(N) North Dakota! One of my most favorite places in the world. It really does have the sky as far as you can see. Time on the prairies of ND are holy time for me.

(O) Owl; Mr. Owl in fact! A stuffed owl that sits on the dashboard of my car. It was given to me by my friend Melissa and her daughters when I moved two years ago. I love to read and the owl is reading a book so the girls thought it was the perfect gift for me. I love that it keeps me company on my trips and reminds me of all of these wonderful ladies.

(P) Praying on the Prairie; a place for me to spill out words; to share my story and so much more!

(Q) Quiches (Yummy Quiches). Always makes me think of brunch with awesome peeps!

(R) Radio especially my Pandora radio stations. These stations are what I turn on and listen to as I get ready in the mornings.

(S) Sweaters to keep warm on a blustery cold ND winter day!

(T) Target…one of my fave places to shop.

(U) University of Mary; the place where I attended college and received my communications degree with an emphasis in Journalism.

(V) Vacation. This year I am so thankful for our sister’s trip to Nashville TN and also getting to meet some blog friends InRL. It is a trip we will not forget and I cannot wait until our next sister’s trip. Wonder where that might be…NYC?

(W) Wartburg Theological Seminary. Where I heard the call to Diaconal Ministry. The place where I met amazing awesome peeps like my friend Laura and so many others.

(X) Xlophones and other musical instruments. I am not musically inclined at all BUT I do love listening to great music!

(Y) YOU! YES ALL OF YOU who come and visit me here! I am so very thankful for each and every one of you!

(Z) Zany friends and family who make me smile and laugh!

Hi Friends! I don’t know about you but it is so crazy to think it is already that time of the year: Thanksgiving and then Advent and Christmas. A couple of years ago I did this A-Z list of Thanksgiving and it got rather long. Today I saw a friend was splitting hers up into two posts and I thought what a great idea. I know we are all busy this week so thought I would keep it simple and do something a little fun. Enjoy my friends!

(A) Andrea (My little sister) Love her to pieces. So thankful for our awesome sister’s trip this past August. I don’t know what I would do without her!

(B) Babies! I am such a baby lover. Any chance I get to get some baby time in is awesome and totally blesses me beyond measure.

(C) Camp of the Cross Ministries. One of my most favorite places in the entire world. The place where I heard the call to ministry. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

(D) Detroit and the ELCA Youth Gathering. What an awesome time to gather with 30,000 of our closest friends. Blessed to take an awesome group of youth from First Lutheran to the gathering. We indeed learned what it means to “Rise Up” together. In addition, I am so thankful for Dilworth Lutheran who shaped me into the woman of faith that I am today!

(E) Eggs…scrambled eggs, bacon, and other breakfast items! I love making breakfast for dinner=brinner! 🙂

(F) First Lutheran Church! So blessed to serve this community of faith. It continues to shape me into the woman of faith that I am today.

(G) God (and my faith)

(H) Home! My house is such a blessing. I love that I can walk to work every day. It is a perfect little house for me.

(I) I-pad Mini and my I-phone. I love that these items keep me connected to friends and family scattered throughout the US and the world.

(J) Jars of Clay; one of my all-time fave Christian bands.

(K) Kindred spirits! I am so thankful for the amazing friends and kindred spirits that God has placed in my life. So thankful for CT, KG, KW, EG, JT and so many others! Love you ladies! Also thankful for amazing blog friends/kindred spirits: Karrilee, Val, Janel, Susan, Bethany, Mary, Holly, Andrew, Tammy, Marie, Marissa, Jordan, Christy, Kate and so many others! (Wish I could list you all!)

(L) Laura. Laura was one of the first people I met when I started at Wartburg Seminary. She was so very welcoming and always so full of joy. Laura has been battling cancer since 2011 and is now losing her battle. She is in hospice care and all the joy and light is no longer in her eyes. Yet I am so thankful for her life and the many lives including mine that she has and continues to touch.

(M) Momma! You are the best! Love you to pieces!! (And my good friend MW! You are such a blessing in my life!)

So that’s my A-M list. Be back soon with my N-Z list!