Day 24 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 24 ~ Today I am thankful for... memories & traditions

Days like today bring to mind all kinds of memories and traditions. Things from when I was a girl to what we have done with our children when they were small and now to adapting in this new season of having adult children.

When I was a girl, I remember waking on Thanksgiving and Christmas morning to the sounds and smells of the meal preparation. My dad would be getting the onions and celery ready for the stuffing, the turkey was in the oven, my mom would be bustling around the kitchen with the other items that would be part of our feast. My grandparents, who lived next door, were doing their part with making the potatoes.

One year I remember we had everything ready - the table was set, the food was prepared, we were sitting at the table and my Dad was praying for the meal - when we heard this really funny noise coming from our dog, who was next to my chair. She was helping herself to the mashed potatoes, which was on the lower shelf of the cart. Needless to say, Mitzi found herself out in the yard for the rest of that Thanksgiving meal and I'm pretty sure that was the last year my Mom used the cart to hold the food. Ah, funny, precious memories!

This year for Thanksgiving, I turned over the recipe card to Ashleigh to make the stuffing, Carissa is on deck to do the gravy, and Kimberly set a beautiful table. Andrew made the coffee and will head up the cleaning up crew. They are all very capable adults and I'm proud to watch them at work. Tim and I have enjoyed sitting and listening to the playful banter going on while we've perused the sale ads. Who knows... maybe this will turn into a new tradition.

I'm thankful for the memories and traditions that make me smile. Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 23 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 23 ~ Today I am thankful for... friends

I have met a lot of people in my life and am thankful for those people who have had an impact in my life and have helped me grow as a person. But to qualify as a friend is something much deeper. You don't just call yourself a friend to someone... it is a relationship that needs to be cared for and nurtured. It takes time and commitment and love.

As faces of my friends come to mind, I have to say I am thankful for those special relationships with people that

~ have remained friends despite the distance between our houses
~ can pick up right were we left off the last time we were together
~ I can share my heart's burdens and know they will be prayed for
~ we can be silly or serious
~ we can do things or just sit quietly
~ are faithful in the good times as well as the bad
~ allow me to be human and yet call me to respond in a godly manner

I have some pretty incredible friends - some that have been around for over 25 years and some that have just begun. Each of those people have touched my heart in many ways and I treasure them.

Today I am thankful for my friends!

Day 22 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 22 ~ Today I am thankful for... the Love of God

For several days now I have had the words to the song, The Love of God, swirling in my brain. It is an incredible reminder of depth and richness of God's love for us. And I'm SO thankful for that love in my life. I wouldn't make it one single day without it. So today I'm going to let the words of the song express my thoughts.

The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;
His erring child, He reconciled and pardoned from his sin.

When years of time shall pass away and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men on earth refuse to pray, on rocks and hills and mountains call,
God's love so sure, shall still endure all measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam's race - the saints and angels song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill or were the skies with parchment made,
If every stalk on earth a quill, and every man, a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forever more endure the saints and angels song.

Day 21 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 21 ~ Today I am thankful for... the freedom to worship in safety

Sundays are full days for our family. Yesterday, because I was on piano, I was at church at 6:45 (yes - AM) for practice and then the services. We freely and openly sang, prayed, and listened to the teaching of God's Word. No one came in with guns to take us to prison; no one was asked to recant their beliefs; no one was hurt or killed. We have, at least for now, the freedom to worship God in safety.

The church began during a time of persecution and I know today there are many, many places were believers do not have that gift of worshiping God openly. I have a hard time grasping what that means because I have always lived in the United States - a land of freedoms and rights. I've only read about places were to worship together you meet in secret and even then you aren't sure if there are government spies in your group. I don't know what it means to live with that kind of fear. Someday in Heaven, I hope we get to hear the stories of what it meant to live for Christ in different times and countries. I'm sure it will make the frustrations I've experienced with church issues seem petty.

While I can pray for those who live with restrictions, I am thankful to live in a country where we have the freedom to go to church and worship in safety!

Day 19 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 19 ~ Today I am thankful for... electricity

It's something usually in the background - the power that makes things go. We don't even give it a thought to reach out and flip on the light switch or start up the dish washer or turn on our computer. But when the electricity is off, we sure notice!

A couple of weeks ago the power was off for several hours. It was still rather warm out, so that wasn't a problem. What I was starting to wonder about was getting supper ready and how my piano students would be able to see their music in the darkening afternoon. Thankfully, it came back on before either of those became issues.

So this Saturday morning, I am up and doing my list of chores. I have the washing machine loaded and running, the dish washer going, lights on, music playing, and I'm using my computer - all of which depend on electricity to happen.

I guess I would not have made a very good pioneer woman - I enjoy the benefits of electricity too much! :-) So today I'll just say "thank you" for the ability to use electricity as I get my list done.

Day 18 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 18 ~ Today I am thankful for... laughter

Last night was Open Table Night at our church. Ladies come from whatever busy day they have had to a room set up with tables and chairs. There they are able to spread out their projects and work on them for a couple of hours with no phones or little hands to interrupt the flow of creativity.

There are lots of encouraging words and ideas floating around along with great conversations. We have hit all kinds of topics that women deal with - raising children, relationships, good books to read, new recipes to try... You know, girl talk! Of course, something usually gets us laughing. And that is music to my ears! I love to hear women talking and laughing.

I also love to hear my family when it gets going. I thought that once my kids got older we would lose some of that playful banter and laughter. But it hasn't diminished - sometimes I think it has ramped up as we get laughing so hard we are all crying and holding our sides. Next week is Thanksgiving and I am looking forward to hearing that laughter ringing in my home as we make dinner and sit around the table and clean up and play games.

What fun - I'm glad God gave us the gift of laughter!

Day 16 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 16 ~ Today I am thankful for... safety

The other night my daughter was coming home from music practice when one of the tires of the car popped. Thankfully Evan, the driver, had good skills and got them pulled over to the side of the road without any harm.

You hear of horrific car accidents or how someone got burned or cut while cooking, and it just causes a shudder to go through you. But how many times a day do we go about normal life and its' demands without any problems? Thousands! So today I don't want to take that for granted - but thank God for blessing us with safety.

Day 15 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 15 ~ Today I am thankful for...my piano

Ever since I was a little girl, music has been a huge part of my life. In my lifetime, I have been blessed to have had lessons in piano, flute, organ, voice, and violin. I have enjoyed being stretched musically. But to those who know me, it won't come as a surprise when I say my first love (of instruments) is piano!

The piano that I have has been with me almost as long as my son. In fact, it was after Andrew was born and Tim was in seminary, that we purchased the piano so I could stay at home and still have an income.

I'll never forget the day when we came to the decision that buying a piano was doable. I was SO excited. We went to the music store and I knew what type of piano I wanted. The salesman was not one of those pushy ones and actually listened to what I was after. He directed me to a beautiful dark wood piano and had me sit down and play. I did try a couple of others - but went back to the first one because I knew it was THE one for me. So when he went to write up an order, I said, "wait - I don't want you to order me one - this is the one I really want." He said that was fine and made arrangements for it to be delivered a day later. Then he told me I had chosen a great piano - and that the piano had just arrived from the factory less than a week before I purchased it.

As far as things go, my piano is one of my dearest treasures. It bears the marks of 5 moves and countless piano lessons. It is on that bench that you will find me when I need to express my deepest feelings that can't be done with words. God has met me there and comforted me during times of hurts and confusion. And He has also blessed me with new songs.

Today I am thankful for my piano... and before the day slips away with all the busyness of the schedule, I'm going to go play for awhile.

Day 14 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 14 ~ Today I am thankful for... spiritual milestones

Day is my spiritual birthday - a day to stop and thank my Heavenly Father for the grace He has shown in my life. He provided me with a godly heritage and parents who loved and served Him and who taught me about salvation. He gave me new life through His Son, Who took my place and paid my debt. He has corrected my thinking and confronted my sinful actions. He has walked each step of my journey with me - and He has poured grace upon grace in my life.

So instead of singing happy birthday, I'm going to sing one of my favorite songs and be reminded of the fact that all through my life, Jesus is leading me!

All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy Who through life has been my Guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;

All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living Bread
Though my weary steps may falter and my soul a thirst may be
Gushing from the Rock before me; Lo! A spring of joy I see;

All the way my Savior leads me oh the fullness of His love
Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way,

Day 12 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 12 ~ Today I am thankful for... living in a land of plenty

I was working on my menu and grocery list for the upcoming week this morning and stopped to think how blessed I am to live in a country that has so much. I had out my recipes and made a list of what I needed to purchase at the store. I perused through the store ads to see what I might be able to buy on sale (like turkeys for $.67/pound). I have found websites that I can download extra coupons. My car has gas in it so I can drive to the stores and haul my stuff home. My cupboards may get low, but I don't know that they have ever been truly empty. If nothing else, I can make a box of macaroni and cheese or a peanut butter sandwich.

Living in America is definitely living in a land of plenty and many choices. I've never been to another country (well, I have been to Canada...) so I don't know first hand what it means to go without. I have seen pictures and read accounts of people in other lands who have only had 1 meal a day - and that was skimpy at best. I have seen pictures of people standing in line to purchase a pair of shoes, hoping that by the time they were at the front of the line there would still be a pair in their size. I have heard missionary friends tell how hard it was to look away from the poverty and desperation of those around them while they ate a simple meal.

We have been so blessed ~ and I don't want to take that for granted. Instead, I want to keep an attitude of thankfulness to God for His gracious kindness to my family.

Day 11 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 11 - Today I am thankful for... medical personnel

Yesterday I went to the dentist. I know that probably doesn't warrant an article, but if you know me at all, you know that I absolutely hate going to the dentist. Yes, that is a strong word, but I couldn't come up with a stronger one. Ever since I was a child, the mere thought of going to the dentist puts a dread in me that is deep and unreasonable. (Just so you know, I was nice and didn't growl or bite.)

So even though I don't care for making doctor visits, I am thankful for those people who have been gifted with compassion and the understanding of how our bodies work.

I am thankful for nurses who are kind even when it's the end of a long shift and their patient is difficult.
I am thankful for doctors/surgeons who have learned how to take the medical jargon and translate it into simple language.
I am thankful for pharmacists who double check that the medicine they are making won't harm their patient but will work with medicine they are already taking.
I am thankful for the people who can draw blood with just one poke.
I am thankful for those who clean up the rooms/bed sheets/basins/etc.

Thanks to all those medical people who do their jobs so well!

Day 9 - Today I am thankful for...

Day 9 - Today I am thankful for... my piano students

Wednesdays are the end of my "work" week - that is the end of my wage-earning-work week. By this point in my week I have had 14 young people, ranging in age from 1st grade through a senior in high school, come to my home and sit at my piano to learn how to play.

We go over what they have practiced and I rejoice over the victories they have made in learning this skill. Sometimes I need to give a pep talk and remind them of the importance of practicing. By practice, I mean working on what has been assigned, fixing mistakes, and doing this for a decent length of time. Some students need this pep talk quite often...

Then there are others who have practiced diligently through the week and when they come to lesson they are ready to play a piece of music beautifully. They have confidence in what they have prepared and it shows.

When I was taking piano lessons, one of my favorite teachers - Mrs. Dunne, would work with me until I had a piece completed. When it was ready, she would tell me that the following week she would sit in her side chair and just listen. What an incredible moment that was for me - and I made it a goal to have her sit and "just listen" often.

I have carried that tradition on in my teaching and absolutely love it when a student has a piece ready for a "just-listen-to" session. Not too long ago one of my older and more advanced students, Megan, had a whole suite ready. As I sat in my chair with my eyes closed and listened to the notes and rhythms and dynamics, I momentarily forgot I was having a lesson and just enjoyed the incredible beauty of the music.

Yes, I am thankful for my piano students!

Day 8 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 8 - Today I am thankful for... our senses

Last night when I was crawling into bed, there was a very unpleasant odor wafting through our open window. It was in direct contrast to the wonderful scent of the candle I had been burning earlier in the day. But it got me thinking about how thankful I am God created the five senses.Because of that I have enjoyed many things...

Through Taste -
Chocolate, bacon, spicy Mexican food, Grammy's spaghetti, tangy fruits, Cheese,
and did I mention chocolate??

Through Smell -
A meal being cooked, a rose, autumn scents, wood burning, perfumes and lovely soaps

Through Touch -
A hug, soft petals of a flower, the stickiness of making coconut candies,
textures on a piece of material

Through Sight -
The incredible beauty in nature, a basketball game, reading a good book, my husband's smile

Through Hearing -
Music, my children's laughter, encouraging words, rain against the window,
when someone special tells me they love me

These are just the first things that come to mind - but I'm thankful I get to enjoy them because of the gift of our senses.

Day 7 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 7 ~ Today I am thankful for... rain

I have always loved rainy days - I know the rain is good for the earth and that God, in His goodness, provides it for the nourishment of the soil and to replenish the lakes and oceans. I'm sure if I think back to my school days, I'd come up with more facts about the importance of rain.

But for me there's just something about the patter of raindrops on my windows that calls me to slow down, put on some "smoozy" music, and curl up with a book. It feels quiet and peaceful - especially if I don't have to go out for anything. And every so often it is good to sense a slow and quiet day when the normal pace is usually the opposite.

Yes it is raining... think I'll go make a pot of cappuccino and find a good book.

Day 6 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 6 - Today I am thankful for... quiet

I have always thought it a bit ironic that God - Who is incredibly powerful and majestic - did not reveal Himself to Elijah in the wind or the earthquake or the fire. Instead, He came to Elijah in a quiet whisper.

Sometimes I think we tend to look for the big, dramatic, bold announcements of God when what we really need is to be quiet. Not that it is an easy thing to do - turning off the noise and busyness of life, for there are many demands on us through out the day.

And I must admit, I haven't always appreciated how God has brought about times of quiet for me. It isn't fun to be sick or in pain or to have your plans disrupted. But it does becomes another opportunity to trust God.

I have come to treasure moments of quiet and have learned to wait for the whisper. For when I have been quiet, God has whispered loving words of reassurance during times of struggle or brought a deeper understanding of His character. What an incredible demonstration of love and kindness - and all because of a moment of quiet!

Day 4 - Today I am thankful for...

Day 4 - Today I am thankful for... craft stores

Ok, so yes, I am taking today in a little different direction. Today I was able to spend some time in a couple of my favorite craft stores - Archiver's, Jo-Ann's, Michaels, although a bit disappointed to miss Hobby Lobby... But then again, tomorrow is another day!

I had fun getting some ideas which will be used in various ways (like gifts, encouragement notes, birthday cards, etc) and realized that over the years I have tried my hand at a lot of different types of crafts. Some of the things I have tried but not necessarily mastered include:

cross-stitch
rubber stamping
scrapbooking
cake decorating
tole painting
jewelry making
stenciling
quilting

While I was meandering the aisles gathering ideas (and some products), I smiled as I thought how wonderful it is that God gives us gifts that can be fun - and calorie-free! So, today I am thankful for craft stores!

Day 3 - today I am thankful for... my home

a place that keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer
space for us to function as a family
space for us to use for ministry
a comfy chair that has become my place to meet with God

bookshelves loaded with books
pictures of loved ones & friends
my own space to do crafts
a corner in the living room where my piano invites me to sit and play
walls and rooms that allow me to express my creativity

special treasures such as
my great-grandfather's 4 shelf barristers bookcase
Tim's great-grandmother's front-drop desk
a dining room set given by a special friend
(who knows and shares my love for hospitality)
teapots and teacups
quilts from grandparents

It may not be a mansion or even what I would call my "dream house" - but it is a place filled with love and laughter and I delight in calling it home!

Day 2 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 2 - today I am thankful for... family

I am thankful for my parents who gave me a loving home and taught me about Jesus, who sacrificed so I could attend a Christian school and take piano lessons, and who pray daily for me and my family!

I am thankful for my husband's parents - who gave him a loving home and taught him about Jesus, who have joined in praying for my family!

I am thankful for Andrew - my tender giant teddy bear who still gives me hugs and lets me know he is looking out for me!

I am thankful for Ashleigh - who brings laughter and energy to my day and searches my eyes to make sure I am being truthful when I say I'm fine!

I am thankful for Carissa - who has always wanted to "just go home to Heaven to be with Jesus" and who's deep love for God prompts me to love Him more!

I am thankful for Kimberly - who has a developing sense of creativity and has such a tender, caring spirit towards those who are hurting!

I am thankful for my husband, Tim - I have learned so much from him and have the highest respect and admiration for him! He has been my faithful, loving husband and friend for over 26 years - my biggest fan, supporter and encourager of my dreams. And the best is yet to be...

I am SO blessed to have this family!

Day 1 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 1 - Today I am thankful for... simple things that bring delight.

Sunshine through the leaves
A van with gas in it so I can drive to an appointment
Hair that did wanted I wanted it to do with little fuss
Piano students who love to play the piano (almost) as much as I do
15 minutes with Tim while he ate before rushing out the door for a meeting
My daughter's excitement over learning the Hebrew language
A dishwasher running its' cycle
Indoor plumbing
A computer that allows me to connect with people
New friends

to be continued tomorrow...