago the Lord began to call me to Himself. He wanted me to spend time with Him. I tried everything - lunch break, evening and even spending time on my day off. But for some reason it was not bringing me closer to Him on that intimate level. I was asking God to show me what to do, but continued to ignore that still small voice that called me, because I did not want to get out of my comfort zone. Despite all of that, the small still voice never left me.

It was this nurturing kind of voice that kept wooing me, causing me to pay closer attention. The Holy Spirit began to reveal to me, through the stories in Scripture, that all of His chosen people seemed to seek Him at the break of dawn, including Jesus Himself...

God's voice resounded in my heart, "Come to Me, seek Me in the morning. Come to our meeting place and I will led you to still waters, I will give you rest". I decided to try it out...I decided to be obedient to that call.

Ever since that day, I have witnessed so many unique and unforgettable sunrises that He painted just for me to see, so many quiet moment where He shows up and speaks to me as the sun rises, painting the sky with unimaginable colours! These moments became so precious to me that I cannot even imagine going long periods of time without that early morning time. It became our meeting place where we both expect to commune with each other.

Don't get me wrong, I still need my coffee in the morning and I still snooze my alarm hugging my pillow...but the reward of starting a day in the company of my Creator is not something I want to trade for those extra Zzz's. He makes it worth getting out of bed every time!

...and for that I am THANKFUL...

"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." 

~ Mark 1:35

"O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch."

~ Psalm 5:3

"Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."

~ Psalm 90:14

Mother's Love

In the past few days I was able to experience a subtle but yet so noticeable kind of care and love coming from my mother. She has been so kind to me and has been showing these random, unexpected, small yet so meaningful acts of kindness...

Last Saturday she came by and dropped off some lunch, but not just some food she picked up...it was her home made lentil vegan soup packaged in this small red box and to top it off, there was a box of multivitamins for women. How thoughtful is that?

Then on Sunday she came by and treated my dislocated-pinky-toe-foot with this acupuncture apparatus to help it heal better...Today she came by again with some more soup - my favourite - borsch vegan style!

For some of you this will make no sense...but I have been praying for God to bring us to a place where we can experience moments like these...and being here make me go - wow! This is a God-story. It is incredible to see His hand working in my life, in her life. He has a power to restore a relationship that has gone through so many seasons...

...and for that I am so very THANKFUL...

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." ~ Mark 11:2

Time Alone with God (TAG)

When I hurt my foot I was really bummed out because it meant that I would not be able to do my morning runs that I enjoy so much. It was almost the reason for me to stay in my bed and sleep in over the next 3 weeks until it heals. I was quite disappointed but then I heard the Lord speak to me saying, "this is your chance to spend more time with Me." I could hear the excitement in that voice, so much so that I myself also got excited about it.

.

Usually I would go for my run and my morning would conclude with spending that time with God either in prayer or reading devotions or His Word. However, having more time to spend today seeking Him in silence, looking over this beautiful ocean, studying and going deeper into the Word was extra special. I know that one of the most exciting things for a follower of Christ is when there comes a point in their journey where they not only hear and know about God, but truly encounter Him and get to know Him. There is nothing that is as exciting and fulfilling than this, nothing comes close to this kind of intimate relationship with the Creator. It is that true communion with Him, my Friend and my Shepherd who speaks to me and leads me to still waters...

...and for that I am ETERNALLY THANKFUL...

An unexpected visitor

This was one of those special moments that, when it happens, I am always thankful for!

Tonight turned out to be one of those unplanned and yet so interesting and fun nights. As the evening was coming to an unpleasant conclusion and I was anticipating a quiet night of centering and prayer, hoping to recover from a disturbing incident that happened just before, my phone rang. An unexpected visitor was stopping by to join me for some tea. As I was pondering on how I will be spending the rest of the night, my special visitor arrived. Tea pot on, honey and guava jam set up on the tray...conversation started...

A few minutes into it, we are both engaging in a conversation that leads to more conversation and as it all unfolds and we are having tea, I realise that my previously caused tension is leaving me. The evening is taking a turn and we are having a wonderful time of sharing and laughter with mom. The brief tea visit becomes a sleep over where we end up watching Russian stand up comedy by Zadornov whom we love and the whole experience is so dear to our hearts that we both ask a rhetorical question in agreement: "Where else can you sit and enjoy a few hours of Russian TV together?"...and understand what's happening! This was a moment of peace, love and a special, unique and unexpected bonding with mom...

...and for that I am THANKFUL...

Bonds of friendship and love

Today I had to really think of that one thing I am thankful for. I am thankful for everything that God blesses me every day, but that is kind of generic for the blog...so I had to think really hard about that one thing that I am thankful for this day...

See, last night I broke my pinky toe and had to deal with that today (thank God it was not broken, just dislocated). Yes, I know, the question that begs is "Is that even possible?" Apparently, it is! So, here is the story: I was sitting on my bed, on my laptop, and my left leg fell asleep...happens, right? 

As I got up to walk I suddenly realised that my led is a bit weak, so I tried to walk it off, as usual, and get the sensation back. It began to feel better and thought I was good to go, but on my third step my the muscle of my leg along with the knee completely gave in and I literally collapsed on the floor. My pinky toe must have gotten caught up and twisted during the fall :( OUCH! I did not even feel it this much at first...The toe did look like it was swelling and did not seem to be in the right place. All of a sudden the feeling completely came back and WOW - I felt the pain at its finest! 

...not really thankful for all that!

Today was the day for me to go and deal with it. Now that I look back, I realise that it is in the moments like these you really get to witness those who really take the time and care. It is in moments like these that true friendships are revealed :)

...and for that I am thankful...

Do not take your true friends for granted!

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

John 15:13

Discernment

Making decisions and knowing the RIGHT one is not always easy. Sure, it is easy to figure out what you want for breakfast or what you want to wear to a party...but even those decisions can be difficult sometimes, and we still make the wrong choices..

But how about really important life decisions such as whether to go back to school or get a job, or the decisions to end a friendship or start a relationship, or even to move to a different country! Decisions, decision...

One thing I discovered, when making decisions in life it's important to slow down. Stop and evaluate the situation before making any drastic choice, give it time and give it over to God. There is nothing that He does not already know and there is nothing that surprises Him, so who better to ask than the One who created you and knows you the best?

Today I had to slow down and pray, asking God to help me make some decisions...it was amazing to see how He showed me the way to go about it - He gave me the discernment. The most beautiful thing is that when we surrender our decision-making to the Lord, He gives us the insight, the words, the courage and peace in our hear to execute His will.

I thank Him this day for the guidance of the Hoy Spirit, for discernment and for the peace in my heart! Thank You, Lord, for helping me make the right choices when I surrender them to you...

...and for that I am so very thankful to Him...

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

Guidance

Revelation power that comes from God is a powerful thing! As we deal with the issues of life, most of the time we already have the answers. If we allows ourselves, if only we surrender our wills and lay down our earthly crowns, and allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit to lead us into the right environments, into the circumstance and relationships that would be ideal for you. we would never be disappointed! 

Sometimes He guides us into a seasonal place and some other times He actually takes you to the more permanent dwellings. Sometimes He guides us through people by bringing them into our lives in such a unique a special way.

Today we had a beautiful time reconnecting with this beautiful woman of God whom God brought into my life and who generously and humbly extends her life into mine, teaching me about God by revealing more of who she is in Christ to me.

As I journey I really have come to appreciate the significance of a God-sent spiritual mentor who journeys and confirms God's truth in my life and who would each time take the approach from a Christ-like character. A quality mentor is able and willing to guide you in times of confusion, understand in times of trouble, process difficult issues according the the Word and even correct in love when necessary. I realised that it was not that easy to find a quality mentor, someone who is mature in their faith and is are actually able and willing to share this journey through living a transparent and authentic life. The process of finding that kind of mentor is almost like finding the right person to be in a relationship with. It took me 2 years of praying and searching for that true, authentic and meaningful connection, and I must say - I found her! 

...and for that I am so, so , so  THANKFUL...

Thank you Alice for being in my life :)

"Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." ~ Proverbs 11:14

When worlds collide

There are times in each of our lives when we are forced into a pattern of situations and events that require for us to make decisions, decisions which determine the course of the rest of our lives. In fact, they are all of the decisions that we make, even the smallest ones. However, at times there are some major decisions that we need to make in order to proceed. Life tends to happen so quickly and many decisions need to be made on the spot and as a result we do not realise all that is happening around us in the midst of all the busyness...

Today seemed like it would never end. It really felt like a whole lifetime in a flash... As the day came to an end and I am able to reflect on it I can't help but notice how there were so many events that took place, how many people came together, how many opinions and thoughts got exchanged, how many environments were crossed and trespassed...it was as if each person, each exchange, each interaction was loaded with information and intent and each time bringing these hidden worlds that collided for certain moments in time.

My encounter with Smokey was one of those moments where I was able become a part of this chilled and easy going world, the world of a fisherman whose life was so different from mine, so full of adventure and stories. As I sat and listened to the way he described his encounter and conversations with the storm at sea, referring and speaking to it as if the storm was his woman (whose name is Michelle by the way).

Smokey was someone I happened to meet today as a result of another friend. We sat for a moment on his fishing boat and I just listened and gave my attention. He opened the door into his world through the stories he relayed to us, describing the way he saw life through his eyes. His eyes and his face were lit up and gave out such peace, calm and kindness, giving off a very soothing and comforting feeling. If I could describe it in words it would feel like "all is well with my soul" kind of feeling.

To be able to see and recognise this, even in the midst of the events that occurred, that is what I am thankful for today. It was as if God broaden my mind to perceive more than just one perspective, to understand more than just one way of looking at things...to see more than just one world view at a given moment. To walk through life and see even the unknown and unpredictable as an adventure is a gift from God. Today was one of those days in my journey...

...and for that I am THANKFUL...

"This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!"

Romans 8:15-17

The Message (MSG)

Outdoor workouts are the best

The first time I ever saw palm trees and coconut trees was when I was 8 years old. I will never forget it...

My mom and I went to Cuba and it was a looooong flight from Moscow to Havana. I was sleeping when we arrived. It was dark outside... I remember waking up on the backseat of the taxi coming from the airport and all I could see was the palm trees flashing across as I opened my eyes. I knew we were in Cuba and I felt this sense of adventure being in the unknown place, not knowing what to expect, but having this child like excitement and anticipation of what was to come.

When we went back to Russia, that was one of those little things I missed, the tropical and dreamy coconut trees :)

Every time I go to work out at my usual spot, I look up as I do my ab exercises and think of how much I appreciate these exotic and strange looking trees that have become so familiar to me...

...and for that I am THANKFUL...

Loving the rain

The weather suddenly changed. Many people would say for the worse but rainy weather is my favourite kind of weather! So, I get to be thankful for a nice really day :)

As I was driving to work, I saw the raindrops on my window and thought of how the rain washes over the earth. It made me think of how God washed us and refreshes us when we are in the dry season. When the rain comes, for me it is a reminder that He washes us clean, giving us new mercies every day. Today, I needed to hear that from Him...

...and for that I am truly, truly THANKFUL...

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens

    and stay on the ground to water the earth.

They cause the grain to grow,

    producing seed for the farmer

    and bread for the hungry.

11 

It is the same with my word.

    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.

It will accomplish all I want it to,

    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

12 

You will live in joy and peace."

Isaiah 55:10-11

Rest...

One of the best feelings in the world for me is finding myself in my chill spot, one of my favourite places in the world (yes, my bed!), where I get to throw my feet up and completely relax after a long and fruitful work weekend, knowing that the following day is my day off!!!

These are some of the most rewarding and enjoyable moments...this is my peace of mind...

...and for that I am very THANKFUL...

There is not "i" in TEAM

Today was an incredible day of fellowship with some amazing people. I feel thankful and blessed for so many things today, it is hard to even pick out just one!

There are always these moments in the life of a Youth Pastor when you doubt your ability to execute the vision and the plan the Lord puts before you. There are sobering moments of insecurities when I realise that I cannot do this on my own initiative. Thank God I am not meant to and I don't have to because, at the end of the day, He is the One who is in control.

Today was one of those days where I got to witness the work of His hands as I watched how everything organically came together as a result of surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Being at the Adventure Learning Camp for our Youth Ministry Leaders Retreat, as always, was such a beautiful and relaxing experience. We were all blessed and impacted by the message that was brought to us by Pastor K! I am personally thankful for the moments that were shared today in our time of fellowship and getting to know each other better! Feel grateful for the people He put together to journey with as a  team as we enter this season in Ministry :)

...and for all of this I am truly THANKFUL...

It's the little things...

Today I was literally bogged down with things I had to do, going through my to do list and preparing for the upcoming work-weekend. It was one of those days when I had to depend on plans, things and people to line up and fall into place and they didn't. It was one of those days where I had to take a breath and rise up above the circumstances and let go, in my mind kind of saying, "Ok, what's next?"

Little things were not coming together, but I guess it was not all that bad. The evening turned for the better and it was that one little thing that really made me stop and smile...when my friend who was hanging out with me showed so much concern for the fact that I did not remember to have a proper meal and decide to get me this:

...and for that I am thankful...

Perspective is everything

Today I am thankful for being able to enjoy the amazing weather, nature and the overall beauty of this country!

When I went for my run this morning, as I was gazing at the horizon. There was the sun breaking the dawn, painting the sky with multitudes of colours, gracefully wrapping the clouds in the morning fire.

These are the moment professional photographers wake up early for and millions of tourists pay healthy bucks to come to The Bahamas and see, while many others only dream about. And yet, this is what I get to see every morning, this is where I get to live and appreciate all it's bounty!

Above all I am thankful that He brought me here and for the connections that He allows me to have, impacting my life in such a beautiful way through pure, genuine child-like love and friendships...

...and for that I am thankful, God...

Life is like a box of chocolates!

Happy New Year!

That is what the whole world was unanimously screaming last night as everyone witnessed the folding of yet another page in time. It is 2014 and this day I have decided to start this blog where I will post a picture of the one thing I am thankful for each day for the next 365 days :)

Today I am thankful for the awesome box of chocolates that was given to me for Christmas and I got to open it this morning for my Tea Time :) What can be better than a superb box of exquisite box of chocolates?

A box of chocolates...you can compare anything to a box of chocolates! People are like a box of chocolates: every one is different...they come in different shapes an sizes, some are sweet and some are bitter but you can learn to appreciate them all and there will always be someone who will love a particular flavour, just like chocolate...they are different but they are all still CHOCOLATE!

May your life be like a box of chocolates! Each day will bring something different, but it will still be a good day, because how can life be bad when we got chocolate in the world? :)

...and for that I am THANKFUL...