Last two days of being thankful

Not that I am done being thankful ;) just here on my blog..... everyday.... okay this is coming out all wrong tehee. Anyways, this has been super fun and I am super happy I was able to do it!!
Day 29: Today I am thankful for everyone of my amazing friends that I didn't have a chance to mention individually,

Day 30: Today I am thankful for my cousins, for God's unending love, for the chance to serve God, for His protection, for the trials of life, and every single gift He has so abundantly blessed me with.

Thankful day 28 and pics :)

Today I am thankful for my brother K :)

Pictures from my weekend with the girls

Silence does indeed have a sound and that sound often shouts louder than an angry cry. Or the good silence speaks more softly then the voice that says its ok!

Fun thanksgiving :)

I really had an awesome thanksgiving. It's been super hard for me this year to not see this as all frivolous. I mean I am way thankful to be so abundantly blessed (I did have 2 dinners), but somewhere in the midst of it all I feel somewhat guilty! Okay so I am not making sense but I am trying really really hard!!! I suppose it's just my heart, my heart for those who don't have family and don't have food. I'm not sure I am articulating this properly, but it's jut some things that were crossing my mind this holiday season. I suppose they will continue to cross my mind over the next month. Anyways, onto my day :). Evan and I went to his family's house around 1:30 and spent time with his family until around 4ish and than headed to meet my family. Than we hung out with my family until around 10 :). It was really fun and did I say yummy (the food was yummy ;). It was really great to just be with the family and relax (hanging with the family is rare for me). Anyways that brings me to what I am thankful for today. Today I am thankful for the rare gift of family and friends and the special moments we share :).

Thankful 25-26

Day 25: Today I am thankful that Jesus has given all of his children a distinct testimony and is writing my story ( I know I'm in good hands)

Day 26: Today I am thankful that we are free as a country

Thankful Day 24

Today I am thankful for my amazing and loving grandparents

Identity

I searched for an Identity for so long. I searched in popularity, in academics, in sports, in guys, in hobbies, in servant hood, in family, in friends, in appearance, and in wealth. In the end each of these things only left me empty and depressed. They drove me to suicide because these things only brought a temporary high. I sought them in a way that was apart from Jesus. They may work for a little but in the end they only bring destruction. The one place I never searched was the almighty saviour, Jesus Christ. When I finally chose to search for my identity in Jesus, I found who I really am! So now I no longer search in the things of this world, cause I know now they don't satisfy. I search in my heavenly Father and he shows me just who I am. Now I enjoy in the proper way, the things I once tried to use to make up my identity. Although they are apart of my life they will never be apart of my identity. I can see in a clear full view who I am. And if I am ever to forget I choose to search the Bible instead of the latest style. I no longer walk by the trust of my own mind but the all knowing compass of my Makers heart. I choose to pray to my heavenly Father instead of turning to my friends, expecting them to show me who I am. I am a sinner saved by the blood of Jesus. I am a child of God seeking to serve him. I am a missionary because my Father has a heart for reaching the lost. My life purpose is to mirror my Father and to do my best to honor him. I am a poor and wretched person who is made rich in Gods fullness and Grace. I am loved by a king that I have never seen. I am chosen by the Almighty Creator and that is who I am. That is my identity!

Thankful Day 23

It's hard to believe it has been 23 days since I started this, it's gone by so fast. Having to write down a different thing each day has been thought provoking and really fun!!

Day 23: Having a fun weekend with just girls, it was really awesome!! :) pictures to come

Day 20-22

Day 20 My amazing beautiful wife ;) siaira :)
Day 21 Taylor Shales and her amazing family :)
Day 22 My youth group

Thankful Day 19

Today I am thankful for my amazing older brother Bobby :)

Thankful day 18

Today I am thankful for Jerry and Cheryl and the entire amount of blessings they have been in my life. I am so sad to see them leave. Julie and Todd get them in AZ :(! But :) excited to see what the Lord has in store.

"Be still and know that I am God"- Psalm 46:10

Thankful Day 17

Today I am thankful for my friend Christian :). He's crazy fun!!

Thankful Day 16

Today I am thankful that Cancer can not prevail against my mighty saviour. In the end HE WINS!!!
All Glory to Him

Thankful Day 15

Today I am thankful for Gods diligence to always show us grace, mercy, and his will for our life.

Thankful Day 13 & 14

I don't know how I missed a day?? WEIRD! :)
Day 13: My amazing church and the loving amazinnggggggg congregation

Day 14: Evan's wonderful family and the God blessed and ordained friendship there!

Thankful Day 12

Today I am thankful for my amazing friend Alison :) I really don't know what I'd do without her. She's such a sweetheart and she too adds life to drama class. Love u my bear

Thankful Day 11

Today I am thankful for all of our military Veterans and what the gave up for us. Especially my Father. Love you All!!!

Thankful Day 10

Today I am thankful for my beautiful friend Ellis. She is so amazing and gives life to our drama class ;). Love you girly <3..... "Don't make me fall off my bike" ;)

A Priceless Possession

My Bible is most likely the most priceless possession I own. I have had it for seven years and it is perfect. It is one of those things I can seriously say I would not know how to live without. Most earthly possessions are exactly that, earthly! However, I really believe that Gods word is something we can not live without. I am just extremely blessed to look at that Bible and think I have the privilege of actually owning one. As a missionary I am well aware of the lack of Bible supply around the world. Even just in my journey to Ireland, I came in contact with many who literally had no Bible. It seriously broke my heart! I think what broke my heart even more than that was the excitement when they were given a New Believers Bible. It was just so amazing to see how excited a young person could get over having a Bible. It was also a huge blessing to see that Joy, it proved a lot. Anyways, all that to say I look at my Bible and I simply am blessed. There is no two ways around it, it is definitely something I can not put a price on. It may have only cost twenty five dollars but the price of it in my heart will remain forever unspeakable. Another part of my Bible I love is just flipping through it and seeing all the underlined and highlighted verses, as well as the side notes here and there. The tear stained pages and the pages that are barely holding on from being read so many times. The way the bind of the Bible looks all old and crackly. It all just proves one thing. After everyday spent reading and trying to understand it all God has done a work. It shows that God is truth when he says that if we meditate on his word we will gain eternal things from that! This all simply came to mind one day as I looked at the pages, the pages of an entire book God breathed. It is amazing when you look at it in that light. Next time you pick up your Bible, think about it. Think about the when that book was first purchased and the change in your life since. If their has not been a change that you are not communicating with God enough. Pick it up and think real hard about every aspect of the best book ever written and I can guarantee you, it will change your life!!

Thankful Day 9

Today I am thankful for my wonderful best friend for life Jenna :).

Thankful Day 7 & 8

Missed yesterday :( must be my crazy life ;). Anyways.........

Day 7: My amazing small group leader Nicky

Day 8: My church and that I can call it home :)

Thankful Day 6

Today I am thankful for my brother in law and sister and the wonderful relationship we have! Thank you Jesus!!

Thankful Day 5

My amazing grandfather. I don't know how but he is just so filled with the wisdom of God and it baffles me :). He is such an amazing role model and I wish to be more like him! Thank you Jesus for giving me an amazing Grandpa.

Thankful Day 4

Today I am thankful for the Richardson, they truly are like my second family. I don't know what I would do without them!! God has truly blessed me with them

Thankful Day 3

Today I am thankful for the wonderful friend and person Evan is. I know I haven't really told that story to all you blogger's so I thought I'd take the time. I met Evan while working on a missions trip to San Fran in mid April (well actually that was when we started talking). Anyways, the past six months since the trip Evan and I spent time getting to know each other and waiting on the Lord for his timing for dating. We also spent that time seeking the Lord on what it really meant to date. He than (after getting my parents permission) asked me out on October 18th. Anyways, I am very thankful for his heart and love for the Lord and to serve him. For his Patience and true love he displays. For the best friend I have found in him and his willingness to wait on our Jesus.

A month of thankfulness!

I did this last year and it was super fun and thought provoking! So here I go for thirty days of thankfulness. Since I am already behind a day, I shall make up for it here :).

Day 1: Today I am thankful for the saving grace of my Jesus!! It is by his strength each day that I get by and no other way. Plus he saved me from a life headed straight to hell.

Day 2: My wonderful beautiful family. Their unfailing love and support through it all. I know it's been crazy lately between Ireland, Missions stuff, Rehearsals, School, and just driving me everywhere. They have been so supportive through it lately and I don't deserve it so I am totally thankful!!
I really wanta post a picture of their gorgeous faces but I am not allowed to so anyways LOL
Love Ayana <3