Today I am thankful for choir practice.
I'm beginning to think I need to update this blog during the day, rather than waiting until right before I go to bed. My success rate with the latter isn't going so well. :-)
With that said, I haven't been to choir practice yet, but we're starting back tonight after a break for Christmas. I've enjoyed having my Wednesday nights at home, but I do really enjoy a good mid-week sing.
As far as yesterday goes, I'm thankful for the whispers of a child. Aaron came over last night while we were watching a movie, and I guess he thinks that means he can't speak. He whispered every single word while he was there...until a very energetic "Bye!" as soon as he stepped out of the door. I love that kid so much. He is just too cute for words...even whispered words.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Giving Gifts, A Hog Win, Sweet Beth & New Faces at LifeGroup
Today I am thankful for giving gifts.
Ryan's birthday is in 20 days and I have been agonizing over what to get him. I've been planning for months to buy him a grill, but this week I started wondering if that would seem too selfish of me (since I would ask him to grill for me often!). I got to the point where the decision was really weighing on me today, and I wanted to throw in the towel and forget birthday gifts all together.
But then I had a better idea (and told him about the grill idea, which he said he would have loved...bummer), and decided to change my attitude. It is a blessing to be able to give gifts at all. Not everyone has that privilege and would love to be able to do it, rather financially or just to have someone to give a gift to. It's a gift in itself to be able to give; therefore, I am grateful.
Oh, and to make up for my three missed days of thankfulness... (my need for sleep gets the better of me)
On January 6, I was thankful for a Hog Win! And...for 20 of my friends and family to celebrate the victory with me.
On January 7, I was thankful for sweet Beth. We enjoyed a meal that a dear friend made for me the week of my surgery. I had frozen it at the time because the holidays (and the family involved) provided food for Ryan. It was a wonderful treat to have almost three weeks later.
On January 8, I was thankful for new faces at LifeGroup. We had gotten down to, at times, only 3 guests in our home for LifeGroup. While that was still special and a great time of fellowship, it was fun to have a "fuller" house last night with new friends and faces.
Ryan's birthday is in 20 days and I have been agonizing over what to get him. I've been planning for months to buy him a grill, but this week I started wondering if that would seem too selfish of me (since I would ask him to grill for me often!). I got to the point where the decision was really weighing on me today, and I wanted to throw in the towel and forget birthday gifts all together.
But then I had a better idea (and told him about the grill idea, which he said he would have loved...bummer), and decided to change my attitude. It is a blessing to be able to give gifts at all. Not everyone has that privilege and would love to be able to do it, rather financially or just to have someone to give a gift to. It's a gift in itself to be able to give; therefore, I am grateful.
Oh, and to make up for my three missed days of thankfulness... (my need for sleep gets the better of me)
On January 6, I was thankful for a Hog Win! And...for 20 of my friends and family to celebrate the victory with me.
On January 7, I was thankful for sweet Beth. We enjoyed a meal that a dear friend made for me the week of my surgery. I had frozen it at the time because the holidays (and the family involved) provided food for Ryan. It was a wonderful treat to have almost three weeks later.
On January 8, I was thankful for new faces at LifeGroup. We had gotten down to, at times, only 3 guests in our home for LifeGroup. While that was still special and a great time of fellowship, it was fun to have a "fuller" house last night with new friends and faces.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Donors
Today I am thankful for donors.
Lightbearers donors. I've been working on the 2011 giving statements today, and I can't help but be grateful. Since we are a non-profit, my salary comes straight from general fund donations. I love how there are some people who faithfully gave even $10 a month, and others who wrote a single check for a few thousand. God uses people from all different walks of life (and income stages) to further His kingdom and His eternal glory. It's a fun time of the year to reflect on that.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Skype
Today I am thankful for Skype.
Every now and then, we get a chance to talk to some dear friends of ours on Skype. Tonight was one of those nights. Even with the weird and almost creepy sounds coming through during the whole conservation, Skype is still a pretty amazing thing that connects those who would otherwise probably be miles apart. Thanks, smart people, for your inventions. They are appreciated.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
A Met Deductible
Today I am thankful for a met deductible.
We got the insurance bill today for my surgery. Let me just say, thank you, Lord, for letting the surgery happen in 2011 after my deductible was met. It would have been difficult otherwise. Hopefully 2012 won't even have to worry about any of that!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Puzzles
Today I am thankful for puzzles.
It seems silly. A lot of my "thankfuls" seem silly to me, but I'm learning that we're meant to be thankful for the silly things, too. They bring us joy, and I'm thankful for joy.
I bought Ryan a puzzle of San Diego for Christmas. It was perhaps a selfish purchase because I love spending time on projects with my husband, but he really did enjoy it. Plus, it came in this really cute carrying case that looks like a travel trunk. He likes to travel. :-) We had a hard time not wishing we were in San Diego on our honeymoon again, but we loved the time spent together with the sounds of football in the background and a smile or laugh every now and then when we grabbed for the same piece. It was the perfect way to spend the last few hours of our Christmas/New Years break.
It seems silly. A lot of my "thankfuls" seem silly to me, but I'm learning that we're meant to be thankful for the silly things, too. They bring us joy, and I'm thankful for joy.
I bought Ryan a puzzle of San Diego for Christmas. It was perhaps a selfish purchase because I love spending time on projects with my husband, but he really did enjoy it. Plus, it came in this really cute carrying case that looks like a travel trunk. He likes to travel. :-) We had a hard time not wishing we were in San Diego on our honeymoon again, but we loved the time spent together with the sounds of football in the background and a smile or laugh every now and then when we grabbed for the same piece. It was the perfect way to spend the last few hours of our Christmas/New Years break.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
People Who Sing
Today I am that thankful for people who sing.
I know I'm a music person, but one thing that really bugs me is when people don't sing in church. It's so disheartening to stand in the choir and look out at so many people with their arms folded or hands in their pockets, mouths closed, and a sour scowl on their face. The Lord doesn't care what you sound like. He gave each of us a particular voice after all. He cares about our hearts and commands us many times in Scripture to sing a joyful noise in praise to Him. That joyful noise comes from our hearts, not from our perfect pitch. Anyway, enough of my soapbox. Today was a special day that surprised me at church. We sang 'Blesses Be Your Name,' which happens to be a pretty significant song in my life. All across the sanctuary as the song went on, there were people of all ages spontaneously standing and singing with full hearts and full voices. Seeing their joy only spurred me on to worship with more exuberance.
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