Day 17: What I'm Thankful For

Day 17: It may sound lame, but I'm so grateful for my kitty, Tuck. Even as he strolls across my keyboard while I'm trying to write, I'm so thankful he is in our lives. I have never been much of a "cat person", as dogs have always been my favorite. However, Tuck has shown me that cats can also be as affectionate, playful, and fun as "man's best friend". He keeps me company when I'm home alone, and never fails to put a smile on my face :) There are several reasons why I think we get along so well:

Tuck likes food about as much as I do.

We both love to play... and lay on the floor.

Tuck loves to keep me company while I get ready in the morning.

Clearly, we both love kisses.

And of course, we're both just a little strange... ok, maybe more than a little ;)

Days 13-16: What I'm Thankful For

Ok, so each church I've been at has been so incredibly awesome, I've decided they deserved their own days. Here we go! Today, I'm very thankful for the church families I've had over the years. It seems that with each new place I go, I am lucky enough to find a church that openly welcomes me and makes me feel like there is a place where I really belong. For all the love, faith, growth, and spirit I've experienced with and through these church families, I am grateful.

Day 13: Claremont Presbyterian Church

Back in Claremont, my friends at Claremont Presbyterian Church taught me the fundamentals, and laid down a foundation that my faith thrives on to this day. It was so cool as a 16 year-old to be the youth representative of the committee charged with finding a new associate pastor, who would also be our new youth leader. I felt that my opinion was not only respected, but highly valued and thoughtfully considered--- something many teens do not experience. The adults in my church showed me what faith looked like in "grown-ups", and that it really wasn't very different from mine. They had the same fears, hopes, and dreams that I had, and shared how Christ helped shape their lives. The people around me at CPC truly helped shape the Christian I am today.

Day 14: West Hill Baptist

When I moved to the College of Wooster, I had to find a new church. I grew up at CPC, and never had to determine before what was best for my faith, and what I wanted in a church. With a little help from my roommate Éowyn, we eventually found a church that we liked. At West Hill Baptist, I met so many wonderful people, and heard messages that really challenged me. What did I believe about hell? Does love just mean being kind to others? West Hill not only challenged my faith, but showed me a group of people ready and willing to "take me in" in Alethia, their college group. Over the summer of my sophomore year, I was in Wooster working, and really on my own for the first time. While most of my college friends had disappeared for the summer, my Alethia family had girls nights, bonfires, and small groups to keep me going. West Hill made me feel at home, even while away from home, and for that I'm truly grateful.

Day 15: Wooster United Methodist Church

While I was at West Hill, I started helping out with the youth group at Wooster United Methodist Church. My involvement was small in the beginning. However, as that involvement grew I felt called to start attending there full time. My involvement grew into an internship spanning about three school years, including two summers. There are no words to describe the amount of love, faith, growth, and family that I experienced at WUMC. We went on work projects together. I was involved in just about every ministry at one point or another. Financially, my internship made my junior year at Wooster possible. For all I was given, I put my heart and soul into ministry there, and experienced incredible growth because of it. I affirmed my love of youth ministry at WUMC, and now, I want to be a youth pastor someday. My family at WUMC was and still is very special to me, and they'll always have a place in my heart.


Day 16: New Pointe Community Church

As heart-wrenching of a decision as it was, Adam and I moved to a new church after we got married. Sometimes God calls us to new places, and sometimes it can be scary diving into the unknown, but hand-in-hand we entered into our new life together at New Pointe Community Church. Since then, I've continually received affirmation that it was the right decision. I've seen so much growth in the both of us, and we both quickly became involved in ministry at New Pointe. I've been playing for the Middle School Ministry there, and Adam has been helping with sound for the services. We have found so many people to connect with who are all trying to move one slow, arduous, human step at a time towards Christ. We're still getting to know a lot of folks at New Pointe, but the ones we have connected with so far have already impacted our lives significantly. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us there, but I'm thankful for all of the good that we have already experienced at New Pointe.

Days 11 & 12: What I'm Thankful For

Day 11: Today, I'm thankful for music. I've played music since I was in the fourth grade, and I've been writing music for about 4 years now. There is something about playing that gives me a release like nothing else can. When I'm sad, I can strum on my guitar, or pour my feelings into a song. When I'm happy, and can express the joy in my heart without restraint, without worry. Music is also something that I got from my father, and since he's no longer with us, it's nice to know I always have a little piece of him with me :)

Band Geeks for life... no shame here!

Day 12: I'm also thankful for my education. While I don't know how or if I'll use my major in the future, the critical thinking and problem solving skills I gained in my four years at Wooster are invaluable in any workplace, and in life. I was blessed to grow up in a wonderful school district, where all the kids had enough up-to-date materials, computer labs, and curricular activities that prepared us for college. Because I have a solid education behind me, I'm now able to be poised for grad school when the time is right. Very few people in the world get to experience the life-long education that I've received, and I'm feel so blessed to count myself among the few college graduates of the world.

Looking forward to my bright future!

Days 9 & 10: What I'm Thankful For

Ok, so I know I'm playing catch-up here, but I am DETERMINED to get all 30 days done :)


Day 9: I'm am so thankful for my numerous families I've had over the years. It seems that my whole life  many friends have openly "adopted" me as a part of their family. The Sussmans, the Rosenbergs, the McNeils, the Christensons, the Seguras, and the Sheppards are just a few of the people who have so openly welcomed me in. I've probably had a years worth of meals at their houses, spent the night, made cookies, laughed, played, vacationed, and even lived with these families. Mr. Christenson used to joke that "We feed her and she just keeps coming back!".  Many of my "parents" would ask if they hadn't seen me in a few days, "Where is Sally? Is she still alive?" These people truly did help raise me, and I am thankful for all of the additional parents, siblings, and pets I've gained over the years. No matter how long it's been, I love and miss you all, and I think about you all the time :)

Day 10: I'm thankful for my airsoft team. You guys don't like mushy stuff, so I won't get mushy, but you're all pretty awesome :) I enjoy being "one of the guys", and airsofting is never dull with that bunch! They may bicker sometimes, but in the end, we come together and put on some awesome events. I've learned so much from you guys, and I hope to continue hanging out and playing in the winter season.

Day 8: What I'm Thankful For

Day 8: Today I'm thankful for all of my grandparents.

Both my grandpas passed away when I was young, but they were both wonderful men whom I loved very much. I treasure every memory I have of them. The way my grandpa used to laugh and laugh, and my granddaddy sleeping peacefully while I combed his hair are some of my more precious memories.

I got to spend a lot more time with my grandma, the Honorable Nell Soto. She was an incredible woman who showed me that with enough courage and determination, anyone can impact their community. As a local politician, assemblywoman, and then state senator, she did whatever she could to better her community and to fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves. She was an incredible inspiration to me, as well as the rest of her numerous grandchildren. When she passed away in February of 2009, it saddened us greatly, but knowing she could be with her husband and son again also brought me joy.

My Grandmother Hope, though far away, has always been one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever met. She may be making her way to 90, but she still keeps her garden, mows her own yard, and regularly attends church. I always love hearing about family history on my mother's side, and about "the farm", and the days my mother's family spent there when she was younger. Distance keeps us apart most of the time, but when we get together we can't help but sing a few hymns with my mom. Those moments are incredibly sweet to me :)

Carolina Beach, NC, 2009

I'm also very thankful for my new grandparents, Mary and Jerry Ladrach, and Jim and Denise Belcher. While I haven't gotten the opportunity to get to know Jim and Denise very well yet, they have been very warm and welcoming so far, and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. Because Adam was living with Mary and Jerry when we first started dating, I got to know them a little better. Every time we go visit they're quick to offer a smile and klondike bar, and are always a pleasure to be around. They have been there for us from the beginning, tolerating my late comings and goings from their home, and always treating me like family. They, like Adam's parents, have been very generous to us in as we try to become established in this new life. If there's a tool we need to borrow, they got it. If we have a problem, they know the solution. If I have a hankering for brownies, chances are Mary has just baked some and already has a bag for us to take home. Mary and Jerry are so wonderful, and I know the coming years will be more fun with them around :)

Mary and Jerry
More than 50 years together! 

Days 6 & 7: What I'm Thankful For

Day 6: Today, I'm thankful for Hotman. Yes, you read his name right. He's from Indonesia. Hotman has been a companion to my mom and a father-figure to me for about 9 years now. When I was in school he carted me around and brought me dinner when I was staying at school late, always going out of his way to take care of me when my mom was busy working. Whenever I would go with him somewhere, he would always refer to me as his "American Daughter". He's still very important to me, and always will be. Thank you, Hotman, for everything you've done for my mother and I. I'm truly grateful for you.

He never likes smiling for pictures, but when he doesn't even try, he has the best, most genuine smile in the world :)

Day 7: Some other people I'm incredibly thankful for are my in-laws, Terry and Nancy. Like my new sisters, I haven't known them long, but they have welcomed me into their family with wide open arms. They are always there to give us valuable advice or let us borrow whatever we need to improve our lives as newlyweds. Nancy and Terry have been very generous with their time and skills as they have helped us to get established. I couldn't have asked for a better family to marry into :)

Now this is a family photo!

Days 5: What I'm Thankful For

Day 5: I'm so incredibly thankful for my brothers, Matt and Aaron. Never did I imagine that anyone on this earth could handle a life with the Soto sisters (myself included!), but it looks like God has someone for everyone :) They both love their wives so very much, and it's evident in everything that they do. I never thought anyone could be good enough for my sisters, but these guys far surpass anyone that I could have planned or imagined for them.

Aaron is the most patient person I've ever met, and we get along well because we can be really nerdy about all sorts of things together. Our senses of humor compliment each other well, and we never fail to have a good time when we hang out together. 

P.S., he's also an awesome dad :)

Matt is a pretty amazing guy too. He's hard working, kind, and honest. He's so real and genuine, it's easy to want to be around him. He does a great job of taking care of Molly, the girl who is busy taking care of everybody else, and for that I'm truly thankful. We can geek out about guns, technology, and hard-rock together too, which is pretty awesome :)

This was taken while Matt was serving overseas with the USMC. It's one of my favorite pictures of him!

Days 3 & 4: What I'm Thankful For

Ok so I know I'm really behind, but it's been a CRAZY week! I'll catch up, I promise :)

Day 3: I'm incredibly thankful for my big sisters, Nellie and Molly. We may not have always gotten along when we were younger, but now that we're older (and especially now that we're all married) we find it much easier to see eye-to-eye. Both of them have always looked out for me, and done everything in their power to save their baby sister from the hurt and hurdles of life. They may not know it, but I learned a lot just by watching them. I learned what can make and break relationships (both with friends and boyfriends), and what can happen when you hang out with the right or wrong crowd. I've received valuable financial advice that probably saved me a lot of grief in my college years. Although I've made my fair share of mistakes, Lord knows that they certainly saved me from a few. Aside from what they taught me as big sisters, they also have blessed me so much as individuals.

From left to right: Molly, Me, and Nellie

Day 4: I'm also thankful that I gained two more awesome sisters when I got married, Amber and Aimie. Though we haven't known each other long, we instantly clicked when we met. We have so much in common, and have tons of fun whenever we get together. Despite the fact that we haven't known each other for long, I can talk to them just like I would old friends. They are both totally sweet, and I feel honored that I now get to call them sisters :)

From left to right: Amber, Me, Adam, and Aimie

P.S.

I know that most of these photos are from the wedding. They happen to be the most recent ones taken with the whole family. But let's face it, I know you've all been dying to see the wedding pics ;) They'll be up soon!

Days 1 & 2: What I'm Thankful For

I've seen several friends on Facebook writing something they're thankful for every day in November. Normally, I don't follow the Facebook fad, but I truly believe that most people, myself included, just don't stop and count their blessings enough. I'm hoping that I can be more in-depth and appreciative when I'm not confined to a status update. Therefore, I'm writing what I'm thankful for on here.

First and foremost, I'm thankful for my husband. He keeps me steady when I'm losing my sanity, makes me take a break when I'm working too hard, and never fails to put a smile on my face. If you know me, you know I'm pretty silly, and he takes all of my silliness in stride (and sometimes even plays along).

I'm so grateful that he is a man of God, and while he knows he isn't perfect, strives to improve. In the almost-four months we've been married, I've already seen him grow so much, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the future :)

The second person I'm incredibly thankful for is my mother. My sister already wrote a beautiful post about how amazing she is, but hopefully I can convey as well as she did how awesome my mama is. My mom has been through a lot. She has seen more pain and hardship than I think most people do in a lifetime. Despite this, she remains incredibly strong, positive, and loving as she has always been. We're both a little crazy, and when we're around each other it becomes more and more evident that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree ;)

Of all the useful things she has taught me over the years, I'm so grateful that she has been a living example of grace and love. She accepts everyone, no matter who they are. That kind of living love is hard to come by. Her examples of forgiveness have also taught me how to forgive, something I feel I am only particularly good at because of her. If I can be half the woman she is when I grow up, I'll be happy :)