Snow

I have to admit, when I woke up this morning and saw the ground dusted with snow, and more of it falling from the sky, my first thoughts were not happy or grateful. No, they were more along the lines of - how much more of this can we take? I am completely ready for spring. Ready to be able to walk outside without boots and a toque. Ready to teach my girl about grass and bugs and sun protection!

However, it quickly dawned on me that even though it is snowing, I am safe and warm inside my home, and I still have plenty to be thankful for today. So this is an exercise in choosing to be grateful and filled with joy rather than focusing on the negative.

Today I am thankful for...

• My home. That we are not homeless or nomads, needing to endure the elements all day and night. I am thankful to be inside and warm
• My family. My husband and daughter are sources of joy that do not leave me whatever the season
• Maternity Leave. Today I am thankful to live in a country that allows me to be home for a year with my baby. It is such a huge blessing.
• God's presence. That he comes alongside me when I'm being drawn to a bad attitude, and guides me to His love and joy.
• The promise of Spring. Even though it's snowing in April, it is still April! 

What are you thankful for today?

Christmas Sunday

This morning I am thankful for...

Anticipation! There is the anticipation of being days or even moments away from a special event, such as Christmas or holidays. When you know the good things that are about to happen, but you just have to wait until the right time arrives. And there is the anticipation of Jesus coming - remembering His first, and continuing to anticipate His second. I have been reading the prophets lately, and most likely will be able to finish the Old Testament of the Bible in the next two days before Christmas. Talk about anticipation! It is beautiful to read the prophecies about the coming Messiah, the humble King who will bring peace to all, in the days leading up to Christmas.

God's Sovereignty! No one is in control of the universe, of our world here on earth, or even of each of our lives except God. Sovereign means having supreme rank, power or authority. Being above all others. That is our good and beautiful God! Again, from the prophets, there is nothing that we can set up as a god in our lives that even has a chance of comparing to God. Anything else is just twigs and stones, self-built facades and illusions that help us feel in control. But God is truly sovereign. Thankfully He is also Love. He is also trustworthy and good.

Life! This is our first Christmas with our daughter and it is a delight to continue seeing her grow, to be thankful for the gift she is to us! We love to watch her develop and grow on a daily basis! It makes me feel more alive to see her little life begin. And I am thankful for God, the giver of life. He created each one of us, gave us physical life. He offers eternal life to all who surrender to Jesus. He gives the Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, as a reminder that even as our physical bodies age and break down, our spirits are alive and will be forever.Thank you Jesus!

Quick Fire Thankfulness

Today I am thankful for...

Soothers
Snow
Cheesecake
Grandmas
New Clothes
Harmony
Sleep
New Life
Being Challenged
Nutella
Growth
Love
Backroads
Stories

94 Years Young

In addition to being Remembrance Day, yesterday was my Grandpa's 94th birthday. So to celebrate, the Ontario contingent of the family that was available got together for a nice lasagna dinner complete with birthday cake. Being 94, my grandpa's body fails him in a few key areas - he has difficulty seeing and hearing, among other things. It can often be hard to communicate with him. Despite this, last night I realized there are a few things that transcend any communication difficulties, things that he connects with the

Morning Thoughts

Today I am thankful for...

• Spending time with family, especially those from far away
• Every new ability my baby learns to do, cooing, laughing, grabbing her toes...
• Being a part of a loving and Christ-seeking church family
• Developing deeper friendships
• (never thought I would say this...) Working out so hard I am dripping with sweat
• Autumn sunshine
• Christ in me, the hope of glory!!!

Giving Thanks

Today I am thankful for...

• Christ in me - freedom, peace, life, light, burdens lifted, hope, worship
• My husband - loving, faithful, hard working, tender-hearted, easy going, fun loving
• My daughter - beautiful, sweet, smiles, giggles, discovery, life, love
• My family - over-the-top loving parents, best friend for a sister, loving brother-in-law, gorgeous, silly, wonderful nieces
• My husbands family - The care and love of his parents, awesome adventurous sister-in-law, big, tough, but soft-hearted brother-in-law
• My Church family - encouragement, support, prayers, worshiping together, serving together, doing life together
• Nature - Mountains, fall leaves, thunderstorms, flowers, wind, clouds, rivers, sunshine, on and on and on...
• Technology - Skype, email, digital pictures, ipods, ipads, or even just electricity, running water, heated homes
• Food - again, on and on and on...  but specifically grapes, hot chocolate, cheese, yogurt with granola, cheesecake, oranges
• Memories - of my grandfather who passed away 11 years ago today, of holidays, of God-moments, of being a kid, of falling in love

Music is to exercise...

...what the mountains are to hiking

...what chocolate is to a granola bar

...what a beautiful sunrise is to waking up

...what a thankful customer is to working

...what passing is to taking an exam

Some of the best things in life...

• Biting into a fresh, juicy peach - or better yet, a freshly made peach pie!
• Holding a baby close and having their soft face rub against yours
• Morning sunlight spilling in a room, warming you up to a new day
• Friends that build you up and inspire you to be a better person
• Adding your voice to three or four part harmony
• The scent and feel of being wrapped in a fresh, warm towel

What is one of your best things today??

Another Year of Life

Today, on my birthday, I am thankful for...

Life!

• That I have been given another year of life myself
• The new life of Jordyn that I am still in awe of recieving
• The life that I have with Kevin here in Wingham, full of music and friends, laughter and fun, growing ourselves and trying to be a blessing to others
• The life that I have inside - Christ dwelling in me, delighting in me, molding me into the woman He wants me to be

Never Be the Same

One month ago our sweet baby girl was born.  Jordyn Grace, 10:03 am on July 6th after 11 hours of labour,  7 lbs, 14 oz, 21 inches.  Details that will be forever ingrained in my memory.  I knew on that day that our lives would never be the same again, though I didn't really know what that meant yet.  Now, one month later, I have a growing understanding of what it means to be parents, what this huge event in our lives is going to mean for us.  On a day to day basis, I am learning what it means to take care of a daughter.  To make sure she is fed, changed, and sleeping at the right times, to hold her and comfort her when needed.  But also in my heart I am learning what it means to have a daughter.  I now know a totally new kind of love that is also going to change me and because of her existence in my life I will never be who I was one month ago again.  I always knew that having a child would teach me so much about God, about love.  That in becoming a mother, and experiencing this kind of love, that I would have a new understanding for His love for us.  And this is already true.  His love is not based on anything we have done, it is pure and complete and based solely on the fact that He is our Father.  Jordyn is one month old, and has really done nothing yet except exist, but already Kevin and I love her so much.  Our love for her is not based on accomplishment or performance, but on the fact that she is our daughter.  I am excited to continue on this adventure, though with a mix of overwhelming awe and nervousness as well.  I am excited to learn who this little girl is going to be.  I walk forward in humility and dependence on God.  


Happy One Month Jordyn!

Motherhood

The due date for my first child is 6 days away - which is one of the reasons I'm up at 6:30 am instead of sleeping in on a Saturday morning (cannot wait for comfortable sleep to return...)  As I'm sitting here awake, feeling this baby inside me, I'm feeling overwhelmed but also in awe of the responsibility of motherhood that is about to become mine.  I, along with Kevin, and the support of our families and church family, get to take care of this little person, and help him/ her grow physically, emotionally, spiritually.  I will be the one they run for when they're hurt or sad.  I will be key in directing them to the Lord, in comforting them, in helping them become strong and confident, loving and adventurous, godly and healthy.  It is crazy to think of.


One of the other things I'm thinking of is the great examples of motherhood I have around me that I can look to as I become a mother.  I am very blessed in this regard, and am so glad I do not go into this alone.  Here are a few of the amazing mothers I know and what I have learned from them.


My Mom - I have an amazing mom and I know I will be thankful for her example and her continued support as I become a mom.  She loves very deeply.  She gives freely.  She prays faithfully and believes God answers.  She is not afraid of hard work, and can accomplish amazing things!


My Sister - I have loved watching my sister as a mother, seeing her dream come to life.  She is gentle and purposeful with her girls.  She is willing and able to do difficult things in the moment, knowing that it will be good for her girls in the long run.  She loves and cares for them in such a beautiful way.  It is inspiring to me.


My Mother-in-Law - Kevin's mom is an incredible woman as well.  He often talks about when he was growing up, that she was very intentional about being an active part of his life, playing sports with him and helping him learn how to make healthy and God honoring choices.  


Friends - My friend Melissa instills confidence, creativity and passion for God into her two little boys.  Another friend, Loni is an amazing example of entrepreneurship, beauty and love.  Charmaine is a strong, vibrant woman, and has a heart for worship.  Yolanda is playful and patient.  Liz shows her kids how beautiful a godly marriage can be.  


I am so glad to have these, and many more amazing women in my life as I start this journey.  I hope and pray I can become a great mother as well - God helping me.  

Time to Rest

Today I'm thankful for...

• The strong Christian heritage that both Kevin and I have in our families.
• Celebrating life - The finished race of Opa Van Haren and the new life still growing inside me
• Unexpected gifts, big and small
• Rest
• The beauty of written words
• Pillows
• Jello
• Wireless internet
• The River Warriors Youth Group - the community and growth we have experienced over the past year
• My co-workers at Euro-Parts - their support and excitement as I head into maternity leave

Anticipating Change

Today I am thankful for...

• Feeling weightless, floating in a pool, when normally right now I'm feeling very weighed down
• Buffet breakfasts
• Finding sweet deals!
• Quality time with my amazing best friend and husband
• Gelato!
• Taking the scenic route
• The hope we feel of what's all to come in the next few months
• Continued daily kicking sessions from my little baby
• My amazing husband who walks painfully slow with me because of my cramping body, who trusts me and loves me, who can put Ikea furniture together like none other!
• Days that have no schedule or agenda, just open possibility before you
• Rest
• Rearranging furniture
• Love

Early Spring

This morning I am thankful for...

• Waking up on time and feeling rested, especially in a period of life lately where I am always tired and cannot seem to get enough sleep
• The symphony of early morning birds outside our windows
• Being able to have the windows open in March!
• Baby kicks - which will probably continue to be on every thankful list until June!

Friday Morning

This morning I am thankful for...

• Good memories created with good friends
• The feeling you get on Friday because you know a weekend is coming
• Having to wear maternity clothes!
• Our unborn babe dancing around inside of me
• A warm house to live in, and being able to look outside at the beautiful falling snow
• Having an amazing workplace to go to each day, and not getting that dreaded "I don't want to go to work" feeling

Quiet

This morning I am thankful for...

• The youth that attended Shape weekend and how they were willing to press in and hear from God
• Being drawn to quiet myself and be more aware of God's presence with me
• Sleeping in on a Sunday morning 
• Breakfast!
• Little baby rolling or moving sensations inside of me
• Journalling and being able to look back on God moving in my life
• Freedom
• Hanging out in comfy pj's in the morning

Another Morning

This morning I am thankful for...

• Sleep
• The goodies that start coming out at Christmas time
• The beautiful story of Ruth - love, redemption, faithfulness, devotion, compassion
• Rain in December!
• Christmas music, new and old

Sunday Morning

This morning I am thankful for...

• A beautiful, clear blue sky that is lighting up early with the sun's warm rays
• Sweet and crunchy red grapes
• The anticipation of singing and hearing God's word today with my church family
• Good food and good conversation shared with good friends
• The patient and loving man I get to do life with
• God's pursuit of us

Today's Blessings

Today I am thankful for...

• The way music can influnce me, motivate me, move me, draw me in, inspire me
• My husband, who can do all those same things to me; he is my support and encourager
• The feeling of completing a long term goal, and still feeling up for the challenge of the next goal
• Experiencing first hand how the human body can heal itself
• Advil
• The urge to bake... and the anticipation of eating that baking!
• Being able to pray to my God knowing that He cares and is listening and wants to walk with me through this day

Lots of fruit

Today I am thankful for...

Peaches and pears laid out all over my house in preparation for canning
The mingled flavours of peach, yogurt and granola
Hot temperatures in Sept that make it feel like summer is not over
The hint of a few leaves turning that signal fall is not far away
When it becomes apparent God is working from both ends of a situation
The lingering reminder that we are God's masterpiece... Eph 2:9-10