30 Days of Thanks-Day 7

Today, I am thankful for a good support system. There are those special people that I am able to go to and talk about whatever I need help with and they will listen. They also will do whatever they can to help me if there is something they can do, whether it is just giving me a piece of candy or picking up the phone and making arrangements so things will work out for me.

I am so blessed to have the support and encouragement of key people at Campbell. They believe in me and the work I am doing. So on days that I am frustrated or struggling, I know they will listen to me and just be the support I need. What I also love about these people is that they are not afraid to not sugarcoat things for me. If I need to hear something plain and simple and it may not be what I want to hear, but what I need to hear, they will still tell me. They are looking out for my best interest, even if sometimes it is in spite of me!

So, today I am especially thankful for Joyce Mashtare and Faithe Beam.

Faithe Beam has been the campus minister as long as I have been at Campbell University since 2007 and I have to say, she is one of the most respected people I know. She is a role model for many people and she sets a wonderful example for all who  know her. Faithe handles herself and situations with the utmost grace and respect for everyone. Everyone who talks to her feels accepted and valued by her. As a student and worker under her, she is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. She has taught me so much about being a minister in a ministry setting as well as in every day life settings. She truly takes time to invest in her students and encourages people wherever they are on their journey through life. I have come to truly appreciate Faithe for who she is as a person and who she is as a minister.

I have known Joyce since the end of my undergrad career and she has been a vital resource and encouragement throughout divinity school. When I'm not in class or during class breaks, it is highly likely you will find me in her office. She cares about the lives of the students and you can tell she cares. She even gives us blankets to have during class if we are cold. We can sit and chit-chat about the small daily stuff in life, or talk about serious things, like future plans and relationships. Though she may joke about not being smart, she has a lot of wisdom and love to offer and I appreciate her more and more every day.

So today, I am thankful for these two ladies as a constant source of encouragement and support in my life.