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.

28

I turned 28 a few weeks ago. It feels a little different. I guess it's considered "late twenties" and that sounds...older. My mom was 28 when she had me. It's weird to think about that. I have friends having babies. That's crazy too. I still feel...young! I feel like a kid myself. I guess I just don't want to grow up. I know I am a grown up, but I relish youthfulness, whims, freedom in ways. I've always heard age is a state of mind. I was talking with a friend who said her older patients don't feel old, they just know they're old because they hurt in the mornings! So maybe the feeling of "not feeling old enough to (fill in the blank with whatever task)" doesn't really go away.

There are moments when I just want to freeze time. I don't want to see my parents get older or deal with the things that age can bring. However, I know we can't change time, or slow it down. So I just remember that each day is a new day and even if I stress out about aging or when to have kids, or what life will be like in a year with jobs, or 5 years, or 20 years, I can't really control it. Life happens and thankfully God is faithful. He doesn't leave us because we are growing up. He desires for us to grow in Him. My husband doesn't have concerns about "getting old" (no surprise there). He says he's even excited about it. I think his main reason to be excited about aging is that the bible equates age with wisdom. If we see what God is teaching us now, in our twenties, we will be able to impart wisdom as we age on. That helps put it into perspective. Life moves forward and we can't stop that. But we can seek to grow in wisdom, hope and love. We can also seek to make a difference in whatever stage of life we are in (student, boss, parent, etc.). I hope that I will be able to age gracefully in the truth that God is with me each step of the way and He wants to prosper me, not harm me - He has a plan and wants to use me! It's so much easier said than lived. Help me Lord.

January

Whew, anyone else struggling to get motivated this month, and realizing the month is close to being over?!?! How do people ever set and complete resolutions they begin in January...I feel like the whole month has consisted of me trying to catch up. Bills, calendars, plans, two steps forward one step back. I have had several thoughts I've wanted to blog but haven't sat down to write them. But at least I got this one out, and off my chest. Whew!

A new year

Is it just me or do the holidays always seem to fly by?! I always love all that comes with Christmas - shopping, decorating, traveling, etc. but it goes by too quickly. In a way it seems that years fly by that fast too! Hard to believe it's 2013. I feel like an old fogey saying this but it's true - time flies!

However, with the start of a new year I was reminded of this truth: God's mercies are new everyday, not just with a new year. Often we look to a new year as a new beginning, a new chance. We make resolutions to improve, or change things about ourselves. But God doesn't make us wait to do those things or to help us. He offers us new mercies each morning. What a gift!

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