Thursday Return

You wouldn't know it from the impeccable frequency of my posts (sarcasm), but I really do believe that being thankful is important. I'm almost through reading One Thousand Gifts, and one thing that has stood out to me in a recent chapter is the concept of thankfulness overruling fearfulness. Count your blessings, focus on the gifts God is giving you (because He loves us and wants to give us good things), and fear, worry, and frustrations about not having something or not having our way just start to fade away. There may still be traces of whatever those concerns are, but the exaggerated, over-magnified perception of those concerns shrinks back down to the molehill that once loomed as a mountain.

I would list a few items from the list of thanks I've kept up with for this week, but to be honest, I rambled on in a few of them, and maybe I'm feeling rusty with blogging, but I'm going to hold off on posting particulars. However, that's not meant to diminish the joy from this week and the gifts its held. God is good, and He's brought me into this season of Rosh Hashanah, Days of Awe, approaching autumn, and a two-year anniversary with my wonderful man, from whom I am now a mere 15 minute drive away as opposed to at least 3 hours and 15 minutes away. 

A bed with soft, clean sheets is beckoning me (ok, one particular from the list, #584), so to my fluffy covers I go, and I am thankful. 

A Start for 2012

If I want to uphold one of my 2012 goals, I'll need to update this blog today (Thursday), Friday, and Saturday in order to meet my "blog three times a week" standard. And I was all rearin' to go with it earlier this afternoon, even earlier this evening, but then I got into all kinds of other little distractions and almost quit on it tonight. Somehow, I've caught a second wind that may not last long, so here we go.

I'd like to begin with an update of thankfulness. My previous post introduced my list of thanks/gifts/ blessings, and I plan to continue that list into the year. While I'm keeping a numbered record of as many gifts that I remember to write down, you'll notice my numbers may skip a bit because I won't be posting every single thing. I left off at #21 last time, and I've filled in the gap to #77 (I know, that's leaving out a lot of stuff since October, alas). This list, like blogging, is something I hope to make more of a diligent habit in my life this year.

25. birds in beautiful flight formation over telephone wires in morning sun again on way to work

30. Micah F. joining my family for Hanukkah

38. joy on Christmas day

39. roasting turkey aroma I've loved since childhood

41. truly festive Hanukkah this year with celebration, sharing, and fellowship

43. new camera!

45. week and a half vacation

47. funds to buy a new car battery and other car maintenance

48. Dad's help with all car stuff

54. meeting two new friends in Lexington for New Year's Eve weekend and discovering they're really great

57. an afternoon of just Micah F. and me at Cracker Barrel, driving among gorgeous Kentucky farms, and pausing at a little stone church

58. making rounds at the horse farm

59. ringing in 2012 with love, joy, and gladness

62. heart-felt discussion

64. arriving home to family, game food, and a fun Rose Bowl game (yay OR Ducks, for Mom)

66. new Social Studies book for class

67. discovering accompanying workbook online

69. somewhat unexpected moments of brother-sister time with [brother] Micah

72. free Chick-fil-a sandwich offer on a receipt

73. having episodes of "Pillars of the Earth" available on dvr

76. "Days like These" by Over the Rhine (and thanks to Micah F.)

77. the Lord's steady hand on me even when I'm a slacker on my end of listening and devotion

The above photo was taken during #57, and I posted it because it reminds me of #76, and both of those connections make me happy.

As is usually the case, there are more thoughts I'd intended to share, but it's past my bedtime (the sensible one, anyway), and sleepiness is taking over once more.

So this is Thursday

I believe the last time I came outside to blog was in the spring. Now it is autumn, and since it's Georgia and still early autumn, the nights are still mild enough not to need a jacket, though cool enough so long sleeves or a light sweater feel just right.

A few minutes ago I was feeling very tired, and the thought of everything on my to-do list and the effort of prioritizing made me only want to curl up for a cat-nap (if you know me, this is usually a dangerous idea, as I'll sleep for 2 hours instead of 20 minutes).

But then I thought, "Hey, I might as well do one of the things that's fun and that I've been meaning to do for months (that, when I've put it off indefinitely, has made me feel disappointed in myself and my procrastination)." That "to-do" thing, my friends, is starting a list here of things for which I give thanks and count as God's gifts throughout each day. My friend, Candra, includes such lists in her blog, and author Ann Voskamp is another inspiration for this endeavor. :)

The following is compiled of recent and/or recurring thoughts of thankfulness. They are not in any order of importance, with the exception of the first one. I shall number each item so I may see how many I list in... oh, let's say within a year (hooray for a belated Rosh Hashanah resolution).

#1. I am so thankful that I am sealed in God and that His Son provides atonement for me, for all time.

#2. My parents are home safely from trips out to Moab, Utah and Warrenton, Oregon.

#3. Chinese dinner, wine, cookies, movie, and Anna time

#4. Online video chatting with Micah F

#5. God's timing in meeting the gentleman mentioned above

#6. extra planning time at school this week (which equals a lighter load of classroom stress)

#7. having a heightened awareness of God's hand during Days of Awe (10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur)

#8. getting to share the high holy days with dear friends... yes, including mah boyfrien' :)

#9. both cats curled up on my bed when I had the house to myself

#10. starting the school day off with sweet, easy going kids in the first class

#11. Sukkot is next week!

#12. working at a school with pleasant, friendly, and respectful teachers and administrators

#13. hearing crickets on cool nights

#14. email updates with new book titles or free music downloads (hey hey, Noisetrade)

#15. autumn-scented candles to burn

#16. Holly time tomorrow for erev Yom Kippur

#17. my brothers are awesome

#18. coffee that boosts my mornings

#19. fruit juice that perks up my evenings

#20. bug spray

#21. MacBook Photobooth photos from our last visit to Chattanooga that I've gotten to email to Micah F. each day this week

Ahh, at long last, the first list is up. :)