2.13.2011
2.12.2011
261). watching the deer make a cozy spot in the snow before they lie down
262). listening to George Winston play the piano
263). the wind chimes from the Hopcians in memory of Mom
264). hearing God say, "Yes, I still expect you to be grateful in the midst of this one."
266). my healthy heart that can take a really good workout
267). the sun shining on our faces
268). a phone that takes pictures
2.11.2011
feeling special and giving thanks
244). cheek to cheek with a 6 month old baby boy
245). a baby's very soft skin
246). my husband loving my great-nephew's smile
247). the excitement in a son's voice talking about a puppy
248). a son wanting what is best for his puppy before he even gets her
249). my family making me feel special and loved
250). dinner with my family at Sy Thai followed up with cupcakes every year
251). surprises that aren't really surprises
252). the laughter because of those very thoughtful "homemade" gifts
253). hot baths (wonder how many times I've listed this one?)
254). adjustments at the chiropractor
255). new coffee shops & new flavors
256). my husband's awesome staff
257). messages from former coworkers telling me they are thinking about me
258). my sister and her family driving 1.5 hours one way just for me
259). a daughter's beautiful blog
245). a baby's very soft skin
246). my husband loving my great-nephew's smile
247). the excitement in a son's voice talking about a puppy
248). a son wanting what is best for his puppy before he even gets her
249). my family making me feel special and loved
250). dinner with my family at Sy Thai followed up with cupcakes every year
251). surprises that aren't really surprises
252). the laughter because of those very thoughtful "homemade" gifts
253). hot baths (wonder how many times I've listed this one?)
254). adjustments at the chiropractor
255). new coffee shops & new flavors
256). my husband's awesome staff
257). messages from former coworkers telling me they are thinking about me
258). my sister and her family driving 1.5 hours one way just for me
259). a daughter's beautiful blog
2.10.2011
Book Study 1000 Gifts Chapter 2
Somehow I got a little behind in starting the book study. It's already time for Chapter two.
Anyone who knows me knows I always get a little weird around my birthday. I will celebrate my 49th next week. For some reason this year it hasn't affected me the same. I think it has to do with losing my mom last September. She will not be here to celebrate her 75th birthday. My dad didn't make it to his 70th birthday. My sister didn't make it to her 44th birthday. Parents aren't supposed to bury their children. I don't think they ever recovered from it. My parents were both babies of their families and I want to say this with no disrespect, but they loved instant gratification. Healing from the loss of their firstborn child was not something they could do instantly. It takes time and most importantly God to heal that kind of broken heart. Their way of dealing with it was by changing their residency. They lived in Florida, California, North Carolina and my mom came full circle by the end of her life living right in our hometown.
When I read this quote in the book I could totally relate: "Thinking on the beginning of this year, who does He call to come Home? Is it me, Lord? May I be ready. Or us. Whoever." My mind always goes there. I wonder if I will be living to celebrate my next birthday. Ann also asked this question, "How do we live fully so we are fully ready to die?" What do I want to do or see before I die? I've heard many people my age say they want to "simplify" their lives. They would be content to sell everything and travel the world. I must admit that sounds pretty good right about now, especially since I am not working right now. I don't need more "stuff," but it would be nice to see the world! Wouldn't everyone love to say they saw the 7 wonders of the world? I have traveled to a lot of places in my life, but there are so many more beautiful places I'd like to see.
Seed: "Isn't it here? Can I find it here?" Can't I find beauty in the simple life right here and now?
Water: I am reminded that there is so much beauty right here in front of me. Right outside my kitchen window.
Grow: How can I grow that seed well? I can only do it by stopping to wake up to all that is around me. Right here in Clarkston, Michigan. Right now as I look out my kitchen window I see light snowflakes shimmering when the sun hits them. My girlfriend, Lisa who lives in California is in town and called me a minute ago to see if I could meet her for lunch. Yes, I'm free. Then my husband called to ask if we have plans tomorrow night. He wants to surprise me with something. He has NEVER done that before. I can appreciate the fact that my husband called me (yet again) to tell me that he misses my mom and was reminiscing about our trip last Summer when she joined us to celebrate 4th of July.
This is also the chapter when Ann introduced the word Eucharisteo. "The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning 'grace'. Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be gift and gave thanks." "But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning "joy".
I can find joy and contentment right here and now by simply appreciating what I have and giving thanks. I don't have to get on a plane to find it. I also love how she always whispers. It's so much more meaningful and forces me to slow down when I whisper. I'll be back real soon to get going on that list... promise.
Anyone who knows me knows I always get a little weird around my birthday. I will celebrate my 49th next week. For some reason this year it hasn't affected me the same. I think it has to do with losing my mom last September. She will not be here to celebrate her 75th birthday. My dad didn't make it to his 70th birthday. My sister didn't make it to her 44th birthday. Parents aren't supposed to bury their children. I don't think they ever recovered from it. My parents were both babies of their families and I want to say this with no disrespect, but they loved instant gratification. Healing from the loss of their firstborn child was not something they could do instantly. It takes time and most importantly God to heal that kind of broken heart. Their way of dealing with it was by changing their residency. They lived in Florida, California, North Carolina and my mom came full circle by the end of her life living right in our hometown.
When I read this quote in the book I could totally relate: "Thinking on the beginning of this year, who does He call to come Home? Is it me, Lord? May I be ready. Or us. Whoever." My mind always goes there. I wonder if I will be living to celebrate my next birthday. Ann also asked this question, "How do we live fully so we are fully ready to die?" What do I want to do or see before I die? I've heard many people my age say they want to "simplify" their lives. They would be content to sell everything and travel the world. I must admit that sounds pretty good right about now, especially since I am not working right now. I don't need more "stuff," but it would be nice to see the world! Wouldn't everyone love to say they saw the 7 wonders of the world? I have traveled to a lot of places in my life, but there are so many more beautiful places I'd like to see.
Seed: "Isn't it here? Can I find it here?" Can't I find beauty in the simple life right here and now?
Water: I am reminded that there is so much beauty right here in front of me. Right outside my kitchen window.
Grow: How can I grow that seed well? I can only do it by stopping to wake up to all that is around me. Right here in Clarkston, Michigan. Right now as I look out my kitchen window I see light snowflakes shimmering when the sun hits them. My girlfriend, Lisa who lives in California is in town and called me a minute ago to see if I could meet her for lunch. Yes, I'm free. Then my husband called to ask if we have plans tomorrow night. He wants to surprise me with something. He has NEVER done that before. I can appreciate the fact that my husband called me (yet again) to tell me that he misses my mom and was reminiscing about our trip last Summer when she joined us to celebrate 4th of July.
This is also the chapter when Ann introduced the word Eucharisteo. "The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning 'grace'. Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be gift and gave thanks." "But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning "joy".
I can find joy and contentment right here and now by simply appreciating what I have and giving thanks. I don't have to get on a plane to find it. I also love how she always whispers. It's so much more meaningful and forces me to slow down when I whisper. I'll be back real soon to get going on that list... promise.
2.07.2011
Book Study 1000 Gifts Chapter 1
I have decided to join a group reading Ann Voskamp's book, "ONE THOUSAND GIFTS: A DARE TO LIVE FULLY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE."
As we go through the book we are encouraged to answer some questions in theme form after we read each chapter. I like that. It'll make it easy to remember. I'm going to do mine here.
Seed: What has been planted as I read chapter 1? What has stirred in me?
"One life-loss can infect the whole of a life. Like a rash that wears through our days, our sight becomes peppered with black voids. Now everywhere we look, we only see all that isn't: holes, lack, deficiency."
Ann said it perfectly. What stirred in me was my focus on the losses in my life, especially the one that changed my life the most: my divorce and the loss of my intact family. It wasn't at all how I wanted my life to turn out and I can't even imagine the untold scars it left on the lives of my children.
Water: How am I nurturing what God desires in me? What is my responsibility for growth?
It is my responsibility (with God's help) to intentionally look for what was and continues to be gained as a result of the losses. If it were up to me I could easily be a life-long victim. I'd be a bitter and angry woman. I distinctly remember where I was on a walk in my neighborhood years ago when I was in the midst of it all. The Holy Spirit nudged me to see all of the good I had when my world was falling apart. I began to name them. "Well, at least I have ____ and _____. Turns out, I had and still do have a ton of good and am Blessed beyond measure. I just have to look around!
Bloom: What is the fruit I am seeing from what I have learned?
He has freed me from the constant negativity and given me energy to focus on the positive. He gave me the gift of real forgiveness. It's draining and all-consuming to focus on what is wrong instead of what is right. God has also given me compassion for others who are going through the same kind of loss. He alone allowed me to forgive the man who betrayed me and caused my broken family. I believe He wants me to share what He has taught me and to look for what I have instead of what I do not have.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.(Gal 5:22-23 KJV)
It's not too late if you want to read along with us!
As we go through the book we are encouraged to answer some questions in theme form after we read each chapter. I like that. It'll make it easy to remember. I'm going to do mine here.
Seed: What has been planted as I read chapter 1? What has stirred in me?
"One life-loss can infect the whole of a life. Like a rash that wears through our days, our sight becomes peppered with black voids. Now everywhere we look, we only see all that isn't: holes, lack, deficiency."
Ann said it perfectly. What stirred in me was my focus on the losses in my life, especially the one that changed my life the most: my divorce and the loss of my intact family. It wasn't at all how I wanted my life to turn out and I can't even imagine the untold scars it left on the lives of my children.
Water: How am I nurturing what God desires in me? What is my responsibility for growth?
It is my responsibility (with God's help) to intentionally look for what was and continues to be gained as a result of the losses. If it were up to me I could easily be a life-long victim. I'd be a bitter and angry woman. I distinctly remember where I was on a walk in my neighborhood years ago when I was in the midst of it all. The Holy Spirit nudged me to see all of the good I had when my world was falling apart. I began to name them. "Well, at least I have ____ and _____. Turns out, I had and still do have a ton of good and am Blessed beyond measure. I just have to look around!
Bloom: What is the fruit I am seeing from what I have learned?
He has freed me from the constant negativity and given me energy to focus on the positive. He gave me the gift of real forgiveness. It's draining and all-consuming to focus on what is wrong instead of what is right. God has also given me compassion for others who are going through the same kind of loss. He alone allowed me to forgive the man who betrayed me and caused my broken family. I believe He wants me to share what He has taught me and to look for what I have instead of what I do not have.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.(Gal 5:22-23 KJV)
It's not too late if you want to read along with us!
2.01.2011
2011 Scripture Memory Verse #3
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever." ~Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
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