Time to be Thankful

It's that time of the year to remember all of the things you are thankful for. So here are all the things I'm thankful for.

First and most important is my father. My father is the greatest man on this earth. He loves unconditionally. I can't begin to list all of the things he has done for me. He has supported me in all the things that I do. When I left my job, he wasn't upset. When I told him, I didn't know if I wanted to teach, he wasn't upset. When I told him I applied to come and teach in Korea, he wasn't upset. When I told him I got the job at DeliEnglish, he was upset. It wasn't the, "I'm mad," kinda upset. It was the, "my daughter is leaving for a year," kind of upset. I've called home and e-mailed my dad way too many times, but he didn't care. He offered many times for me to change my mind before I left, and I knew I could have, but once I got here, he wouldn't let me change my mind. My father is a true hero in my mind.

Next would be my mother. She and I have had our fair share of struggles through the years, but in the end, she loves me. She cares about me. She has been a big support in my coming here. She didn't get upset when I left my job. She did start to nag as the summer started to end and I hadn't found a job, but mothers do that. She was there for me as I got ready to be here. She is a good mother.

Next my church family. RPBC is a wonderful church. I miss them a lot. The college group is a great group of people. I miss meeting with them Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings. Jesse and Laura are sweet people. They have been very supportive. Tapestry is a wonderful group of women. Many of them spent the summer praying that God would use me in a powerful way after leaving my job. These women have been a great example in my life. I hope they can contiue to be a postive influence on me. I'm very thankful for the ladies that teach Sparks now. I haven't seen it, but I know I left a group that was willing to fill the hole I left behind. I was very worried about leaving, but the way these ladies stepped up to help was a blessing to me. I wish that I could see them at work. I'm thankful for the Burns family. I wouldn't be sitting in Korea, if they weren't a part of my life. They played a role as big as my parents in getting me here and keeping me here. I learned how to have faith in an amazing God because of them. I'm thankful for Tammy, Kelly, Hilda, Jodi and Jackie. These women remind me that I can do this. These women are there for me in everyway they can be. I'm thankful for Pastor Lord. He is a wonderful Pastor. I'm thankful for the pleasure he shows in sending me off. He is always very excited to send me on my way. He is a very caring man, and I know that God is the center of his heart.

I'm thankful for the friends I've made here in Korea. I love Amanda. I love that Amanda wants to make everybody happy. I will miss her when she is gone. I love Amber. She is sweet, thoughtful, and helpful. I love Crystal. She is always good for a laugh. I love Jackie. She gets me to think about things. I will miss her when she is gone. I love Brandy. I love looking at the pictures of her students. It's great to have someone around who is in love with Kinders as much as I am. I love Hun. I have so much fun going around Korea with him. I love Suzanne. She brought me to this wonderful group of people. I will miss her when she is gone. I love Jason. He is my Korea best friend. He seems to understand, he also cares. He has said some things that were hard for me to take in, but his heart is in the right place and that is what matters the most.

I'm thankful for Pastor Turner and Gayle. They welcome me into their home. They let me make a mess of their kitchen and cook and bake. They make my heart happy. I feel like I have family and I'm at home when I'm in their home. The number of blessings I have recieved from these two wonderful people are already countless.

I'm thankful for my coworkers. Christine is helpful. I can ask her for advice and she will give it. Mike is canandian, but I won't hold that against him. He has let me know that it's ok to stand for them to walk on me. I can also go to him when I need help with dealing with kids. He is a pretty good guy. I'm thankful that Erik hasn't said anything mean or beat me down. Erik shares an office with me. He has to deal with all the annoying wierd Michelle-ness. He does a pretty good job. He does leave me alone in the office every now and again; I think it is because I have driven him past the point and leaves instead of hitting me or saying mean things to me. I'm thankful for Katie. She has been a good friend. It has been nice to have someone to travel with.

I'm thankful for my friends back home. I'm glad Tiffany and I are friends. It's great how encouraging she can be. I'm glad that I've reconnected with Kelsie. I don't mind that it is only through the internet. I'm thankfu for Jim and how well he takes care of my dog. I'm thankful for Kerry, Hagan, and Ashlee. I don't know that I would have made it through this summer without them.

I'm also thankful for Amor Ministry; the staff and everyone I've met through it. I'm thankful for Jeff and Erin. I'm thankful for Jonathan, Chelsea, Lyndsie, Pamela, Howie, and anyone else on the field team. I'm thankful for Brian, Jim, Jeff and Leona. I will miss you all this year.

I'm thankful for my Aunts. They have been very helpful and loving.

I know that I've missed some people. I am thankful for you. If you are reading this, you are a part of my life and have touched it. I am thankful for every person that has passed through my life. Every person has made an impact on me and made me who am I today.