Challenges and Courage

Well, it has been over a month since a posted something that I am thankful for. I haven't done very well at keeping up my 365 days of gratitude. :( Sad day!  But, that is no reason to stop it altogether. I was reminded today by a dear friend's blog that we need to be thankful for the blessings in our life. I am thankful for the gift of technology that allows me to communicate with my friends and family. It also allows me to stay up to date with what is going on in their lives. Over the Christmas break I did a TONS of traveling, and I remember thinking to myself how incredibly thankful I was for the ability to do that...travel and visit family.  And of course, being so VERY grateful for family. Oh my goodness...how precious they are! I stayed in a house with nearly 10 people and 2 dogs and, though it was a little crazy at times, it was fun.  And boy did we laugh!!!

I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to be pursuing my doctorate.  So many people have made that possible for me through their support and I will forever be indebted to them.  I worked and completed the first draft (I am sure of many) of my literature review for my proposal in January. Persistence...persistence...persistence.  I must keep going!!!  I am grateful and blessed to have people who believe in me and encourage me...like my family, Kyle, Dr. Russell, friends at McMurry, my students.  I love it when they call me Dr. Roberts. LOL :)  I am not there yet...but someday, someday I will be.  I am thankful for the population I am studying and the challenges they have endured so far that have lead me here to develop my topic. 

This has been an eventful week. I have been faced with quite a few obstacles. Sometimes I am afraid. Will I be able to handle this? Am I doing an okay job? Am I making a difference? Courage...strength...in the face of challenges and adversity. I know God has presented me with these challenges for a reason. I look at this as an opportunity to be reminded of why I got into Student Affairs in the first place. THE STUDENTS! And so it comes full circle, yet again.  2004 - Director of Student Activities & Orientation. 2009 - Director of Student Activities & Orientation. and yet again...2012 - Director of Student Activities & Orientation. I love it! And yet it scares me!

Thank you GOD for opportunities that challenge and scare me...my dissertation, my job, my relationships.  For it is in these challenges that I learn to love you and know you more and that I learn more about myself. Help me to keep my focus on YOU and praise YOU in all that I do. 

So today, I am thankful for challenges for the challenges in life bring courage!