Some of God's Many Blessings

In honor of this nation's holiday here are some of these things I'm thankful for:

• My family. We aren't perfect. Most days, we aren't even close. But there has never been a time in my life when I've felt like I couldn't go home.  There has never been a time in my life when my home has not be open to me. Are we going to win the award for the world's closest family? Probably not.  That doesn't matter though.  What does matter is that we do our best, that we love each other, and that, no matter what, we will always be family.
• The girls that I live with now and have ever lived with. My life with them is kind of crazy and almost always random. Most of the time, that is probably my fault. But the things I have learned and am learning about myself because of them are invaluable. I love the woman they call, encourage, and help me to be. 
• My Benedictine friends. The majority of the college experience is the people making the journey with you. I couldn't have asked for holier, happier, or better people. 
• My Tech Team: I could not be the sound tech I am without them. They put up with me when I'm stressed. They're there when I can't be.
• The 8:00pm mass people.  They really are a highlight to my week.  I love taking to them through the monitor. Working with them is just plain fun. Praying with them is even better.  Standing together as we help the community worship more fully is truly an honor.
• The Slobodnik's. Elizabeth teaches me so much.  David brings joy and peace and baby to my life.
• The Humberg's.  Every last one of them.  Angela and Jeff for welcoming me into their home, to their dinner table, and into the lives of their children.  Benedict for the way he reminds me to play. William for all of the ways he seems to read my needs and respond accordingly. Elizabeth for always making me feel welcome and right at home. Sarah for the way she always honest and helpful.  Hannah for playing with me and wanting my attention. And Vincent.  For being a constant example of how sometimes the best things in life are hard work and demand sacrifice. This big family gives me hope and so much more.
  
• My professors. It is a great gift to be able to learn from them. More importantly, I will forever be changed because they have invested so much of themselves-way beyond academics. In many ways, they are examples of life lived in holiness.
• My CCD students. The hour I spend with them a week is too short. They make me laugh. They make want to scream. They challenge me as a teacher.
• Assumption. It is blessing to have a Parish that is, without question, my home. Not only does it provide me the Sacraments, but it also stands as familiar pillar in who I will always be.
• The teens at youth group. Talk about a source of joy. These people may be young, but they sure know how to impact lives. Mine is proof of that. Never will I be the same. They keep me young. They keep me striving for holiness.
• The CORE team. Standing next to these people I get the strange feeling that I can do anything.  Anything. The friendships are great. The ministry is an even bigger blessing.
• My STL friends.  They are a large part of the reason I come back.  Who I am today is largely shaped by the person they helped to form. Whether we are getting ice cream from Coldstone or coffee from Starbucks or anything else in between, I'm thankful.