There have been seasons of my life where I felt I pursued a lot of friendships. I would make phone calls, send letters, and find other ways to show my friends how much I desired their friendships. Oftentimes, I would be left frustrated that my pursuits were not acknowledged and I would assume that this meant that my friends did not desire the level of friendship I was interested in.
Today, I'm on the other end. I have a good amount of friends that are intentional in our friendship. They are the ones who place the phone call to me. I often find e-mails in my inbox just to let me know something specific and expressing thanks. Yesterday I received a card in the snail mail just letting me know my friend cared.
I'm frustrated with myself that I don't take the time for these little expressions anymore. I am constantly thinking about the fact that I should pick up the phone and arrange a get together. There are many many letters that I've written in my mind but never took the time to actually express to my friends through a letter or e-mail.
Lord, thank you for intentional friends. Thank you for the grace they offer me when I don't seem to return their friendship. Thank you that they understand this is just a season of my life. I'm struggling to find the balance and their friendships are more uplifting than they can possibly know. Bless my friends, Lord. Thank you so much for each one.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thanks for smiles
Everyone has days where they just simply don't feel like smiling. Bad things happen in this life and it can be hard to find a reason to smile. I remember a few times when I was younger, someone would tell me to smile or to "turn that frown upside down". Like life would all of a sudden be better simply because I smile. Sometimes life downright hurts and smiling is not natural.
Today I was remembering my dad and caught up in the emotion of it. I went to get Andelise out of her bed and she greeted me with a big smile. As I was smiling back at her, I thought about the power of a simple smile. It may not solve all of life's problems but it can certainly take my mind off of myself and move me out of my pity party if just simply for the moment.
Thank you, Lord, for the power of a simple smile. Thank you that my joy is not based on my circumstances. And thank you for the smiles given to me by others.
The joy of the Lord is my strength. - Nehemiah 8:10
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. - Psalm 28:7
Today I was remembering my dad and caught up in the emotion of it. I went to get Andelise out of her bed and she greeted me with a big smile. As I was smiling back at her, I thought about the power of a simple smile. It may not solve all of life's problems but it can certainly take my mind off of myself and move me out of my pity party if just simply for the moment.
Thank you, Lord, for the power of a simple smile. Thank you that my joy is not based on my circumstances. And thank you for the smiles given to me by others.
The joy of the Lord is my strength. - Nehemiah 8:10
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. - Psalm 28:7
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Just spent
I feel spent. Reality set back in almost immediately when we got home Sunday night. Crying kids. Snotty noses. Full calendar. Lack of sleep. I am thankful that God is strong. I feel like crawling into a hole sometimes.
"We are glad whenever we are weak but You are strong; our prayer is for Your perfection." - 2 Corinthians 13:9
"We are glad whenever we are weak but You are strong; our prayer is for Your perfection." - 2 Corinthians 13:9
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Weekend to Remember
This past weekend, Rod & I took advantage of my mom's Christmas gift to us (from last year). She had given us a gift certificate for a FamilyLife Weekend to Remember marriage conference. She also paid for our hotel. (If you should ever attend a conference, it works best staying at the hotel as well.) In addition to both of these, she came to our house and stayed with the girls and took care of the dog. One of the best gifts we have ever received, hands down.
We took advantage of our time together and left Friday morning. The conference was in Arlington Heights, so we spent Friday shopping at Woodfield mall. For dinner we went to The Cheesecake Factory, of course. Friday night was the beginning of the conference. Saturday and Sunday morning we were treated to a complimentary breakfast buffet at the hotel (delicious too). The Sheraton also provided complimentary coffee, tea, water & pop for the breaks during the conference. We both agree it was the best marriage conference we've attended so far. (This is our third or fourth FamilyLife Weekend to Remember). Saturday night was left free for a required date night with your spouse and the conference ended Sunday around noon.
It's amazing how getting away from all the day-to-day responsibilities can allow you to focus on your marriage and think, in general. We both walked away with so much we want to apply to make our marriage thrive.
Thank you, Lord, for a weekend away from responsibilities which allowed Rod and I to reexamine our marriage. Help our marriage grow to be that reflection of our relationship with you which you desire. And thanks, Mom, for such a thoughtful and generous gift!
We took advantage of our time together and left Friday morning. The conference was in Arlington Heights, so we spent Friday shopping at Woodfield mall. For dinner we went to The Cheesecake Factory, of course. Friday night was the beginning of the conference. Saturday and Sunday morning we were treated to a complimentary breakfast buffet at the hotel (delicious too). The Sheraton also provided complimentary coffee, tea, water & pop for the breaks during the conference. We both agree it was the best marriage conference we've attended so far. (This is our third or fourth FamilyLife Weekend to Remember). Saturday night was left free for a required date night with your spouse and the conference ended Sunday around noon.
It's amazing how getting away from all the day-to-day responsibilities can allow you to focus on your marriage and think, in general. We both walked away with so much we want to apply to make our marriage thrive.
Thank you, Lord, for a weekend away from responsibilities which allowed Rod and I to reexamine our marriage. Help our marriage grow to be that reflection of our relationship with you which you desire. And thanks, Mom, for such a thoughtful and generous gift!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thankful for Ordinary Moments
Many mornings as Rod leaves for work, the girls will wave goodbye from the front window. I've been working on showing Ande how blowing kisses works. Before he walked out the door for work the other day, he blew Andelise a kiss. She took her hand, covered MY mouth and blew him a kiss. Too sweet.
The other night, Nikelle and I watched an American Girl movie, Chrissa. The movie is about bullying and now Nikelle is on a bullying crusade. She's even doing a family report (totally her own idea).
At Cubbies last night, Jaycie reached over and held my hand during the Bible story. I cannot tell you how much I cherished that moment. Simply because I could.
Jaycie wrote her own name on her craft last night as well. I told her the letters and she wrote them. Celebrate! It was just so cool to see her reach a milestone like that.
Last night on the way home from AWANA, I looked back at my girls to see a big smile on my baby while she kicked her legs because her big sister, Jaycie, was holding her hand. Store that one away.
Nikelle has a math facts quiz this morning. Considering the fact that I didn't work on her flashcards with her once yesterday while she was home for Veteran's Day, we did them before catching the bus. While we walked to the bus we were finishing them up. We had about five easy facts left to do as the bus pulled up. I told her to hurry (as though it were a game) and she answered them and smiled as she jumped onto the bus. I gave her the thumbs up as she pulled away.
Thank you, Lord, for ordinary moments. I often overlook cherishing these moments. Thank you for reminding me they won't last forever. I am so grateful for my girls. Thank you for blessing my life in abundance!
The other night, Nikelle and I watched an American Girl movie, Chrissa. The movie is about bullying and now Nikelle is on a bullying crusade. She's even doing a family report (totally her own idea).
At Cubbies last night, Jaycie reached over and held my hand during the Bible story. I cannot tell you how much I cherished that moment. Simply because I could.
Jaycie wrote her own name on her craft last night as well. I told her the letters and she wrote them. Celebrate! It was just so cool to see her reach a milestone like that.
Last night on the way home from AWANA, I looked back at my girls to see a big smile on my baby while she kicked her legs because her big sister, Jaycie, was holding her hand. Store that one away.
Nikelle has a math facts quiz this morning. Considering the fact that I didn't work on her flashcards with her once yesterday while she was home for Veteran's Day, we did them before catching the bus. While we walked to the bus we were finishing them up. We had about five easy facts left to do as the bus pulled up. I told her to hurry (as though it were a game) and she answered them and smiled as she jumped onto the bus. I gave her the thumbs up as she pulled away.
Thank you, Lord, for ordinary moments. I often overlook cherishing these moments. Thank you for reminding me they won't last forever. I am so grateful for my girls. Thank you for blessing my life in abundance!
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