MANY... MUCH... MOST....

It's late... everyone is worn out from family, food and football.  I think everyone is asleep.  Yet, I cannot let today end without posting an attitude of gratitude.


The older I get, the more I want my life to be about gratitude.  I want to be thankful the other 364 days of the year.  I want to say THANK YOU to the rain and storms in my life as well as to the sunny days.  I want to live EUCHARISTEO... ALL THE TIME, not just on Thanksgiving Day. 


Today...

I looked at the 15 of us squeezed in around my parent's table... 

there are MANY in my family and not all were here today.  

I saw at the food left after we ate beyond our fill...

there was MUCH to be saved for later.

I watched the televisions, two to choose from...

both were on MOST of the day with football and movies.

MANY, MUCH, MOST... 

it's what I have every day.  

... I want to live my life noticing the MANY... MUCH... MOST every. single. day.

dancin' in the rain...

At the end of a week

where blessings have fallen like raindrops

is there any better way to cool off

than to dance in the rain?

We gathered as one family tonight

around the table and around the Word

to celebrate Sabbath

and to give thanks.

Thanking the One who

provides food from a friend's freezer and garden

and the total surprise of a

year's worth of tuition.

He never stops blessing!

As the day turned hot and I chose to have the a/c off

He sent raindrops to cool us

in this week of showers of blessings.

I couldn't help but join 'em...

dancin' in the rain.

the stuff life's made of... hard eucharisteo

It's so easy to talk about giving thanks... to give out copies of Ann's book... to encourage friends to start counting the ways God loves... to look for gifts of grace.... to talk about a life of eucharisteo...


What about the hard stuff of life?  The messy?  The ugly?  Is there eucharisteo there?  Is there eucharisteo in the days when marriage is nothing more than hard work?  Can I see beyond the hurt... the pain... the accusations my heart makes to see the gift of grace?  Can I go one step further and not only see that gift of grace but choose to be God's gift of grace to the one who has wounded me... again?


Is there eucharisteo in the volcano experiment?  Not the home school science baking soda and vinegar variety of volcano but the hot, bubbling, emotional explosion of a wife and mother who has had more than enough.  The kind of volcanic eruption that burns long after the magma hits the fan... cuts deep and wounds deeper.  Can I dig through the hardened lava to find forgiveness... grace... acceptance... joy... love?


What is it about counting gifts... living eucharisteo that leads me back to my own hard heart... messy self... ugly stuff?  Is this what grace really is?  Seeing what grace has done in my life and willingly... lovingly... generously giving grace... not because it's deserved but because it's never deserved.  And, doing this over and over... all the way to 70x7 (Matthew 18:22) because He never stops gracing me.


...in this journey toward a life of eucharisteo (Greek... means to be grateful, feel thankful, to give thanks) I keep counting...


... for almost 17 years of this thing called marriage
... for the joy and the pain because in the end, I wouldn't trade it
... realizing that for as much as I feel wounded... I have wounded more
... thankful that he hasn't left... though I'm sure he's been tempted a time or two
... steadfast love


... lessons in life that change me
... knowing that the tractor started because I was willing to say "thank you"
... forgiveness... again and again and again and again... to infinity
... family fun working together
... laughter after tears


... letting go of the ugly... messy... painful and clinging to all that is good... right... lovely
... seeking Him and seeking him
... working toward continual eucharisteo
... finding Ann and her words
... knowing that His timing is perfect


joining in the community to count on this Multitude Monday...

mercy personified...

Mercy, personified, walked in to my house tonight.  She came in beaming... a smile stretched from ear to ear... joy radiating from deep within her.  She sat at our table and partook of our Sabbath celebration tonight.  And, tonight, gratitude was the main course and we had much, MUCH, for which to give thanks.


From her lips poured forth praise... He's been so good to me... He's been so merciful!  


Seven months ago, my friend of 16 years and dear mentor, Cindy, began a life-changing journey... the journey of breast cancer.  Yesterday, she had her last radiation treatment and tonight we celebrated with her and her husband and 16 year old son.  


Tonight my heart overflows with gratitude... so very thankful for my friend and for the end of her journey but most grateful for her testimony to the goodness of God in the land of the living.


Cindy is a walking testimony to God's mercy... she is mercy personified and I am blessed to call her friend.

reflections of a quiet morning...

Adding to my Multitude Monday list of 1000 gifts...

#291 - #320

... quiet mornings to reflect
... time set aside for the kids to rest a little while longer
... a warm dog lying on my feet
... the anticipation of a new day
... the discovery of how good hot chai is with whipped cream

... an advent tree steeped in tradition
... Emmanuel~God with us
... The WORD made flesh
... learning, with my children, more of who He is
... awaiting His 2nd coming with eager hearts

... the warmth of love and companionship 
... a few minutes together early in the morning as I take my man to work
... the security in knowing that he comes home to me each day
... a man who works hard so I can take our kids to a 10 day toy event each year
... listening to my family pray together 

... children who work hard and have servant hearts
... the privilege of watching them serve others
... a tremendous toy drive
... $6,000 to buy new toys
... the thrill of hearing my children share the gospel as they hand out new toys

... an incredibly talented father
... the chance to hug my parents today before they go see my new niece
... the excitement our entire family has over the safe arrival of Audrey
... God's goodness in the land of the living
... healthy children, nieces and nephews

... the Light of the world
... He illumines my way
... He saved me from the darkness of my sin
... He never leaves me or forsakes me
... He's coming again!

and the list goes on...

And the list goes on... working toward a list of 1000 gifts from Him...

#266~#290

... the quiet of a snow fall

... fun skiing on our hill

... $5 ski sets for the family

... the laughs and giggles of children 

... a dad who is willing to bundle up for Ski School

... another Toy Sale year

... a great group of kid volunteers

... Ami and Tena who organize this opportunity year after year

... heart changes in me that occur each year

... watching my children share the love of Jesus with complete strangers

... a friend that gifts me with Love and Respect book

... the same friend who listens much... says little... prays more

... deep friendships that challenge my spirit and draw me nearer

... kindred spirits

... coffee and laughter with the girls

... a marriage with a strong foundation

... a man who hasn't walked away

... being a team of two 

... the familiar warmth in the cold of the night

... amazing children who challenge me daily

... a God who never changes

... and who loves me the same

... the never ending relevance of His Word

... the lessons the Spirit whispers to my heart

... blessings too numerous to count

much...

Much on my mind tonight... and my gratitude list continues...

... decorating the tree last night found these fragile glass balls ... given to us on April 23, 1994.  Precious and fragile... protected and cherished.  Thus it is with my marriage... the marriage I often take for granted could just as easily shatter in a zillion pieces as these glass balls could.  Tonight I am so very thankful for a marriage that has withstood storms and gales and a man who puts up with a very messy me.

...joy in the journey.  For the first time in 41 years, I went to cut down a Christmas tree and for the first time in 11 years, we don't have an artificial tree in our living room.  The joy was in the journey driving to a tree farm aptly named Kreiter's singing carols along with the radio and enjoying the moment... the joy came after a morning where this mom was anything but joyful and actually prayed "LORD, I need some joy because I can't seem to find it anywhere".

... Christmas decorating takes on a whole new meaning with big people around.  I watched in awe as my children set up our winter village over our kitchen cupboards, strung lights, carried up boxes, put boxes away, hung ornaments, etc. all without my help.  Very enjoyable, I might add!

... so thankful for the things that I so most take for granted... like internet at home.  After several days of schlepping all to a free wi-fi spot to work on Christmas gifts, I am once again grateful for working internet at home.

and adding more...

... listening to my new sister in Christ, Katie, tell me her redemption story today

... a God who gently peels and then heals layer after layer in my sinfully damaged heart

... a family who forgives me again and again

... a day with a friend

... a reminder of the incredible friends that I have been blessed with

... a God who challenges me and stretches me beyond what I think I can handle and handles it for me

... a life that looks NOTHING like the life I envisioned I would live where I have been stretched and changed beyond recognition... sometimes

... snow... beautiful, beautiful snow!

... the joy and giggles of sledding children right outside my kitchen window

... the wonderment of God coming as a baby to be "God with us"

... another Advent season to celebrate with my family

#251-#265 in my pursuit of 1000 Gifts.

Thank you!!

Today is the final day of Brenda's Gratitude Challenge.  Even though I took the weekend off from recording my gratitude for others to read, I still found myself looking at each day differently.  I was consciously searching for something for which to be grateful.  


I had asked my LORD to develop within me an attitude of gratitude.  He is so faithful!  Now my prayer is that my attitude of gratitude would continue.  Already, He is working on that area in my heart as well.  In fact, He has given me an idea for Christmas for my family that will hopefully help all 5 of us develop attitudes of gratitude.  Because my kids like to read my blog, I'll have to wait to share the idea with you....


Today, my gratitude isn't very original.  Already today I've read this very same thing on 2 other blogs and I'm sure there will be many more that follow.... So, today I'm joining in with others thanking Brenda for hosting this blogging meme...


Brenda, I appreciate your willingness to post a Gratitude Challenge every single day in the month of November and to read and comment on other blogs throughout the month.  You've encouraged me with your kind words and with the challenge to think of one thing each day for which I am grateful.  I'm grateful for you and the way you were used in my life.  Thank you Brenda!!

adding to my list...

after savoring the season of giving thanks... adding to my list of 1000 gifts...


... returning to the lake... again
... time away
... extra sleep
... time with my parents
... soulful rest


... a SOLD truck!
... cash for the next vehicle
... a great hunting trip for my men
... time spent together tracking a deer in the woods
... a great dog and guinea pig sitter


... home!
... kids who help load and unload
... my big tub
... and hot water to fill it
... soaking...


... a marriage that has been seasoned enough to grow through disagreements
... a man who backs me up in front of our kids every time
... comfortable silence
... learning to be a better wife to him
... the familiar arm that pulls me close in the dark


... a God who's mercy is new every day
... His word to reflect upon
... living in new found freedom
... the desire to seek His face
... the constant lesson to desire His face above all else


#226-#250... joining Ann for Multitude Monday and Brenda's Gratitude Challenge...

the girl who reads...

Once there was a tree...

and she loved a little boy.

Once there was a mom...

and she loved a little girl.

And every day the boy would come

and he would gather her leaves

and make them into crowns

and play king of the forest.

And every day the girl would come

and she would bring books to read

and dress up in cowgirl boots and crowns

and play princess of the house.

He would climb up her trunk

and swing from her branches

and eat apples.

She would climb up on her lap

and listen to story after story

and eat anything she could find.

And they would play hide-and-go-seek.

And when he was tired,

he would sleep in her shade.

And they would read together day after day.

And when she was tired of listening,

she would wander away to the Land of Make-Believe.

And the boy loved the tree...

very much.

And the tree was happy.

And the girl loved the mom...

very much.

And the mom was happy.

But time went by.

And the boy grew older.

And the tree was often alone.

But time went by.

And the girl grew older.

And the mom was often concerned 

because the girl did not read on her own.

The mom prayed 

and loved the girl...

and prayed some more.

They played with sight-word flashcards

and worked through phonics books.

The mom read and read and read some more.

And the girl listened.

Until one day, when the girl said,

"Mom, can I read this to you?"

and climbed into the chair with the mom 

and read...

Once there was a tree...

and she loved a little boy.

and the mom was happy.

...joining in with Emily for Tuesday Unwrapped and Brenda's gratitude challenge and celebrating the answered prayer and the girl who reads.  All italics direct quotes from The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein... the first book the girl read on her own.

#206 and more...

It's Multitude Monday and I neglected to add my list of 1000 things to my gratitude challenge post, so I'm posting again...


#206... working appliances (...I forget to be grateful for them until they are not longer working...)
#207... safe journeying
#208... 1 on 1 time with each of my kids
#209... an electric thermostat
#210...  my home


#211... a man who can fix just about anything (see #206)
#212... that same man who willingly tends to pet's needs (wish I had a pic of the guinea pigs new and improved water bottle...)
#213... my children's smiles
#214... spontaneous laughter with my man
#215... family Bible time


#216... friends who volunteer to take my kids for the day
#217... looking forward to a restful weekend
#218... more than one Thanksgiving feast
#219... meeting new friends at church
#220... my Bible


#221... discovering Scripture that I think was included just for me
#222... experiencing deeper love for my God
#223... recognizing answered prayer in my own heart and life
#224... living a life designed just for me
#225... knowing I am loved and loved deeply


... and the list goes on...

the one thing I am most grateful for...

All throughout this month I've joined in with Brenda and others to post a daily post on gratitude for Brenda's Gratitude Challenge.   Today I am posting the one thing that I am truly the most grateful for... eternal life through Jesus Christ!


I had the privilege of attending a funeral today for a man I never met.  However, I've met his legacy through his son and daughter-in-law, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren.  I'm here to tell you, his legacy is rich!


During the service today, the minister read Jesus' words in John 11:25-26...

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life;

he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,

and everyone who lives and believes in Me

will never die.  Do you believe this?"

YES!  Yes, I believe this!  Praise God I do!  Today's message was a reminder to me of how much I have to be grateful for... I have all of eternity with HIM!  

...everything else pales in comparison to this!

God's blessings...big and small...

It's another day in Brenda's gratitude challenge and today I am thankful for God's blessings... big and small in my life.


Today, He surprised me twice in one hour.... First, I went out for lunch with some friends today after church.  At Arby's, I ordered a sandwich and drink and then mentioned that I would like to buy a $20 gift card (for a friend who will be traveling to a funeral tomorrow).  The girl taking my order smiled and said "if you order a gift card for $20, you can have a free combo meal."  I thanked God for picking up the tab of my lunch today. ; )


After lunch, I stopped to put gas in my truck at our Kroger gas station.  Instead of my usual $.10/gal discount, I got a $.40/gal discount!  Another surprise... a couple of free gallons of gas... thanks LORD!

Gratitude challenge day 20...breakfast out...

November 20... 20 days into Brenda's Gratitude Challenge.  Again, a HUGE thank you to Brenda for hosting this meme.  I have been richly blessed by reading other's gratitude each day.  I've also noticed a complete change in my daily attitude when I look for things for which to be grateful... an attitude of gratitude is developing in my heart... and I like it!


Today, I am so grateful for breakfast out with our dear friends, Ozzie and Cindy.  I've mentioned Cindy several times on my blog.  Ozzie and Cindy have been so dear to Chad and I over the past 15 years.  They are friends... they are mentors... they are practically family to us.  The past 6 months have been a long journey for them... a diagnosis, surgery, chemo.  Their journey is far from over and yet they both have a peace and a joy that can only be explained by a merciful God!  Today, Cindy felt well enough to enjoy a morning out and enjoy it we did!  A yummy breakfast and sweet fellowship filled us up. 


Thank You LORD for Your tender mercy in the lives of those we love!

advent study...

Two years ago, while searching the web for something meaningful to do with my children during the Christmas season, I found Eleanor Zweigle's Family Advent Study.  We downloaded it (freely!!) and I printed out a copy for each of my kids and we began a month long inductive Bible study.  We loved it and I think now it's become a Christmas tradition for our family.


Eleanor Zweigle and her daughter-in-law Aisling Zweigle have put together a beautiful family Bible study using the inductive method of Bible study.  Eleanor has written the lessons and Aisling has drawn beautiful illustrations that can be colored by younger children as they listen to the Biblical account of the coming Messiah read to them.   Older children can read the Scripture passage and follow the instructions themselves or a family can sit together and slowly savor the moments of studying God's Word together.


Just this morning I received an email from Mrs. Zweigle letting me know that her 2010 Advent Study is available now online... freely again! 


Today, I'm joining Brenda for the 19th day of her gratitude challenge.... And, today I am grateful for Eleanor and Aisling Zweigle and their generosity in offering a free and beautiful family Bible study... and I'm looking forward to studying about the Messiah with my family again this year.

it's all grace...

Today was one of those days... you know the ones... the kind of day that I did the very thing I swore I would NEVER do.... I become the very mom I promised myself I would NEVER become... the ranting, the raving, the screaming, the anger.  Today I completely failed that 30 year old promise to myself... again...

Yes, my kids had a lot to do with it.  And, yes, we did turn around on the way to homeschool cooperative and come back home.  And, yes, we even had the ugly tears from all of us.  Yes... it was the whole shabang!

In the midst of the raging battle this morning, my heart cried out... "LORD, please redeem this time.  Please bring beauty from these ashes."

And, He answered.  It's what He does. He is my Redeemer.  His blood redeemed me at the cross and His grace and mercy redeem me day after day after day.   Because His grace never fails, He redeemed the day this morning.  His grace rained down on four wounded hearts and His love covered a multitude of our sins... 

grace given... 

forgiveness granted... 

love awarded...

Today I'm grateful for grace... because when it comes right down to it...

it's all grace.

Gratitude challenge day 17...

Today was one of those days... a day that totally got away from me... we all have 'em... days that begin with good intentions and end with long appointments at various offices or even longer minutes taxing our children around... or both.

So, what's my Brenda's gratitude challenge post today?  What is it that I am grateful for?  What one thing made my day today?

This...

We've had seasons in our family's life where McDonald's is a main dinner option.  However, we haven't been in a while and today I was grateful for fries and a sandwich between appointments.  It just made the day a little bit easier and put a smile on all four of our faces.

tied with a bow of kindness...

"Apparently, I homeschool my kids but can't count well," Nikki giggled while gracefully reaching for 2 more place mats.  My dear friend's contagious smile and peaceful countenance revealed that she wasn't the least bit rattled.  Her peace put us, her guests, at ease.   


Standing in a circle in her kitchen, ten of us clasped hands and bowed heads and hearts to thank the One who has provided rich blessings for us all.  And, a four-hour meal of love, grace, peace and joy surrounded by candles, mini pumpkins, delicious food and deep friendships began with grace and was brought to a close by another time of heads bowed and hands held in corporate prayer.  


Driving home, last night, my heart was full... full of the love, grace, peace and joy that my soul indulged around Nikki's beautifully set table.  And, today, my heart is still bulging from the feast.


I think my deep gratitude for our meal last night comes from knowing how hard she worked to get all 1o of us together.  Nikki is our pastor's wife and she scheduled and rescheduled and rescheduled yet again a time that the elders and wives of our congregation could come together to reconnect... to strengthen bonds... to be united in prayer.


Last night was a gift wrapped in service and tied with a bow of kindness... a gift from Nikki to those of us who love her and are deeply grateful.


**linking with Brenda's Gratitude Challenge and Emily's Tuesdays Unwrapped

simple pleasures...#181 and counting..

It's Multitude Monday and day 15 of the Gratitude Challenge....  

Today I am grateful for the simple pleasures of life...


... a warm home
... 2 weeks worth of groceries in the cupboards and fridge
... down comforters
... a warm puppy lying against me when I don't feel well
... yummy homemade chai that is cheaper than the the coffee house variety


... school days that start with prayer
... TOS products to review that teach us things we wouldn't necessarily pursue
... learning Greek with my kids
... quiet days at home
... praise music


... clean bedrooms
... aged washer and dryer that continue to work well
... kisses goodbye and kisses hello
... encouraging emails
... prayers of saints


... good health
... mountains that turned out to be molehills... again ; )
... reading aloud
... dinner with friends
... peppermint mocha coffee creamer in hot chocolate


... daily life lessons taught me by the Master
... the thrill to teach my children at home
... the blessing to be a stay at home mom
... a man who works hard 
... that same man who still, after 16 years, comes home to me each night


... simple pleasures and some that are not so simple... #181- #205 ... for each I am grateful!

Gratitude challenge day 14... children who cook...

I wish I could adequately describe the smell in my home... mmmm... garlic, potatoes, onion, celery, carrots...  The very best part of this yummy smell... I have nothing to do with it.


Nope... I'm not cooking today.  Instead Emme (age 11) is.  She's making a soup recipe that she and her friend, Korah, created Friday evening.  By adding a little of this and tossing in a little of that, the two girls concocted a very delicious dish that Emme is now sharing with us.  


Yesterday, seven year old Ellen made me scrambled eggs for breakfast and we both declared them to be the best scrambled eggs EVER!  I'm not sure what it is about scrambled eggs but it is the dish that all three of my kids first learned to make on their own.


Eric, age 13, has a few recipes that he has created and will cook for the family.  It seems like it has been a little while since he's made his signature dish, Creamy Chicken Noodles...  I think I may have to ask him to make that again....


Tonight, as I sit in my pj's watching NFL and smelling the delicious scents from the kitchen, I am very grateful for children who cook and who like to cook!


Check out Brenda's gratitude challenge to see what others are are mentioning today in the gratitude challenge.