the 30th day

It has been a good blogging exercise to do my thankful posts here. It has also been hard to do everyday, I'm often doing two at one time - time flies! However, in the time it takes to write the posts, I appreciate having to reflect and find things to be thankful for each day. Sometimes it has been quick and easy to be thankful for something random or wonderful that happened. Other days it has been challenging, but in a good way. In the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young she shares this insight about thankfulness: "Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give me thanks (regardless of your feelings) and I give you Joy (regardless of you circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience - at times, blind obedience....Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts."

I'm thankful for the ways I've learned to find thankfulness this month and the challenges that have shown me the room I have for improvement in this area. May we continue to show gratitude daily. Time flies!

Day 29 - impromptu party!

Tonight we had small group. Sometimes in our email about small group we will encourage people to bring a treat...sometimes they do, sometimes they don't! Well tonight we had quite a yummy spread! It turned out to be an impromptu Christmas party. We enjoyed grazing the table for homemade pretzels, sweets, popcorn and a veggie tray. Food and fellowship often go hand in hand (even in the Bible!) and I am thankful for both of these things!

Day 28 - Christmas Decorations!!

Today I am thankful for Christmas decorations! It is so fun to warm up a room with Christmas lights, candles, figures, etc. I've been decorating for our Christmas party coming up on Saturday and have enjoyed getting out my decorations - unpacking it is even fun! Sometimes it's the little things. :)

Day 27

I am thankful for good conversations with good friends. Sometimes it seems so hard to catch up with everyone because life is busy and we all live in different places. But when it works to talk on the phone or have a face to face conversation with a dear friend it is such a gift! Thankful for many friends from many stages of life!

Day 26, LEAD class

Tonight, I'm thankful for the opportunity to take a class on leadership at our church. There have been five different modules of this class, and Matt and I have been in on each one. We have a notebook that is helpful with homework, but the best instruction is from the teachers. They each have different backgrounds with leadership focuses and they share really valuable insights. It has been fun to spend time with other people who want to learn about leadership and to hear from such gifted communicators different approaches to leading others in the workplace, home and church. I am thankful for this class and for the opportunity to learn!

Day 25

I am thankful for the forgiveness we have through Christ. It seems crazy at times to believe that once we ask for God's forgiveness it is given so immediately, and so fully. But the Bible is full of his promises that we are washed as white as snow...(Psalm 51, Isaiah 1). When I look back at my life sometimes it's so easy for me to regret actions, relationships, words, "sins." I found this passage at church today - Romans 7:24 - "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." It seems we will have a constant struggle while we are in this world. However, when I can remind myself, through prayer and scripture that while we struggle, we are redeemed, I can rest a little easier. I am thankful for these promises in the Bible because even as hard as we try to do good things, we mess up. Christianity isn't solely based on works. There is forgiveness, grace and encouragement. Praise Him for that!!

Day 24!

Today I'm thankful to be able to spend time with my family. We aren't together very often so when it happens it is always a treat! Caroline and Hewitt (the newlyweds from NYC) were able to come to my parent's house today and it's been a really fun day. Lots of good food and laughs and relaxation. SO thankful for family!

Day 23 of thankfulness

I'm thankful for games. I haven't been known to be a big "game" playing person. But some games I really like (catchphrase...etc.). We also played a fun game tonight, "fishbowl" similar to "celebrity." It was really fun to act things out, pull together and guess random stuff to get the answers right! I see how they can break down barriers and get a group bonding through laughter. Games are fun and I'm thankful for them!

Thanksgiving Day

I'm especially thankful for a time to visit with family, share a wonderful meal and relax today. I'm thankful for hot chocolate and chats in the "conversation room" at my parents house. I'm thankful for the tradition of watching "A Muppet Christmas Carol" every Thanksgiving night. I'm thankful for my sister who I'll get to see this weekend and my sister-in-law who we missed at lunch today in Clayton with Matt's family. I'm thankful that God has friends everywhere and that we get to play a small part of sharing hope and love in this great big world.

Day 21 of thankfulness

Our shop was busy today and it was fun to wish people a Happy Thanksgiving! It reminds me to be thankful thankful for community. Though I didn't know all of our customers, I enjoy the hospitality industry and am glad to live in a place where people are generally friendly and neighborly even. Though our world has gotten more closed off in ways (cell phones connect us but also seem to disconnect us), face to face interaction with people in my own town is good. I encourage you to take part in Small Business Saturday coming up on the 24th, get to know the locals who run restaurants and shops where you live. They invest into the community and I'm sure would love to have a new friend as well. Let's continue to make our community what the word truly stands for - a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goal.

Day 20 - today

Again, finding it hard to be thankful right now in this very moment. Maybe it's because by the end of the day, I find myself somewhat weary. In the morning, I can be thankful for the sunshine, for rest, for a new day. But now that the day is done - I must praise Him. He gave me today. I toiled, and ran errands and enjoyed conversation with friends, and tough conversation with another. But I have lived today - I can be thankful for that. Yet in the heat of "what am I thankful for" sometimes sarcasm just creeps in more easily than thankfulness. I will fight that off and be thankful for today. I was alive. I was able to drive to work and see my friends and kiss my husband. Tonight, I'm choosing to be thankful for today.

Day 19

Today I'm thankful for the simple act of being able to get my nails painted. I got a manicure today and it is such a nice treat. I love picking out the perfect color and admiring the look for the coming weeks! Yay girly things!

November 18th - thankful

It's my sister's birthday, so naturally I'm thankful for her today! She is witty, smart, a fashionista in her own right and all around beautiful. I'm grateful for her friendship and for the blessing it is to have her as my sister!

Quality Time - a gift. Day 17

Time is always running away from us. It seems we live our lives in the wishing for more time, another hour in the day, "time for bed, time to get up." The elusive pursuit of trying to cram SO much into a day, a week, a season. Sometimes seeking out quality time is just what we need. Putting away the to do list, leaving emails alone for a while, and enjoying face-to-face quality time with someone is necessary. Our souls need fellowship and friendship. Conversations come easily over coffee, window shopping is more fun with another, sometimes tears fall and sometimes laughter erupts. All of these things happen by spending quality time with those we love. I got to do that exact thing today with my mom and my dad and it was a true blessing. It's been a hard week and we just needed each other. I'm so thankful for today and the gift of quality time.

sweet

It has also been such a comfort to have friends leave comments on facebook, give hugs, texts, calls, etc. since we lost ashby. So thankful for my friends and fellow animal lovers. I certainly didn't want to leave out the fact that I am feeling the love. #thankful

Day 16 - simple beauty

As I pulled in my driveway this morning something caught my eye at our front door. I walked up to it and saw this:

It was a simple reminder, than even in loss, heartache, and cold dreary days, God gives us what we need. Today I needed to see simple beauty, a touch of warmth, to know I was loved. I hope you know you are loved too friends. Two roses blooming by my front door in November? Thank you Lord.

Day 15 - tough day

Yesterday was really tough. Our sweet Ashby, who has certainly been on this blog headed to doggie heaven. She was 15. She was the best. People say you know when it's time...but it's awfully hard to say goodbye. She fit in with us - we always joked about her short legs matching the rest of us girls with short legs in the family. She loved chocolate and was protective when boys would try to hug me. She had a thing for kleenex and would always give the love you needed. We have all cried - the weather was cold and gray and felt really appropriate. Some days the weather just matches your mood. Yesterday it did. I haven't had much loss in my life, and I know that losing a pet is not the same as a person, but it is hard. Really hard - heck I could cry right now. But in the spirit of loss, is the spirit of thankfulness. So even though it hurts, I am incredibly thankful for sweet Ashby.

thankful on day 14

for girl's night at bonefish grill and $5.00 bang bang shrimp!

Day 13 - jobs

Sadly sometimes it's hard to find things to be thankful for...it seems that there is always something "wrong," or a worry to be had. Today was one of those days. But even in my frustration with work, I can be thankful I have a job. I have an income. I have people to care about and serve, and a way to impact others. I am going to try and prayerfully do my jobs the best I can, even when it's frustrating. And even in the midst of feeling like it should be Friday, I will choose to be thankful today.

Day 12 - time away!

Really thankful for time away with my hubby from the "normal" routine. I've always heard it's important for couples to get away, and spend time together. I can definitely see the benefits. It's in these breaks that we get to just relax and be free with each other. That could be sitting quietly and just reading, or taking a walk and dreaming. I am thankful we had the opportunity to get away this weekend for our friend's wedding and add an extra night to celebrate our anniversary!

Day 11

I am so thankful for the beach. It truly is one of the happiest places for me to be! I feel connected to God there, I am reflective there and I am so easily content there. Thank you Lord for the beach!!!

Day 10

I am thankful for weddings! The public declaration of love and commitment, the beautiful glowing bride and her handsome groom, and just the general excitement and well wishes to be had. I love celebrating this wonderful gift and I'm thankful for my marriage!

Here are a few photos of the wedding we went to this weekend!

day 8 and 9!

Just saw that this never went through - sad day!



For my day 8: I'm choosing to be grateful for a vehicle. I took my car to get the oil changed and there's a small issue we will have to fix. I am still driving the jeep I started driving when I was 16. There are times where this has caused me frustration, possibly even some embarrassment, but I also realize it is a blessing to have a way to get around! I am thankful that God has provided this for me and that it is still running with over 260,000 miles on it!




Day 9: I am thankful for road trips. I like the open road, sun shining and music playing. Another simple joy. Car rides give time for reflection and quiet or conversations with friends or phone calls. Didn't realize until right now that these two posts are both related to cars in some way. However, that's a part of practicing thankfulness in everyday things.

Day 7!

Pretty much stealing my facebook status from yesterday for day 7:

Well, in the midst of all these lovely political posts...I will give you this: Happy 3rd anniversary Matt Jones! You make me laugh everyday and I love you!

Day 6 - but written on Day 7

Oops! In all the craziness of yesterday with a staff meeting, voting, etc. I didn't blog!

Thankful for freedoms and opportunity to vote and all that we have in this country. Regardless of trials in this country, in local communities, etc. We do have so much to be thankful for in the USA. I also don't want to become so complacent in the lifestyle we have here. I want to give and serve and do more than just live in America. Opening my eyes to the needs here in our country and all around the world with thanksgiving.

Thankful Day 5

Today I am thankful for autumn. It was a lovely fall day with leaves of color, blue sky and a cool breeze. Beauty all around - sometimes the simple things are all we need to have a moment of thanksgiving.

Thankful for: rest.

Day 4 of thankfulness:
Today I am thankful for rest. Matt and I had about 24 hours to relax, spend time with loved ones and rest - watch TV, nap, etc... We enjoyed worship and church festivities but last night and this afternoon we were able to just chill. It seems like these afternoons are rare. There is always something to be done, somewhere to go. When we can keep the Sabbath and take a day of rest, we are reminded of how important it is, and how restoring it is as well. Thankful.

Gratefulness, Day 3

november 3, 2012:

tonight i'm thankful for my sweet dog. she's fifteen, and everyday she's around we are grateful. it's true, there's nothing like a having dog, a friend.

Ashby and me a few years back at the beach. Love.
My mom's super tan leg behind us.

Day 2 of Gratitude

Today I'm grateful for dance. I have loved taking zumba classes for the last few months and just attended my second "adult ballet class" tonight. I grew up dancing and I find so much joy in dance. Matt and I have taken some ballroom dancing lessons as well. Dancing can bring people together and provide entertainment. There is beauty, exercise and fun all combined. A simple thing, but today I'm grateful for dance.

November. A month of gratitude.

I figured I would try to do the thankful each day post on here instead of facebook. That way I can write as much or as little as I want, and it will keep me blogging.

So today, November 1st, 2012:

I woke up and realized the sun was shining. It has been a few long days since we've had sunshine. This week has been tough with "sandy" affecting my sister in NYC and friends and family in northern VA. It has also been tough for other friends and situations personally. As I reflect at the end of a long day....I realize that this morning I was thankful for the sunshine, and tonight I will be thankful for that too. It is the reminder that each day is new and I am so glad.

My sister posted this photo taken from Hewitt's office. A rainbow after the storm. A reminder of God's promises to His people.

Resting in that, and in the sunshine tonight.