16. The Hard Days

Many of you know Nate and I have been going through a challenging season of life for the last while. We've been learning so much about our faith and each other, and I'm thankful for the constant source of comfort we find in our Savior and His crazy beautiful grace.

Today we took another hit in the hurts category. My grandma received a difficult medical report, and we're trying to sort out what it all means. Part of me admittedly gets so frustrated when hard life events keep piling up, yet I'm thankful for the promises of Scripture that gives us the authority to hope.

Last Sunday our pastor urged us to fight getting lost in the "Why?" questions that have no answers, but instead focus on the "How?" questions. How is God using this? How is He calling you closer to Him through these circumstances? I believe God is using each and every tough day to further shape and refine our hearts into His image. I believe it because He promised. And He always makes good on His promises.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28


So tonight I'm thankful for the God who allows hurt for a purpose, for the God who never leaves or forsakes, for the promise of His blessed hope.


"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13

Today's blessings:

• A loving, supportive husband and family
• Communication technology to bridge the miles
• An unexpected hug from a girl who really meant it
• Children's voices

15. Technology Experts & Last Laughs

My college computer officially died today. Or rather it's been taken off the life support of my ignorance and has been properly disposed. Sad day.

Since I was a writing major with a literature minor, I spent a lot of time writing papers during college...a LOT. While I was socializing when I should have been writing/studying, I would typically have my laptop with me just to make myself feel justified. At least I was getting something done, right? ;-)

By the end of my last writing marathon of my college career (which included writing a whopping 46 pages in 2 weeks), my computer had carried me through countless nights of research, early morning conclusions, hours and hours of procrastinating on social media, and many side stitches and tears from YouTube videos. One June afternoon, however, my dear companion went blank. Though there was still heat coursing through its circuits, I knew it was gone. I had been able to stay cool, calm, and collected through much of our wedding planning stress, but the day my computer left me, I broke. I just sat on my bed and cried.

I laughed at myself while recounting this story to my friend, but she rightly pointed out that I had spent more time with my computer than I had with any one person! What an odd but true statement. Those tears quickly dried and were replaced by the crazy excitement that comes from getting married, moving, and starting a new job. My poor, neglected shell of a computer has now sat in our closet for over a year. (Ignoring the loss means it hasn't happened, right?) This week we decided it was time to see if any of the data could be recovered and to get rid of my computer remains.

We brought it in, and the technician asked what was wrong with the machine and tried to power it on. As I recall, the screen would not turn on for me. However, I had to smile when my loyal, mechanical friend resurrected just enough to show us all the desktop picture:

Passion 2010

To God be the glory, eh?  :-)

Today's blessings:

• Recovered data!
• Slightly recovered voice
• Unexpected meal with Nate
• Good times with coworkers

14. Humbling Reminders

Today marked another step in the changing of the seasons process: I'm getting sick. Awesome.

Kids have been sulking in with colds for a while, but I've successfully avoided catching anything until now. With our first Club Choir performance just 4 days away, I have fully embraced my inner 14-year-old boy. The kids think it's hilarious, but trying to corral and instruct anywhere from 15 to 50 kids with a weak, crackly voice isn't the most pleasant of experiences. It has however, reminded me of a few things for which I am very grateful: being humbled is a good thing and my husband rocks at taking care of me.

My dear friend Krystal had the chance to visit me at Club a few months ago, and she laughed at the big voice I use with the kids which is a relatively significant shift from my typical tone. The big voice, the one I have thanks to two big brothers and years of lifeguarding experience, has helped me do my job effectively. Today, however, my throat felt like it was being pricked by nails whenever I spoke over a low speaking voice. I was quite humbled to not have the ability to speak over a small group of kids, let alone a crowd. Though I would normally handle certain situations by myself, today I had to lean on other staff members and some of the older kids to help me get my job done. I feel like I've learned this lesson a hundred times, but I again realized the blessing of working with others instead of doing life alone. I especially loved watching my fifth graders step up into leadership!

When I got home, my voice told of the beating it took during the day. Though my mom thinks it sounds a bit sultry, the mid-word cracks kind of ruin that effect. ;-) Nate blessed me by having tea, soup and jello ready to go! He has a beautiful servant's heart, and I'm so thankful for the way he blesses me.

Did you have any humble reminders today? What are you thankful for?

Today's blessings:

• Being silenced in order to see others' growth
• My kids' energy
• Being able to laugh at myself
• Soothing hot tea and cold jello
• Tomato soup and grilled cheese

13. Giving Traditions

Holidays seem incomplete without traditions, and Nate and I have enjoyed incorporating our families' traditions while creating a few of our own. For the last four years, we've participated in Operation Christmas Child, and we've loved every minute of it.

Each year we roam the aisles of our local discount supercenter laughing and playfully teasing each other about the coolest stuff we can get for our shoe box, and this year was no different. It may be the one time of the year when I get really excited about washcloths and soap, crayons and foam balls. Nate even agreed to include a Hawkeye t-shirt for the little guy. I love this organization!

Tonight our church gathered together to bring all the shoe boxes our congregation filled and have a celebration of thanks. It was a blessing to be a part of the service and an even greater joy to give a little Christmas love to a little boy somewhere in the world.

Today's Blessings:

• Holding hands
• Kids bursting with excitement in worship
• An operating washing machine and dryer
• Relaxed conversation with friends
• Opportunities to serve

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