Fall comes to an end...

Fall comes to an end; well... it will be coming to an end. The end of fall is typically marked by the end of Halloween festivities. It is at this time that the snow begins to fly (if it hasn't already) and the stores turn from anything and everything else to... CHRISTMAS!

Fall is by far my favorite time (season) of the year. I hate to see it go and am not ready for colder/snowier weather. Even though the calendar still says fall until December, I think many people would agree that it seems to have come to an end with the coming of November.

As I reflect on fall 2012 I find myself feeling thankful for many things. The everyday routine of shorter days, crisper air and comfy sweatshirts. The 'out of the ordinary' activities and events that we've partaken in: the TC 10 mile, a pre-season Timberwolves game, a perfect outdoor fall Twin's game, fall parties, dinner dates with friends and even some early Christmas shopping.

It has been a great month. I'm thankful for happy memories and pleasant October days.

Goodbye October, Hello November!

Psalms 63:5
"My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips."

List of 'Simples'

I didn't blog too much this week. I'm not even sure what I was so busy with this past week but I seemed to have been too busy for much of anything. I didn't get a workout in, I didn't blog, I hardly read or crotched at all. But the funny thing is that as I reflect on what I did do that kept me so busy, I don't even know what that was? Anyways, I was still reflective on the simple blessings that made me smile throughout the week so here is a list of the 'simple' things that I'm thankful for this week:

1. a glass of wine with a good friend
2. the beauty of a first snow
3. suds in the bathtub
4. genuine love between teachers and students
5. a sip of a fresh chai latte (especially while watching that first light snow)
6. a morning hug, a welcome home hug, any hug
7. kind words
8. kind thoughts
9. smiles

Busy as it seemed, the days were spent enjoying beauty and love. What more could I ask for?!?

Also... I must send out a proclamation of how extremely proud of my husband I am. He got back the results from his second set of national boards and passed with flying colors! He works so hard to prepare for his future as a chiropractor and I am proud of how successful he already is. Praise God!

-For you make him to be blessed and a blessing forever. You make him exceedingly glad with the joy of Your presence.-  Psalm 21:6

A Happy Heart

As my week/end comes to an end, I sit back and reflect on what a wonderful, relaxing few days I had. It started off great with my mom coming to visit. The weekend ended in some time with friends and the hubby, and some much needed 'breathing' time for myself. It was perfect.


Tonight I'm thankful for people who give, give, give of themselves for the sake of others. I'm inspired and amazed at how generous people (many close to me) can be with their time and possessions. And since all that we have was first given to us (James 1:7), I've made it my vow to try and notice a small way that I can leave an impact on others on a daily basis. Thank God for reminding me to stop and smell the roses every once and a while and for rejuvenation.

Today I'm grateful for a happy (contented) heart. 

 -Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.- --Deuteronomy 16:17

It was a great day!

Today was one of my favorite days. It was day one of my four day weekend and I was lucky enough to spend it with my Ma! We did everything, and nothing, all at the same time.

For those of you that don't know much about me or my mom, we are so very similar in many of our mannerisms, but also in our enjoyment of the <simple> things. 

Today looked a little like this:

• morning spent at a Caribou Coffee sipping our lattes by the fireplace
• browsing at the local Lifeway Christian Bookstore
• grocery shopping for supper items
• perusing the strip mall store
• lunch at Panera Bread
• JoAnn Fabrics for crafts and decor
• home to prepare supper (Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, cinnamon/sugar bread and apple pie for dessert)
• hanging up of the new decorations
• Ma teaching me how to crochet
• watching Thursday evening TV
• relaxing on the couch

What a day! It makes me smile to think of the wonderful time we had just being together!!I can't wait for tomorrow! We are going out for breakfast and then shopping on the town!

I am so blessed to have my mother. I can not imagine a day without my mom being a phone call or arms reach away. God has blessed me greatly by providing such a wonderful mother and friend.

 

Today I am thankful for my mother, and the friendship that we have.

--But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.--
Timothy 1:5

P.S. Sometimes people think we look alike ; )

This is the day...

What another beautiful week/end! I love my life! I truly do. I am very happy.

Today I am thankful for three particular things.

I am thankful for my grandparents. I feel so blessed to have both sets of my grandparents alive and healthy, as well as Jordan's two sets of grandparents that are also alive and well. My grandma Willand died when I was two years old. My grandpa remarried when I was a young girl and now my grandma Ilene is the grandma I've known and grown to love so much. With the exception of one step-grandma, all of our other grandparents are still married and in good health (despite many health roller-coasters). I am thankful to have such wonderful examples of a lasting, loving marriage; likewise, I'm also thankful to have these dear relatives still apart of my life! Praise God!

 

The second thing that I'm thankful for is the short week that I have coming up. I love my job, that is true. But, I am equally excited for the MEA break after a long week of conferences, class at church, tutoring, etc. I'm glad to have a few days to get things done around the house, run errands, read, go for walks, bake, and anything else my little heart desires!

The third thing that I find myself praising God for this evening is that he doesn't always whisper! I feel that I often find myself waiting for God to answer my questions... I want to know what His plan is for me or what I'm supposed to do in certain situations. I have said many times that I want Him to show me a big sign. I recall hearing from my big brother many years ago how he knew where God wanted him to go to college because Joe was so sure he could hear Him speak. I find it hard to 'Be still and KNOW that I am God...' My lack of patience greatly inhibits my ability to wait on Him. However, this evening I find myself humbled and appreciative that God does not always whisper. Sometimes, He makes things clear as day. Again I say, Praise God!

 

I am truly happy and I thank God for helping me find true joy, 

peace and contentment in my busy life!

-And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
--Philippians 1:9-11