Tag Archives: thankfulness

Day 2063 – Reasons To Be Thankful For This Snow

Posted on by
Reply

Today is the millionth snow day for Baltimore County. Both Bret and I LOVE snow days. Oh baby, love, love, love. But I know many of you are quite done with snow days, with winter and being stuck inside in general. I want to give you a few things to be thankful for today.

It’s quite beautiful…

day_02063a

It reminds us of the verse “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18…

day_02063b

You can remember that there is a season for everything and you’ll get to sit in this chair in just a few months (or weeks even..?) and enjoy the WARM outdoors…

day_02063c

You can get piano lessons…

day_02063f

You can have bacon and cinnamon buns…

day_02063g

You have something to keep your hands warm…

day_02063h

It’s an excuse to wear PJs and fuzzy socks all day…

day_02063i

What about you, what are you thankful for on this snow day?

Day 1760 – Personal Post – Why I Am Truly Thankful For This Job (And It’s Not For The Reason I Originally Thought It Would Be)

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve been doing photography full time for about 2 and a half years. I still can’t believe it’s been that long. There are a number of things that I’m sooooo thankful for. I used to think the biggest thing would be that I could be my own boss. For the 13ish years that I worked for others, I would see things that could be done better. Sometimes they would take my ideas, sometimes they wouldn’t. It was when they wouldn’t that I would get the most frustrated. I also used to think it would be the flexible schedule. Being able to work until 3 a.m. when I was “in the zone” editing a wedding or taking a nap when I was tired.

But today I was reminded of the best outcome of being a full-time freelancer, the ability to be there for my friends, no matter the time of day. See, today one of my friends was having a really tough day. I sent them a picture to help cheer them up (see below). Then spent the better part of an hour or so texting encouraging things to them. Sending verses. Sending funny videos and GIFs. Calling and praying for them.

If I had a 9-5 job, I couldn’t do that. If I was at my last job (receptionist), I couldn’t do that.

But this is my life now. I can “drop everything” and give that care. I think this is what God intended for me the whole time….that I wasn’t just going full-time in photography, but He was giving me the freedom to be a full-time friend and helper. Just a few weeks ago, I was able to take over “mom duties” and drive my brother around to his school things because of a family emergency.

Are there days I wish I made more money? Oh my gosh, yes!
Are there days I miss the “9-5, boss telling me what to do, don’t have to worry about the CEO duties?” Oh HECK yea!
Are there days I miss paid vacation? Um, like, always?

But! I would take struggling for money, figuring out how to run a business and furthering my education constantly, and vacations that I pay for any day.

Oh and it means that I can do this at my desk any time I want. 😀

day_01760

*note that is NOT my hair, it is a wig. I put it on about an hour ago. It is still on.

Day 1302 – Even When Your Car Decides To Shut Down While Driving, Give Thanks

Posted on by
Reply

Tonight, I had intentions of visiting the store for Superbowl snacks and groceries. I was also going to try and find some purple hair dye. I know, I know. SILLY to look for the DAY BEFORE the Superbowl. But, I was going to do it.

Not 9 minutes from home, my car died. Like, power failure, all indicators went down. I was actually at a pretty safe spot to pull over and no one was behind me. I sat there for about 45 minutes waiting for Bret to pick me up and looking up what the heck it could be.

I was obviously bummed and kicking myself. It’s been acting a little funny….but still running ok. I was due for an oil change and intended to go either yesterday or the day before. As you know, I’ve been feeling a little under the weather and didn’t get the chance to go. What was great was my dear husband didn’t make me feel worse by making a big deal about picking me up or going to the store OR that I didn’t get the work done. (But I really didn’t think it was THAT bad). Instead, he (several times) said, dude, calm down and offered a fist bump. To say my husband has grown in the past few years is an understatement.

After the store, on the last hill of the drive home, we struggled. Started to slide in the snow. Thankfully, we were in the truck and it’s great in the snow…but it still struggled.

It hit me that if I had been driving my car around in this, I wouldn’t have gotten up the hill. I would have been going the other direction on our home road….and it’s worse on the other route. If it was just me, I would have driven to several stores looking for the hair dye. The snow would have been worse. I could have gotten in a very serious accident and done even more damage to the car. As I realized this I was just overwhelmed by God’s grace in all situations. Sometimes what looks like a bad situation is actually the best thing that could have happened to you.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

And since it’s snowing, here’s my fav “Bret in the snow” picture. 🙂

day_01302

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget.
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Day 1230 – Don’t Forget About This On Thanksgiving….

Posted on by
2

I’ll admit it…I got caught up in the outrage of Target and Wal-Mart starting their sales this evening. I even signed a petition against Target….saying that I wouldn’t shop there today or tomorrow if they didn’t change their hours. I mean…I wasn’t planning on going shopping this year…though, it’s funny, I keep thinking about things I COULD go shopping for! My mouse has been acting up….the cord for my laptop is falling apart….you can get an iPhone through Virgin Mobile now….stop tempting me electronics!!! Ahem….anyways.

And then, my friends starting posting things about the troops and Thanksgiving….and I was completely humbled. I really do try to have a “well if nothing else…” “at least we don’t have to…” “you’re up and walking…” mentality about things. I try to keep perspective. I have only gotten to this mindset through deep lose and serious tears. I don’t speak naively.

I am so thankful for those who reminded me. Then I started thinking…you know…there are a lot of other businesses and people working today that we don’t normally think about. Gas stations, grocery stores, liquor stores, military, police….and so many more I can’t think of and really don’t think of…

I challenge you…while you’re out and about today….thank each person you run into who is working today. It’s not just the retail folk.

I want to personally thank the Lightfoot Family. Dan is pretty much a life-long friend, one of my grooms and our best man. Lizann is a long time friend, one of my brides and our soloist. They recently made a move to Spain with the Marines. I am so grateful and honored to know such a strong family. I don’t know if I would have been as strong as I was during Bret’s deployment if it hadn’t been for Lizann.

Thank you Lightfoot family for your sacrifice for our country. We love you guys!