Happy Holidays!

Recap of our holiday picture session by my sister, Devon. 

Giving Thanks #5

Thankful that it's a Rice Krispie Treats and hot chocolate kind of day.  Yesterday was a long, hard day at the hospital.  I prayed my way through the day, that's how I made it through.  And today, I rest.  And eat yummy things.  Thankful.

Thankful for family.  Joe and I have been looking forward to seeing our entire immediate family--siblings and parents--all in just a few weeks' time.  We are spread out all across the country, but Joe and I are going to be travelling to visit each one of them.  Starting in just one week.  :)  Thankful for that. 

Carson City, NV

Then Columbus, MS

Then Nashville, TN

Can't wait.

Thankful that the lawn maintenance people that take care of my neighbor's house didn't blow all the neighbor's leaves onto our property and just leave them there (like they usually do), because I happened to be home and stayed by the window in full view of the guy with the leaf blower.  Thankful that for once, those leaves actually got picked up and hauled away.  :)

Thankful for my crockpot

cooking dinner for me tonight,

and for the afternoon ahead of me 

in which the only things on my agenda are 

to read and study the Bible

and pray.

Giving Thanks #4

• Thankful for my husband--for his leadership, friendship and partnership, for his heart of gold and heart for God, for his endless patience and servant's heart.  For daily back rubs, foot rubs and neck rubs esp. after a long shift at work.  For taking care of us in very big ways and all the little ways.  What would I do without him?  I am so thankful to God for bringing Joe into my life to walk His way in this world.
• Thankful for Lakeside Church, a place to begin and a place to belong.  Thankful for my women's group and young marrieds group, and for all the ministries Joe and I have had the privilige of serving in this past year.  Thankful for tremendous growth in my faith.
• Thankful for brownies.  For warm drinks.  For daily provision.  For sweet coworkers.  For my bed, my covers and my pillows.  For my home.  For the bright yellow lemons on the trees in my backyard.  For two cars that start each morning.  For the changing seasons.  For Christmas music.  So so thankful to Jesus for all these things...

Giving Thanks #3

I'm so grateful for fun Saturdays with Joe like this one has been.  We started the chilly fall morning off right at Coffee Republic.  Joe got a big hot chocolate and smuggled in my purse a sandwich baggie filled with marshmallows from home to put on top.  He makes me laugh.  I ordered a gingerbread latte and we sat and chatted over our warm beverages.  That little date spot would have been enough to make my day.  

But it got even better, because then we went to Apple Hill.   

I love the variety of pumpkins/squash/gourds!

Such a colorful display.

We stocked up on Golden Delicious apples.  Gotta bake a pie this week!

Ever been to Jack Russell Brewery?  This was our first time.  What a fun spot!  There was some event going on there today with folk dancing.  I think they were going to burn that pile of brush tonight???  I dunno.



We sampled a flight of eight wines, hard apple ciders, and meads. 



Admiring the tasting room.



The winery at Jack Russell Brewery was really interesting--it was like a cave in there.

Joe loves taking pictures of me sitting on tractors...

Such a picturesque day.

Till next year!

Sipping apple cider, enjoying our fill of apple donuts, and sampling farm fresh apples.  I love Apple Hill.  It's not truly Fall to me unless we've been there! 

Thankful for today.

Giving Thanks #2

~I'm thankful for double workouts now that my knee is strong.  Bundled up this morning in running tights and my lucky high school track fleece, I conquered an awesome trail run.  I'm really thankful for the trails of Folsom.  It is so serene out there.  It's my quiet time that I crave.  Then this evening it was off to the gym for an hour of weight training at BodyPump.  I feel so strong and healthy these last three weeks.  So grateful for a healthy body.

~I'm thankful for another quiet day off to read my book and take an hour nap this afternoon.  Bliss.

~I'm thankful for our young marrieds group.  Last night we enjoyed having everyone over for fellowship and tacos.  We squeezed everyone around our dinky dining room table and spent hours visiting, eating and sharing life.  So thankful for them.

~Finally, I'm so grateful for the spirit of boldness that the Lord has given me.  God has been stretching me more and more the last few years to step up and step out of my comfort zone, to rise up to different leadership roles.  Without His Spirit, I am timid and prefer not to take on challenges.  Emboldened by Him, I've been trusting Him in pure faith with each 'Yes'.  Today I got an unexpected call from the head of Women's Ministry at church.  She said that her passion is to raise up young women to be leaders and that God kept putting my name on her heart.  Long story short, I'm going to be taking a leadership role organizing registration for the Women's Retreat in the Spring. 

God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called.  I'm so thankful for that truth!

Giving Thanks #1

November.  Wow.  I was just talking to my mom on the phone and we were both saying, where has the year gone?  Time is sure flying by.  Thanksgiving is only weeks away, and in that spirit I want to devote my blog posts this month to all the things I'm thankful for.

Today I'm thankful for a warm latte as I lounged on the couch and watched Brides Maids for the first time.  I know...I'm a little behind.  It was a summer flick that I'm only just getting around to watching.  A total chick flick, albeit rated 'R' (which I don't typically watch), but I will admit I laughed and laughed so hard that I was crying during parts of this film.  Oh dear, it was really hysterical .  How long has it been since you laughed till you were in tears? 

So grateful for some down time this morning

to relax,

watch a silly movie

and laugh

all by myself.