1,000 Gifts.

My mother is one of God's greatest gifts to me. I'm just awed how much she has persevered in raising me, from being on bed rest for several weeks before my birth, mothering a newborn and a bride to be, raising a very stubborn child, putting up with my far too many teenage moments, and giving the same advice over and over again because she knows I need to hear it.

Happy Birthday to my Mom, a woman who....

teaches me to love the Lord
take joy in life
to follow God everywhere...

she has mothered a teenage daughter and been grandma to her teenage granddaughter at the same time.
she has selflessly cared for both her mother in law and mother.
And you know what, I learned how to cook from mom, so that says a lot about how good my mom's cooking is.

If all that isn't spectacular I don't know what it will take to impress you.

but...
she is the first to admit where she is wrong and where she has failed in life...teaching me all the more to appreciate God's Grace.

I can't help, but say it, I love my mom very, very much. I know this birthday post is a little early, but I just could not wait to tell the world about my mom.

1,000 Gifts

I was quite exceedingly happy the day my older brother got married. It was my 18th birthday too, but well that small fact was very much forgotten because all I cared about was that I got to watch my brother marry his very best friend.

Than there was just one of brother's left in the world bachelorhood. I gave him suggestions of a fine young lady, but of course who listens to their pesky little sister?
One day I said to one of my friends " I praying for my brother to find a wife". That was several years ago. This Christmas my brother called saying he was engaged to the before mentioned friend. My big brother one of my very best friends is getting married...

...so someone else poses beside him in pictures. His very best friend, but I am and will always be my brother's little sister and now I get a big sister . This makes me happy...very happy.

21. One week of school all done and the privilege I have of attending school.
22. Conversations with friends that make laugh out loud.
23. Wearing dress pants to class...I do believe I am no less of a lady in pants, I mean slacks...
24. Awkward classes that are just too funny...
25. E-mails from my soon to be sister
26. Sharing my heart with a friend.
27. Snow covered trees.
28.Snowballs that land very close, but not on me.
29.Chocolate and more chocolate.
30. Answered prayers in the form of a new sister.

1,000 Gifts

Today I am so thankful to be here at school. The homework does not excite me, but after being in the car for 12 hours, being delayed because of a blow out tire and driving in blinding snow, well it is just nice to be here safely. I don't think I have ever been so grateful for the Lord's protection.

11. Sleeping soundly through night in a less than restful place.
12. Yummy healthy dip for break.
13. Snow, I really like that white stuff.
14. Being able to wash dishes to pay for my school bill.
15. A lost check book because it means I have a bank to put money in.
16. People to laugh with even things are sad.
17. Big sister and little brother who are together because of Christ's sacrifice for us.
18. Hugs from friends and high fives:)
19. A cell phone to call home on.
20. A coat that makes me feel too warm...even when its 2 degrees outside.


Yes I am afraid I'm not posting on a Monday again...

Ever Faithful

Today is one of those days where I write something I wish could have been written at a later time. The subject seems too sad put into words, yet it is so worthy and needy of being written. At the very same time it is a delight and a joy to put these memories into words.

You never knew when my Aunt and Uncle would come for a visit. They live far away in Montana and it wasn't unusual for them to call in the afternoon and say they would be at our house for supper. Having our work done was not an issue for both my aunt and uncle would eagerly help us with the chores and the garden. Than later we would sit around the supper table for hours hearing stories about my aunt's famous carrots which were the envy of all other gardeners. Stories from my uncle about fierce Montana blizzards and so much more.

This fall it was parents turn to go visit my aunt and uncle. Mom and Dad carefully planned their trip in order not to put a burden on my aunt and uncle. For my aunt was very sick with cancer. Mom told me later how my aunt spoke earnestly of heaven and her eagerness to get there. She knew what was happening and with the Lord's grace she was ready to face death.

It was not a strange subject to my aunt. I remember her telling us about caring for her mother in law in their home before she died. I saw first hand that loving care when she cared for my grandmother as she neared death. These memories are what will stand in memory forever as the greatest things my aunt ever did.



Now my aunt has fought the final war with pain and oh it was a battle; but the Lord prevailed and whisked her to safety forever with Him.

I sit here and remember my aunt, but the memories are overshadowed by God's faithfulness. For even in death and pain our Lord is ever faithful.

[5 ] For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
(Psalm 100:5 ESV)

And I just cannot help, but wonder if my aunt's brother greeted my aunt with a sparkle in his eye boasting that he had beaten her to the Celestial city.

1,000 Gifts

Yesterday I was contemplating life. I do it so much these day that I get rather bored of the subject. Right now though I stand at a base of a mountain. I know I will get to the top, but I have no idea of how. Just that it will happen. That's what I know that my life just go in the direction God leads.

Now that really had nothing to do with what am writing about tonight, but I thought the analogy was some what intelligent. Right now though I want to confess something... I have a tendency to be ungrateful, to whine and grip about anything and everything. This I know is an ugly disposition one I wish to do away with. Unfortunately I'm a human being, so I am afraid turning into Miss Sunshine doesn't come over night. Tis the time though to make New Year's resolutions although I prefer to call them goals. The first one I've already started, the thankful book, just a small personal record whatever I feel thankful for each day. And yes each and every day there will be something I am thankful for, because if you really stop and think there are many blessings even in the bleakest of days.

The second goal my readers ...whoever you are, ahem, you will get to read my 1,000 gifts of thankfulness. Of course not all at once sadly while I could find a 1,000 things to be grateful there just is not time in a hour to share them. Let me see though how fast I can post the 1,000 things each week.

Starting now.

1. Shopping with my mother and laughing about things only the two of us would laugh about.
2. Egg rolls for supper and not having to make them.
3. The perfect very much needed little black shoes from the thrift store.
4. Christmas music. Please say I am not the only one who is still in a festive mood?
5. A good night's sleep after a nasty cold.
6. Lovely weather where coats can be shed.
7. Dress shopping with special people for an equally special wedding.
8. Thoughts of heaven and those who wait for us there.
9. Sparkly clean kitchen and dish washer which does the dishes.
10. Tea with a very dear friend tomorrow.

I do know it is not Monday, but who will scold me for being thankful on a Tuesday?

A Christmas Card

My dad wrote our family's Christmas letter this year and it was quite nice. However soon I will be responsible for writing Christmas letters, so I thought I would write a little letter of my own for practice.

Christmas break had slipped by too fast and all too soon I was returning for my second semester of my freshman year at school. I did not want to go back and write more papers, but, sometime you know you have to do something even if you don't want too. There would have been so many adventures I would have missed had I not left my home and gone back to school.

There are too many inside jokes and frustrations to mention here. I'll never forget Sundays in the car driving the 3 hour round trip to church with a very cute engaged couple and whoever the poor soul was that was our chauffeur. Let's just say the conversation often found its way to very interesting topics.

The hard thing about being away at school is you miss the goings on back home. I wept the death of a dear man in our church while very far away from home.

Spring break was pure bliss, thanks to the graciousness of my cousins I spent the 5 days in the NE sand hills. I cooked and baked up a storm and emptied the pantry of several items. Right in the middle of the fun my brother called...he was with one of my bestest girlfriends'. And as it happened the two of them had turned into a pair:)

Spring banquet came and went before I knew it I was flying all by my very own self back to KS. I made the most of my little journey in the airport by ridding the "moving pathway" very many times. Airports are so fascinating you know for people watching.

Summer...well it seemed like I blinked and it was gone. I'm afraid it was a bit of a hard summer for several reasons, but, that is another story for another time. The one thing I will say God's grace is always enough and it amazing how God uses the worst of the mistakes for our sanctification.

August was the best mouth by far; well the first two weeks anyway. I helped my aunt take care of my two cousins which meant we entertained them by doing lots and lots of shopping and lots and lots of cooking. Oh yes than there was all the ice cream we ate, but, we will just keep that our secret about how many cookies and bowls of ice cream consumed.

All too soon I was flying away on a jet plan for school again. I was pleased to not be the homesick little girl this semester, but, instead a Junior in the largest class at school. Too really know what happened last semester at school you would have to read my journal. I'm afraid though that will never happen:) One of the things I learned though was how not to make a pot of coffee!

The biggest highlight of the year has been my roommate. When the lights our off and no one else is around we chatter about anything and everything. Sometimes it even pertains to school! My roommate really has been one of the biggest blessings of this year especially on the many nights we pray together before retiring.

Just a few days before completing the semester I received two phone calls. Mom called early in the morning telling me at last my uncle's battle with cancer was over and he was with his savior. I knew the call had been coming, but, it still was a shock. I had been waiting for the second call too, but, I had no idea it that it would come the day of my uncle's home going. My brother called and didn't waste any time telling me he was a engaged man. Yes the same brother I mentioned earlier,so, I cried twice in one day for two very different reasons.

Another year has come and gone. I cannot comprehend the many ways God has given grace and blessings to this undeserving soul. Lord willing this time next year I will be five months from graduating and than I don't know what:) Thankfully God does and I have complete trust that He will show me His will my only fear is that I will not follow it.

The Day I Made a Pot of Coffee

Back in the old days when I was a stupid college freshman and knew hardly anything I made up mind that coffee would not be part of my daily routine. I managed to stick to my resolution all through that freshmen year with a few exceptions and consequently fell asleep in class far too many times. Being all the wiser as a upperclassman this year I faithfully drink a cup of coffee every morning. Than I brush my teeth and rinse with mouthwash three times because I cannot stand to have coffee breath. But I digress.

One morning I walked into the dinning hall half asleep as usual and to my horror the coffee pot was empty. I decided right than and there to be the hero of the day and make coffee. That was my first mistake. The second was that I reused the coffee from the previous pot and hence made brown flavored water. Nobody was very happy with my mistake and its a miracle that I am here to recount this story. I vowed never to make a pot of coffee again.

However I never told anybody my vow, so nobody knew the morning I broke my vow. Oh but the entire student body found out about my second pot of coffee. This time I made sure to get fresh coffee and follow the directions to the letter of the law.
Yes I know we walk by the spirit not the law, but sometimes you have to follow the law, but I digress.
The directions said to put in 5 scoops, so I obediently measured out 5 scoops. It really seemed like an awful lot of coffee. The measuring cup was a 2/3 scoop after all. However the directions said 5 scoops and everyone was always complaining about how weak the coffee was, so I was determined not to disappoint anybody and make a extra special pot. You might wonder why I didn't ask somebody about how to make the coffee, but you must remember this was before coffee and I'm really not all that awake in the morning.

Well the coffee brewed resulting in darkest black triple times triple espresso. The homiletic students promised to use the story as illustration in their sermons. I decided to never touch the coffee pot again, not even with a ten foot poll.

By the way the coffee was perfect...mixed with half water and milk.