tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29726188010921333172024-02-06T23:14:11.385-05:00prone to wanderby LynnaeEttaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-30378375971214658572012-12-08T21:34:00.000-05:002012-12-08T21:40:00.586-05:00day thirty-four through thirty-eight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This week was busy, and not the easiest. After so much rest over Thanksgiving, I'm realizing anew just how critically important sleep is - how my patience and enthusiasm and perspective go so much farther when I've had a good night's rest. How I'm slower to get irritated, angry, or frustrated. I'm also realizing that, while I love to talk about big ideas and work on some projects with people, I also like more independence and autonomy than I thought (I'm sure you're not nearly as surprised as I am). Another big shocker: I like to be the expert, and have this tendency to get irritated and defensive when someone casts doubt on that. Not really fun stuff to re-realize or admit about myself, but I've been wearing a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Good-Girl-Letting-Try-Hard/dp/0800719840">good-girl</a> mask for too many years, and I'd like to try taking it off.<br />
<br />
Seeing and voicing God's grace and gifts helps with taking off that mask, because it helps me see how much I'm just simply loved, and somehow gives me more freedom to be where I'm at - to be hurting if I'm hurting, impatient if I'm impatient, joyful if I'm joyful...you get the idea. But I can be those things because I know that, while I can't see what's next, I can see that God is working, providing all I need. Or something like that...still trying to figure it out. :)<br />
<br />
In the midst of the week's busyness - and, honestly, a bit too much TV and Internet trolling - keeping up with the <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/12/blessed-december-joy-dare-and-10-wondrous-links-for-your-advent-weekend/">December Joy Dare</a> took a back seat. There are some lovely prompts for this week, but it would feel like too much of a task to be completed to list out all of them, so I'm just going to start writing out what I'm thankful for and see where it goes.<br />
<br />
In no particular order, picking up where I left off on Monday, I am thankful for...<br />
<br />
#102: car rental insurance. I hit a parking lot pole with a rental car last night: dented the driver's side door and banged up the mirror. The claim process has been surprisingly smooth so far...here's hoping it stays that way!<br />
<br />
#103: the chance to attend <a href="http://www.amirahboston.org/">Amirah's</a> second annual Evening of Hope with two co-workers! If you're not familiar with Amirah, please go check them out. They're fundraising to start New England's first aftercare home for women over 18 who have been trafficked and are coming out of it.<br />
<br />
#104: friends and celebrating Christmas with them. This afternoon was a friend's second annual Christmas party, and it was so fun having an excuse to cook together! And to catch up with a few church friends, and to hold a couple of babies... :)<br />
<br />
#105: advocates at work who are willing to help me figure out/get where I want to go (hopefully in a direction that won't be so needlessly draining).<br />
<br />
#106: walking up to the Somerville Winter Market without a phone (disconnected for a bit!), running into a friend, chatting with vendors, learning about how to make cheese and bourbon-flavored mead, listening to a guy with an acoustic guitar cover a bunch of really good songs, and finding the perfect veggies for my holiday party contribution.<br />
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#107: friends who teach me the meaning of love and sacrifice.<br />
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#108: laughing about and working hard with one of my roommates on her hilarious contest submission: <a href="http://s1274.beta.photobucket.com/user/Mcbempi/story/11481">http://s1274.beta.photobucket.com/user/Mcbempi/story/11481</a><br />
#109: Miroslav Volf, and his hard but good words on forgiveness and sin and God's mercy. Check out <em>Free of Charge</em> if you have a chance.<br />
<br />
#110: hanging out with MIT undergrads one night this week - they're wicked smart, and gave me a chance to talk about the community finance/data analysis work I used to do for Oxfam. They all thought I was crazy for liking school...but they were still nice. :)<br />
<br />
#111: finally figuring out (a few weeks ago) how to keep track of my projects at work. Structure and due dates are an incredible thing.<br />
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#112: time tonight to rest, reflect, release, and remind myself that Jesus loves me, despite knowing exactly what I look like behind the mask...and that he's set me free from having to wear it!<br />
<br />
#113: this quote by Wendell Berry, posted on Facebook by a friend:
"It may be that when we no longer know what to do<br />
we have come to our real work,<br />
<br />
And that when we no longer know which way to go<br />
we have come to our real journey.<br />
<br />
The mind that is not baffled<br />
is not employed.<br />
<br />
The impeded stream<br />
is the one that sings."<br />
<br />
#114: all of the impediments, and the singing they inspire.
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-52577790341332353362012-12-04T07:19:00.002-05:002012-12-04T07:19:31.049-05:00day thirty-three: three gifts shinyI hit 100 gifts yesterday!<br />
<br />
After "three gifts bright" on Sunday, I'm having trouble coming up with "three gifts shiny" for yesterday...so here's my best shot:<br />
<br />
#99: the beautiful sunshine yesterday. I didn't get to be out in it, but it sure made the view out the window rather spectacular!<br />
<br />
#100: two really good phone dates (and prayer!) with old friends. I love being able to pick up where we left off, whether it was a week ago, or a year.<br />
<br />
#101: I'm thankful for a job that gives me the opportunity to travel, work with people from all over the world, and grow in ways I didn't expect.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-8977219288030940272012-12-02T19:53:00.002-05:002012-12-02T19:53:19.292-05:00day thirty-two: three gifts bright#96: the super-bright spot in my day when I got to hang out with a bunch of babies for an hour (this morning at church) - especially meeting some friends' four-week old! :D<br />
<br />
#97: getting to use a work iPad (bright screen) for Kindle reading (Anna Karenina!), recipe-finding (<a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/11/cranberry-bubbler-brunch-cocktail-salty-dog-variation-recipe.html">cranberry bubbler</a>, anyone?), and recipe-remaking (<a href="http://glutenfreeglory.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/roasted-brussels-sprouts/">Brussles sprouts love</a>). So convenient, and fun to play with!<br />
<br />
#98: feeding and catching up with a good friend this afternoon - another bright spot in my day :)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-91687199429118566222012-12-01T22:12:00.001-05:002012-12-01T23:03:18.688-05:00december: continuing the dareas I wrote <a href="http://lynnaeetta.blogspot.com/2012/11/day-thirty-three-gifts-astonishing.html">this morning</a>, this thirty-day joy dare - this month of counting a few gifts every day - it's been so refreshing and life-giving that I want to keep going. I'll keep posting on the blog until I hit 100 gifts, and then may not post every day, but will keep counting. if you'd like to count along with me, go check out the <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/12/blessed-december-joy-dare-and-10-wondrous-links-for-your-advent-weekend/">december joy dare</a> at a holy experience!<br />
<br />
today's dare: three gifts white.<br />
<br />
#93: what perfect timing - on december 1, we had the first "real" snow of the year! I woke up this morning, looked out the window, saw the snow and started singing "let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!" delightful way to start the day. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qyv9Tphj_n2qBTFlAwizuv37cZV3MONmjK5u_-ppD5bISX8FpBGknyYFz09in94GzTmwIPA4qAlDkcu4Q4KIkPUArcZcSx6aNyEZGQoXrvhIdAngQOM53eE72A-rR8fuOaaD1FXLSvg/s1600/DSC_8967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qyv9Tphj_n2qBTFlAwizuv37cZV3MONmjK5u_-ppD5bISX8FpBGknyYFz09in94GzTmwIPA4qAlDkcu4Q4KIkPUArcZcSx6aNyEZGQoXrvhIdAngQOM53eE72A-rR8fuOaaD1FXLSvg/s640/DSC_8967.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<br />
#94: earl grey ice cream at <a href="http://www.tosci.com/">toscanini's</a> (aka the BEST ice creamery in the world - their front page even says so!). more importantly, the company I enjoyed there, and all afternoon - old and new friends!<br />
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#95: not sure what's white about this, but I was super thankful for family Google Hangout time tonight. my family rocks. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-61790133825653980372012-11-30T21:29:00.000-05:002012-11-30T21:29:05.126-05:00day thirty: three gifts astonishing!#90: the gift of health care: a good plan through work, a delightful new doctor I met today, and the realization that I am beyond blessed to have access to such care. Thank you, Lord.<br />
<br />
#91: the pretty sunshine all day today. Sunshine in the winter is breath-taking. :)<br />
<br />
#92: the gift of these last thirty days! I've told several friends this week how extraordinarily grateful I am to God for nudging me to start counting His gifts. I'm amazed at how freeing and fun and healing it's been this month - how much it's helped me to be grateful for the little things, and to practice being thankful for what's hard (especially <a href="http://lynnaeetta.blogspot.com/2012/11/day-sixteen-three-gifts-hard-eucharisteo.html">day sixteen</a>). But even this week has had it's own painful-hard, and I'm blown away by how much less devastating it is than it has been in the past. Thank you, Lord!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-54369279835012527662012-11-30T21:13:00.003-05:002012-11-30T21:13:45.299-05:00day twenty-nine: three gifts red<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MMzaOAK12ChjOHyalSdXl25q_2HIagpCAGKyAsQaq5UBeG847UN97qtnQJywO_YUJSMFed1ebxk8XoineLotKZ8ZzDKMNpYmnZmcO37KPNvEXV1GalZY84Z8WpVEtYKK8e7nSDV3uoQ/s640/blogger-image--168790077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MMzaOAK12ChjOHyalSdXl25q_2HIagpCAGKyAsQaq5UBeG847UN97qtnQJywO_YUJSMFed1ebxk8XoineLotKZ8ZzDKMNpYmnZmcO37KPNvEXV1GalZY84Z8WpVEtYKK8e7nSDV3uoQ/s200/blogger-image--168790077.jpg" width="150" /></a>#87: Jesus' blood, shed that I might know His peace, joy, and heart-rest always. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord, for this great gift!<br />
<br />
#88: This red bag, bought in Cambodia at <a href="http://www.rajanacrafts.org/">Rajana</a>, a fair trade shop in Phnom Penh. I'm thankful for it because it reminds me every day how lucky I am that my job takes me to places like Cambodia. I mean, wow. Thanks, Lord!<br />
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#89: Ending the day with quiet, then some roommate time, then a lovely glass of red wine. It was something tasty from Portugal via the <a href="http://www.thewineandcheesecask.com/contact_us.htm">Wine Cask</a> in Cambridge - a lovely little wine & cheese shop near my house! I love it because they have good quality, cheap wine. Such a good thing. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-18828991297979175572012-11-29T08:27:00.001-05:002012-11-29T08:27:54.126-05:00day twenty-eight: three gifts in communityYesterday I was thankful for these great gifts in community:<br />
<br />
#83: talking to my youngest brother, Joel, on my way to work in the morning. Dude makes me proud making his own way in the big city :)<br />
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#84: the promise of shared community over Christmas: a Boston friend is coming home with me, to spend the holiday with my family! So excited to share them with her and her with them. :)<br />
<br />
#85: talking to my brother and sister-in-law after work, hearing about their cows and Christmas tree and a really tasty dinner at The Restaurant (if you live anywhere within a two hour drive of Grand Rapids, Michigan, go to Trillium Haven. I hear it's incredible!).<br />
<br />
And #86, because I have so much to be thankful for: a God who brings healing and hope in the midst of heartache. I am so thankful for his love and faithfulness in all circumstances!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-21823291475427410952012-11-28T08:11:00.001-05:002012-11-28T08:11:25.930-05:00day twenty-seven: a gift handmade, held, happy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
#80: chocolate mousse made by a community group friend!<br />
<br />
#81: new boots<br />
<br />
#82: sharing joy, sorrow, jokes, hopes, prayers, and experiences with community group friends last night. It is good to be part of a church.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-3024917744245632422012-11-28T08:04:00.001-05:002012-11-28T08:04:19.116-05:00day twenty-six: three gifts preparing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
#77: perseverance. to keep going, trusting, walking, and waiting, when things are hard, uncomfortable, or just not working out how I pictured them.<br />
<br />
#78: patience. like perseverance, but giving up the need to know the answers, fix the problems, or resolve the conflict RIGHT NOW.<br />
<br />
#79: joy in the midst of it all. I shared with some friends last night how thankful I am for this daily counting of gifts, because it's freeing me to find joy in the midst of uncertainty. Thank you, Lord!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-2553605265971178032012-11-25T19:11:00.000-05:002012-11-25T19:11:05.015-05:00day twenty-five: three gifts ugly-beautifulhmm, ugly-beautiful, eh? this is one I wish I'd looked at ahead of time, and contemplated throughout the day. finding beauty in the ugly is not my forte, especially in myself. I prefer the pretty, shiny, neat, and orderly, right alongside the safe, happy comfortable. Ugly makes me uncomfortable, and sometimes sad.<br />
<br />
But today's gifts fit with today's sermon at church - another passage from 1 Corinthians in our "messy community of grace" series. If you want to hear about gifts ugly-beautiful, let's talk about the church: a community of sinners, growing in grace but definitely not-yet sanctified; people broken and bruised, seeking healing and hope; and others (myself included) sometimes still breaking and bruising.<br />
<br />
#74: my church, and every church I've ever been a part of; ugly in her brokenness, in the way we sometimes treat each other, yet beautiful in the glimpses she sometimes gives of the hope, healing, community, and love of Christ we'll one day know and give and see perfectly.<br />
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#75: "I know your heart, and I've made it good." A God-inspired thought I had last weekend, and what a perfect promise in the midst of seeing a fair bit of sin, brokenness, and failure in my heart. How good it is that He knows me, and yet makes me good!<br />
<br />
#76: because I can go a day without being grateful for something food related, my ugly-beautiful today was some kale in these chicken salad/kale/cabbage wraps I made for a friend and I. kale's not exactly beautiful (at least this stalk wasn't - just a little yellowed and wilted), but it sure does taste good!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-73400268324674335782012-11-24T17:51:00.000-05:002012-11-24T17:51:25.305-05:00day twenty-four: three gifts humble#71: chewable Airborne tablets from my roommate<br />
#72: texts from my sister, reminding me of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gmiSPMHrWQ">this happy Christmas tune</a><br />
#73: a comfy couch and warm bed. so wonderful in the midst of being sick.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-47769539293110852132012-11-23T17:42:00.000-05:002012-11-24T17:42:46.658-05:00day twenty-three: three gifts only in ChristThis one requires more thought. Only in Christ do I have:<br />
<br />
#68: peace that passes all understanding,<br />
#69: grace beyond my wildest imagination, and<br />
#70: love that is higher, wider, deeper, and stronger than any earthly love. Thank you, Lord!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-16787316970664180012012-11-22T17:39:00.000-05:002012-11-24T17:39:42.127-05:00day twenty-two: a gift grateful#67: on Thursday (Thanksgiving), my one gift grateful had to be NyQuil and DayQuil. I don't know how I would have slept the last three days without it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-8223757853172821162012-11-21T21:00:00.000-05:002012-11-24T17:38:24.403-05:00day twenty-one: three gifts familyI've been sick for a few days (really a couple of weeks, but it was bad enough again to skip work and Thanksgiving and hang out on the couch with Numb3ers, Parks & Rec, and Mad Men. No shame.) so I'm behind. Looking back on the last few days, despite the haze and raging sore throat, I have a lot to be thankful for.<br />
<br />
#64: my sweet sister, who texted me several times this week with her delicious food adventures. such a bright spot in the middle of being sick.<br />
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#65: a family "Skype" time - really, a Google Hangout, but Skype is easier to text and say and everything. Bottom line, I'm thankful for my family.<br />
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#66: church friends who called, texted, and otherwise checked in on me while I was sick. Susan, Nicole, and Grace, to name a few - such great friends!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-52261183004747113812012-11-20T07:07:00.000-05:002012-11-20T18:52:07.086-05:00day twenty: three gifts of traditionsToday was one of the first that I found myself thinking about today's thankfulness prompt. It was fun, and such a perspective help!<br />
<br />
#61: Moms talking about their babies' developmental milestones (the mommy murmur!) - not exactly a tradition, but a conversation I overheard in the cafe today and hear often around moms. I love it, and am so thankful for it. :)<br />
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#62: apple crisp in the fall. My dessert for community group tonight!<br />
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#63: hearing about the ways my coworkers are celebrating Thanksgiving and other holidays this year. It's an easy way to build a little more community, hearing what's important to them!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-32712031680841252722012-11-19T22:00:00.000-05:002012-11-20T07:05:34.571-05:00day nineteen: three gifts autumn#58: cool, winter air descending, and the way it makes me think of snow, then Christmas, then time with family and friends, celebrating God's goodness and joy together.<br />
#59: pumpkin spice herbal tea from trader joe's<br />
#60: a few remaining leaves on the trees, so radiant in the morning sunshine!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-36525910549377831162012-11-18T22:00:00.000-05:002012-11-20T07:02:08.978-05:00day eighteen: a gift made, shared, passed onI always have a tough time with these - they push me to be creative in ways that don't come naturally! Sunday I was driving back from the wedding, thankful for the beautiful sunshine and the pretty countryside I hadn't been able to see on the way down. I was also thankful for the quiet time in the car, time to listen to the Word, a good sermon on law and grace, and a phone call with my mom. At the end of the day, I was deeply thankful for God's presence and promises to love, protect, and defend, always - and for how much he loves and cares for me. I am thankful I can rest in that, especially when life isn't easy.<br />
<br />
So, <b>a gift made (#55)</b>: choosing to rent a car instead of fly or drive, giving myself time to be quiet and rest.<br />
<b>a gift shared (#56)</b>: hopefully you're blessed by hearing all the things that I was thankful for on Sunday!<br />
<b>a gift passed on (#57)</b>: I'm not sure what I passed on to you or others in all of that, but God passed on to me several reminders throughout the day of his mercy, love, grace, and forgiveness - just what I needed in so many ways. Thank you, Lord!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-17477223051221344102012-11-17T22:00:00.000-05:002012-11-20T06:52:48.408-05:00day seventeen: three gifts of laughterThese are easy - I was at a wedding of some Baltimore friends and got to see so many old friends! Thank you, Lord, for a life full of laughter.<br />
<br />
#52: The bride's giddy excitement during the wedding ceremony - so precious!<br />
#53: Laughing at "The Croquet King"<br />
#54: Kickin' it with a friend in a HoJo hotel after - super classy style. Resting with old friends is such a happy thing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-43258972252234609312012-11-16T22:00:00.000-05:002012-11-20T06:49:29.333-05:00day sixteen: three gifts hard eucharisteo<i>(I'm way behind on these, typing a few up on Tuesday morning (11/20). This one I actually drafted on Friday, and am glad I did - I wouldn't have remembered how hard that day was otherwise! Thank you, Lord, for lessons in being grateful in tough times.)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I had to look up what <i>eucharisteo</i> meant before writing this post; I didn't grab the definition, but found instead an excellent example here: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://onethousandgifts.com/share-your-gifts/day-one">http://onethousandgifts.com/share-your-gifts/day-one</a><br />
<br />
I don't like hard gratitude, the kind required when things aren't going my way, or as this author puts it, before the gift. It's especially hard to be grateful on days I'm easily angered, days when everything gets on my nerves, days when I doubt I'll ever find something more satisfying and less stressful...it makes me wonder if I really ever do want kids! :)<br />
<br />
#49: thank you, Lord, for a job that reminds me of my insufficiency, daily.<br />
#50: thank you, gracious God, for one particular difficult person, and how you're teaching me to be kind when I don't feel like it.<br />
#51: thank you, God, for keeping me safe on a drive south, and for the company of friends on the phone!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-48342547657530010602012-11-15T19:31:00.001-05:002012-11-15T19:31:36.300-05:00day fifteen: three gifts golden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
#46: ginger cinnamon tea, to fight off this nasty cold<br />
#47: the beautiful sunshine outside my window<br />
#48: the pretty yellow yolk of my sunny-side up eggs this morning! Best breakfast ever.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-60989018694902264412012-11-14T20:00:00.000-05:002012-11-15T19:24:09.438-05:00day fourteen: three gifts silent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hmm...three gifts silent. Yesterday I spent most of the day on the couch, napping and resting while getting over a cold. I did the same today, so thinking about gifts requires some serious thinking. Yesterday, I was thankful for these silent gifts:<br />
<br />
#43: Good health. Even though I'm sick this week, I'm in pretty good shape, and am thankful for it.<br />
#44: A quiet room and house where I can rest.<br />
#45: The new start of an old book: <i>East of Eden </i>by John Steinbeck.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-46923514718178785452012-11-14T03:36:00.000-05:002012-11-14T03:36:01.485-05:00day thirteen: three gifts behind a door<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
#40: new jobs, perhaps? I'm looking for them, looking to go back to data analysis. We'll see where it leads! But it's a gift that they're behind doors right now, because it reminds me that God is sovereign, and will direct my steps, as he always has.<br />
#41: the quiet stillness of my room today. I was sick, and it was nice to have my own bed and comfy covers to bury myself under all day.<br />
#42: leftover potato leek cauliflower soup in the freezer. After being gone this weekend and being sick today, it was nice not having to prepare anything myself!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-51202153822554122272012-11-12T14:00:00.000-05:002012-11-14T03:28:34.357-05:00day twelve: three gifts at noon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At noon on Monday, we were driving from Madison to Milwaukee, so I could catch my plane back to Boston. I was thankful for these things then (and still am now!) ::<br />
#37: The sweet fun of getting to hang out with a pretty cool dude all weekend.<br />
#38: Reading out loud together about grace, giving, and receiving (Miroslav Volf), and being reminded how every good and perfect gift comes from God.<br />
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#39: Later, on the plane, sitting next to the most wonderfully friendly woman and her smart, precocious daughter. It was the shortest 2.5 hour flight I've had - we laughed and talked and played Mad Libs and bonded over the unexpected delight. It was a wonderful gift!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-62893126776999460682012-11-11T22:00:00.000-05:002012-11-14T03:43:49.609-05:00day eleven: three gifts of remembrance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
#34: a sermon text on Ephesians 2:1-10, baptisms, and the reminder that all is grace from God. Performance has no place!<br />
#35: a visit to the <a href="http://mustardmuseum.com/">national mustard museum</a>, celebrating and commemorating all things mustard! Amazing what exists in the world. :)<br />
#36: a few mentions over the weekend of the elections, and the reminder that much of the peace and freedom we have here has depended on so many giving their lives - literally - to defend it. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972618801092133317.post-37131525281244659032012-11-10T22:02:00.000-05:002012-11-14T03:20:26.391-05:00day ten: three gifts found in Bible reading<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Again, I'm a little behind on these, but did manage to jot a couple down over the weekend. The first two passages here came up in my reading on Saturday, and the third is just a favorite reminder!<br />
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#31: For by a single offering [God] has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).<br />
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#32: Your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds (Psalm 108:4).<br />
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#33: For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. <i><b>But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us,</b></i> not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3-7).</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0