Thankful Thursday

"So thank God for his marvelous love,
for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.
For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness."
Psalm 107:8-9

My soul is hungry.

For this, I am thankful.

In our 'Soul Care' class at church yesterday we looked at the Spiritual Discipline of Examine - "the practice for discerning the voice and activity of God within the flow of the day. It is a vehicle that creates deeper awareness of God-given desires in one's life." (Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, Calhoun)

In our time of discussion we looked at Psalm 139.

In Psalm 139 the author David clearly expresses the soul's invitation to God to guide the self-examination process.

As I've spent time reflecting on the well-loved passage I feel deeply encouraged by the truths embedded within.

I am grateful for the reminder of God's astonishing love for me, and that He intimately knows me through and through.

Recognizing that God knows me completely makes me feel sorely exposed and at the same time compassionately sheltered knowing that the One who knows me perfectly loves me as I am.

This is a ringing affirmation that no matter where I find myself - in the heights of heaven, in the depths of the grace, or even in the depths of the sea, God's guiding and sustaining presence is a safe harbor for my soul.

I am blessed by these truths as they shed light on a dark area of my soul. As I wrestle with the truth and the ways that God desires to transform me I am thankful that I am not called to do it alone. Surely God leads me and holds me close to Him.

Thank you Father for the truths of your Word.

Walking in the Garden

During my mom's visit last month my Aunt Patty, cousin Michelle and her daughter Gracie flew in from Indiana overlapping her visit by three days.

It was a wonderful time of hanging out, playing with the tots, and loving on each other.

One afternoon we took a walk in the Garden of the Gods.
(Michelle, Aunt Patty, Mom, Angie) (Gracie, Carissa & Caleb - attempting to get a pic of three tots!)
(The girly girls - same pint size!)

(Carissa and Caleb running the race. This pic was taken a mere second before Carissa bit the dust) (Carissa and Caleb with their Nana)

A wonderful walk in the Garden. Good memories.

Thankful Thursday

"Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the people.

1 Chronicles 16:8

My heart is filled to the brim with appreciation for the stolen moments with my family recently. Each moment was special in its own way. Some happy, some sad, melancholy, and down right hilarious. It was good medicine for my soul.

My mom was given permission to fly on an airplane and come visit us. That in and of itself was a miracle while she under go's chemotherapy.

The lens in which I looked at our time together was different. It was a lens that didn't want to take anything for granted, a lens that appreciated things more deeply than prior to her diagnosis; a lens that is thankful for even the littlest of things.

I tried to savour each moment like it was gold - to hold on to the memories, to grip them tightly.

But then, in a moment of panic I felt Jesus tapping me on the shoulder and reminding me that ALL THINGS ARE HIS. And that while I can remember the good, I need to loosen my grip and hold my mom more loosely. I admit, this isn't easy and I'm still in process of what this particular lens looks like.

I am so grateful for our time together. Nana played with Caleb and Carissa non stop.She read them lots and lots of books.
And Nana also took us out for ice cream! Caleb and Carissa ordered 'strawberry'. Our deprived child Carissa told Nana "thank you so much" over and over.Yesterday my mom saw Dr. V and received a great report. She has responded favorably to her third round of chemotherapy and her counts are fabulous. I am so thankful for this encouraging news.

All I can say is Thank you, Thank you, Thank you God.

5 Minutes

Is all the time I have because I vowed to go to bed at 10pm. I often say "I'm going to go to bed at ___ time but I often fall short.

Today was a 'stay at home' day. The kiddos were tuckered out so we spent our morning playing with play dough, blocks, their laptops, and watching a short episode of 'Bear in the Blue House'.

After a snack we enjoyed the beautiful weather outside (a high of 68 degrees today). The kids rode bikes and played in the sandbox which has been dormant for months. And, they 'helped' me rake up a pile of leaves by our front door steps.

Being outside today gave me the Summer itch.

I love Summer.

The hint of it motivated me to work on the yard to prepare it for new growth. But alas, we could get snow this weekend so my hopes for new blooms, fresh veggies and green grass will have to wait awhile.

Thankful Thursday

"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure."

Psalm 71:14-15

Lately I've been feeling more grateful of my time with Caleb and Carissa. Only working 10ish hours a week allows me the opportunity to help shape their little hearts and minds into respectful, well-mannered, happy and God loving children.

I consider this a privilege and I don't take it lightly.

Since the twins are '2', this is an important year in their emotional and behavioral development. Even though they are emotionally fragile and downright exasperating at times, they are quickly learning what kinds of behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable. I am constantly amazed by their smarts, captivating personalities, ability to love and playfulness.

Caleb and Carissa, my heart is exceedingly thankful that I get to be your mom and love on you all day long. I love you more than words can express.

Thankful Thursday

On my birthday in Dec. Jeff knocked my socks off by surprising me with a new camera. It was completely unexpected and so fun. I love it.

Lately you'll find me looking through the lens of my new camera clicking away at my toddlers.

But, while I've been shooting lots of pictures (over 1,000, no joke) I've been thinking about what type of lens that I see life through.

Is my lens in focus?

Is it a lens that chooses to have an eternal perspective?

Does my lens pay attention to my own reality, and tune my heart to hear God's own voice above my own?

Is it a lens of thankfulness?
Paul's instructions to the Philippians reminds me (yet again) to live a life through a lens of blessing and appreciation.

"Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:5-7

I am thankful that:

• the Lord is near and that He gently calls me to look through His lens
• I don't need to worry because God takes care of it all
• God re-focuses my lens no matter how blurry it is
• my Mom was able to spend time with our family on recent trip to CO (she also had the privilege to get acquainted with my new camera lens)
• my Aunt Patty, cousin Michelle and her 2 year old daughter Gracie came to visit us and overlapped my mom's visit by three days (Michelle and I were often seen behind the lens)
• my children make me laugh every day, even when they smudge my lens

What kind of lens do you see through?

Nana, the Bestest

Nana, the Bestest Nana is visiting us!
It is very special to have her with us - we are cherishing every moment!
Nana and Carissa sporting their knitted hats! Nana and Caleb spent a lot of time building with blocks and playing with their trains. Me and my sweet Mama. LOVE HER!