Five Things I'm Thankful For Friday

This week I'm thankful for the simple things:

1. I'm thankful that my parents thought learning to swim was an important skill.  I say this because 1. Swimming is one of the chief joys of my life and 2. I think the ability to swim is something that most people who can do it take for granted.  True story: There are lots of nationalities that don't place much importance on learning to swim.  One Indian friend went to the US and ended up at a summer camp where kids were confidently jumping off a pier and swimming in the mountain lake.  Said friend, seeing how easy swimming appeared to be, dived into the frigid waters, and immediately plunged like a rock to the bottom.  Luckily, a lifeguard was on duty to drag him to safety.  Swimming is not something one just knows how to do.  Thank you M & D for taking me to weekly lessons at the YWCA.  I never made it above guppy level, but that's good enough for me.

2.  I'm thankful for my sense of smell.  Dubai is a panoply of smells.  Some are not so pleasant (the dumpsters that seemingly grace every street) while others are quite heavenly (the occasional scent of jasmine that wafts through the air.). Life is meant to be smelled (and touched and seen and tasted).

3.  I'm thankful for being busy.  Work has really been good lately which is great because I generally really enjoy working, presumably it means I'm making money (can't say for sure until I actually get paid), and because it keeps me occupied so that I stay in the moment and don't dwell on things that make me sad (as I am wont to do).

4.  I'm thankful for technology.  My iPad is just about my favorite-ist thing ever.  I use it to message people back home, navigate my way around Dubai, read my Bible, listen to NPR, learn German, memorize poetry... the list goes on and on.  I also love watching movies on my laptop, and using gmail chat to talk to loved ones back home.  I'm thankful for my camera which helps me capture my memories... I'm thankful for it all.  It's made traveling (and keeping in touch) much easier since the days when I first set off by myself for foreign climes in 2003.

5.  I'm thankful for my parents and their commitment to another.  This week my parents celebrated 42 years of marriage together!  I'm proud of them and thankful to have been able to grow up in a stable home with parents who stuck it out for the long haul.  Happy Anniversary, M & D!  Here's to many more!

Now and Then: My Parents

Happy 40th Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Yesterday, May 7, 2011, was a milestone in my parent's lives-- they celebrated their fortieth anniversary of marriage together.  They're in Texas for the weekend visiting my aunt and uncle, but I wanted to give them a shout out on my blog.  These two pictures are from their wedding day.  How cute are they?!?

H A P P Y  A N N I V E R S A R Y  M O M & D A D !

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.


~Proverbs 31:10-11

I'm so proud of my parents.  Thirty-nine (39!!!) years ago my parents made a covenant before man and God to join in marriage.  She was a small town girl from South Carolina, and he, her former school bus driver, was a hot-shot university student.  They were married in their hometown and honeymooned in Charleston.


Six moves, four states, and three kids later (not to mention the death of all but one of their parents), they're still going strong.  I've watched them support each other through times of feast and times of famine.  My mom has been the helpmeet that God intended her to be to my father, and my dad has faithfully ministered to his family, working hard to support us.


Thank you for your commitment to one another and to God.  I pray that the two of you enjoy many more fruitful years together.

XOXO,