Thankgiving ABC's

Since 2009 I have posted my Thanksgiving ABC's each year to reflect. It is interesting to think about doing this while also doing my Gratitude Challenge posts. Counting it all Joy for sure!

A-Art. I love creating. Finally my big painting is getting close to finished. The picture that I carried in my heart for years that reflects Colossians 2:14 "having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."
B-Black plastic, it's keeping my car dry on the inside. What more can I say?
C- Clove oil.
D-Doctor- I finally found a doctor who is has a medical practice that embraces natural medicine. YIPPY-this is an answer to prayer!!
E-Essential oils. I have kicked a few colds, allergies, aches and pains, over shot nerves...whew. Can't wait to get myself a full blown set.
F- Family. I have appreciated living near my family again.
G- Gramma. I feel super blessed to be spending some much time with my wonderful little gramma. She's 83, and every moment counts. I get to glean wisdom, hear stories, sip tea, and help her out.
H-Hot water bottles..best invention ever. At this moment I have it sitting on my lap keeping me cozy!
I-internet at the house. We lived without it for a while. Sure does make life a little simpler in this technological world.
J-Jesus and all He has done for me. His gift of life, freedom, redemption, grace....
K-Kettles. I miss having a kettle.
L-Littler rain than normal for the return of my living in the PNW. WHEW! I love SUNSHINE!
M-My little garden I had this summer. Still enjoying it's fruits...mostly squash and pumpkin..some tomatoes.
N-Notes from friends around the globe.
O-Options..it reminds me that I am well off and well taken care of by the Lord, when I can choose what to wear and what to eat.
P-Pumpkin pies and Danielle Walker's grain free cook books that make it possible for me to make lots of fun things to eat...like cranberry sauce and marshmallows...yup. Not kidding.
Q- Quiet moments with Jesus. They refresh my soul.
R- Reading. This year I have really had a renewed passion for reading. I have kept track of my books this year and will share it at the end of the year! Stay tuned.
S-Slanty Shanty life with Jesse and Mindy. Enjoying being back on my own again.
T-Trips to the Grocery store only take 7 minutes! Not bad :).
U-Umbrellas. They are very practical and I never appreciated them until lived away and moved back.
V-Voting. It's a privilege I take seriously, because as a believer I am called to be involved in all realms of society-and that includes government.
W-Work. I am really thankful to be back on my feet and able to hold a job in fair health.
X- eXceedingly patient friends who have loved me back into some what of a social life again. Thanks Shawnie, Kathy, Mandi...Love you!
Y-Years to look back and reflect on the faithfulness of God.
Z-Zoos..don't you just like them? I do.

Warning...this post may make you want to live in Colorado.

I am so excited to write this post! We are already 13 weeks into the Gratitude Challenge. It seems time is just flying by, when I look at it in this context.
WINTER!!!!
Things I love about Winter....When I think of Winter my thoughts go to NH and to Colorado. It is a little more difficult to love winter here in the PNW. But none the less...the things I love about Winter remain the same.
First of all, I love to wear scarves and hoodies and mittens and hats. I love boots and all the fun.
Snow. Snow. Snow. Yes, I am one of "them." Those people who love the snow. it is so white and beautiful and makes everything that was brown and dreary look fresh and hopeful. The snow brings about this amazing silence that is like nothing else. When you step outside on a snowy day, the flakes are falling and you catch one on your tongue and then you just listen to the silence. It is SO beautiful! I loved to walk to work on snowy days and just enjoy seeing my breath puffing along and hear the crunchy squeak of the snow under my feet on the unshoveled sidewalks.
Also, snow means snowboarding. I am hoping and praying that this year I will be able to go, energy permitting. I have missed strapping my feet in, and riding into the silence. Unless of course its a windy day... Generally riding on the mountain is just this epic solitude with only the sound of your board cutting into the snow. The occasional rider or skier passing by and laughter of friends. Then there is always fun conversations with people on the ski lifts. I miss delivering cookies to the lifties. At Breckenridge every Sunday morning there is this amazing lady, Pat, who brings cookies to be delivered to all the lift operators and then she hosts a church service right there on the mountain. It was really incredible to be a part of that ministry for a few years.
I love fireplaces, hot drinks, and cozy blankets. Oh, and ice skating. Don't you just love it? On lakes, on outdoor rinks, I suppose on an indoor one if you must...
And did I mention CHRISTMAS? Christmas comes in winter. And New Years. And Valentine's Day..and sometimes Thanksgiving feels like it comes in winter :).
..writing this post has made me miss Colorado. Especially since Winter has begun there. Love to all my Colorado peeps. Enjoy the mountains and the winter for me.
The other part of winter that I love is when warm days begin and Springs starts to come. there is this sense of a new beginning at the end of winter.
And just as all good things must come to an end, so must this post. Until next time.

Admiring the gift of God in others...

This week, I am running late on my Thankful post once again. We finally got the internet hooked up Thursday evening so now I really have no excuse (except that I was busy with a bazaar...:).)
Anyway, our topic this time around is "a personality trait you admire."
I admire naturally compassionate and thoughtful people so much. When someone can walk into a room and see a broken heart and offer comfort, can sense when someone needs a hand...has the ability to make someone feel noticed, valuable, and loved- what a gift!
You know that friend that when you are with them you feel like you have their full attention? You know your conversation is what they are engaged in, they possess the art of being fully present.
I aspire to this trait.
Put the phone away.
Forget the bustle around.
Stop, listen, love.
This is the personality of a beautiful person.
Lord, let us each one learn to love and listen and be this friend.
Thank you Jesus for being this friend to us.
Always fully present when we speak with you.
Noticing, valuing, loving, offering kindness, sensing needs.
Thank you Sweet Jesus.
let me be like you.
Amen.

Inspired. Truly. Gratitude Chalłenge

What does it mean to be inspired by someone? Just have our feelings tickled? Someone we applaud and say...good job, you are an inspiration...and go on about our day virtually unaffected-really? No, I don't think so! Someone who inspires us is a person who provokes us to change, to take action, to become a better version of ourselves.

This week the challenge is write of someone who has inspired me. There are authors, friends, coworkers, other missionaries... I am really grateful there have been so many people in my life who have impacted me. 

These past months since I've been back in the PNW I have been able to spend a lot of time with my Gramma. Every time we chat she drops little nuggets of truth. 

Here are three things that I have learned from my sweet Gramma, because she passed them on to her children (my dad) and I have witnessed them in her life. 

1. The Word of God trumps how we feel and enables us to face life. 

2. Music and books matter. Words are powerful.

3. Life isn't about me. 

What Dylan and Deja taught me...

Years ago I had a daycare class of 13 boys and one sweet girl. It was a stretching season in my life but I learned a lot out Gods heart in that season and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

My one little lady was Deja...she was a beautiful child who could not speak and didn't have good motor skills. Caring for her taught me how to say I love you without words. She gave the best hugs.. 

Dylan was her protector. He was fiercely loyal to her, always ready to defend her, find her coat, pick up her spoon or be tackled go the floor by her laughing little rambunctious self. She loved him and hey we're inseparable! Dylan exhibited selflessness in a way that is rare in someone so young. 

One lesson Dylan taught me came in the form of morning playground time. He would come to the gate with his mom in the morning, hugging her and not wanting her to leave, but then he would see me and get a big grin on his face and come jump into my arms. ( He was not exactly a small kid at 3 1/2.) then He'd want to be held a bit and then chased; soon there would be shouts of "Miss Carmen please push me on the swing!" I saw though him a lesson in trust. It was hard to say good bye to his mom but then He would step through the gate and know he was in a safe place..the freedom in trusting the One who cares for you. Not a perfect example by any means but I feel like God used it to show me a bit of His heart and how He feels when we step into His realm...His playground and run free "Catch me Papa", "Watch me", "Do you see what I can do?" 

I am so Thankful for the year I had with Dylan. He is in High School now, and I doubt he remembers much from that year of his life, but I hope and pray he walks today knowing He is loved by a Precious Heavenly Father who cares for his life incredibly much, I hope he still defends the weak and carries the gift of compassion with him each day. 

Gratitude Challenge...this week's topic- Kids! Week # 10. 

To find out more about  the challenge check out my previous blog posts.