Thankfulness Journal - Day 13 - Days Like These

This isn't what I would call a bad day. It just isn't going as planned. I remember so many times thinking that in itself made it bad.

My perspective is changing. What use to strip my gears doesn't make as much of an impact as it did in the past. For this I am glad.

My daughter's car wouldn't start this morning so I took on the duties of getting her little sister ready for school. She texted me and thanked me for still loving her. In other words, "Thank you for not getting mad Mom." I'm sad that she expected me to be upset. I'm thankful that I didn't.

My coffee is sitting here, lukewarm and not as good as The Coffee Guy makes. (You didn't think his nickname was random did you?) He is out of town for a few days and I leave the morning after he gets back. I usually get it delivered to my bed so I can slowly wake up. Today it was reheated in the microwave.

So today I realized something, I have more strength than I know. I have been given the gift of knowing what I need instead of just what I want. This gift has made me even more grateful for getting needs met instead of expecting them. Philippians 4:19 tells me, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." 

Today I am learning more about what I need vs what I want Right now, I have everything I need. For that I am so very grateful.

Always,


Hope

PS Please visit my friend Tiffany here. She is a young mom whose dad has been battling cancer for the past three years. The end of his life on earth is in sight. She has temporarily moved back to our area with her four children to be with her parents at this time. She is a brilliant writer and thoughtful young woman. Today she shares why this is grateful for "this".

Thankfulness Journal - Day 9 - The Gift of Prayer

The Princess fell ill yesterday after her school was closed for a possible Noro-virus outbreak. We rushed to the ER and texted friends when we got to the room. We posted on Facebook to other friends as well. We gave a quick synopsis and asked for prayer. Texts and messages flooded in showing support. It is a precious feeling to know that precious friends are taking your needs before the Creator of the Universe.

My own times of prayer feed my soul. It settles my heart to know I have a Savior who listens and takes my requests to the God of love. As my loving Father, He answers my petitions by giving me what is going to bless me the most. He knows the path that will cause me to grow closer to Him. I don't always understand but I trust His heart.

Always,


Hope

Thankfulness Journal - Day 5 - Do Overs

Lamentations:3

22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

Yesterday was a good day. It was just so very busy with church, serving lunch for a small army and then an evening prayer service for The Coffee Guy. Since Sunday nights means Once Upon A Time, it ended on a good note.

When I was a teenager I would spend several hours a day at the beach. I'd lay on a towel covering the sand while slathered with baby oil. One of favorite parts of those days was how I felt after a shower. Something about it made me feel brand new. I was always tired from the sun but refreshed, ready to take on the evening.

Sleeping does that to me now. All the grit and oil washed off, ready to feel fresh and start over. Anything that didn't go so well the day before is gone. It's a do over. I love do overs.

“Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow

is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” 

― L.M. Montgomery

Always,

Hope

Thankfulness Journal - Day 4 - Boring Stuff and In Betweens

Sitting on the couch last night, I leaned over and squeezed my beloved's hand. As he glanced my way I told him, "I like the in betweens." He smiled back "The in betweens?" he asked. "Yes, the times when we aren't doing anything but being with each other. The times where we aren't busy or doing something exciting...the in betweens."

It is so easy to get caught up in the doing of life that we forget the being. Our calendars are filled with events, meetings, school plays, sports, weddings, birthday parties and church. So often we wait until we are too tired to do anything else before taking the time to let God speak to our soul. Life gets so loud that we no longer hear the heart whispers of our Creator or those we love. We cram our lives so full that there is very little time for the "in betweens".

In the Disney movie UP! Mr. Fredrickson and Russell are in the rain forest after riding in a house lifted by thousands of colorful balloons. Listing the simple things the young boy had done with his father before he left, Russell says:

"That might sound boring, but I think the boring stuff

is the stuff I remember the most."

Me too Russell, me too.

Always,

Hope

Thankfulness Journal - Day 2 - The Gift of Getting Lost

Just a few years after we moved from Southern California to our lovely rural town, I was asked if I wanted to drive to a city about an hour north of here to do some shopping. Accepting the invitation I offered to drive exclaiming "I've been lost there before!" Noting the fear on my friend's face I went on to explain. Since I've been lost there a few times, I now know my way around much better.

Those moments where my soul ached to find a way out of pain, confusion and loneliness in life are no different. Getting lost has taught me to navigate better through storms, one way streets and detours. It's also opened my eyes to things I wouldn't have seen if I had stayed on the mapped paths. His Word tells me, if I delight myself in Him, He will direct my paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6)

Just like winding my ways through a once unfamiliar town, navigating through life is just as much about overcoming loss as it is being protected from it. None of us walk into anything hoping to be lost but once we are, isn't it nice to know there is someone who wants to help us find our way out?

I still get lost but am so very grateful for the lessons I learn when I allow Him to teach me on my way to being found.

Always,


Hope

Thankfulness Journal-Day 1-Love That Surrounds Me

I'm joining with others to post what I'm thankful for every day this month. Please join me in celebrating the gifts, blessings and beauty of this grace filled life.

While sitting here this afternoon, taking in the day and all that means, I heard something beautiful through the monitor from my youngest daughter's room. I heard the voice of love.

The Princess can take a great deal of care throughout the day. In order to avoid burnout she has been appointed an "In Home Support" worker. Ours is set up to come in twice a day. In the morning she arrives early, changes her diapers (sometimes sheets), sets up her feeding pump, cleans her and gets her ready for school. This includes brushing hair and teeth which at times is a bit like combat with flailing legs or arms to dodge.

In the afternoon, our support workers get her off the bus, set up her pump for afternoon feedings, wash laundry and tidy the work station. They usually put on a movie for her as well. Sometimes they fit a bath in and get her ready for bed.

The attendant of the day happens to be her big sister. Her amazing sister who went off, got married and doesn't live her anymore comes everyday and loves on her. I get to listen in on their conversations. To the casual observer they may be one sided but Ray understands her sister. Like what I hear about many sisters, they understand each other in ways that others won't.

So the happy "How was your day?" and "Oh my goodness, what are you doing with that on?" and the giggles that follow, fills me heart and brings me joy.

Most of all today, it makes me grateful for the unconventional way that God built our family. He took years of infertility, hospital stays, broken adoptions, typical parenting heartaches and has given us beauty in His own miraculous way. He has used every twist and turn to mold, shape and show us how much He adores us.

Always,


Hope

PS In this middle of this writing i heard a voice call up the stairs: "Mom, take a break. We want to show you something." She had pulled up YouTube on the television and they were watching one of our favorite shows, World of Color from Disneyland. Ray had promised her sister she could watch it when she was done with her after school feeding. I was happy to join them!

Finding the Extraordinary in Ordinary Days

Photo Credit: A Shared Lens

My adorable man is away for part of the weekend speaking at a retreat. It seems we are taking turns these days. In his absence I'm finding beauty in the smallest of things. I'm unearthing gems along the way. The ordinary places of life where the sweetest treasures hide.
Sure, we are there for weddings, funerals, graduations and holidays. What about the in between? How about the stories of the moment? What are we doing with those?
I spent last evening with three amazing women whose husbands all have very different ministries. We shared a meal and our hearts. Afterwards, we gathered at the purple couch with the fire flickering its warmth and we prayed. The sweetest requests were sent Heavenward in moments of simplicity. All of us so often busy in our own homes, churches and ministries that we don't connect. This time together cemented in our minds the need to slow down and nurture these relationships. We need each other. 
We joked about using tablecloths and real plates. The newly appointed senior pastor's wife who has had to chase her small child around a pew found encouragement to just let her kids be kids. We talked about what was similar and individual needs. We love our husbands, our children and those to whom we minister.
An ordinary Friday night became sacred moments with sisters. I want to do this more. Not just stand on a platform or write books or plans events on a grand scale.  I want to take an ordinary evening, spend it with extraordinary friends and encourage each other to do spectacular things. One moment at a time. One breath of prayer. One verse of courage. Many hugs, tears and belly laughs.
What do you do to make ordinary moments seem not so ordinary?

Always,


Hope

In Celebration of Friends

The summer that I turned 12, my family sold our house, packed up all of our earthly possessions to move us from our quaint suburban Southern California neighborhood to the East Coast. The state of Maine would be our home for two years and four days. Although I have never returned, somehow I have never let go of the beauty. In reality, it just never let go of me.

My family decided to make a big deal over my 50th birthday this year. After all, it is my Jubilee Year. It's a time to reflect, seek the goodness in life, allow debts to be cleared or to just reset. Although I would have loved to take a trip across the country, I wanted to spend it with those who are in my life right now, speaking into my life at present or the not too distant past. Folks I call family. I wanted to honor them in a small way. Our party would be for them to enjoy a night where they could laugh and relax on a magical summer evening. After reading this on my friend Carolyn's blog, I knew I wanted a Clambake! As close to a genuine East Coast clambake as I could get!

The tables were set with plates

we found at the dollar tree

Places were assigned

The Hors d'oeuvre table was filled

Finishing touches were added

Dear friends worked especially hard

Food was prepared

My dad and brother flew in

My daughter was a bright and cheery hostess

the guests laughed

they snacked on

grapes and brie and crackers,

then they laughed some more.

Mr. Ray visited with Grandpa

Party goers wrote messages

and then it was time

Elvis sang from my iPod perched in the

lighted tent.

"Clambake, gonna have a clambake!"

We gathered, The Coffee Guy prayed

and then...

...we ate this

We dished up some of that
along with an old family recipe
Acini De Pepe Salad

We ate shrimp and corn with our hands,

picked meat out of the clams

and filled up with potatoes and sausage

The air was full of celebration, love,

laughter, relaxation, peace, grace

We finished with Homemade Peach Blueberry Cobbler 

and

S'mores around the firepit late into the night

It was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more. As the last friends made their way home, I basked in the beauty of the evening. Pointing to the kitchen on our way to bed I told The Coffee Guy, "leave that for me". "Are you sure?" he asked. "Yes" I told him. We usually do that task together after having company. We always enjoy talking about the night, elbow to elbow with suds covering our hands.

This time I needed to do it alone.

The next morning I washed every plate, thanking God for each person that enjoyed the feast. Praying blessings over all of them for taking time to celebrate. All the while, praising our Provider for the gift of food, a home and dear friends who love so freely. I was of course bursting with joy over my brother flying up to surprise me! (He turned 55 the week before.) Gratitude poured over me for fifty years of a rich, beautiful life and knowing the possibilities of what He will continue to do in me.

This year has already held so much for me. I'm looking forward to seeing what our gracious God has in store. Turning fifty doesn't feel anything like you might expect, really, it is so much more.

Always,

Hope

*All photos courtesy of Sheila Nielsen Photography. Please do not use without permission.