ABCs of Thankfulness - E, F, G

[kimana517]

E - Espresso. I just got an espresso maker (thanks, Swagbucks!) and I love it! Espresso is so yummy, better for you than drip coffee, and there are so many awesome flavored (and sugar-free) syrups to go with it. And even though I'm sure it's just a placebo effect since caffeine doesn't usually affect me, I have been getting a lot done in the past few espresso-fueled days.

F - Florida. I was born and raised up north, which, for the most part, I did not like. I get cold easily and thus hate cold weather, and I really hated how winter dragged on forever with gray skies and brown earth. I always knew I wanted to live somewhere warm, and every time we would visit Florida, it felt like where I belonged. Well, when I was almost 19 years old, my mom got a job in Jacksonville, FL. Finally, I was home. A lot of people here get on my nerves saying how ugly Florida is (because apparently they don't use their eyes?), and they complain about gorgeous 80º days in November. Not me. Not ever. I think sprawling live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, gorgeous white sand beaches, the sun setting behind palm trees, Spanish architecture, fields of wildflowers, etc., are beautiful. I would rather have a beautiful, swimmable beach nearby than mountains any day. (Although of course I do like mountains - just not as much as I like warm beaches.) And you will never find me complaining about a sunny, 80º day, no matter where I am or what time of year. I love Florida. It is my home.

G - Grace. As a pastor's kid I've heard a lot about God's grace during my entire life, but much of my understanding of it (as a human can) has come since we started attending WCFC. Ken's emphasis on it as it comes from passages he's preached on has really taught me a lot. Praise God for His grace, without which we would be helpless and hopeless. Listen to "Grace Unmeasured".

Comments

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

How is espresso better for you than coffee?

I like Florida, but I don't really miss it. You've had people tell you it's ugly, though? What, are they on crack? Every part of America is pretty in its own way.

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Something about more oils being retained because of how it's brewed. Plus, it actually has less caffeine than a cup of coffee, because you have less of it.

Oh yes, a lot of people here say that. They think it's too flat or they don't like pine trees or other dumb reasons. (I understand not liking flat landscapes, but that just means that you don't like it, not that it's ugly. Also, a LOT of the USA is flat, so by saying you hate FL because of that you're saying you hate half of the USA.) I didn't find the Midwest overly appealing looks-wise, but even I admit that the fields of corn rippling on windy days is very pretty, and when the corn is down you can see for MILES, which makes for gorgeous sunsets.

I think people just watch too many Christmas movies about having snow, despite only a very small percentage of the entire world actually having snow for Christmas, so they get bitter that there's no snow here or something. I also often hear, "I miss having four seasons." If they are not seeing four seasons in Jacksonville, they are not paying attention. Miami doesn't have four seasons, but we do. I've said this a few times before, but my grandma, who lives in northern MI (where THEY don't have four seasons, dude - they had lows in the 30s in August!) was shocked to discover that we do have four seasons when she spent her first fall-winter-spring here.

But I agree - every part of America is pretty in its own way. Even Lincoln, IL. Hehe.

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

I think it's just too subtle for most people. The seasons, I mean. Oh, and I thoroughly enjoy having snow for Christmas. :)

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Oh, I like snow for Christmas too - although even in CT apparently they only have it about half the time. And that's pretty far north! Did y'all have snow on Christmas last year? Isaac said usually they don't get much snow till January. We didn't usually have snow for Christmas in Illinois either.

Like I said, we only want it because society tells us to want it. I figure if Jesus didn't have snow for Christmas, I don't need it either. LOL.

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we had snow last Christmas. That's one reason I like CT, though; we get snow, but not feet and feet of it like NH and ME. Yuck, no thanks!

Oh, and now you're going to go all spiritual on me as your reason for no snow? ;)

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Why, because I am more Christlike by living in Florida? ;o)

[modmerseygirl.livejournal.com]

I agree about Florida! It's a beautiful place. :-)