The long road home.

Week 52. A year ago we began, Carrie and I, on this journey of being thankful each week for something not often thought about in our lives. Did it change me? I suppose in some subtle ways it did. I feel changed from one year ago, I don't know that this blogging challenge was necessarily what has brought about change-or even whether it's even been a very large catalyst for change. However, I would say that it was beneficial for me to pull me through the season of mild depression I was in a year ago. Thankfulness does that, it really changes your perspective. I try to be thankful more often than just on Thursdays.
There are some things I have learned on this journey though....
Sometimes I don't want to write.
Sometimes I don't want to think about the topic in front of me.
Both are an excellent exercise of pressing and choosing. Sometimes..you do things even when you just don't feel like it.
My life became busier over the last six months and writing became less of a priority. But that was ok. The reason I kept blogging was to stay vulnerable in some way and not shut down to the entire world My life began to fill back up with people with which I could reestablish vulnerability and I suppose present people are a better platform than a blog.
The early posts of my blog I put much thought into, I'd ponder the topic all week and then write. As the challenge became more routine I didn't chew on the topic for nearly as long.
I do think this challenge was about intentionality. It's difficult to be intentional about something for an entire year. Particularly when you feel like the goal was accomplished midway (vulnerability). But it was about the only thing I had going on in my life that I'd committed to do because I was in such a season of rest and saying no.
A totally different season has come and I'm having to say no, but for entirely an different reason. To keep my heart in a place of rest- yes..but also to not over commit.
I love the Fall because it's always a time for new beginnings. If you haven't already done so, take some time and ask the Lord-what does the Fall look like for you and me Jesus? Am I in a place where I am abiding or am I in a place where I am so busy that my heart is restless and I don't know what to focus on? If you find yourself in the second...lean in. Say no to some of the good things so you can say yes to the great things...
I am going to keep this blog up. It is more of a "good" thing than a "great" thing. So it may be dormant for a while as my heart has been learning how to come home. Thanks for taking time to go on this journey with me.

100 things.....is a lot.

Well, in some ways I am winning at the #dosummer2016. I'm crossing off a lot of 15 minute increments-I'm going to stick it out until the end of summer, but I'm kind of feeling like my intentionality is a little vague..I have learned a new painting techniques, listened to a lot of Dave Ramsey Pod Casts...and oh by the way..Friday is the last run until Katrina and I are officially 5K runners...but what am I accomplishing really?
I've been thinking about this Fall and how there are a lot of other goals I'd like to accomplish, but some seem so daunting I don't even know where to start-so I decided to join in on the 30 Day Hustle and see what happens! I'd love to have someone join me in the journey-so if that someone is you, let me know! (Click the link to see what it is...)

And now onto 100 things I am thankful for...

1. The sun is shining and its HOT.
2. Window screens
3. Sheriff's who take care of other people's trash (AKA cars that are run into telephone poles on your land in the night)
4. Blackberries grow in the wild here.
5. I can read.
6. Sushi.
7. Late night roof top meteor shower shows with my sisters.
8. The person who invented ice cream.
9. A flexible work schedule.
10. The YNAB budget program (check it out, it's SO handy...this is not a paid advertisement..just me telling you about it of my own free will.)

11. Fly swatters
12. Left over salmon from dinner last night-about to have it for lunch.
13. A clothesline in my backyard
14. I have a backyard.
15. YWAM friday nights
16. Essential Oils (current faves- digest zen and breathe)
17. Looking forward to camping trips
18. An A/C unit on a hot day.
19. Mom and Dad have a pool.
20. Telephones, and the convenience of the world wide web.

21. Hummus
22. Applesauce
23. Pickles
24. Almond milk
25. iced coffee
26. Ground beef
27. Sweet potatoes
28. Chips (I just love crunchy..salty..)
29. Ice Cream..Its hard to say no
30. Nut butter

31. My hammock
32. Sleeping in my hammock on a hot night.
33. My car drives though it needs some work.
34. Found a dress for Renae's wedding
35. books, books and more books.
36. This computer of mine..officially on year #8. Yup. What gift!
37. Dreams-love when they are encouraging!
38. Elephants
39. The zoo
40. And the fact that I have a pass this year, need to get over there and use it again!

41. Brooke
42. Shawnie
43. Shana
44. Carrie
45. Wesley
46. Chad
47. Autumn
48. Grace
49. Carla
50. Roman

51. The way the people listed above impacted my walk with the Lord early on and ran with me hard after Him, challenging me constantly.
52. I keep thinking tomorrow is Sunday, but its actually only Saturday! (yes I am working on this and it's NOT Thursday..but I actually did start it on Thursday...100 things is just a lot to jot down all at once. I'll probably not finish it all tonight.)
53. Blackberries growing in the wild.  Can you believe I had to buy them in the store in Colorado...
54. I have this canner..not that I know how to use it....
55. A whole day that was kept unplanned..on purpose.
56. Elbows-imagine if we had straight arms.
57. Typing-this list would take forever in writing.
58. Google maps.
59. Creativity.
60. Ducks.

61. Backpacks
62. Craigslist
63. Baby kale= good smoothies
64. Diana- thanks for always making my hair look good.
65. The Mark of the Lion Series
66. Learning how to paint
67. My elephant tank top
68. Comfy clothes (especially my thai pants)
69. Hanging out with Shana tomorrow
70. A roof over my head.

71. Jesse cut some wood
72. We can haul it to have firewood this winter!
73. Pears, pears and more pears..come pick some.
74. The Holy Ghost.
75. Danielle Walker's cookbooks
76. Board games
77. People who can play instruments
78. Fantastic, peaceful worship last night.
79. Airplanes.
80. It wasn't too hot in my room last night.

81. There is cold coffee in the fridge..gonna go get me some.
82. Bible study and reading in my hammock
83. I'm almost to the end of this list.
84. Tissues for when I sneeze.
85. I sneeze far less frequently these days.
86. We have one stack of firewood complete...hopefully we can gat another 5 or 6 more done!
87. 7 incredible, challenging years in Denver.
88. I am no longer afraid to tell people about the amazing love of Jesus.
89. Great parents
90. Lots of extra parents.

91. Meat thermometers
92. Crock pots
93. Puzzles
94. No Debt.
95. Freedom to give.
96. Ten fingers, ten toes, a nose, two eyes and a mouth..plus two ears.
97.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
98. Garage sales
99. Chickens and cows-they sure are tasty.
100. And of course, saving the best for last. Jesus.

That's all..that's a lot. what are YOU thankful for?

Entertainment..Entertaining...An invitation.

As a young teen I looked forward to the local county fair every year. It was the highlight of summer..a place to celebrate my birthday. This year I've driven past it a few times and wondered what my draw to it was-I probably just need to get in touch with my inner kid and take a ride on the ferris wheel or something to remind myself of what I used to love? I'm not sure  I could stomach the Hammerheads or Zipper or what have you any more!
The things that entertain us do change as the seasons of our lives change. A lot of people require more entertainment-I find I typically have required less. Quite thankful for that shift. Generally in our culture when we consider entertainment it's the act of amusing yourself to the point of forgetting the cares of the day. Or even to cover up the lack of a sense of purpose. At least thats my estimation of the "purpose" of entertainment.
I want to say I am a person who runs to Jesus as a source of being able to lay aside the cares of the day. Sometimes I do..sometimes I don't. Many times I bury my head in a book, watch a movie, preoccupy myself..instead hiding my heart in the Lord.
On the other end of entertainment-it can also be thought of as another word for hospitality...and of that, I can say I'd hope to extend the invitation into my home and heart. I'm so thankful for those who take the time to come on in and sit a while. That some one would step into my home and forget momentarily about the cares of their life and enjoy a moment of rest- this is a great form of entertainment, and I hope it would be that they would find themselves sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Thankful Thursday (that's once again not on Thursday) week 50. Two more posts and then I need to decide..do I keep writing? What do you think?

A little this and that. Week 48 & 49 of the gratitude challenge...

The gratitude challenge is winding down and I have been slacking-big time. Ok, maybe not BIG time just behind on the "my current age" and "the weather". Neither are what I would have anticipated..
It's August of my 34th year, and it's raining. And I am single, living in WA, and still on the journey of "what am I doing with my life"...different than I expected-quite.

Now for the thankful part about the above.
The best thing about this weird weather is that in spite of my lack of time available to go and water my garden-it still lives. And also, when I am stuck inside I don't feel like I am missing out on summer passing me by as I stare at it out the window. I've still spent a good amount of time out in my hammock, sat by a good number of camp fires, and worn my sandals. Plus...it's definitely better weather for running.

As for being 34, I've just a few days left of that. It's been a year of rediscovery, of resurrecting dreams and of major changes. There are a lot of unanswered prayers, but I am healthy and feeling alive again.

Side note- #dosummer2016 is going pretty well. I've kept up with the Couch to 5k training and haven't had any crashes physically- so stoked on that.
Painting-I've not devoted as much time as I had hoped..but here is the current project. The beginning of the backdrop for youth camp. I actually have more done on it, but this is the last picture I took.

And as far as the pursuit of teaching/coaching..that one is getting a lot more attention because I happen to have a long drive twice a day and often spend time listening to podcasts.
That's it for now. Just a couple more posts to this challenge.