chirp, chirp.

I was at my parent's house last night. I woke up this morning to the birds chirping - not unusual to hear, especially in the spring. But I thought while lying in bed - wow those sound like their right outside the window. A few hours later, after coffee and a shower, I opened the blinds. I noticed a bird hopped up on the windowsill and the way it quickly scurried along caught the corner of my eye. I went over to inspect, and there was a bird's nest built in the windowsill. The Momma Bird flew back and forth with food in her beak, scurried over and dropped it into the nest where my Mom and I counted 5 baby bird beaks. Back and forth she went, occasionally freezing if she sensed us. The nest was built on a tilt so we didn't have an aerial view of the babies but a side view. We stopped watching, I put my make-up on when I noticed, one of the babies was out on the windowsill! I didn't know how he'd gotten out or what he was doing. He paused, teetered a bit, paused and then he was gone! He fluttered into the bushes. I called mom back in to watch, it was truly incredible! The mom came back a few times and another bird, maybe the dad - I'm not sure. A little bit later and two little birds were left, but they were stuck. The windowsill was pushed out so the nest had been built but the birds had to carefully fit into the crack to get in and out and the babies just couldn't quite figure it out. They knew their siblings had gone but they kept going towards the side where there was no crack for them to slip out of....oh the stress! We felt so helpless, watching them struggle, wanting the mom to come back and help them, but what could she even do? It was crazy! (I was able to sanp a few photos).

My dad came home, we showed him what was going on and asked him to help. He suited up and went through the bushes to somehow adjust the screen and let the birds be free! Well as he appeared to help them, one of the birds got through the opening and hopped up on the windowsill! She flew away into the bush! But there was still one bird left...he had to have been tired. At one point it looked like they were both sitting down to rest lodged there between the window and the screen. Dad moved the screen just a little bit - we didn't want to squish the little guy and he was able to get underneath. Once he figured out where to go he moved along. He got to the windowsill and paused like he was contemplating what he had to do and what it would take, we cheered him on "you can do it!" and in the blink of an eye he was gone! All that was left was an empty nest. I felt sad for a moment, like it happened too fast - much like life sometimes. Yet it was one of the neatest experiences I can remember to see nature and creation come together so perfectly.

There was a bird's nest in Clemmons we kept an eye on for a while, but something got the eggs so we didn't get to see all of the beauty unfold. That experience made this experience even more exciting. I only wish we had noticed the baby birds sooner! But, how awesome to get to see them fly, for the very first time! My mom of course remarked on the empty nest and the momma bird, much like many of our parents are experiencing. It also seems to fit with the Hallmark commercial Mom showed me last weekend - now it's a tear jerker so get ready. I couldn't help but think of so many things watching the events unfold - God's amazing creation, animals and humans ways of caring for their nests and babies, the fear and unknown that lies out in the great wide open, the thrill of flying and the sadness at leaving or losing loved ones. I know to many it would just be a bird's nest but it was truly a wonder. I'm so thankful for that little glimpse of many things I got to see this morning.

God knows

Today I caught myself thinking a bit too highly of myself. You know, one of those moments when you're feeling entitled to a certain treatment or response from others. About a minute after feeling that way I had this understanding of "you're being prideful." It's like the Holy Spirit said it to my spirit. I was driving and admitted it to myself out loud asking for forgiveness from our loving Father. I thought, I didn't have any quiet time this morning, let me check the Bible verse of the day. I pulled up my handy dandy Bible app and sure enough: "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility come wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2. If that wasn't a reminder of what I had just realized I don't know what is. God knows what we need huh? A little dose of humility and some time with Him.

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 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!

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

Loaves and Fishes

You're probably familiar with the story in Mark of Jesus feeding the 5,000 people from five loaves of bread and two fish. It's often talked about and seen as one of Jesus' miracles. This morning I was reading in Mark 6 and read this story, starting in verse 30. Here are a few random observations:

1.) After the disciples returned to Jesus from their travels, teachings, etc. he encouraged them to go "to a desolate place and rest a while." This is such a reminder of how we need to retreat to quiet places and spaces, and simply rest a while. (verse 31)

2.) While they were on the boat to a desolate place the people noticed them and recognized them. The people ran ahead and were waiting for them to arrive! This was an interruption to the disciples time of rest! What an eager crowd, to run ahead and wait on Jesus and the disciples. Did they have certain needs they wanted Jesus to help them with? Did they just want to be around the disciples and Jesus for the sake of having seen them? (verse 33)

3.) Jesus went ashore and saw a great crowd. He "had compassion on them, because they were like a sheep without a shepherd." I love this line, and I've never noticed it before! Jesus didn't get frustrated that his plans to retreat were being interrupted, but he saw the people as an opportunity. We just talked about this type of leadership in my LEAD class last night at church. How do we see the people around us...as interruptions or opportunities? (verse 34)

Just a few thoughts on the beginning of this beloved story. I'll be back sooner than this past time!

Reflection on 2011

A new year, a new you. Just one of the many slogans about new years resolutions. I wanted to take some time and reflect on different points in 2011. Here are a few highlights of things learned, trips taken:


-I picked up a lot of worry in 2011. More particularly, the same worry kept creeping in. I also realized the power of consistent communion with God. Because at times, this worry felt so heavy, so intense it was tiring, and definitely frustrating. I learned the beauty of laying everything down at God's feet. I learned that it takes continually praying, and waiting. It takes determination to decide not to worry about something, though you can easily slip back into those patterns. I saw God answer prayers, give peace, tell me to wait on Him, and never tire of me...for that I am grateful.


-We got to go to Disneyworld! Oh my goodness, SO fun!

-We found a church! Hooray. We haven't joined Christ Community Church yet, but we definitely both feel at home there. This is a praise! We are on the prayer team, taking the LEAD class, and host a life group.


-SummerShine had a great season and I enjoyed my travels to the campgrounds (CA,CT,NC,SC,VA,MI...) including NY City, with Regis and Kelly!

-Matt and I have realized the power of praying together. Last January is when I started worrying more and also when Matt began to dream about opening a YMCA here. Through both of these experiences we realized that there is power and beauty in praying together. Though we often would say a "goodnight prayer" before we went to sleep, to really get on our knees and pour our hearts out to the Lord, with each other, has been so encouraging. It has deepened our relationship with each other and our relationship with God. For this I am also grateful.


-We took at trip to DC to visit Logan! Good food, lots of history and quality time with dear ones.

-My sister got engaged to a wonderful guy! So excited to have a soon to be married sibling!


-Matt returned to seminary (now at Gordon-Conwell) and is enjoying it so much! Yay!


-Took our anniversary trip back to Tybee! Enjoyed dinner with sweet friends and a beautiful weekend together.

-We learned to wait. Wait and be patient and trust and wait. On the YMCA, our church's fundraising campaign, a possible business venture here in Southern Pines...wait.


-I logged out of facebook on my phone. This might seem odd, but I found myself looking at it whenever I had down time. I didn't like that instead of just being still, I was browsing random people's statuses. It has been a great decision.


These are just a few things we experienced in 2011. I pray that 2012 will continue to be a time of growth and God's blessing!

Thought for the day.

In my quiet time a few minutes ago, I read from John 14. The first two verses in the chapter simply state:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me (Jesus)."

The simplicity of this statement struck me as I was reading. If only putting it into practice was as easy. Yet, just the words are a gentle reminder. Do not be troubled, trust.

That's all for now.

Signing off from Charleston, SC!

Ocean

I just spent a week at Topsail Island with my family. It was such a wonderful getaway. No make-up, lots of sunshine, bocce ball, and seafood. But most importantly, a break from the world, a chance to relax and be renewed.

I've always been drawn to the ocean. I have loved the beach for as long as I can remember. The sound of the waves soothe me. The vastness of the open sea inspires me. I guess I just need to be reminded that things are bigger than they seem. Life is not just about me. Something greater is out there. Other people's needs are out there. These things, I am reminded of at the beach.