Getting into the Spirit of the Season

It's been a wonderful, activity filled week, yet also relaxing, in many ways. Yesterday began the new week, with more to be thankful for, and much to look forward to.

121. "Family" service at LFC - it happens once a quarter (every 5th Sunday). Our pastors work hard to make it a fun, learning experience for all ages, and it's great to see the kids get involved.

122. Blessing a complete stranger at Bed, Bath, and Beyond with (4)-20% off coupons to use.The surprised, grateful looks on their faces was precious, and was probably the highlight of my day.

123. Spending hours in Family Christian Store, my favorite, and walking out with some great deals! I've been waiting, planning, and saving for this day.

124. Not allowing the rain to annoy me, even singing as I got "drenched".

125. Watching one of my favorite classic Christmas movies, "Miracle on 34th Street",  while starting the decorating process at my house. It's my tradition.

126. Winding down the evening by listening to Christmas music playing softly in the background as I waited for the return of my guy.

It's beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas! I'm counting down the days until my family is back together, under one roof.

It's the Little Things

that brought me joy and blessing yesterday, and I record them, now in my "1000 Gifts".

111. A phone call and long conversation with Chad, who sounds so good.

112. Hearing that he is looking forward to coming home.

113. Hearing that he has made plans to work at Meijer while on break for the month.

114. Hearing that he's been enjoyed and appreciated by my Alabama family. I am so glad for the family's support while he is so far from home.

115. Dad O'Brien being in good spirits and looking well at the large family "Christmas" gathering.

116. A fun gift exchange game.

117. Getting to know new family members and others a little bit better - since we only see them once or twice a year.

118. Driving through my old stomping grounds, past the Fenton United Methodist Church where we were married 24 years ago, past Jan (Phillips) Johnson's childhood home, up Denton Hill...a walk down memory lane.

119. Hearing Cristin landed some holiday work for spending money.

120. Finalizing Christmas plans with the family! YAY!

Humbled

The last couple of weeks in our Luke study, there has been a constant theme of humility...

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." 1 Peter 3:8

It's been humbling, and gratifying to hear: 

105. Both children, (well, they are young adults now) come to the realization that they don't need anything, nor do they want anything for Christmas, this year.

106. How much parental support for college has been (and is) appreciated.

107. Dad insisting on gift giving, this Christmas. "It's in the budget, we're going to spend it!" =)

108. A nearby gunshot, closely followed by footsteps of a grinning camouflaged hubby on the  front porch... means there's meat in the freezer.

109. High pitched alarms going off all throughout our home upon our return from tracking, telling us the smoke detectors work fine. (We left glowing embers in the fireplace and must have had a downdraft while we were out.)

110. "I love you, sweetie," before I close my eyes at night after a relaxing, yet productive day.

May our hearts always be tender to You, Lord, and to those we meet along the way in this life. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, words to share, hands to help, and feet that go the distance.

Abundance

I'm overwhelmed by the goodness I have experienced this week. "I am RICH!"

93. Spending a day with my sister, just the two of us, working together, setting a table, baking and preparing for my feast while talking, encouraging, and sharing with one another. With the busyness of our lives and families,  and the distance between our homes, these times are few and far between.

94. Driving through rain, at some points a downpour, and praying all the way to Detroit...God is good: Crisp, clear, and even sunny weather for the "Stuffing Strut" 5K in Downtown Detroit from 7:30-9:30a.m.

95. Parking acquired fairly quickly and easily, although more expensive than hoped...I was prepared!

96. Running the entire 5K without stopping and finishing under my goal of 40 minutes - 37 minutes by my stopwatch.

98. Capturing a one of three remaining items of a SUPER SPECIAL Thursday ONLY Deal, 4 1/2 hours after it started and saving 40%!

99. Enjoying cooking and preparing the Thanksgiving Feast for my in-laws, and NOT being stressed out, actually ENJOYING every minute!

100. Trying new recipes and liking them! "Garlicky Green Beans" from Weight Watchers.

101. Making the old favorites, like "Herbed Pumpkin Rosette Rolls" and "Apple-Raisen Stuffing"

100. Enjoying a relaxing afternoon and evening of conversation with family.

101. Playing Pinnochle and WINNING several games - guys against the gals! :-D 

102. Receiving phone calls from both Cristin and Chad. 

103. Family taking care of Chad, far from home.

104. Friends adopting Cristin.

I am blessed beyond measure! Thank you, Lord, for your goodness to me and my family!

So Much to be Thankful for...

I have been lamenting the fact that we can't be with either of our kids this year. I'm sure it is the first of many more to come, which makes me sad. What happened to the days of big extended family gatherings? I miss them. We will be hosting the O'Brien family on Thanksgiving Day - it will be a gathering of 5. My mom sent me this video, which puts my feelings of loss and loneliness into the proper perspective:

83. I am thankful for all our service men and women and am praying for them and their families this Thanksgiving.

84. Starting my Thanksgiving Feast two days early. It feels so good to be organized, have a plan, and work the plan. After I had done all I could last night, I sat at the table trying to figure out what I was missing...things are just too smooth!

85. Spending the entire evening in the kitchen with my favorite music playing in the background, and no TV on. Ahhh, 'tis bliss!

86. Mia, Cristin's cat following me around like my puppy dog. She jumped up on the chair behind me and started purring every time I sat down. She is so cuddly and sweet - unlike any other cat I've had.

87. Finishing a tough training session. I took Monday off after 4 days of 3.2 mile runs. I think it was a mistake. Yesterday was hard. I guess it didn't help that I picked the wrong album to listen to and finally stopped after the first mile to change it.

88. Hubby having success working on the vehicles. He's like a super sleuth when home and vehicles go awry. He doesn't ever stop trying to figure it out and fix it. I admire his tenacity.

89. Daily long walks (accompanied by long talks) with my good friend. We're in similar situations and it's so nice to have a listening ear, encouraging words, and sometimes soft, loving correction that goes both ways.

90. Getting a new haircut. Well, not so much a new style, but refreshed. It was long overdue. My last cut was the first of August.

91.Wearing earrings for the first time in about 19 years. A friend told me how she keeps from getting infections, so I bought a new pair at a jewelry show, and tried them out. How fun!

92. Receiving TWO Thanksgiving cards via "snail" mail!

Lord, 

Thank you for all your blessings. Help me to be a blessing to You and to those I meet each day.

With all my heart,

Cheryl

Give you Glory!

Thanking you for yesterday's gifts:

69. My two amazing apprentices who have stepped up to lead small group. Their enthusiasm, preparation, help, and contribution is a delight and encouragement.

Thankful for the gift of who You are, Lord...and what you've done(and what you do) for me.

70. El Shaddai:“God Almighty.”, All-powerful - Nothing is impossible with Him!
71. El Elyon: “The Most High God.”, strength for each day knowing He is sovereign.
72. El Olam:"The Everlasting God", He is eternal, and does not change. I can trust Him and His promises.
73. El Roi: "The God Who Sees"...even me: wherever I'm at, whatever I'm doing, whatever trial I'm in the midst of.
74. Jehovah-Jireh : “The Lord will provide.” He HAS provided for ALL my needs; this month's unexpected broken window and more car parts.
75. Jehovah-Nissi:“The Lord is my Banner.” He is my rallying point and my means of victory; the one who fights for me; right now, in the battle of the bulge, self-control and self-discipline
76. Jehovah-Shalom:“The Lord is Peace.” He is the means of my peace and rest, knowing the inevitable is happening to Dad O. and all that is unsettling in the news.
77. Jehovah-Sabbaoth:“The Lord of Hosts.” He is my deliverer and my judge.
78. Jehovah-Maccaddeshcem: “The Lord your Sanctifier.” He is the one who has set me apart for His purposes.
79. Jehovah-Rapha:"The Lord Who Heals", He has healed me, first and foremost from my sin.
80. Jehovah-Raah: “The Lord my Shepherd.” He leads me and cares for me as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture.
81. Jehovah-Tsidkenu: “The Lord our Righteousness.” He is my righteousness. 
82. Adonai: "Lord, Master" He is my master, authority, and provider.

 

This morning I am already singing "Give You Glory" out loud, over and over. I give YOU glory! You alone are worthy! I want to touch your heart, Lord! I want to bless You with my life today.

~ With all my heart,

Cheryl

1000 Gifts: Encouragement

Being encouraged and being an encouragement are what blessed me on Sunday as I continued considering and thinking about the daily gifts I receive...

59. Being asked for Bible study/devotional resources by one of my TLG teen friends.

60. Getting a hug from one of "my girls" from WOL days (also my "buddy" from Worship Team days). - I've missed spending time with you!

61. Giving a friend another perspective on a difficult situation. Wish I had the answers.

62. Helping hands with a project. You don't know what an encouragement you've been; I appreciate your gift!

63. More hugs from "My Ladies" :) You gals are the BEST! I love my Monday nights - and now Thursday mornings, too.

64. Hearing my man sing during worship. Makes me smile. :)

65. Hearing LOTS of men around me sing during worship. An awesome sound.

66. Seeing beautiful young families sitting together, learning together, and worshiping together. Causes me to remember when...

67. Being asked to help in the Nursery. Makes me feel "useful", and I love the little doses of little kids! ;-)

68. Getting an IM from a friend I haven't seen in a long time. I MISS YOU! *HUGS*

Lord,

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25

 Amen!

 The ultimate encouragement:

Empty Me

...of everything that's not of you, so that You can fill me!

 50. Sipping a peppermint mocha at Starbucks while sharing heart conversations with a girlfriend.

51. Getting to talk on the phone with both my kids! *sigh* :)

52. Catching up with Mom.

53. Touching base with sister, Julie, and making plans to get together during the week.

54. Shearing off 3 minutes during my 5K training run. New shoes are AMAZING!

55. A new window in place with all the window treatments up. YAHOO! I get to clean the sun room. ;-)

56. Enjoying a hot shower for way too long.

57. Simple dinners.

58. Reliving family memories while sorting through Thanksgiving recipes.

My Desire

is more of Him, less of me... 

44. Songs that minister to the deepest part of my being; they speak to my spirit and move me.
45. Music that fills the empty house and hours.
46. Chad's old Juke replacing my lost MP3 player.
47. A "Perfect" job opportunity applied for and laid at the feet of Jesus, waiting for an answer.
48. One word e-mails from my hubby during the day. (That's as close as he'll ever get to texting!)
49. Planning the O'Brien Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year.

Things I Take For Granted

These things have become more appreciated after this week:

38. Hot, running water. 

 

(Flowing Well - Hiawatha National Park

This is where we filled up our water jugs for the week)

39. Flushing toilets, with warm seats, INSIDE my dwelling place! :-)

40. A house to live in.

41. A kitchen with a stove and oven.

42. Family living close by.

 

 

43. Good health to enjoy each day that God has given me life and breath and everything.

"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being;’" Acts 17:24-28a

He Heals the Broken-hearted

Praising Him for:

21. Safe travel

22. Being my hubby's "Hunting Buddy" instead of a "Hunting Widow".

23. Walking through the woods with my hubby as he teaches me about the woods and wildlife.

24. Hearing, "Good job!" from my hubby.

25. Running 4 miles instead of the planned 3 miles.

26. Snuggling with my hubby in our sleeping bag and remembering back to when we were newlyweds in the same sleeping bag - 24 years ago.

27. Answering questions about the Bible.

28. Deep conversations about religion and faith.

29. Our nephew smiling (finally) as he tells stories of his time serving in the USMC in Iraq and Kuwait.

30. Three generations of O'Brien men talking hunting, telling tales, and laughing together.

31. Getting SMILE FM all the way from Oxford to Escanaba. (except for about 1/2 hour around Manistique.) Love that postcard to help find the stations as we drove.

32. Breaking camp before the rain came.

33. A text message from Chad when we had no signal.

34. The "Wall of Honor" at the Escanaba Wal*Mart.

35. More stars in the night sky than we could begin to count.

36. Beautiful weather to enjoy God's creation.
37. Friends who pray for me, and FB friends who tell the world they are praying for me! :)

"Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
  The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
  He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
  He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
  Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
  The Lord lifts up the humble;

he casts the wicked to the ground.

 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
  He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
  He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
  His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
  but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love." Psalm 147:1-11

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

I am going to start my 1000 things gratitude list, today. (I hope you don't mind, Angie!) 

Hopefully, while doing this, you'll get a glimpse of what God is doing in my life as He pens this new chapter, an incredible adventure...

1. A 6 hour captive audience with my hubby, and him sharing what is on his mind.
2. Long walks in the quiet Hiawatha National Forest.
3. Waking to a landscape frosted sparkling and white.
4. An old faithful Lucky dog, who loves to be my walking buddy, even though it makes him lame.
5. Leaves that crunch under my feet.
6. A generator that works.
7. A warm sleeping bag.
8. Stars in the night sky that sparkle like diamonds against black velvet.
9. Reminiscing about better days...days before cancer.
10. Focusing on what cancer CAN'T do.
11. A family willing to sacrifice for one another.
12. A good night's sleep in a warm trailer after shivering through a night in the tent when the temperature dropped to a low of 20*.
13. Laughing at the sight of frost coating the inside of the tent.
14. Kidding my step-mom-in-law, and laughing together.
15. Watching (yes, watching) my hubby tell of the sights and sounds he encountered while sitting in a tree from before sunrise to after sunset. He lights up!
16. The opportunity to share my faith with my family.
17. The opportunity to catch up with my nephew after years of being "out of contact".
18. A computer in the clinic waiting room.
19. A doctor who seems to really care and takes time to encourage Grandpa to focus on what he CAN do.
20. A daughter's call, "Just to let me know" that she loves me! <3

Determined to maintain an attitude of gratitude!

Training Again

I have started training again, (YAHOO!) this time for a couple of 5K "races", though, if you know me, you know I will just be training to finish! My ultimate goal is to not walk at all until I cross the finish line. My dad and my daughter are my motivation.

Since it doesn't look like we will be able to travel to Alabama for Thanksgiving with the kids, I plan to run the Turkey Trot prior to the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26th. I have a cousin who is marching with her H.S. band drum line in the parade, so I'll hang out with the family and watch the parade after the run. It should be fun, bringing back memories of my childhood and great family times together. There is one other 5K called "Clarkston's Candy Cane" Race for Recovery. That's December 12th...hmmm, there might be snow. B-r-r-r-r! (Chad, you'll be home. Do you want to run with me?)

As I practice the disciplines of training my body for the runs, I am reminded of how it is like the disciplines of the faith... Oh, how I want to finish the race in a manner to receive the ultimate prize and not be disqualified.

Anyone want to be on my team? :-D

Challenges and God's Faithfulness

I have been too busy with life challenges these past two weeks to blog.

We've spent time with Dad O'Brien who is battling kidney cancer, yet determined to go on his annual hunting trip to state land in the UP for three weeks -camping. He barely has the strength to climb the stairs at his house...we are praying for him and his wife, Vi, and planning to join him later this month for a few days. I am thankful that God has given him the desire to live LIFE and not give up.

We attended a very different wedding. It was performed on the dance floor by a man who later became the DJ for the night. They had two tables laden with all sorts of candy open, a shutter booth where you could take home your "strip" while they glued a copy in a photo album that you signed right there. There was a chocolate fountain where I dipped and ate chocolate covered food I never would have thought of before. Of course, EVERYTHING tastes good covered in chocolate, right? I am thankful to have had a fun evening with my hubby, catching up with his co-workers, some who came to our wedding, 24 years ago and even one even was groomsmen. Craig stood up in his wedding 20 years ago.

I spent hours and hours pouring over the Scripture after being challenged by different ideas and understandings. God is awesome as He taught me so many new things that I never saw before and I've come away with a greater understanding. This journey of faith is so exciting, I can't imagine that fire ever being extinguished! The more I am in the Word, the more I want to be. The more I see Him work in my life and others, the more I desire to live for Him, trusting him with every part of my life. I am thankful for the living Word, and the Holy Spirit in me.

I did fall cleaning, and in washing windows found our picture window had lost it's seal, in fact there was a 1/2" gap at the top allowing a cool breeze to freely flow into our home. I had been wondering how all the bees had been getting in the house, and why the "sun room" was so cold. Upon closer inspection, we found the framing was rotted completely. *sigh* More "dos" for my "honey". I am thankful my "Honey" is handy.

And finally, just as I was leaving for my daily walk yesterday, I received a call to rescue my hubby. He had hitched a ride from some co-workers because our "new" (used) Buick had no oil pressure. Later in the evening - we returned to Warren (oh noooo, the city!) to tow it home behind the truck. If you know me, I am not the daring, risk taking type individual, and being towed 20 ft. behind my husband is not my idea of fun. He depends on me to stop him, using the brakes of the Buick to stop us both. Let me tell you, there is still a lot of traffic at 8PM in Warren. Imagine us weaving through the city streets, trying get through lights and make necessary turns. Then there's I-75 at 70 mph! The worst was Baldwin Road with the bumps, hills, and turns. I really did feel like we were playing "crack the whip". I prayed fervently all while gripping tightly! I am thankful that we made it home without incident. Praise God!

It's a new day...

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
       for his compassions never fail.

 They are new every morning;
       great is your faithfulness.

 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
       therefore I will wait for him."

 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
       to the one who seeks him;" Lamentations3:22-25