12. Music

To those of you who normally tune-in to read my lovely wife's wonderfully crafted posts, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. I (Nate) will be writing tonight.

While music is not either of our number one hobby, Anne and I both find a lot of enjoyment in making and listening to music. It's amazing how music can add so much to something that would be otherwise ordinary. It can turn a play into a musical, help you remember an advertiser's product, add tradition to athletics, and emotion to words.

I dabble with acoustic guitar, and I normally enjoy taking time out of my day to try to play and learn new things and simply enjoy the music. Over the past month or so, however, we've been in a very busy stretch of life, so I haven't been able to play as much as usual. Today Anne was away for a few hours, so I took advantage of the alone time to prepare for our church's Celebration of Thanks tomorrow night. As I was playing, I came to the realization of how much I've been playing only to prepare for an event on Sunday and not enjoying it as a time of personal worship. I'm grateful to have been reminded this afternoon about the beauty and power of this medium that God has created for our enjoyment and His glory.

11. Legacy

While this is not a novel concept, I would be remiss to pass this day without sharing my thanks for the veterans who have served and are currently serving in the military.

Not only am I thankful for their selfless sacrifice, but I am so grateful for my family legacy of military service. My grandfather served in World War II, my uncle served in the Army, and my cousin served in the Air Force. It's a legacy that I feel so blessed to carry. The following is my grandfather's personal account of D-Day. Please click on the image to enlarge and read his story.

I'm so proud and thankful to have known this man, to have called him grandpa, and to be blessed by those who, like him, are willing to serve for the good of our country.

Today's blessings:

• Recognizing a coworker and friend's service to our country...twice 
• Light traffic
• Laughing with coworkers
• Reliving childhood thanks to arcade games
• Trying to capture the moon and failing

10. Difficult Conversations

I am a person who loves conversation. I wrote a bit about that love last year, but today I'm talking about that kind of conversation that isn't always so pleasant. The kind that's preceded by tension dancing in the air, chest muscles tightening, breath sticking in suddenly closed throats. The kind that seemingly comes with a blinking sign saying "CAUTION: Bridge closed ahead."

Words carry such an immense opportunity each time they're expressed. And in these difficult situations, when conflict seems to be an anxious visitor waiting for the door to be opened, the opportunity of words becomes even more critical. Will they be used to go around the issue or through it? Will you speak with a reined tongue or as uncontrolled fire (James 3)?

While these situations are not unique to marriage, this is the context in which I find myself dealing with difficult conversations most often. Nate and I don't communicate in the same ways, and each resolution conversation gives us an opportunity to serve each other with our words. Little by little that tension dance turns into a peaceful calm and breath comes a little easier. That bridge that was once out has been rebuilt, one word at a time. We're stronger for it, and I am thankful.

Today's blessings:

• Bible study laughter
• Children's voices
• Sunshine
• Prescription allergy relief for my hubs

9. Seasons

Can I really be thankful for waking up to heavy, cold, wet blanket of snow? Maybe that's part of the hard eucharisteo Ann Voskamp talks about. :-) While the cold air forced its way into our apartment, making getting out of bed even more difficult, I was reminded of how much I love living in a place with four seasons. Even if I have to wake up to this for a few months.

My car, Polly, and our tree clinging to fall

The cold temperatures, the early dark nights, and now the snow are signs of the coming of perhaps my least favorite season, but at least for now it was a nice change of pace and a great reminder of the One who created each season for a purpose.

Today's Blessings:

• The goodness of seasons
• The softness of my new scarf against my cheek
• The happy and sadly funny memories of winters gone by

8. Warm Food on a Cold Night

We've had a gorgeous fall, and I've loved the days of weather that are absolutely everything autumn should be. Today was not one of those days.

It is cold, rainy and has been inky black dark since about 4:45 p.m. Great help for a grateful spirit, right? ;-) My drive home was dreary and soggy, but now I'm sitting in my dry, warm apartment with a blanket over my lap getting waiting to eat some hot, tasty goodness. As the smell of one of my favorite comfort dishes reaches me and my husband starts getting out the dishes, I realize the rain sounds nice and peaceful against the window. The dark seems to make our apartment more cozy. It's amazing what a little change in perspective (and location) can do!

Creamy, cheesy enchiladas are a little taste of Momma's kitchen!

I feel so blessed to have a place to call home, the means to create a hot meal, Mom's recipe and a pretty amazing person with whom to share it. What are you thankful for today?

7. Prayer Warriors

Yesterday started off unexpectedly. My aunt has been courageously battling cancer for quite some time now, and she was admitted into the ICU with a life-threatening infection. Being halfway across the country from her, I felt quite helpless to do much of anything aside from checking updates from my mom. Let's just say I wasn't the most productive person at work!

Though there are many miles between us, I was able to do something simple yet amazingly powerful. I asked for prayer.

I called on eight of my dearest prayer warriors, women who pray with fierce reverence and perseverance, to pray for my aunt's healing and comfort for our family. And I know this all sounds trite, but you know what? After not being sure if she would make it through the night, my aunt's breathing tube was removed today and she is fully conscious. We serve a good God, do we not? :-)

Today I am thankful for my dear sisters in Christ, for the ability to come before God in prayer, and for a God who both hears our prayers and has the power to heal what is broken. 

Aunt Sandy, you are being prayed for by women in at least 5 different states (and I have a hunch a few more) and are greatly loved!

6. Rest

Happy Daylight Savings Day! While Nate and I were at church early to help out with music, it was still wonderful to have an extra hour of sleep. Overall it's been a relaxing weekend full of sleep, college football, good friends, and rest. It's been such a blessing after a somewhat stressful few weeks.

I hope you are able to enjoy the extra hour of sleep last night and are experiencing a restful Sabbath, as well! Feel free to leave a comment as to your day's blessings! I really do love hearing from people. :-)

A non-related tribute to Daylight Savings and my rap-loving husband

 Today's Blessings:

• Worship
• Inadvertently flirting with Nate in between services and getting called out by other choir members
• Preparing for times of fellowship this week