Ahhh - traditions!

        I love some of the traditions our family has during the Christmas holidays. We went to the tree farm and cut down our Christmas tree and decorated it when everyone was home at Thanksgiving. I’ve already watched “White Christmas” and will probably watch it again before the New Year! I have certain Christmas stories I always love to read. Today I’ll be making some of the usual goodies we enjoy and share. The gifts are hidden away – waiting for the right time to be wrapped and placed under the tree. And I think tomorrow night Tim and I will warm up the car and drive around to see the lights.

        Ahhh – traditions!

        The other day we got out the Charlie Brown’s Christmas video (and yes it is old but still works!). I smiled at the simplicity of the story and the drawings. I remembered our kids laughing and dancing with Snoopy and the gang.

        The best part, though, was watching Linus step up to the microphone and tell Charlie Brown the TRUE meaning of Christmas – and quote from Luke 2. “For unto you is born this day, a Savior…”

        Yes I love our family traditions – they bring lots of smiles and laughter. But the best part of Christmas truly is that a Savior was born!

A wish for a Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

        It has been a nice, slow start to the day but very soon I will need to be putting together the stuffing and the pistachio salad, peeling potatoes, etc. Andrew and Carissa are driving up from Louisville this morning I know we will have a great time together. There are lots of fun items on to-do list for the rest of the week… like getting our Christmas tree, decorating it, decorating the house for Christmas, playing Christmas music, celebrating Andrew’s birthday a little early, playing games, singing together…

        But first I want to pause and be thankful for the many blessings God has given me through this year. He truly has blessed me – with His love and grace and forgiveness – with family and friends – with good health – with protection – with my needs supplied and a few niceties, too! – with a hope for the future.

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

I Chronicles 16:8

Day 21 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Day 21 ~ Today I am thankful for Tim

        I am truly thankful for my husband! He is my best friend and there is no one I would rather spend time with than Tim. That was true even way back 29+ years ago when we were in college. We took every opportunity for a 10 minute chat or a quick walk when we weren’t in classes or at work.

        I remember Tim had to work at UPS the evening before Thanksgiving 1984 and I did some errands while I waited. We were going to stay in our dorm rooms that night before heading to his parents’ home to join the family for the holiday. I knew there would be lots of wedding planning to be shared but first, I was looking forward to spending some time with Tim now that classes were done.

        After he was finished at work I picked him up and we headed to Denny’s for a little something to eat. As we ate Tim talked about when his grandfather had stopped by the college for a visit and they had gone to that exact Denny’s for lunch. It had a lot of meaning for Tim, as not long after that his grandfather died.

        When we finished, we drove up the hill to look at the city lights and continue to talk (and share a kiss or two!). The story took a slightly different turn when Tim started talking about his grandmother. He reminisced about her dining room that was used only for special occasions and how, as a child, that had made an impression on him. He was certain she would have loved to have known me.

        As he was talking he was fiddling with his pocket and then - rather oddly, I thought – he turned the light on. His voice got soft as he told me his grandmother had given him something he wanted to give to me. That’s when he opened up a little white box and the light hit that diamond and everything just sparkled.

        He had already asked me to marry him and we were happily making plans for our wedding and future. But that night, as he slipped the ring on my finger, I had a visible promise that one day I would be his wife.

        And here we are… 29 years later – that ring has had a wedding band come along side it, as well as an anniversary ring. Tim is still my best friend and we still take every opportunity for a chat or a walk. I am so blessed – and so thankful!

Day 21 ~ Today I am thankful for...

Favorite authors

        I have way too many favorite authors – but I am thankful for these men and women who have used their skills and have left an impression on me. I love to read and have spent many happy hours with my nose in a book! These writers have changed my world – some through incredible story-telling, some through convicting Bible studies, and others just with words of comfort.

        If you are in need of a recommendation to some great authors… let me give you a list of some of my favorites ~ enjoy!

        Jerry B Jenkins                          Lucy Maud Montgomery

        Robin Jones Gunn                        Jan Karon

        Dee Henderson                            Mindy Starns Clark

        Brock & Bodie Thoene                   Lynn Austin

        Randy Alcorn                              Michael Card

        Chuck Swindoll                            David Jeremiah

        Max Lucado                               Jerry Bridges

        Allistair Begg                             Beth Moore

        Joanna Weaver                           John MacArthur

        Liz Curtis Higgs                          Hannah Whitall Smith

        Ann Voskamp                               James MacDonald

        Chip Ingram                               Anne Graham Lotz

        Warren Wiersbe                           Susan Hunt

        Ann Spangler                              Lois Tverberg

Day 16 ~ Today I am thankful for...

My 5 senses

            Life would be pretty boring without our senses at work. So far this morning I have enjoyed:

                        Sight – being able to see and read my Bible

                        Smell – I have enjoyed the fragrance of my lit candle

                        Taste – my cappuccino was delicious

                        Touch – feeling the fabric on my chair as I ran my fingers over it

                        Hearing – listening to my relaxing and beautiful cd by Secret Garden

            The start to my day has been pleasant because my senses are working. 

 "I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made"

Psalm 139:14