Thankful for a Year of Learning

Wow, nearly a year has passed since my four roommates and I moved into the 'Green House'...which ironically is red:). It is interesting to think back on this past year and all that it held. As I reflect on the last year I realize that there is much to be thankful for.

I am thankful...

• That God provided each Green House Girl with a job! (We all moved to Iowa City in faith that there would be jobs waiting for us...and there were!)
• I am thankful for Schmeck's new super-awesome-sauce-comfy-bed, which held many late night, tearful and laughter-filled conversations.
• For each of my roommates:
• Oliver (Oscie)- Thanks for snuggling with me when Deanna worked overnight or left early for work. Thanks for welcoming me at the door whenever I came home, for alerting us if intruders were at the door. Thanks for taking such good care of Dean...she really loves you a lot:).
• Dean- Thanks for your sweet dance moves, for your encouragement, for being able to empathize with me in the nursing world. Thanks for your fabulous sense of humor...especially on our LONG walks home from work in the mornings:). Thanks for doing snow angels with me on the way home in your giant boots:). Thanks for keeping me company on those days we didn't work and I was trying to figure out what to do without homework assignments. I enjoyed the many times we drank coffee, turned on Pandora and read our Bibles together:).  I think it's safe to say that there will be more laughs and heart to hearts to come:).
• Liz- Thanks for sounding the alarm whenever John was going to come over...especially when the air conditioning stopped working:). Thanks for being patient and  bearing with all of the late night noise and loud laughter. Thanks for your desire to serve in every situation. Thank you for being a great listener. Thanks for being the queen of the dishes and garbage. Thanks for including us in the adventure of dating and becoming engaged to John:). It was so fun to help you get ready for your 'anniversary date' and take pictures like a mom when John picked you up:)!! I am excited for this super fun wedding and Christ-centered Marriage:)!!
• Schmecks- You look very nice in purple:). Thanks for searching for and clinging to truth with me. Thanks for our long chats that never seem to end. Thanks for driving me to work when our chats would go too long:). Thanks for being patient, open-minded and helpful in the house hunt. Thank you for your encouraging words. Thank you for knowing me...I never realized how amazing it is to have people in your life who really know you. I am excited for the adventures the next year will hold for Jess & Jess :).
• Jenny- What a blessing to share a room with this girl...no matter how chaotic our room got...we just continued to laugh, no matter how dangerous our room became to move around in...we toughened up and hopped through! No matter how full of clothes our beds became...we somehow managed to sleep on them anyway:). Thanks Jenny, you are a beautiful, caring, gentle, sweet, JOY of a person and I am so glad that I had the privilege of living in the same room with you for a year:).

On a bit lower note, Jess & Jess will no longer be living in the Green House, but I believe this just means EVEN MORE fun and advneture with TWO houses to laugh, learn, entertain and seek the Lord in. I don't doubt that there will be lots of traveling happening between these two houses...:).

Joann and Ally have NO idea what they're in for....:D!

To anyone and everyone who walked through the blue door of the Green House that isn't green...we hope you felt loved and welcomed! All of you made the Green House what it is! Corey thanks for being a go-to grillin' guy! And thanks to all the guys who put our Christmas lights up!!! That was such a blessing! Court, thanks for being our Pseudo Roomie!! Oh and thanks to Kent for coming to check out that, 'noise' we heard...ha! Lydia! Thank you for being my running buddy, when no one else would;).

If I didn't mention you specifically, know that we love and appreciate you, it's just that it is 4am and I am battling to keep my eyes open and it's taking A LOT of brain power:).

Most of all...thank you, Heavenly Father, for being faithful. We have seen evidence of your faithfulness, please help us not to forget what you have done in this place.

Psalm 145:13

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.