Day 14 - So thankful for a day off!

 

So today I am so, so thankful for a day off!  I am convinced that Jesus knew exactly what I needed when he provided this new job.  I know that you have heard that I am IMPOSSIBLY tired after some of the very long days I have had, but in spite of those days, having a day off every week is simply heavenly!  Over the last years I have been longing  for a day off every week.  It makes me feel as if I am not really working. 

 

This has had me thinking about compromise.  In so many ways this new job is all about compromise and weighing the not so great things against the really good things - like the day off!  It is also about knowing what is really the most important thing.   So when thinking about the first couple of weeks that I've been on this job, I made a couple of lists!  (Okay - honesty here once again.  I am a list maker.  I tend to make lists for EVERYTHING!).  So the first list I made was the "non-negotiable" items.  This list had things that any job must have.  A sample of what was on this list is item number 3 - location (within 10 miles of my house). After making that list, I moved on to the pros and cons list.  I am sure that many of you have made this kind of list when making an tough decision.  

 

So while there may not be ALL good about this job, it is worth sticking with for a while.  It has been a good process for me.  I know that there are many shifts and changes happening right now for me, in lots of areas.  So after looking at this again today, as I was preparing to write this blog, I am feeling much more peaceful.  It feels like I can approach these shaking situations with more confidence knowing that there is a plan I can follow to help me get through to the end.  Yes, Jesus really knew what he was doing, when he provided this particular job for me at exactly the correct time. 

 

A very long time ago I remember thinking that waiting for an answer to a prayer was so frustrating!  There was a time when I said I just want a telegram to arrive at my door  (you know, not many words just the answers to my questions! #1 Yes, #2 No).  I know that I am showing my age.  Right now, I might say I would like a text in response to my prayers!  But the truth is that I have learned that the answers to our prayers often come in our working out the best answer through a process.  The good news is that we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the assurance that Jesus has a good plan for us.  So I encourage you to make those lists and be willing to compromise when you have a situation that seems to be stumping you.   

 

Jesus, thank you for your plan for me that included this day off!  What an extra blessings that I really didn't see coming!  Holy Spirit, remind everyone that you are ready and willing to help us with the tough decisions and during those shaking times.  Thank you for your great care and concern for us!  Amen

 



Day 13 - Today I am thankful for books!

Today I am so thankful for the stacks and stacks of books that I have!  I am also so thankful for the amazing library systems that we have in the United States.  This picture is my grandson Zeke at around 15 months old.  He already loved the library! What a blessing books are to me.  I know that I have posted about my Kindle and I DO love my Kindle!  But there is something about holding a book in my hands and turning the pages.   

Part of the reason that I am so feeling so thankful for books today, is that I have seen the power of a simple children's book in calming down a room full of overactive kids.
Even the most active little 2 year olds will sit quietly if you engage them in a story.  Today it was "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"!

If you are not familiar with this book (and I am sure most of my friends over the age of 40 have not heard of this book), go online and watch some of the videos and hear the songs from this book.  I don't know what it is about this book, but the kids ask for it over and over and especially love it when we play the music with the book.  For me, there are moments of sanity as the large group of kids are silent when this book comes out. 

Books in general are a big part of my life.  I was certainly one of those "reader" kids.  One of my earliest memories (and in fact one of the few memories I have of the town I was born in) is of the library.  When I was in first grade my mom insisted that I be given a library card and allowed to go to the "bookmobile" at school.  This was totally unheard of since kids were not allowed to have library cards until 4th grade!  My mom won that battle and I happily checked out books every week.  During the summer the bookmobile would come to our local shopping center.  I remember sitting on the sidewalk outside of the store waiting for the arrival of that large trailer filled with adventures, in books.  I still own a couple of the first books I ever had as my very own. Even though we lived in a large city, I often went to the "big library" downtown - all by myself!  When I was in late gradeschool, my mom would let me walk the mile to the bus stop, take the city bus downtown to the Library.  I would spend the entire day just looking at books and magazines.  Then, my mom would pick me up on her way home from work. (****I know that this sounds just impossible, but remember that this was the 1960's and it really wasn't that big of a deal to go on the bus by yourself!) I am so thankful for the librarian who directed me to series of books like Nancy Drew and also classics that I might never have picked up.  And I am so grateful for the discovery of "true" stories.  I read about Ann Frank and Helen Keller and Marie Curie.  And I still love those stories to this day. 

Yes, today I am thankful for books.  And so glad that my grandchildren have shelves and shelves of books and make frequent trips to the library! 

Jesus, thank you for books - for authors, and illustrators, for publishers.  Thank you for libraries and librarians.  Holy Spirit, thank you for using books to bring us information and joy!   Jesus, bless all of these special children I work with.  Thank you for providing "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" at just the right time!  Amen

Day 12: Thankful for sources of information that are trustworthy.

Okay -  honesty here again.  This blog post for the 12th is being written on the 13th!  I was simply impossibly tired last night when I finally got home at 9:30.  By the time I ate dinner, all I did was fall into bed.  So this is an early morning update for yesterday!  Another thankful post will happen tonight, God willing!

 

Today, I am so thankful for people that I can trust - like Tony and Mary Ann Bianchi. 

When I first met these amazing people, they were missionaries in the Philippines.  Currently they are at their mission agency home base in Texas, serving other missionaries around the world. 

 

Mary Ann Bianchi

IMMEDIATE NEED!!! We are raising Disaster Relief funds to help meet some of the critical needs of the beloved Filipinos on the island of Leyte. We have a direct contact who will personally get 100% of the funds there asap. If you can help in any way or would like further information, please message me on Facebook now.

 

After years in the Philippines they have many friends and contacts there. When they say that 100% of the funds will go to the people, they are totally trustworthy. If you want to donate through this fund and can't find Mary Ann Bianchi on facebook, please message me and I will get the information to you.

 

This is a time for all of us to stand together and reach out to these people who have lost everything.  Please add all of the disaster relief workers and agencies to your daily prayers, as well as the people affected by this. 

 

Thank you Jesus for providing trustworthy means of reaching out to others around the world.  Holy Spirit speak to the hearts of the people reading this blog to be generous in their gifts and prayers.  Watch over all those who are a part of the rescue and relief operation and give them courage and grace to walk through these impossible situations.  Thank you Jesus that you are a God of the impossible. Amen

Day 11 - Today I am thankful for all the Veterans in my family

Today I am thankful for and want to honor all of the family members I have that have served in the Armed Forces.  Starting with my dad.  My dad was in the Navy during World War II.  Ken's father was also in the Navy during World War II.  My brother Jerry was in the Army, my brother Greg was in the Air Force. My brothers-in-law - Wayne,  Roy, and Roger also all served.  Quite a family of veterans.  And I am very proud and very thankful. 

The freedom that we enjoy in the United States is wonderful and I am so thankful that my family members served our country.  This is a wonderful part of my family legacy. 

Jesus, bless all those who are serving right now in the Armed Forces.  Give grace and peace to their families and surround them with your peace.  Holy Spirit, remind us all to stand with our brothers and sisters who are protecting the freedoms that we enjoy. Jesus, help us to remember to be grateful for what we have.  Amen

Day 10 - Today I am so thankful for my house!

I've been gone for the last couple of days at a wonderful, relaxing scrapbook retreat.  It was a great time with Gwen and Susie and some other wonderful women.  A time of laughing, talking, eating, talking, listening, talking, scrapping, eating, sleeping, swimming, resting, talking ........   well, you get the idea!  At any rate, it was FUN!!!  The time away was a break from the routine and from my new job.  I accomplished a lot of scrapbooking - 56 pages!  Yet, it was a calming, restful time. 

When I pulled up to the house, I was struck by a powerful wave of gratitude and thankfulness for my home!  Ken and I are so blessed to have this house.  We bought this house 36 years ago.  We were young and never expected to be here for even 10 years.  We brought Gwen and Doug home from the hospital here.  We have celebrated birthdays and holidays and graduations here.  Circumstances have kept us in this house, but more than that, we have been BLESSED in this house.  When you see the statistics that less than 28% of homes are OWNED with no debt, it seems miraculous that we have accomplished that.  And it was not because of great planning on our part.  As a matter of fact, it was a real roller coaster over the years.  But Jesus provided this home, and he enabled us to get through those ups and downs and that long twisting path that has led us to this day. 

Our house is very small.  There were some years that our house felt VERY crowded.  I always regretted that we did not have a place for our kids to play. But now I am beginning to understand what a blessing it was that we had to stay physically close.  This weekend, listening to Gwen talking to Susie about her growing up years, blessed my heart.  And now (other than the stairs) this house is perfect for Ken and I. 

Even as I was writing this I was hearing - a house is just a building - but the people and the memories make a home! I am thankful for this "HOME" but I am also thankful for the building that houses us! Yep, it changes your perspective when you think about all of the "stuff" that is important to us, that could be gone in an instant.  I've been thinking about the terrible cyclone that hit the Philippines. And then there are hurricanes, tornado's, fires, floods that could take away these things.  But, in all of this, I know who is in charge of everything!  It is really a comfort to know that everything that I have is really just a gift provided to me by Jesus.

I encourage you today to be thankful for all of the "stuff" that fills your life.  Be thankful for your "home" as well as your "house"!  And take time to celebrate all the people in your life that make those amazing memories. 

Jesus, thank you for your provision for everything in my life.   In fact, thank you for my life!  Holy Spirit, thank you for reminding me that even in my thankfulness for my physical house, the most important part of the building is the people and the memories.  Jesus, thank you for blessing my children with wonderful families, with great memories, and exactly the right houses for them.  Holy Spirit, bring comfort and courage and great faith to all those effected by the cyclone in the Phillipines.  Pour out your blessings on your people!  Thank you.  Amen

Day 9 - Today I am thankful for aunts and uncles

 

Today I am thankful for aunts and uncles.  And the reason is, that I got to see Susie with Lia, Ellie and Zeke.  I am so happy that they get to spend time with their aunt and uncle.  And this reminded me of my own experience with my aunts and uncles.  The top picture is my mom and dad with some of my favorite aunts and uncles on my dad's side.  The second picture (I actually managed to get into this shot) are my aunts and uncles on my mom's side.  What I was remembering today were all of the wonderful times I had with my Aunt Mable and Uncle George and Aunt Avis.  They lived right by "the lake" (our cabin on Lake Maud) and I was the youngest and often not included by the older kids.  So often, I got to spend time with Mable and George or Avis.  I loved that George treated me as a "big girl" and would let me play cards with them.  I learned how to play many kinds of rummy and canasta at their kitchen table.  I loved going to their house.  It was a big, old farm house and they had an amazing "sun porch".  On that sun porch was an accumulation of years and years of magazines.  I could sit there for hours and look through old Life magazines and Better Homes and Gardens from the 1930's.  And my Aunt Mable was an amazing cook and baker.  She always showed up to visit with some wonderful desert.  And Aunt Avis made the most amazing bread and rolls - on a WOOD cook stove.  (I can't quite imagine how you regulate the temperature on one of those, but she sure did it!).  And then there was the telephone -  You know the kind where you pick up the phone and "call" the operator by turning the crank?  And then you listened for your "ring" (I seem to remember - a long, two shorts and a long).  Plus, it was a party line and there could be conversations going on with your neighbors.  At any rate, these times with my aunts and uncles were so special to me.  I got to be on a farm and see all the animals - something very neat for a city girl like me.  All that to say, I cherish the times I had with my aunts and uncles.  It is a wonderful thing to know that my grandchildren are benefiting from their relationships with their aunts and uncles. 

So, once again, can I just say that it is an amazing part of God's plan that included an extended family.  Some of the experiences that I had with my aunts and uncles would never have been part of my life without them.  And today, I am thankful for that.  Unfortunately, all of my aunts and uncles are now dead.  As a matter of fact, my mom was the last of her generation (on both my mom and dad's side).  What is on my heart is an encouragement to you to hold on the memories of your extended family.  And to be sure to share these stories with your children and grandchildren.  I am convinced that there are wonderful generational blessings hidden in our stories.  And as we tell the stories, the long-ago seeds spring into life and grow into plants of blessings that live on in the next generations.  

Jesus, thank you for reminding me tonight of all the special times I had with my aunts and uncles.  Holy Spirit, remind us all to hang on to the memories of our families and to share them with our children and grandchildren.  Jesus, help us to see with your eyes, the many ways you have been working in our families throughout the years.  Amen

Day 8 - Thankful for people who know me - REALLY know me!

Today I had coffee with a very dear friend that I have known for over 25 years.  It is always good to spend time just catching up.  Even though we live less than a mile from each other, we don't seem to see each other very often.  This morning she blessed me with a "belated birthday" gift of a new CD.  That in itself, is reason to be thankful.  But here's the thing.  She bought this CD for me because there was a specific song that spoke to her- FOR ME!  Not only did I not already own this CD, but I had never heard the song that she said was for me.  The song is by Matt Redman and it is called "I Need You Now".  Here are the lyrics.....

  On this thirsty desert ground,
in a dry and barren land,
I bow down  I need You now

You will call and I will come
To Your river I will run
I bow down I need You now

 

Oh, living water. Oh, God, my Savior,
If I ever needed You, I need You now
Oh, living water, Oh, God, my Healer,
If I ever needed You, I need You now

 

You're the start and You're the end
You complete what You begin
I bow down, I need You now

You will call and I will come
To Your river I will run
I bow down, I need You now

 

Just like the desert needs the blessing of the rain
Just like the winter, waiting for the sun again
I need you now
Just like a river as it reaches for the sea
Just like a song, it needs the sound of melody
I need you nowI need You now

If I ever needed You, I need You now

Just like the desert needs the blessing of the rain
Just like the winter, waiting for the sun again
I need You now

Oh, living water. Oh, God, my Savior,
If I ever needed You, I need You now
Oh, living water, Oh, God, my Healer,
If I ever needed You, I need You now

 

This is the CD that this song is on.

 

Yes, this song is most definitely for me, right now.  When I listened to it, it was like a resounding cry from within my spirit.  Have you ever experienced that with a song?  It just resonated in my heart and I felt as if Matt Redman had gotten into my head and heard my very personal cry to Jesus. 

 

But more than the song, is the fact that this friend was sensitive to the Holy Spirit and knew me so well, that she knew that this song was for me.  Isn't that amazing?  If there was ever a time when I wanted to tell the world WHY it is a good idea to be open and transparent with those you call friends, this is it.  If Becky didn't really know and understand me, she would not have had the ability to hear this message.  You know, there was a time in my life when I had very high and thick walls built up around my heart.  I really didn't let very many people in.  I had decided to be what the world thought I should be.  I am so thankful that Jesus and the Holy Spirit broke down those walls.  Being free of those walls allowed me to enter into friendships and family relationships is a new and deeper way.  And without those walls, I could go deeper and higher with Jesus.  It's scary to think about this kind of openness, but it is so, so worth it.  I encourage you to stop and ask the Holy Spirit if there are any walls that you may have built up around your heart and spirit.  It's worth the process to be really free of this hidden hindrance to all that Jesus has destined for you! 

 

Jesus, thank you for the amazing work you have done in my life and the process that you are still leading me through.   Holy Spirit would you speak clearly and help those that are willing to break down those hidden walls that are keeping not only people but also YOU out.  Bless my dear friend and remind her that you are so pleased with her!

Thank you for the amazing blessing of our brothers and sisters in faith.  Amen