What I'm thankful for:
*blue sky
*sunshine
*a morning walk in the brisk fall air
*red leaves
*holding a warm mug of coffee in my hands
*a warm house
*inspiring music
*my amazing husband
*friends who care and who I can be honest with
What I want:
*to love God more
*to not put God in the box that my human brain tries to put Him in
*more energy today than I had energy
*to love the people around me
*to cling to God and put Him before all else
Monday, October 18, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Gratitude Journal #19
For the past three days, our sleepy little town has been blanketed in unusually thick fog. My mind and body feel a bit like they are stuck in thick fog as well. I start to get frustrated and down on myself for being so tired. But then I remember that it is Friday, and that this has been a pretty full/busy week. I am thankful for all of the people time and good conversations that this week has held. But I do need to find some restoration, some rest, some refreshment. As part of that, a gratitude journal helps my perspective.
What I'm thankful for:
*a mostly unscheduled day
*grace and truth
*friends and good conversations that resonate on a heart level
*all of the people standing with us in prayer, encouragement, and financial support
What I want:
*To love God more
*To love the people around me
*To feel more rested
*To keep a proper perspective of life
What I'm thankful for:
*a mostly unscheduled day
*grace and truth
*friends and good conversations that resonate on a heart level
*all of the people standing with us in prayer, encouragement, and financial support
What I want:
*To love God more
*To love the people around me
*To feel more rested
*To keep a proper perspective of life
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Gratitude Journal #18
What I'm thankful for:
*colors
*flowers
*sunshine
*how big my God is
*people who serve a big God, and so have big dreams/vision
*opportunities to be a spectator of or be involved in some of those big things.
*my siblings and the ways they make me laugh/smile
*baked goods
*friends
*deep conversations
*streaming radio online with truth-speaking music
What I want:
*To truly understand how big my God is
*To rest IN Him
*To love God more
*To love my husband, family, and friends more
*To wait patiently
*To be more selfless
*colors
*flowers
*sunshine
*how big my God is
*people who serve a big God, and so have big dreams/vision
*opportunities to be a spectator of or be involved in some of those big things.
*my siblings and the ways they make me laugh/smile
*baked goods
*friends
*deep conversations
*streaming radio online with truth-speaking music
What I want:
*To truly understand how big my God is
*To rest IN Him
*To love God more
*To love my husband, family, and friends more
*To wait patiently
*To be more selfless
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Gratitude Journal #17
What I'm thankful for:
- another sunny day
- good conversations with friends
- my OH teaching license came in the mail earlier this week!
- my Mom - and an envelope from her today with a fun baking magazine (like I really need more encouragement to bake:) and some other important papers
What I want:
- to have a good attitude about and be patient with the renovations going on in our building
- to truly understand God's love and grace - and have it permeate my heart
- to be closer to God today than I was yesterday
- to be honest with the people around me
- to encourage the people around me
- another sunny day
- good conversations with friends
- my OH teaching license came in the mail earlier this week!
- my Mom - and an envelope from her today with a fun baking magazine (like I really need more encouragement to bake:) and some other important papers
What I want:
- to have a good attitude about and be patient with the renovations going on in our building
- to truly understand God's love and grace - and have it permeate my heart
- to be closer to God today than I was yesterday
- to be honest with the people around me
- to encourage the people around me
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Gratitude Journal #16
What I'm thankful for:
- sunshine
- the beginnings of fall colors
- leaves crunching underfoot
- friends
- prayer
- Truth
- music that speaks to my heart
What I want:
- less of me, more of Him
- peace
- joy
- rest
- Truth
- wisdom
- sunshine
- the beginnings of fall colors
- leaves crunching underfoot
- friends
- prayer
- Truth
- music that speaks to my heart
What I want:
- less of me, more of Him
- peace
- joy
- rest
- Truth
- wisdom
Monday, September 27, 2010
Frustrations
Frustrations. They're a part of life, right? And how well we "roll with the punches" tells a lot about our character and "what we're made of."
There's no such thing as "totally free checking" in Germany. Bank fees are a part of life. So we deal with it. However, a couple of months ago we decided to be brave and switch to internet banking in hopes of cutting back on both fees and number of trips that we make to the bank. I've been a bit mystified the past few months since our fees have been higher (tripled perhaps?) and we received a statement in the mail (which isn't supposed to happen with internet banking). So I went to the bank today to find out what was going on. Evidently our account hadn't been switched to an internet banking account (which I thought it had been) - we had just gotten internet banking access, and as a result, we have been paying every time we do an online transaction. Oh well, live and learn. Glad that we figured it out now and not later.
I have a feeling that this mix up can be attributed to the language barrier. Or our incomplete understanding of German banking. But at the same time, I realize that sometimes these things (mix-ups, frustrations, etc.) just happen, even in our home language and culture.
Case in point: I had to renew my OH teaching license this summer. While we were in the US, I mailed in all of the necessary paperwork. I hadn't seen anything in the mail or heard anything, so two weeks ago, I called the OH Dept. of Ed. They told me that my license had been mailed on Aug. 9th. I told them that I had not received anything, and that the mail does not usually take that long. So they said that they would mail me another one. It has been over two weeks and I still haven't received anything. I'm going to wait a few more days, but if it hasn't come by the end of the week, I'll call ODE again.
But today I'm going to call my bank in the US because I locked myself out of my internet account last night. I'll spare you the gory details, but let's just say that the instructions for their new internet login system did not make sense.
Such is life. Roll with the punches. Besides, I don't want a boring and predictable life. :)
There's no such thing as "totally free checking" in Germany. Bank fees are a part of life. So we deal with it. However, a couple of months ago we decided to be brave and switch to internet banking in hopes of cutting back on both fees and number of trips that we make to the bank. I've been a bit mystified the past few months since our fees have been higher (tripled perhaps?) and we received a statement in the mail (which isn't supposed to happen with internet banking). So I went to the bank today to find out what was going on. Evidently our account hadn't been switched to an internet banking account (which I thought it had been) - we had just gotten internet banking access, and as a result, we have been paying every time we do an online transaction. Oh well, live and learn. Glad that we figured it out now and not later.
I have a feeling that this mix up can be attributed to the language barrier. Or our incomplete understanding of German banking. But at the same time, I realize that sometimes these things (mix-ups, frustrations, etc.) just happen, even in our home language and culture.
Case in point: I had to renew my OH teaching license this summer. While we were in the US, I mailed in all of the necessary paperwork. I hadn't seen anything in the mail or heard anything, so two weeks ago, I called the OH Dept. of Ed. They told me that my license had been mailed on Aug. 9th. I told them that I had not received anything, and that the mail does not usually take that long. So they said that they would mail me another one. It has been over two weeks and I still haven't received anything. I'm going to wait a few more days, but if it hasn't come by the end of the week, I'll call ODE again.
But today I'm going to call my bank in the US because I locked myself out of my internet account last night. I'll spare you the gory details, but let's just say that the instructions for their new internet login system did not make sense.
Such is life. Roll with the punches. Besides, I don't want a boring and predictable life. :)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Gratitude Journal #15
Almost two years ago, someone challenged me to start writing these "gratitude journal" posts. It helps us to keep a healthy perspective on our lives when we remember all that we have to be thankful for.
Recently, someone else challenged me with 1 Thes. 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
So with that, I'm reviving these "gratitude journal" posts...
Recently, someone else challenged me with 1 Thes. 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
So with that, I'm reviving these "gratitude journal" posts...
What am I thankful for?
* grace
* my amazing husband
* our wonderful families
* true friends...and ways to connect with them, whether they be near or far!
* long walks in the woods
* sunshine
* candles
* fleece
* books
* God's Word
* my journal...and colorful pens :)
* time to process
* "drachenfrucht" (dragon fruit) ice cream - a new favorite!
* kelly green flip flops
* BFA students
What do I want?
* "soul strength"...that phrase came to mind this morning and I'm pondering what it means...
* to live in God's strength, not my own...maybe that's what "soul strength" is?
* to live out the purpose God has for me...especially right now, in this season of life
* to be content
* to be full of joy
* for my desires to be God's desires for me...(If it was up to me, I'd want to be superwoman and have enough energy to save the world each and every day. Instead, may I be thankful for whatever energy I have, and use it to His glory...to love and encourage those around me, starting with my husband.)
* grace
* my amazing husband
* our wonderful families
* true friends...and ways to connect with them, whether they be near or far!
* long walks in the woods
* sunshine
* candles
* fleece
* books
* God's Word
* my journal...and colorful pens :)
* time to process
* "drachenfrucht" (dragon fruit) ice cream - a new favorite!
* kelly green flip flops
* BFA students
What do I want?
* "soul strength"...that phrase came to mind this morning and I'm pondering what it means...
* to live in God's strength, not my own...maybe that's what "soul strength" is?
* to live out the purpose God has for me...especially right now, in this season of life
* to be content
* to be full of joy
* for my desires to be God's desires for me...(If it was up to me, I'd want to be superwoman and have enough energy to save the world each and every day. Instead, may I be thankful for whatever energy I have, and use it to His glory...to love and encourage those around me, starting with my husband.)
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