I once read that gratitude is one of the ultimate prayers. I think about all of those times that I ask...I ask for myself, I ask on behalf of others...but, how often do I just thank him for all that already is?
I'm starting this day with a thankful heart...and every time I have a moment where I am not feeling peaceful inside about big things, little things, things things...I am going to just stop and say...thank you for (fill in the blank).
I took Roxy to the vet on Monday because she has been hacking for 3 weeks, which she has never done before. It scared me. When Rob and I got married we both brought a child with us...mine just happens to be furry and goes to the bathroom outside : ) The vet said it's an upper respiratory issue and gave me antibiotics to give her twice a day. Last night she just stopped hacking. She didn't at all through the night or this morning. I remember praying over my dog on Monday and asking that she be well. And, guess what - she is ok...and guess what else, I didn't thank God.
I have asked for many things to be ok this week (and it's ok to ask), but the hard part is giving it over to Him totally. Today, I am releasing everything to Him and I have asked plenty, so today I am just going to thank Him for all that is and all that will be.
Yesterday, I found this little book that Grandma Henke gave to me for one of my birthdays. And, inside she wrote "To My Little Krissy"...I love seeing her handwriting especially unexpectedly. The book is all about the soul and things that matter. I am going to write a little passage from it that is inspiring me today.
Find strength and courage in patience...
Even within shadows, there is a light flowing--softly glowing through the night,
gathering strength...waiting patiently for a new morning full of peacefulness and quiet joy.
Nothing succeeds more surely than patient repetition.
Ask any wind that builds a sand dune.
Ask any river that carves out a canyon.
Today, I am thankful for so many people and places and things. But, mostly I am grateful for the one that instills peace in our hearts...the one that gently whispers that everything is ok even when it feels like the sky is falling.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Stuff
While cleaning out Grandma's house, we've been making piles for her church's annual rummage sale. I know that Grandma would love for the money from her things to go to her church. It makes giving away some of her things much easier. Of course, lots of stuff is being kept with the house and everyone in the family has gotten what they want already. I learned yesterday that the rummage sale is next weekend, so I need to get on it and while I'm at it I am pretty sure I have loads of stuff at our house that I could afford to give away! That would sure make Rob happy. He thinks I have too much stuff (I am not denying this fact). I'll never forget his face when I moved in with him. I guess he didn't realize how much (literal) baggage was coming with me!
It doesn't take long to accumulate stuff. I am working on simplifying. I am attempting to go through my things on a regular basis - I am working on being less attached to the stuff.
I think about Niha, the little girl in India that we sponsor. I think about how she doesn't know about having all this stuff and it literally makes me sick at our consumerism...but, it's what we grew up in, it's what we know. Just like how she is probably happy with very little because she doesn't know any different. I really want to be happy with little. I don't want stuff to get in the way of that.
It doesn't take long to accumulate stuff. I am working on simplifying. I am attempting to go through my things on a regular basis - I am working on being less attached to the stuff.
I think about Niha, the little girl in India that we sponsor. I think about how she doesn't know about having all this stuff and it literally makes me sick at our consumerism...but, it's what we grew up in, it's what we know. Just like how she is probably happy with very little because she doesn't know any different. I really want to be happy with little. I don't want stuff to get in the way of that.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
No Longer M.I.A
Hard to believe a month has gone by since I've blogged. A true indication that life really is flying by! Trying to enjoy all of its moments.
The most spectacular news is that we are moving into Grandma's house the last week of May! We will be renting out our house to a couple that we know well. Even if they just want to rent for a year, that will help get our house in a better selling range for today's market. I feel like it's a dream come true! I am afraid to get overly excited about this all happening. Unfortunately, the older I get the less excited I allow myself to become because I have learned that things don't always work out. I am remaining hopeful and expectant though. I feel that blessings are on the verge of entering into my realm. I know that I am always blessed, but I mean the big stuff...the stuff that keeps me up at night. The stuff I write in my journal about...that stuff is coming! I have to believe.
Still working on clearing out Grandma's house...it's hard when there just isn't full days to get stuff done....also part of being an adult. So, we are doing what we can when we can.
Friday is Rob's birthday. Tomorrow night we are going out to dinner with his parents as they will be out of town this weekend. Friday, Emily and I are going to make him his cake. I'm a little nervous about the cake situation, I started the 10 day diet again (on my own) and am on day 3. I have been able to keep the weight off from when I did it last time so I am truly inspired for another go around with it. There is never a good time to start...if it wasn't Rob's birthday, it would be something else. I have T minus 2 days to figure out the perfect gift for him. He is SO much better at the gift giving than I am. He pays such good attention.
I've been working at keeping my cup full. I am learning that when you take care of yourself you are better for everyone else around you. I feel better than I have in awhile...eating lots of fruits and veges, tanning(love those endorphins), taking time for baths (I forgot how much I love those), reading great books, and spending quality time with my people. And, always, always thanking God. It's a miracle that we're even walking this Earth. I don't like everything that goes on, I don't like all the cards that have been dealt to the people I care about...but, I try to give those thoughts and feelings over to God so that I can enjoy the gift of the time that I have been given.
The most spectacular news is that we are moving into Grandma's house the last week of May! We will be renting out our house to a couple that we know well. Even if they just want to rent for a year, that will help get our house in a better selling range for today's market. I feel like it's a dream come true! I am afraid to get overly excited about this all happening. Unfortunately, the older I get the less excited I allow myself to become because I have learned that things don't always work out. I am remaining hopeful and expectant though. I feel that blessings are on the verge of entering into my realm. I know that I am always blessed, but I mean the big stuff...the stuff that keeps me up at night. The stuff I write in my journal about...that stuff is coming! I have to believe.
Still working on clearing out Grandma's house...it's hard when there just isn't full days to get stuff done....also part of being an adult. So, we are doing what we can when we can.
Friday is Rob's birthday. Tomorrow night we are going out to dinner with his parents as they will be out of town this weekend. Friday, Emily and I are going to make him his cake. I'm a little nervous about the cake situation, I started the 10 day diet again (on my own) and am on day 3. I have been able to keep the weight off from when I did it last time so I am truly inspired for another go around with it. There is never a good time to start...if it wasn't Rob's birthday, it would be something else. I have T minus 2 days to figure out the perfect gift for him. He is SO much better at the gift giving than I am. He pays such good attention.
I've been working at keeping my cup full. I am learning that when you take care of yourself you are better for everyone else around you. I feel better than I have in awhile...eating lots of fruits and veges, tanning(love those endorphins), taking time for baths (I forgot how much I love those), reading great books, and spending quality time with my people. And, always, always thanking God. It's a miracle that we're even walking this Earth. I don't like everything that goes on, I don't like all the cards that have been dealt to the people I care about...but, I try to give those thoughts and feelings over to God so that I can enjoy the gift of the time that I have been given.
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