Thankful Thursday :: Thanksgiving 2017

Every Thanksgiving for the last 13 years, I've logged in to compile a list of 100 gifts for which I'm grateful--the big things, the little things, the silly/random and the profound. In the last twelve months, it was nearly the only blog post I managed to write. I'm still sorely out of the habit--both the habit of giving thanks and the habit of blogging--but at least today, I'm jumping back in to continue what I think is a valuable tradition.

As I look back over the past year, I'm especially thankful for... 

1. a thriving, growing girl in our family
2. her squishy legs
3. her happy disposition
4. those glorious three months when she slept well (long gone now, alas)
5. endless raspberries and motorboat noises

6. the way Miriam lights up when she sees her brothers
7. the way they greet her and shower her with attention
8. Steve babywearing
9. hairbows
10. a house full of laughter

11. obstetrician
12. midwife-turned-doula
13. chiropractor
14. aqua yoga instructor
15. craniosacral massage therapist

16. pediatric dentist
17. babysitter/mother's helper
18. occupational therapist
19. physical therapist
20. friend-turned-counselor

21. sertraline
22. loratadine
23. whatever drugs they put in an epidural :)
24. ibuprofen
25. clean water

26. help from my mom during pregnancy and postpartum
27. help from my MIL during pregnancy and postpartum
28. support from our church family
29. my BIL and SIL coming to visit and serve
30. generosity and prayer at my baby shower

31. boys doing laundry
32. boys making eggs
33. boys emptying the dishwasher
34. boys cleaning bathrooms
35. boys entertaining Sister

36. plentiful milk supply
37. grace to persevere through months of nightmarish nursing
38. a stellar lactation consultant
39. insurance-provided double electric pump
40. relief from pain and a smooth nursing relationship at long last

41. sharing book recommendations with Elijah
42. hearing Jude's reading skills take off
43. reading Sandra Boynton board books to Miriam
44. a Kindle with a light for reading in bed
45. extensive selection of e-books for free through the library

46. Every Mile Mattered, Nichole Nordeman
47. Red Sea Road, Ellie Holcomb
48. The Burning Edge of Dawn, Andrew Peterson
49. A Home and a Hunger, Caroline Cobb
50. Fortunate Fall, Audrey Assad

51. big skies in Ohio and Indiana
52. German Christmas markets
53. the canals of Amsterdam
54. rolling hills in middle Tennessee
55. getting to see Hamilton on stage in Chicago

56. cold brew coffee
57. hot apple cider
58. smoked turkey stock
59. Vanilla Coke
60. fresh squeezed orange juice

61. Vienna Springs ring slings
62. Moses Basket custom handmade baby items
63. Binky Beads pacifier clips and teethers
64. winning a giveaway from Brass Bee Bonnets
65. VIP and buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook for these mama shops

66. piano lessons
67. soccer games
68. basketball camp
69. school bus stopping right in front of our house

70. long-awaited daughter adopted by a friend
71. long-awaited daughter born to a friend
72. friend with a new house
73. friends with new jobs

74. hard, grown-up conversations with Elijah
75. snuggles with Jude
76. Miriam's kissable cheeks
77. unprompted hugs and "I love you"s from Elijah 

78. Simeon Trust workshop for women
79. women's Bible study during Sunday School
80. monthly women's prayer meeting
81. others connecting with and being encouraged by my writing
82. Steve in my corner, advocating for me

83. student of the month awards
84. keys of excellence awards
85. glowing reports at parent-teacher conferences
86. skilled, caring teachers
87. dedicated, hardworking administrators and staff

88. health insurance
89. stable employment
90. a promotion for Steve
91. his being accessible/flexible at work
92. getting to tour the facility on a recent family day

93. Steve's tremendous wisdom
94. his relentless servanthood
95. his willingness to listen and then tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear
96. his back rubs
97. his gorgeous gray-green eyes

98. recording of "He Will Hold Me Fast" from T4G 2016
99. the fact that our church started singing this song right after I fell in love with it
100. the reality of Christ holding me fast when my love is cold and my faith is weak

Autumn Disappointment

 I'm on a walk with Miriam, and the sky is a gloomy gray. For the last couple of weeks, Timehop has been teasing me with pictures of past autumn glory. Orange and red, gold, scarlet, rust, yellow, vermilion--our neighborhood a beautiful blaze of color. Today I mostly see dull, faded green and the occasional brownish-orange, nothing brilliant or spectacular.

I'm not sure what to make of this. I have the impulse to try and write about it. And then instead of adding it to my to-do list as one more "should" that I'll never get around to, I pull out my phone and start dictating as I walk through the neighborhood, pushing a stroller with my daughter.

It's 70 degrees today, and I'm sweating. The deliciously cool fall weather that finally seemed to have arrived for good has disappeared again. I hear someone mowing his lawn. Are the leaves actually going to change, or are they just going to let go in disappointment? I can't believe how green the trees still are on November 2. The wind kicks up, and dozens of leaves float to the ground without having revealed their beauty. Why?

Too much warmth? Too much sunshine? Too much chlorophyll? I have no idea of the scientific answer, but I can't help feeling let down. The promise of autumn's beauty--the glory in the dying that I have waxed poetic about so many times--isn't showing up this year. What does that mean?

It's this strange reminder in this strange new season of my life that nothing is promised. Or is that even true? Lots of bigger, eternal things are promised. I can trust the God who is sovereign over the seasons. Even when the transition is unremarkable and disappointing. Even when the beauty I anticipated and longed for falls short of my expectations.

We keep walking, and suddenly I see a beautiful red tree--the kind that usually populates our entire neighborhood. It stands out all the more because of its solitary beauty; there are no other colorful trees around to distract from its brilliant red leaves. The clouds shift a bit, and above the red tree I get a glimpse of that crisp blue autumn sky I always love to see.

A question surfaces: What will I choose to remember? The dull green-brown trees under the gray clouds...or this flash of crimson and bright blue?

It's a dilemma I face every day--a lesson the Lord has tried to teach me countless times. It's a question as old as Eve. Will you emphasize what you have, give thanks for what has been given, celebrate with gratitude? Or will you complain, meditate on what is lacking, focus on what is not yours--what has  seemingly been withheld?

The choice is always mine to make--even about something as simple as autumn leaves and brilliant colors, on a walk around my neighborhood on an ordinary Thursday morning. I'm hot and uncomfortable in my short sleeve shirt, but the breeze is blowing through my baby girl's hair. These sidewalks are uneven, hard to navigate with a stroller, but rundown houses are being renovated and given new life. The sun briefly peeks out in between all the clouds. I can walk again, after so many months of being immobile and in pain. And instead of the "all or nothing" thinking that plagues me, I'm choosing "all or something": I'm dictating this blog post instead of letting the idea disappear into the draft folder of good intentions. 

But how is all this different from Pollyanna, from naivete and rose-colored glasses? Reality is also that my girl is starting to whine, and chances are good she might be full-on screaming by the time we return home, my blood pressure rising. The lack of color is still a disappointment. I'm still going to need a shower. My jeans are still too tight.

It's a matter of who gets the last word. Sunshine briefly warms my face. Tiny dimpled hands grasp the side of the stroller. No matter how unspectacular their dying, these trees will still be reborn in the spring.

The darkness will always be there. The disappointment is a permanent fixture east of Eden. But the light is more permanent still--the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.


Related:
Beautiful Through Dying
Autumn Beauty
Contemplating Beauty
Part of the Whole
The Last Word: BUT God

Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving 2016

Well, I don't really know if I can even call myself a blogger anymore...and I'm sorry to say my years-long habit of daily gratitude lists has fallen off dramatically. But I couldn't break a twelve-year tradition, so I'm logging in this week to name a hundred gifts in celebration of Thanksgiving.

This year I'm thanking God for, among His countless blessings to me, these specific gifts both tremendous and small:

1. my boys' unprompted gratitude
2. their incessant sound effects
3. their creativity
4. their love for and knowledge about animals
5. their chatter at the dinner table

6. dedicated, hardworking elementary school teachers
7. teachers' glowing reports about my kids
8. opportunities to volunteer in their schools
9. the diversity of my kids' schools
10. caring parents who work hard at fundraisers

11. dear friends with whom I can be completely real and honest
12. deep, intense conversations
13. texting to keep in touch with faraway friends
14. friends who pursue me
15. friends who pray for me

16. the way Steve just gets me, hears my heart
17. the way he pushes back and sharpens my thinking
18. his tremendous gift of wisdom
19. his incredible patience
20. his relentless servanthood

21. leggings
22. stretchy jeans
23. fuzzy sweaters
24. soft scarves
25. tall boots

26. antihistamines
27. ibuprofen
28. chiropractic care
29. midwives
30. water aerobics

31. Jude blowing me kisses
32. Elijah winking at me
33. Steve doing the driving, and the fact that I feel safe with him behind the wheel
34. FaceTime with my parents
35. emails from my MIL

36. red maples
37. trees whose leaves change to multiple colors
38. bright yellow gingkos
39. star-shaped sweet gum leaves
40. lawns carpeted orange

41. iced coffee
42. family recipes
43. smoked turkey
44. pumpkin scones
45. candy cane Oreos

46. hours spent reading aloud to the boys
47. audiobooks
48. Elijah poring over his animal encyclopedia
49. Jude learning to read
50. endless supply of Kindle books via the library

51. a business trip for Steve on which I can tag along
52. Steve's strong desire to have me join him
53. Airbnb
54. air travel
55. a U.S. passport

56. online shopping with free returns
57. jewelry cleaner
58. yummy scented hand lotion
59. high-pressure showerheads
60. mascara

61. gathering with women to study God's Word
62. the privilege of teaching them
63. the ways they teach me
64. monthly women's prayer meeting
65. weekly discipleship time

66. wise and loving elders who shepherd our church
67. our deacons' hard work behind the scenes
68. preading that consistently makes much of Jesus
69. theologically rich music
70. beautiful people who love the Lord and each other

71. the experience of being a soccer mom to teach me about my parents' sacrificial love
72. Elijah starting piano lessons
73. how easy it is to access almost any music, instantly
74. pizza
75. toenail polish

76. Jude's full-body hugs
77. boys joining me for morning quiet time
78. walks to school with Elijah
79. the boys' love for and kindness to each other
80. the times when they're eager to be helpers

81. Simeon Course for Biblical Exposition
82. The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference
83. This American Life
84. Nicholas Kristof's excellent journalism + magnanimity
85. Compassion International

86. loving me when I'm wrong
87. inviting me to cast all my anxieties on Him
88. keeping all His promises
89. preserving His Word to reveal Himself and strengthen our faith
90. remaining faithful when I am faithless

91. evident fruit of the Spirit in friends' lives
92. friends who persevere through unfathomable trials
93. friends who struggle and cry out for help
94. friends who hold up their shields of faith when I am weak
95. people who fight against injustice

96. the ability to memorize His Word
97. an imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance
98. His being a joyful God and inviting us to share in His joy
99. the certain hope of Jesus' return to right all wrongs, make all things new, reign forever in justice and righteousness
100. His dwelling with us, in us, in the meantime

Multitude Monday, Take 359

"...if you let something steal your thanksgiving, you let something steal your joy, and if you let something steal your joy, you let something steal your strength. ...we will give thanks to God not because of how we feel, but because of who He is." (Ann Voskamp)

Thanking God for who He is and for gifts He's recently given, including...

7867. a little boy in Honduras with the same birthday as Elijah--now connected to our family through Compassion International

7868. Elijah's excitement about writing his first letter
7869. tres leches cake
7870. an afternoon to sit and talk about deep stuff with a dear friend
7871. a holiday weekend with my mentor and her wonderful family
7872. their famous pepperoni rolls

7873. hilarious doubles game of ping-pong
7874. authentic Chinese food
7875. wisdom from a mom further along in the parenting journey
7876. the privilege of watching her boy grow up over the last 13 years
7877. my boys dogpiling on top of the big kid they adore

7878. the testimony of a teenage boy in our church, rescued from rebellion and saved by amazing grace
7879. an envelope punchboard, generous gift from a sweet friend
7880. giant salads
7881. conviction from His Word
7882. a sweet, deeply encouraging letter from the Kenyan boy we sponsor through Compassion

7883. bushes bursting with hydrangea blooms in pink, purple, blue and white
7884. Christmas gift from Grammy and Pops: Beauty and the Beast tickets!

7885. Jude every five minutes: "Mom, was that real?" "Is that real?!"
7886. Elijah's loud laughter and enthusiastic applause
7887. fond memories of singing "If I Can't Love Her" approximately 47,000 times with our high school show choir
7888. a morning walk around the neighborhood
7889. Book Bingo for the library's summer reading program

7890. grace to "beat my body and make it my slave" for a change
7891. eyes to see the gospel so clearly in Ezra
7892. twenty women gathered to study God's Word together
7893. Steve's simple but moving Scripture meditation on Psalm 117
7894. dinner with a friend tonight, long overdue chance to catch up

Multitude Monday, Take 358

So...it's been a while, hmm? By special request, an old-fashioned round of the Monday gratitude list. Because, as G.K. Chesterton once said, “When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”

Thanking God recently for...

7816. strawberry season

7817. Jesus' glorious invitation: "Let the little children come to Me!"
7818. the privilege of leading them and telling them about Him
7819. an impromptu pizza date with Jude
7820. memories of countless pre-orthodontist-appointment pizza lunch dates with my dad
7821. peony blooms in the light of the magic hours

7822. six big bushes heavy with gorgeous peonies

7823. painting with a friend while we caught up on life
7824. grilled cheese with bacon jam(!)
7825. boys opening my car door for me
7826. the way the neighbors' white dogwood glows in the early morning
7827. walks to preschool

7828. friends' listening ears, empathetic hearts, encouragement
7829. two-year-old sleeping in my arms during church nursery duty
7830. super kind and helpful endodontist
7831. sweet church friends babysitting for the boys
7832. double date in Nashville
7833. the neighbors' peonies

7834. Northern friends' peonies to enjoy on Instagram after mine are dead and gone

instagram/christiepurifoy

7835. cool morning breeze after overnight storms
7836. sweet times of sharing and prayer with the women in my community group
7837. VidAngel: way better movie selection, cheaper + more convenient than Redbox, *and* the ability to filter objectionable content!
7838. the energetic, joyful, kind woman working at the donut shop--loving her job, loving people, loving life
7839. visits from both sets of parents
7840. makeshift Narnia costumes

7841. theology discussions with Steve
7842. bluebirds on the greenway
7843. the scent of honeysuckle
7844. a friend's example of staying in the fight
7845. a Skype meeting with an old college friend

7846. Talenti coconut almond chocolate gelato (check your grocery's freezer...oh man)
7847. time to pray and prepare my heart before a meeting I dreaded
7848. incredibly merciful and sweet answers to those prayers
7849. our pastors' care for us
7850. their families' sacrifices to free them up to care for us

7851. Jude saying "Bless me!" when he sneezes
7852. a clean desk--with space to actually work *at the desk*! what?!
7853. re-launch of our women's Sunday School class
7854. getting to snuggle a dear friend's impossibly cute grandbaby
7855. boys dressing like ninjas and taking their swords for a walk on the greenway
7856. Steve sneaking and swordfighting with them, to the great amusement of passersby

7857. this cutie pie (who's grown an inch and a half since his October birthday!) graduating from preschool

7858. five-year-olds in mortarboards

7859. three quarts of rhubarb from Ohio
7860. great big creamy white magnolia blooms
7861. their scent surprising me as I passed under several trees
7862. the privilege of intercession
7863. seeing the gospel in Ezra
7864. silent reading time with Elijah while his little brother naps

7865. at least one friend who reads my blog and misses it when I don't post
7866. summer break!

Multitude Monday, Take 357

"Gratitude gladly receives whatever God supplies, taking the good with cheerfulness and the hardship with a deep sense of sorrowful-yet-always-rejoicing. Gratitude knows that God is honored in the glad reception of wonderful gifts and in the deep, unshakeable satisfaction in God when the wonderful gifts are gone. And gratitude loves to display the worth and value of the giver of all good gifts and all severe mercies."

--Joe Rigney, The Things of Earth

Thanking God these last few weeks for...

7803. spectacular colors at sunset

 

7804. first candle on the Advent wreath, my favorite Christmas tradition

7805. blazing ring of candles, Light of the World almost here

7806. paper Christmas ornament from an Italian paper shop I found on Etsy, to commemorate our trip

7807. my first attempt at homemade biscotti = rousing success!

7808. beautiful plate of bright, fresh navel oranges

7809. our fancy Christmas Eve dinner

 

7810. cranberry curd pecan tartlets

 

7811. these handsome guys dressed up for Christmas

7812. hubs taking care of me on Chrismas Day; no one else getting sick

 

7813. lunch date with my favorite (free babysitting)

 

 7814. Christmas break jigsaw puzzles

7815. @handletteredABCs calligraphy challenge

Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving 2015

For years now I have been reminded again and again of the critical importance of gratitude as a daily practice. That doesn't mean I always excel at practicing it daily. But I'm convinced that I need to, whether or not I actually do.

For the last eleven Thanksgivings, I've enjoyed dwelling deeply in the THANKS of this holiday: compiling a list of 100 things I'm thankful for and posting it on the holiday. It's poetry of sorts--the tiny details and the pillars of my life, the simple earthly pleasures and the facets of God's character, the joys and the hard eucharisteo, all smashed together in one long list.

This year I'm thanking God for, among His countless blessings to me, these specific hundred:

7703. nerve endings on my scalp
7704. my boys' smooth, kissable cheeks and foreheads
7705. my husband's strong arms and shoulders
7706. a family that likes to snuggle
7707. hand-holding

7708. Steve playing countless board games with the boys
7709. bedtime prayers
7710. handmade table to contain all the Legos
7711. Elijah reading to Jude
7712. sharing without coercion

7713. my boys' impossibly long eyelashes
7714. awkward, crowded adult teeth in a kid's mouth
7715. baby teeth with huge gaps between them
7716. feet growing so fast that new shoes look like skis
7717. uncontrollable giggles

7718. the pleasures of vacation
7719. the comforts of home
7720. exciting new experiences
7721. familiar rhythms and routines
7722. Heaven, the best of both: endless thrilling discoveries with the realest sense of belonging and being Home

7723. mugs with logos that remind me of places
7724. the capacity to learn language
7725. the fact that I haven't killed my spider plants in almost six months
7726. Steve's safety precautions when remodeling
7727. battery-powered lightsabers on long nighttime car rides

7728. the privilege of intercession
7729. the sting of conviction
7730. the humiliation of confession
7731. the relief of forgiveness
7732. the hope of resurrection

7733. a dining room table that can seat twelve
7734. the fact that we have often gotten to fill it
7735. all the gouges and dings and scratches that give it character
7736. the miraculous fact that I have learned to cook for a crowd without feeling overwhelmed
7737. a freezer for leftovers

7738. the Advent wreath Steve made
7739. the anticipation of playing Christmas music
7740. a second Christmas tree for the office, bought on clearance last December
7741. our little Jesse Tree
7742. time with family over the holidays

7743. Italian espresso on a terrace in Rome
7744. cappuccino gianduia in a Naples train station
7745. cinnamon dolce latte at Starbucks with a friend
7746. spiced apple cider sipped on dark mornings under a quilt
7747. homemade bone broth simmering on my stove

7748. time stamps on digital photos
7749. street view + linked photos on Google Maps
7750. Yelp restaurant reviews
7751. calligraphers on Instagram
7752. all the funny humans who create memes and tweets and videos that make me laugh out loud

7753. soaring dome of St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
7754. multicolored marble in Chiesa del Gesu Nuovo, Naples
7755. frescoes of Santa Maria Novella, Florence
7756. stained glass and woodwork of St. Paul's United Methodist, Montpelier
7757. the basement of an old hospital, RBC Nashville

7758. Humans of New York
7759. StoryCorps
7760. storyteller-photographers
7761. storyteller-songwriters
7762. storytellers

7763. the perfectly soft skin of a baby
7764. my husband's increasing number of gray hairs
7765. lines around my eyes: I have smiled enough times in 33 years to create permanent creases in my skin
7766. the veined and wrinkled hands of the elderly
7767. the ability to exercise

7768. stories of injustice that make me uncomfortable
7769. stories of suffering that open my eyes
7770. opportunities to help bear burdens
7771. the means to give and relieve suffering
7772. the capacity for empathy, so much more than I had when I was younger

7773. Colossians study with women at church
7774. psalms of lament
7775. Jeremiah's guarantees of faithfulness and new mercies
7776. memorizing Revelation with the boys
7777. the promises of Romans 8

7778. connections with new friends
7779. reconnections with old friends
7780. happy mail
7781. lettering others' names on envelopes to give them happy mail
7782. places to belong

7783. David Powlison's wise reminder: "God seems content to work on a scale of centuries within the church and a scale of decades with individuals."
7784. seeing and rejoicing at that slow but perceptible movement
7785. hindsight glimpses of how beautifully He was at work
7786. the privilege of walking with a new believer, seeing her grow in faith
7787. hopeful glimpses of how He is changing me

7788. broken toes
7789. the body's ability to self-heal
7790. miraculous healings
7791. ordinary, faithful, hardworking doctors and nurses who heal
7792. healings via going Home

7793. mottled clouds blowing across a full moon
7794. pinks and purples and oranges at sunset
7795. Orion in the winter night sky
7796. warm sunshine
7797. flickering firelight

7798. the sweetness of this season of motherhood
7799. reassurances from older moms that the best is yet to come
7800. the discomfort of having to walk by faith, without a five- or ten-year plan
7801. still being able to joke with Steve over our kids' heads
7802. still being able to pick up both my boys

Multitude Monday, Take 356

Thanking God this week for...

7664. opportunities to love and serve people with food
7665. giving us more than enough to share
7666. an evening of great conversation with a friend
7667. this note on the mirror when I got home after everyone was already asleep

7668. Veteran's Day program at Elijah's school
7669. friends who are veterans and/or wives of veterans, and the sacrifices their families have made
7670. these feet that have to walk on every. single. ledge

 

7671. long shadow running out of the frame

7672. the #itssimplytuesday hashtag that prompts me to notice and capture such moments
7673. the additional prompt of #onedayHH last Tuesday with the provocative line about it I saw somewhere: "capture what's normal now that won't always be normal"
7674. little boys who still like to hold my hand (at least sometimes)

 

7675. my mom's face on FaceTime, long overdue
7676. Veteran's Day parade downtown
7677. gorgeous day for it

 

7678. Starbucks Groupon

7679. excellent customer service from Groupon

7680. conviction in the midst of correcting Elijah: he's doing what he sees me modeling

7681. lunch with a friend I hadn't seen since February

7682. health and growth in her over the last year

7683. her willingness to meet up with me and share her heart 

7684. soup + salad at Panera

7685. community group that turned into girls' night when some people canceled and just two women + one extra kid showed up

7686. Steve eating dinner with us, then cleaning up all the dishes and disappearing while we talked

7687. great conversation with sisters

7688. sweet time of prayer with them

7689. a baking frenzy with Jude: pumpkin mini-muffins, pizza mini-muffins, whole wheat bread, apple oatmeal muffins, pumpkin cookies

7690. trash bags full of clothes to take to Goodwill

7691. a sweet card in the mail from a friend

7692. Elijah's Lego creativity--this robot with pockets in his legs :)

 

7693. Compassion's online letter-writing tool

7694. hair long enough for a ponytail

7695. quadruple batch of lasagna soup

7696. free pizza

7697. getting to use old speech therapy strategies in the church nursery with a sweet little guy

7698. Sunday school lessons I am sad to miss and *want* to listen to later

7699. the gift of encouragement a man at our church so clearly possesses and uses so beautifully

7700. sermon saturated with Jesus

7701. a kingdom coming that cannot be shaken

7702. condescending to be my Helper

Multitude Monday, Take 355

Thanking God this week for...

7632. sunlight reflecting in patches off wet leaves in my driveway

7633. crisp, juicy Cameo apples
7634. a friend starting her blog back up, issuing a challenge about buried talents
7635. a friend sharing her struggles, letting me share the burden
7636. sweet time of prayer with her

7637. the fact that I can draw near His throne with confidence
7638. the fact that His throne is a throne of grace where I find mercy and help
7639. our whole family working together to practice hospitality
7640. old + new friends here for community group re-launch
7641. husband pushing me to write


7642. the safe arrival of a friend's baby girl
7643. Steve's quickness to serve others in practical ways
7644. friends' beautiful new home just 20 minutes from us instead of 50!
7645. boys' thankfulness without prompting
7646. first day to wear tall boots this fall

7647. free tickets to a Western Kentucky football game

7648. Elijah's face when we told him where we were going
7649. perfect weather to enjoy a game

7650. unexpectedly texting with a friend late in the evening
7651. old IWU Chorale albums
7652. a friend's transparency about struggles
7653. a sweet note from a friend, "just because"
7654. the way expository preaching forces you to deal with the hard parts of Scripture

7655. our pastor's affirmation of women
7656. the passion and enthusiasm of Elijah's Sunday school teacher
7657. a quiet afternoon spent snuggling/talking/reading/napping with Steve
7658. family movie night for the hilarious, touching, profound Inside Out--loved it!
7659. Steve's patience with me when we were working on a project and I started to shut down when I felt overwhelmed

7660. the way that working as a team with him forced me to lean in instead of escaping
7661. grace to recognize my need for help, and pray and ask
7662. answered prayers, help, feeling encouraged about things coming together
7663. boys poring over family photobooks, Elijah reading the captions to Jude

Multitude Monday, Take 354

"God says to give thanks, to do this in remembrance of Him — because in the remembering to give thanks, it’s our broken places that are re-membered — and we are the ones made whole.

A joyful heart is good medicine and our broken bones can be re-memembered when we remember to thank a good God."

--Ann Voskamp

Thanking God these last few weeks for...

7569. finally getting to explore Mammoth Cave during fall break

7570. the way a single tiny light can penetrate the blackest, thickest darkness
7571. hard but good conversations
7572. circumstances that force me to die to self and serve without immediate payoff
7573. having my laziness and self-centeredness exposed and worked on
7574. episodes of Wild Kratts on PBSKids.org

7575. these cowlicks

7576. the prize of surpassing worth: knowing HIM
7577. getting to snuggle other people's babies

 7578. Elijah reading to Jude and a friend's little boy

7579. the promise that Christ will return
7580. a friend's powerful, vulnerable blog posts during 31 Days
7581. windows open + heavy blankets on cool autumn nights
7582. grace to notice and celebrate small progress
7583. reassurance of His love and patience in my brokenness

7584. a visit from my BIL/SIL and nieces/nephew
7585. hearing my SIL's heart about her background, passions, work
7586. indoor obstacle course for the kiddos AND the adults...hilarity ensued
7587. a "Super J" cape made from an old bridesmaid dress
7588. Jude introducing one of his best friends to his cousin

7589. my niece pulling her tooth when she found out our Tooth Fairy pays better than the one at home
7590. our church's beautiful process of selecting leaders
7591. Steve's being voted in as a deacon
7592. the countless ways he is a servant at home, not just in public
7593. realization/affirmation that His grace really is at work and evident in Steve and me

7594. a hike at Warner Park with friends, kids running ahead while we adults walked + talked
7595. being able to rest in His sovereignty in the midst of disappointing complications to our plans
7596. a friend here for coffee, long overdue visit
7597. pumpkin spice scones on fancy plates

7598. leftover half and half + leftover spiced glaze for my coffee
7599. His growing, teaching, transforming a friend; her pursuing Him
7600. time to sit and marvel at my big FIVE year old
7601. a whole bushel of my very favorite apples (Cameos)

 7602. gorgeous fall morning at Cheekwood with Jude and my parents

7603. pumpkins in all shapes, sizes and colors, including orange lace on white

7604. date night with Steve while Grammy and Pops babysat
7605. my first time trying sushi

7606. the ability to buy a new washing machine when ours wore out--unbelievable privilege, wealth, grace
7607. fantastic sermons/lessons from other men in our church besides our pastors
7608. growing pains - good problems to have
7609. the way church has felt so refreshing and restorative lately
7610. Steve helping Jude make a doghouse for Clifford

7611. a visit from one of my dearest college friends
7612. finally getting to try Mas Tacos Por Favor, her treat

7613. openness, honesty, vulnerability, empathy, laughter
7614. getting to hear her sing in an Army Voices concert

7615. the smell of fresh nutmeg, and how cool it looks on the inside

 7616. pile of spices in a bowl of flour

 7617. pumpkin apple streusel muffins

7618. a quiet evening to reconnect with Steve
7619. long overdue evening catching up with a dear friend

7620. upholding the universe by the word of His power

7621. twelve women from my church registered for the Gospel Coalition women's conference next summer

7622. additional discounts since we got a big group together

7623. heart-shaped leaves

 

7624. boys playing in the leaves and helping Daddy with yardwork

 7625. another date night: party to celebrate friends' 30th anniversary

7626. evening of uninterrupted conversations with friends
7627. generous friend who babysat for the boys
7628. my adorable astronaut and fierce Ironman

 

7629. His throne is forever and ever
7630. He anoints with the oil of gladness
7631. He is not ashamed to call me sister