25 Christmas Thanksgivings.

Here are 25 things I am thankful for this Christmas:

1. 60 degree weather in December

2. John Stone poetry (and my new John Stone poetry books!)

3. Being able to help decorate St. Michael's Catholic Church for Christmas

4. Visiting with old Auburn friends

5. Warm scarves

6. Winning the SEC Championship and my Auburn Tigers being Number 1 in the Nation

7. My family (see above-- mother and sisters at Toomer's Corner)

8. Christmas trees and Christmas lights

9. Sweet families and precious babies

(beautiful photo courtesy of Diane Phelps)

10. The gift of life

11. Living in Nashville and working on an awesome campus (with secret swings)

(photo courtesy of self-timer on Amanda's camera)

12. Delicious Nashville treats like Local Taco's shrimp enchiladas, McDougal's chicken fingers and fries, Burger Up's burgers and sweet potato fries, and Colorado Avenue eggs in a basket

13. Amazing music by sweet and talented friends like L'Angelus, Justina Miller, and Rebecca Roubion

14. Father John Sims Baker, a priest and friend with the most beautiful Eucharistic heart

15. The greatest job in the world as a FOCUS Missionary

16. Having the opportunity to love, serve, pray for the most holy, beautiful, and intelligent students. Here are a few:

(Haylee and K. Bouquet)

(Grace and Kathleen)

17. Amazing Advent reading by St. Bernard of Clairvaux

18. Beautiful (and holy) teammates-- Joseph, Tala, and Frank

(photo courtesy of Laura Scharmer)

19. Learning how to drive in the snow in Nashville

20. My crackberry and the ability to talk on the phone with my loved ones far away

21. Wrapping presents in cute wrapping paper

22. The most beautiful, and silly, roommates

(photo courtesy of Maura Byrne)

23. Delicious holiday foods, especially Portuguese favorites like bilharacos

24. Beautiful friends. See below:

(photo courtesy of Emma Brown)

25. The love of Jesus Christ