SNOW!

Okay, I love snow. I love the whiteness and crispness of snow. I love the hush in the air on a night like tonight after it's fallen and how it blankets everything. I love the crunch of snow under my boots as I walk. I love imaging how each snow flake is different and God took the time to do that - it speaks of His attention to detail, creativity, love of beauty, imagination, etc.

BUT....

I am sick and tired of shoveling!! It's not even December yet and I've shoveled 4 times this month... 4 times, people, 4 times! And I suspect I'll be doing it tomorrow too. :-P

Thankful for good friends, a long list of Christmas cards, having all my ironing done, driving around the streets without hitting anything or anyone, having another project sent off at work (though it may land back on my desk for revisions - at least I've started the process), rhubarb crisp dessert (and the fact one of the committee members didn't eat his so I got his dessert for my afternoon coffee break), I'm thankful one of the committee members was sick so I didn't have to teleconference in two people and have the rest of the committee watch me as I cut off at least one of the people I was dialing, and the fun of going through the recipe books looking for Christmas baking recipes....now to find the time and energy to do it!

Honesty is the best policy?

1. Kristie apply's at McDonalds.
- advice from her dad "Wear your black dress pants."
- advice from her mom "Be yourself." Which was amended to "okay okay what does that mean? Who knows themselves? Just relax instead."
- advice from the interviewee "Try at a store where they are hiring for seasonal work"
- honesty on Kristie's part about her length of time she would work for them, ended in no job but she feels better about telling the truth now instead of waiting and quitting on them later.

WWJD or want her to do? Don't tell them she is leaving in two months, have a job for and just quit later, or be honest up front? .....

2. I'm feeling better. Looking forward to dinner theatre. Visited a co-worker in the hospital yesterday. She has cancer in her back, is now restricted to a wheelchair and is looking at 6 to 12 months to live. She is waiting to see where they will transfer her to and is not looking forward to some of the possibilities. But she was in good spirit's. I'm glad I finally went in to see her.

3. ..... nothing more to report I guess. Loved the snow last night, even shoveled my walk last night at 9:30 without gloves on ... cool.

“Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.” Ecc 7:3

Read that today, not sure how I feel about it as I’d rather be laughing instead of crying. Again though, open up God's word and there is the exact message I need to hear. Okay I hear you Lord!!

I’ve been quite depressed this last week, I can cry at the drop of a hat and I just want to climb into bed, pull the covers over my head and never come out again. It’s ticking me off. It’s not like anything bad is happening to me, it just seems that everyone around me has something happening to them. I feel like I am surrounded by sadness and heartache, pains and trails. Even the things that normally do not stress me out are really stressing me out. I’ve been trying to figure out why I’m feeling this way and I think one of the reasons is I have lost my perspective on things. I seem to be concentrating on all the negative in my life to the point I’m having a hard time finding anything positive. I did get some good advice the other night at church…

“Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it”

“Either way you’re a loser.”

Okay okay, you have to understand the context of those statements. They were both made by women who were trying to help me laugh or smile and they both worked. Even now just typing them has put a smile on my face.

But I think the first statement is a good one – maybe I just need to have a good cry, build the bridge back to the positives in my life and move on. Yeah, life is sucky sometimes but I’m not the only one that has crappy things happening around them and at least those crappy things are not happening to me. So maybe I need to be the joy I seem to be lacking. Change my attitude and my emotions will change with them. Right?

Easier “typed” then done. I did start feeling better in church …we were singing “Love Lifted Me” and it reminded me of the love I experienced Friday night. I felt some of the sadness lift off me and I thank the Lord for that.

Part 1 of the things I’m thankful for:

I’m thankful for the ladies of my church who rallied around me Friday night in the church kitchen. Let me cry, gave me the most wonderful sincere hugs, and encouraged me. Life would really suck without them to help me build my bridge back to enjoying life again. I know they will hold my hand, kick my butt, and push me over the bridge and for that I am thankful.

I am thankful for my niece and the opportunity to spend Saturday craft sale shopping with her – it was a lot of fun and lifted my spirits some.

Part 2 of the things I’m thankful for:

I originally ended my post on that last thankful thought – I couldn’t find anything else to be thankful for – not a good thing considering how blessed I am. But after the song, talking to someone after church about a concern of theirs and a phone call I got later today has helped me tweak my attitude some more.

I am so thankful for my church family that has rallied around me and is trying to help me send my daughter to Western this next semester. I am blown away by their generosity

I am thankful for the smile on Sarah’s face when she came home to announce their team won the gold, she scored a goal, and she got Player of the Game.

I am thankful for a clean kitchen – it never lasts long but then maybe that’s why when it is clean is feels so good.

I am thankful for quiet nights at home, sound of my children laughing in the kitchen as they clean up, good music and love – all you really need is love right? And I’ve got that in abundance. Thank you Lord.

Why this video?

Just because we all need a good laugh once in a while...

"I'd rather see a sermon than hear a sermon..."

I've been meaning to post this last week, about Hallowe'en, Sarah's soccert tournament, etc but everytime I go to post it just feels all so meaningless and trivial compared to what John/Jenn are going through. Who cares what I wore for Hallowe'en compared to the pain they are going through.

I heard the line "I'd rather see a sermon than hear a sermon" and have been pondering it. When I think of the Wallace's and McLeod families I realize they are a "sermon", a sermon on courage, faith, love, trust, family, etc. I can't believe that anyone can read their blogs and not be impacted - not be inspired - not be in awe of God's power and strength in their lives - not look at their own relationship with God and wonder if it is that strong - if they could face such pain with the same courage and trust in God that this family has.

They say that people these days aren't looking for proof that God exists but does it really work, what is the benefit, does it change people's lives, etc. All we have to do is look at this family and say "Yes... it does."