A Thanksgiving to Remember...

My Thanksgiving break didn't start exactly the way I had planned.

On Wednesday, I was off work and started my day with some errands I needed to run. I filled up my car's gas tank, went and got my race packet for the 10K Turkey Trot the next day and drove to Memorial Park for a short run before I completed my errands with a run to the grocery store.

My day was interrupted at Memorial when I arrived back at my car 35 minutes later to find my front passenger window broken out and my purse missing. Thankful that I run with my phone in an armband and my keys in my pocket, I unlocked the car to survey the damage and called 911. Police were dispatched and while I waited I called the bank and the credit card companies, my parents and texted several people to just ask them to pray. I felt sick inside and even stupid for leaving my purse in the car - even though it was shoved under the seat.

All told, I lost my driver license, about $8 in cash, all of my debit/credit cards, a small book of stamps, a Lowe's gift card, a pair of glasses and a pair of sunglasses... and other miscellaneous things that a girl keeps in her purse (pens, gum, lip gloss, etc).

I spent a huge portion of that day in task mode. I called the insurance company, I got my window repaired with help from my dad, I received a very generous wire transfer via Western Union from my mom... Even made it to Target to get a new wallet. At the end of the day, I was thankful that everything that was taken was just stuff - that in no way was I physically affected by what happened. My stuff can be replaced and is in the process of being replaced even now.

I was invited to go to Rockport, TX with my friend Amy for Thanksgiving to her roommate Julie's family celebration. I took the invite and spent a lovely evening at the beach with the Taylors and Amy - I got to feed some birds, hang out on the dock and see some stars, watch some football (the Texas vs. A&M game was especially intense)... and experienced the fullness of Texan hospitality. Thankful for the hospitality, good food, a good opportunity to rest and get away from the city.

Feeding the birds!

Sunset in Rockport.

Me and Amy.

 On Friday, I drove back to Houston to meet a friend and go to see the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens in Galveston. It was fun to walk around and see the lights and to drive along the coast in Galveston and see the waves cresting. Thankful for new friends and new experiences!

Boot w/Yellow Rose of TX

Giraffes in lights.

And on Saturday, I finally used a Groupon I had bought to take Cy and her Nana to the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It was a great thing to do on a rainy and dreary day and we had fun exploring the exhibit and seeing all of the butterflies and other assorted bugs.

Butterfly in the butterfly refuge.

Moths!

Today I've spent as much time as possible at home, figuring out what I need to do to get a new driver license, calling the bank to dispute the charges made on my account (since they cleared finally) and just resting without the feeling that I need to be somewhere.  

I found many reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving, even in the midst of the drama of what happened on Wednesday. Thankful that the God I trust has a plan for me, even when I can't fully understand it.

Thanks to everyone who prayed and sent kind words during this first holiday away from home... and to my parents who made sure that I was taken care of from 900 miles away. I'm looking forward to being home soon and seeing everyone! 26 days!