Double Blessings! Today I'm giving thanks for:
1. The joy of picking up an old book and re-reading the stories like old friends.
2. The short story, "My Princess," by Elizabeth Moon is so wonderfully detailed and rich, describing the loyalty of a horseboy to his warrior princess, who is pulled away from command and forced into a betrothal. Thanks to the loyalty of those under her command, she regains her freedom.
3. The short story, "The Little Landmaid," by Sara Young is an excellent mermaid tale that is both chilling and warming. One young mermaid must stop the ocean from overtaking the land, and killing her adopted land family, even though she loves the pull of the sea.
4. "Strays" by Megan Lindholm still makes me cry after ten years. A young girl befriends another, the queen of stray cats, and is changed by their friendship and by the other girl's courage in the face of a losing battle. Set in urban America, it's a grim, gritty story that doesn't gloss over the painful reality of living in the wrong city neighborhood. Catwoman never had this kind of depth, or poignancy.
5. Fantasy can hold truths up to a new light that sometimes enables us to see them clearly.
6. We are on our second cleaning of the girls' closets today, and we are finding even more to either give away or use for a yard sale benefiting their dance studio.
7. I love taking reading breaks like some people love taking coffee breaks. Of course, I read with a cup of tea close by my side.
8. A beautiful crisp morning with frost on the ground.
9. Walking briskly in fresh air.
10. Seeing friends on the road.
11. Greeting walkers/runners/bikers on the road with warm smiles and big hellos.
12. My cat is a super clean cat, which is wonderful. Of course, I think it's funny too, when she "must" wash after being petted.
13. Laughing at "Sonny With a Chance" with my daughters.
14. Teddy Bears.
15. A bunny stuffed animal in a Christmas dress.
16. Salt.
17. Pepper.
18. Italian seasoning in a huge jar.
19. Dried onions.
20. Immanuel.
Scripture Blessings:
Matthew 1:23
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
365 Days of Blessings, Days 196, 197, 198, and 199
Quadruple Blessings Day! I'm giving thanks and praise for:
1. Prayers from friends and family. Thank you!
2. Friends who invited us to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in a last minute kind of way, at just the write time on a rough Saturday.
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie. It's not exactly like the book, but it is good.
4. The young actor who played Eustace Scrubb - I'm so thankful he did a good job.
5. Seeing a movie with Christian themes in a big movie theatre, 3D, with a good bunch of people.
6. The Christmas Program was fun, and beautiful!
7. My youngest daughter sang beautifully for her duet.
8. My oldest daughter helped me with the costuming.
9. We had a craft that kept kids attention for most of the "waiting" time before the program.
10. The rythm game can be played anywhere, even by kids in costumes.
11. My kids were invited to a really fun birthday party.
12. The kids let me play laser tag with them at the birthday party. I think I had more fun than they did. :-).
13. Laughing and chasing kids, and being chased by kids, through a hazy maze, with laser guns flashing.
14. I missed a tense church meeting while playing laser tag. I know I probably shouldn't be thankful for this one, but I am. My husband was there, and let me know of the events that transpired, and I am thankful he was willing to do that.
15. A group of parents coming together with a struggling dance studio director, and deciding to keep the studio afloat through fundraisers, donations, and hard work.
16. Piano music.
17. Justin's Piano Blog
18. Santa hats.
19. Angel ornaments, glittering angels, shining angels, straw angels, teddy bear angels, and angels with halos askew.
20. Watching Fantasia with dancer commentary in the dance studio.
21. Starlight.
22. Imagination . . .
23. An ostrich on pointe.
24. Followed hippos on pointe in tiny tutus.
25. And then the elephants on pointe.
26. A crocodile and a hippo dancing together.
27. Cuddle time.
28. An 11 year old who sits in my lap . . . just like when she was 11 months old.
29. My husband and I realized today that we will reach our the 20th year anniversary of the day we met in less than a month. Weird, and wonderful. I didn't realize we were that old.
30. Light conversations.
31. Deep conversations.
32. God giving me enough courage to write a tough letter.
33. God giving me the strength and patience to turn the other cheek when someone has been rude to me over and over again.
34. God giving me time to process a bit of anger over the rudeness of that same bitter, unforgiving person to my parents. I know this person is angry with me and has been for four months, despite my apologies. However, having that same person treat my father with obvious and public rudeness just makes me boil. Thankfully, God gave me time to deal with it, and the right person to talk to about it.
35. My daughter made the best, most amazing ginger snap cookies today.
36. We had a great WNFN dinner - the last one of the year. I'm so thankful for these wonderful fellowship and worship events.
37. My youngest went to a choir Christmas party tonight.
38. My oldest went to a youth group Christmas party tonight.
39. We had a wonderful advent worship service tonight. It touched my soul in just the right spot.
40. God gives us peace, even in the toughest moments.
"And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Luke 1:46-55
1. Prayers from friends and family. Thank you!
2. Friends who invited us to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in a last minute kind of way, at just the write time on a rough Saturday.
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie. It's not exactly like the book, but it is good.
4. The young actor who played Eustace Scrubb - I'm so thankful he did a good job.
5. Seeing a movie with Christian themes in a big movie theatre, 3D, with a good bunch of people.
6. The Christmas Program was fun, and beautiful!
7. My youngest daughter sang beautifully for her duet.
8. My oldest daughter helped me with the costuming.
9. We had a craft that kept kids attention for most of the "waiting" time before the program.
10. The rythm game can be played anywhere, even by kids in costumes.
11. My kids were invited to a really fun birthday party.
12. The kids let me play laser tag with them at the birthday party. I think I had more fun than they did. :-).
13. Laughing and chasing kids, and being chased by kids, through a hazy maze, with laser guns flashing.
14. I missed a tense church meeting while playing laser tag. I know I probably shouldn't be thankful for this one, but I am. My husband was there, and let me know of the events that transpired, and I am thankful he was willing to do that.
15. A group of parents coming together with a struggling dance studio director, and deciding to keep the studio afloat through fundraisers, donations, and hard work.
16. Piano music.
17. Justin's Piano Blog
18. Santa hats.
19. Angel ornaments, glittering angels, shining angels, straw angels, teddy bear angels, and angels with halos askew.
20. Watching Fantasia with dancer commentary in the dance studio.
21. Starlight.
22. Imagination . . .
23. An ostrich on pointe.
24. Followed hippos on pointe in tiny tutus.
25. And then the elephants on pointe.
26. A crocodile and a hippo dancing together.
27. Cuddle time.
28. An 11 year old who sits in my lap . . . just like when she was 11 months old.
29. My husband and I realized today that we will reach our the 20th year anniversary of the day we met in less than a month. Weird, and wonderful. I didn't realize we were that old.
30. Light conversations.
31. Deep conversations.
32. God giving me enough courage to write a tough letter.
33. God giving me the strength and patience to turn the other cheek when someone has been rude to me over and over again.
34. God giving me time to process a bit of anger over the rudeness of that same bitter, unforgiving person to my parents. I know this person is angry with me and has been for four months, despite my apologies. However, having that same person treat my father with obvious and public rudeness just makes me boil. Thankfully, God gave me time to deal with it, and the right person to talk to about it.
35. My daughter made the best, most amazing ginger snap cookies today.
36. We had a great WNFN dinner - the last one of the year. I'm so thankful for these wonderful fellowship and worship events.
37. My youngest went to a choir Christmas party tonight.
38. My oldest went to a youth group Christmas party tonight.
39. We had a wonderful advent worship service tonight. It touched my soul in just the right spot.
40. God gives us peace, even in the toughest moments.
"And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Luke 1:46-55
Saturday, December 11, 2010
365 Days of Blessings, Days 194 and 195
Today I'm giving thanks and praise for:
1. Orange.
2. Fir Green.
3. Sage Green.
4. Grass green.
5. Holly green.
6. Curls.
7. Halos made out of shiny tinsel.
8. Shepherd Costumes.
9. Angel wings.
10. A proud, and responsible Joseph. (Our Christmas program Mary doesn't want to hold baby Jesus, but our Christmas program Joseph is taking the job very reverently.)
11. A squirmy puppy.
12. Milk chocolate brown puppy fur.
13. Red.
14. Gold.
15. Silver.
16. Deep royal purple.
17. Bells.
18. Ornaments.
19. Cinnamon scented pine cones.
20. God gave us the rainbow. For me, that means that in the midst of a storm, we can look towards the horizon for the hint of hazy colors.
Scripture Blessings:
"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." Genesis 9:13
Prayer Requests: Please pray for my church and my family. Our Pastor feels called away, and our Leadership Team has been having issues for several months now. Our Pastor will stay with us into the beginning of January, and we hope that our Leadership Team will honor him in this last month. We are grieving for the loss of a beloved Pastor, and what we see as the end of an era of growth and purpose at our church. My family and I are grieving deeply, and are clinging to the joy and hope of Christmas right now.
1. Orange.
2. Fir Green.
3. Sage Green.
4. Grass green.
5. Holly green.
6. Curls.
7. Halos made out of shiny tinsel.
8. Shepherd Costumes.
9. Angel wings.
10. A proud, and responsible Joseph. (Our Christmas program Mary doesn't want to hold baby Jesus, but our Christmas program Joseph is taking the job very reverently.)
11. A squirmy puppy.
12. Milk chocolate brown puppy fur.
13. Red.
14. Gold.
15. Silver.
16. Deep royal purple.
17. Bells.
18. Ornaments.
19. Cinnamon scented pine cones.
20. God gave us the rainbow. For me, that means that in the midst of a storm, we can look towards the horizon for the hint of hazy colors.
Scripture Blessings:
"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." Genesis 9:13
Prayer Requests: Please pray for my church and my family. Our Pastor feels called away, and our Leadership Team has been having issues for several months now. Our Pastor will stay with us into the beginning of January, and we hope that our Leadership Team will honor him in this last month. We are grieving for the loss of a beloved Pastor, and what we see as the end of an era of growth and purpose at our church. My family and I are grieving deeply, and are clinging to the joy and hope of Christmas right now.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
365 Days of Blessings, Day 193
Giving Thanks and Praise for:
1. Seeing the Christmas program slowly coming together as shepherds, angels, sheep, news reporters (wise men in search of a story), and innkeepers prepare to tell the best story ever told, about the best gift ever given.
2. E-mails and phone conversations with dear friends.
3. Getting a batch of laundry done before breakfast.
and Poetry
4. Halfway Down
by A.A. Milne
Halfway down the stairs
Is a stair
Where I sit.
There isn't any
Other stair
Quite like
It.
I'm not at the bottom,
I'm not at the top;
So this is the stair
Where
I always
Stop.
Halfway up the stairs
Isn't up,
And isn't down.
It isn't in the nursery,
It isn't in the town.
And all sorts of funny thoughts
Run round my head:
It isn't really
Anywhere!
It's something else
Instead!
5. This is My Rock
by David McCord
This is my rock
And here I run
To steal the secret of the sun;
This is my rock
And here come I
Before the night has swept the sky;
This is my rock,
This is the place
I meet the evening face to face.
6. I'd Leave
by Andrew Lang
I'd leave in a hurry,
the noise and the fray
For a house full of books
and a garden of flowers.
7. A Book
by Emily Dickeneson
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any courses like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears the human soul!
8. part of Somewhere
by Walter de la Mare
Could you tell me the way to Somewhere -
Somewhere, Somewhere,
I have heard of a place called Somewhere -
But know not where it can be.
It makes no difference,
Whether or not
I go in dreams
Or trudge on foot:
Would you tell me the way to Somewhere,
The Somewhere meant for me.
9. Who's on First - a classic comedy skit.
10. The Lord gives us hope.
Scripture Blessings:
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
1. Seeing the Christmas program slowly coming together as shepherds, angels, sheep, news reporters (wise men in search of a story), and innkeepers prepare to tell the best story ever told, about the best gift ever given.
2. E-mails and phone conversations with dear friends.
3. Getting a batch of laundry done before breakfast.
and Poetry
4. Halfway Down
by A.A. Milne
Halfway down the stairs
Is a stair
Where I sit.
There isn't any
Other stair
Quite like
It.
I'm not at the bottom,
I'm not at the top;
So this is the stair
Where
I always
Stop.
Halfway up the stairs
Isn't up,
And isn't down.
It isn't in the nursery,
It isn't in the town.
And all sorts of funny thoughts
Run round my head:
It isn't really
Anywhere!
It's something else
Instead!
5. This is My Rock
by David McCord
This is my rock
And here I run
To steal the secret of the sun;
This is my rock
And here come I
Before the night has swept the sky;
This is my rock,
This is the place
I meet the evening face to face.
6. I'd Leave
by Andrew Lang
I'd leave in a hurry,
the noise and the fray
For a house full of books
and a garden of flowers.
7. A Book
by Emily Dickeneson
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any courses like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears the human soul!
8. part of Somewhere
by Walter de la Mare
Could you tell me the way to Somewhere -
Somewhere, Somewhere,
I have heard of a place called Somewhere -
But know not where it can be.
It makes no difference,
Whether or not
I go in dreams
Or trudge on foot:
Would you tell me the way to Somewhere,
The Somewhere meant for me.
9. Who's on First - a classic comedy skit.
10. The Lord gives us hope.
Scripture Blessings:
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
365 Days of Blessings, Day 192
Giving Thanks and Praise for these blessings today:
1. Waking up slowly.
2. Reading the Word of God with my family.
3. Reading about the life of Amy Charmichael, a missionary.
4. Reading a fantastical, and inspirational short story at Mindflights this morning.
If you like fantasy with inspirational meaning packed into it, check out Tower of Heaven, Sword of Night
5. A colorful rainbow with glitter glue dots.
6. My oldest daughter's depiction of the Trojan horse.
7. The Gospel of Mark.
8. A well-made sword. (I have a picture of one for my novel collage that just popped up on my screen as I mulled over my blessings list)
9. Our beagles likes to sit under the Christmas tree . . . I guess he thinks he is the only present we need.
10. Jesus heals us.
Scripture Blessings:
"They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, 'Do you see anything?'
He looked up and said, 'I see people; they look like trees walking around.'
Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly."
Mark 8:22-25
From Amy Charmichael: A Life Abandoned to God
"Children were being rescued at the rate of one a month. The family totaled more than fifty now. Sometimes Amy laughed as she remembered her naive expectations. Never had she envisioned that instead of evangelizing, her mission would be to trim thousands of tiny toenails and fingernails."
Sometimes, we are called to the every day tasks.
1. Waking up slowly.
2. Reading the Word of God with my family.
3. Reading about the life of Amy Charmichael, a missionary.
4. Reading a fantastical, and inspirational short story at Mindflights this morning.
If you like fantasy with inspirational meaning packed into it, check out Tower of Heaven, Sword of Night
5. A colorful rainbow with glitter glue dots.
6. My oldest daughter's depiction of the Trojan horse.
7. The Gospel of Mark.
8. A well-made sword. (I have a picture of one for my novel collage that just popped up on my screen as I mulled over my blessings list)
9. Our beagles likes to sit under the Christmas tree . . . I guess he thinks he is the only present we need.
10. Jesus heals us.
Scripture Blessings:
"They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, 'Do you see anything?'
He looked up and said, 'I see people; they look like trees walking around.'
Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly."
Mark 8:22-25
From Amy Charmichael: A Life Abandoned to God
"Children were being rescued at the rate of one a month. The family totaled more than fifty now. Sometimes Amy laughed as she remembered her naive expectations. Never had she envisioned that instead of evangelizing, her mission would be to trim thousands of tiny toenails and fingernails."
Sometimes, we are called to the every day tasks.
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