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.

Liebster Award!

Jenny from Williams Way nominated me for this super cool award. I haven't blogged in ages - so I feel bad that she has been following me, it has probably been terribly disappointing...haha! But this gave me a good reason to get back on it. Here are my 11 random facts followed by answers to the 11 questions she asked me.


Oh! and here's how Jenny explains the award: "The Liebster Blog Award is given to bloggers by bloggers. It’s a way to acknowledge each other and say “you’re doing a great job”. It is for blogs with 200 or less followers, so it’s also a nice way to spread the word about smaller blogs and get them more readers and followers!


When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer 11 questions from the person(s) who nominated you. You pass the Award onto 11 other blogs (make sure you tell them you nominated them!) and ask them 11 questions. You’re not allowed to nominate the blog(s) who nominated you! (To get the button, right click the picture on my page and save the picture to your computer. You can then upload to your blog.)" Thanks Jenny!

Here are my nominees:
Life and The Times (my sister)
Los Dos Daubertos
Sarah Gabriel
Vibrant Grace



I follow some other bloggers but these are my buddies, so - if you're in, here are the questions I have for ya!

1. What makes you happy?

2. Is there anything that challenges you daily?

3. Where would you like to travel?

4. What's your favorite weekend routine?

5. Reading any good books?

6. If you could do a day over, what day would it be?

7. What is one of your favorite places? Could be a vacation spot, or a local coffee shop...

8. Do you like facebook? (haha)

9. Current music kick?

10. Describe your dream job.

11. What do you value in friendships?


And now...here are my 11 random facts followed by answers to the 11 questions she asked me.

1. I haven't blogged in a long time because we opened a frozen yogurt bar this spring. This has kept me very busy and my brain somewhat sidetracked. I've missed putting my random thoughts out for the world however, so maybe I can pick it back up now!


2. Matt and I went to Cambodia this summer to visit my brother Logan. He was serving with International Justice Mission. It was a wonderful trip - and material for a separate blog post!


3. My sister got married in May. She looked stunning. Also material for another blog post.


4. I think instead of having a sweet tooth, I must have sweet teeth. Seriously, why are desserts and sweet treats so good?! Ah....


5. I took my first "pilates barre" class last week. The teacher complimented my form. I felt pretty awesome. (haha)


6. My family dog is 15. She's the sweetest. It's hard to see her age. Every day we have her is a good day. But it is sad to think too much on it.


7. I miss the ocean. I've seen it three times this summer, which is a pretty good number, but it doesn't feel like enough!


8. Live music makes my heart happy. Something about the performance and seeing all the elements actually happening in front of me. Oh I do love it. It draws me in. Must go to a concert soon!


9. I'm enjoying working in the hospitality/food industry. Generally customers are happy in our yogurt shop. This makes the job fun. When customers are not happy it is hard but a good learning experience.


10. I wish I was good at decorating. It is not something that I feel naturally gifted at doing. However I'm growing more confident as we move around and settle in new spaces. I am also developing a taste for certain items, putting things together, etc. It is fun!


11. Some of my happiest times are when my family is all together. It doesn't happen a lot but I love when it does!



Now here are my answers to Jenny's questions!


1. If you knew you would not fail, what is the first thing you would do?

This is a hard one! I feel like maybe something sporty? I always wanted to be a lifeguard but never took the training course - seems like a silly answer but I'll go with that. I'd be a lifeguard. And work at the beach - that seems even scarier! haha

2. (Borrowed this question from Sarah) Describe yourself as a paint color. Give a name and tell why it fits you.

"Bask in the Sun" - a nice shade of soft yellow. Warmth. I like that shade of paint first of all, and I love the sun. And yellow.

3. What were you most scared of when you were a child?

Bad guys of any sort. Kidnapped, fires, murders. Eek!

4. What is your favorite quote right now?

A friend's mom recently passed away...their family always loved Jimmy Buffett. This week I've remembered the quote I associated with their family: "wrinkles only go where smiles have been."

5. If your mom called you right now and said she's cooking dinner and wants you to plan the menu what would you choose?

Dirt Cake for dessert. Maybe this crispy chicken dish she made when I was growing up, we were talking about how we haven't had that in forever. Yes, that would be a fun dish to have again.
6. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

By the sea.

7. Describe your favorite hobby. . . why is it your favorite?

Zumba has become pretty a highlight of my week! Love it - I've never had so much fun working out.

8. (Borrowed from Sarah, she had fun questions) What elements are must-haves in your dream home?

Windows are also something I'm realizing I appreciate more and more. It's funny how you all the sudden become a "grown up" and care about features of a house. Windows, a great master bedroom and bath.


9. This dinner that your mom is fixing...who would you invite?

My family, duh! And of course Matt would be by my side. (free food? he's there! ;)


10. If you had a day off with absolutely no obligations or limits, how would you spend it?

Sleep in, stay in my pj's for a while, and go be in the sunshine, either by a body of water, or just in the park. Clean up and have a nice dinner date - this girl always loves a reason to dress up a bit!

11. Who do you look up to the most, and why?

I look up to my parents the most. I look up to each of them for different reasons. My dad because of the Godly, genuine man he is. My mom for the ways she raised us, continues to care about us and adapts as a pastor's wife, I think as I grow up I realize the sacrifices they both made for us a kid's. I look up to them both very much and am thankful for their example of marriage.

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!