Thanksgiving Traditions

Greetings to you today! I'm just all aglow today and wanted to take a moment to stop, pause, and reflect on this wonderful time of year. With my belly full of leftover Thanksgiving goodies, Christmas lights aglow, music playing, and fresh air in my lungs from a family walk to the frozen pond, I can't stop myself from typing just one simple word... thanks.

How can one adequately put to words all the thanks and gratitude for the One who created all things? It can't be done. However, I have found at times that in the overflow of "overwhelmingness", my heart can't NOT stop and try to formulate just a bit of the feelings that course through it's veins.

We had the privilege of hosting Thanksgiving with my side of the family yesterday, and as my brothers, sisters, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, nieces, and nephews started to arrive, the warmness of our home rose one notch at a time (literally, I wear a short-sleeve shirt for the occassion and I'm always one to complain about being cold :) I can't tell you how thankful I am for a family who truly loves one another, flaws, imperfections, and differences in all. I am the oldest of five children, and as the littlest one was married this past summer, we all now are blessed with "families" of our own, continuing to multiply each year.

As I reflected on precious time I got to spend with my grandparents, I was reminded of the rich heritage and legacy I have been blessed to simply be a part of. This legacy I'm talking about is one steeped in the only one that can see a family through all the trials and heartaches that life brings along, this one, is the one and only, Jesus Christ. We come from a line of servants, those who have a heart to give of their time and energy to others, and it's a precious gift to grow up around. As with anything, service can be done for oneself, if the one you're serving is not THE ONE, which of course can only stem from a relationship with our heavenly father (but that's another post for another day :)

What I wanted to share today is a tradition that began three years ago. As with most good ideas, it came from someone else's idea. My dear friend Jen mentioned this to me, and with tongue in cheek, was happy this idea flew well with my family, not so well with hers :) Every year now, we each get a leaf. I simply stop by the local Cord Camera, borrow their candy-dandy die cut machine, and punch out leaves of different colors. Each person in the family then chooses a leaf, and simply writes what they are thanksful for. Towards the end of the evening, we all gather and each take a turn reading another's leaf passed out at random - precious words, lots of laughs, a great model for my children as they hear (and now read themeselves) of what is important and special to their extended family members. The following week (or month :) I simply place them on a page with a few pictures and add onto the scrapbook started three years ago. I love watching the faces of family members as they glance back and read over their leaves from previous years. Though we all aren't able to be a part of our daily lives due to distance, somehow it doesn't seem to matter on days like today.

What are your traditions? Afterall, the best ideas are the ones that are shared. Have a great weekend!

1 Chronicles 16:8
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 29:13
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 35:18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.

He did it!

We started running at 9 am, we thawed out about mile 2, we completed the race at mile 4! I am so proud of Aaron. This was his first endeavor at running, and man did he finish strong! Amanda and I joined "the boys" and actually crossed the finish line together - fun memory! Aaron had a goal of completing the race in 45 minutes, and he crossed the line at 39 minutes, 18 seconds!

I am so thankful today for so many reasons... what stood out to me the most this morning was how the Lord is my Mighty Provider. He provided us with a beautiful blue-sky day, a wonderful place to run through a park, strength that can come from only him (especially that last hill around mile 3.5), friends to run alongside with (in this race of life), refreshments at the finish line, and a warm car and home to return to. Wanna give a little shout out to Gram and Pops Richardson for having fun with the kids this morning, we appreciate you!

Acts 14:17
"...he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

1 Timothy 6:17
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Thank you Jesus today for the strength to endure. Thank you for yet another marker in my life that points me to you on those days when my strength is gone, your strength is perfect. Lord I pray for our friend Stef. Lord only you know the numbers of ours days, I pray that he may know your strength and peace today, and Lord, even a glimpse of what a blessing he is to so many of us. Happy Thanksgiving! May we choose a Thankful heart not only today, but 364 days of the year as well.

The Living Water

I have to beg your pardon for just a moment, while I brag on my husband (just because I can :) The man has patiently, quietly, and dutifully supported me as this running journey in my life has unfolded, all the while teasing that the only real reason to run is if someone is chasing you. Well, about 6 weeks ago, he simply wanted to get some exercise back in his life, and with options being slim to none, he hopped up on the treadmill and pressed start.

Here we are, 6 weeks later, and the man is running his first race (with me!) 2 days from now, Thanksgiving morning! I am so excited, and so proud of him for persisting in wanting to pursue a healthy lifestyle (because it's not easy!) As I was just running a few moments ago, I was chattin with the Lord, thinking how I haven't posted in awhile, just expressing my desire to post again, but when his timing was right. I'm not kidding, just about 2 minutes later, I glanced down and noticed the empty water bottle slot, and it triggered a memory.

Just last week, Aaron was running downstairs, I happened to open the refrigerator for something, and noticed his water bottle on the top shelf. It was nothing more simple than having a thought of... he might need this... walking downstairs and reaching over to place it in the holder, when out of the corner of my eye, I see this hand thrust forward and snatch it out of my grip! I laughed out loud actually. Well, as I was recalling this story, I got to thinking about this concept in a different way. I simply had a thought, saw an opportunity, and followed through. It probably took all of 2 minutes for this transaction to transpire.

In much the same way, how many opportunities are we given each day to hold out, maybe not necessarily a bottle of water, but perhaps something else that quenches, not just for a moment, but for a lifetime? Not just physically water that quenches physical thirst, but the living water that quenches the insatiable thirst in our soul for something that lasts, somethings that's always dependable, something that is constant - our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Maybe the Lord has something just like this for you today. Maybe he will present an opportunity for you to simply obey, and by doing so, someone may just reach out and grab hold of the very lifeline they need today. Will you be his vessel today? I can tell you this, it not only will bless the other person, but you will receive blessings tenfold in return. Have a wonderful day in gratitude for all you have received and all you have been given.

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

Separating

Strange title? I know. Especially after the God-prompted last post (be it a week ago, whew!) on marriage, but I'm not going to be writing about that kind of of separation. I simply want to attempt to share a picture God gave me through my child.

It happened one morning on our walk to school. Our youngest had brought a few dolls to hold as I pulled her in the wagon. Upon seeing these dolls, our middle child wanted to hold one of her own, so she asked for permission. Permission granted (she asked so kindly after all!) On our last leg of the journey, she asked another question, "Mommy, may I take this to school?" The answer this time? Permission not granted. I listened for opposition.... none. This is a good thing.... I glanced over to grant both eye contact and praise... this is what I saw.

Our child had retrieved her backpack, stopped her forward motion, was quickly, confidently, and peacefully unzipping her backpack and placing the doll within it's contents. Nothing like in the open disobedience! I stopped the wagon (errrrr!), bent down, gently cupped this sweet child's face in my hands, and firmly whispered, "Honey, you are disobeying Mommy." Said topic as been previously discussed numerous times, so without further adieu, I helped her retrieve the toy from said backpack. At that moment, I saw it. I saw it in her eyes, as it came from her heart - the battle.

We all know this battle, it tears at us from the moment that we are born. We want what we want and we want it right now. When we don't get what we want, we react. Now, we all know we have a choice in this matter, and it quite simply can take on one of two forms. a) We release, we surrender, we obey (our authority), or b) we turn the other way, we run, we rebel. In that moment, our child chose path b. And in choosing this, she separated herself from me. She separated from my grace, my mercy, my forgiveness, my guidance, and my unending love. In the one moment she stopped and looked back, part of her desperately wanted to come back - I saw it in her eyes - but her strong feelings wouldn't allow it. She walked into school and never looked back again.

Needless to say I felt a bit shocked at the moment. Stunned. Left standing, pondering my options, when that sweet voice whispered across my soul, "Heather, she is mine." I knew at that moment, and I turned the wagon and slowly, as if my feet weighed a ton, started to head back home (admittedly looking over my shoulder just one last time :) I realized that as a Mom, this is one of the times I needed to let go (as heart-wrenching as it is), she needed to experience a natural consequence. The consequence that comes from choosing to separate. God needed me to trust Him with her. Oh, what a picture that is for me today, as I reflected over those times I have chosen to walk away from my Father. Oh the lessons, I've learned. My character would not be what is is shaping up to be today, had it not been for those "lessons". The good news? My heavenly Father is ALWAYS there with open arms, and that's a promise.

Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Psalm 130:7
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

Psalm 119:76
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

Psalm 119:41
May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise;

Psalm 90:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Romans 8:39
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lord, thank you for your unfailing love, your unchanging ways. I choose to trust them today. Thank you for allowing me to serve you, even as I pause between each sentence at the moment, asnwering one "Mommy?" question at a time. What a privilege it is to be the salt and light of the earth in humbling sharing lessons you have so emblazzened on my heart. Lord I pray for Aaron, bring him safely home tonight. Lord I thank you for healing the sicknesses in my family. Lord I thank you for your greetings each and every morning. I thank you for giving me life. May your name be praised throughout the earth.

My gift... my husband

My husband is such a blessing to me. There are so many things I admire about him, respect about him, cherish about him, adore about him, like about him, and also have learned to love about him. I'm definitely no expert, but in the 11 years we've been married, I can tell you this - when one can see marriage for the treasure that it is, blessings will follow. When one sees it through the eyes of what your spouse can do for you or how he/she should meet your needs - watch the walls be built brick by brick.

What are some of the "things" I love most about my husband? A friend once encouraged me to write a "Top 10" list, and it was a great exercise to go through. There are many things I love about Aaron - I love the way he makes me laugh, always have. I love the way he stops on his way past me, just to give me a kiss. I love the way he is intentional with each one of his children. I love the way he honors his parents. I love his integrity in the work place, and his commitment to do the best he can, honoring his promises. I love the way he allows me to serve him by picking up his socks he so lovingly placed on the floor next to the bed each morning :) I love the way he pursues his walk with Lord. But most of all, I love him for who he is. Have I always thought these thoughts? Sadly no. Do we have a perfect marriage? Of course not. May I humbly share just a few tidbits the Lord has shown me along the way.

Stop me if you've heard this one, but I used to be an expert in motherhood (that is, until I became a mother), and in the same sense, I used to be an expert on marriage, that was until I said, "I do." In my naive innocence, I really believed that marriage just got easier the longer you were married, after all, you already knew everything about each other, right? Wait, I'm still chuckling... I praise God for his ultimate plan and ultimate timing - knowing I'm on a need-to-know basis. One first thought has continued to ring true - marriage does grow (in depth and intensity), love does grow, patience goes grow, all because they get stretched, tested, and refined (yep, the yucky-pain stuff).

News flash - if I want my husband to know what I'm thinking - I have to tell him (radical, I know). And how I tell him shows my heart. If my heart has a deep concern, passion, and intensity for our relationship, the words drip with love. If my heart is angry, bitter, and bent on revenge, those same words with come from a heart set on just that - destruction. So what do I do with feelings of frustration, hurt, and anger? I know God has given them to me to use for the perseverance of truth, but the judgment needs to be left in His lap. Therefore, I must be responsible for my heart. How do I process? Well, these questions led me on a search. Amongst his Word, I was also led to several books - yep, I had (have) lots to learn.

Shaunti Fedlham has written a book called For Women Only, and within the pages, she records results of surveys and interviews taken with men. One light bulb statement mentioned that, "men would rather feel unloved than inadequate and disrespected". Wow, different because my greatest need is to feel loved. What words, lack of words, or actions had I taken to tell/imply that Aaron is inadequate for my needs, or that I trusted my own opinions and decisions over his, leaving him feeling disrespected? Needless to say, we had some honest talks...

"...each one of you must love your wife as you love yourself, and a wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:33

Martha Peace has written a bible entitled, The Excellent Wife, that plainly, clearly and bodly points out God's plan for a wife through Biblical context. Wow. This is a must in your library (or one to borrow).

Thirdly, the Lord has led to be back around to what I should be doing first, one four-letter-little-word - pray. Stormie O'Martin has written a book entitled The Power of a Praying Wife. There are several short chapters within that lay out different topics to pray over your husband, including a prayer already dictated for the reader - powerful. I actually picked it up again, not too long ago, and reread the chapter my bookmark last indicated. It was months ago, but I'm seeing those praying answered right before my eyes, almost forgetting that I had even prayed for them. By pouring my heart out to God, leaving (and trusting) my concerns with my Lord, not one nagging, berating, or belittling word was uttered. God can change hearts. I can trust that because He tells me that his plans for me are good (Jeremiah 29:13)

"The king's heart (my "king", AAron), is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." Proverbs 21:1

So what have I attempted to practice after studying? I run (of course). But this time, I run to Him. First and foremost I pour out my heart (the good, the bad, and the ugly) to Him - not "h"im. With a heart intent on communicating in love, I release and process my thoughts to God so that I am free to hear and "see" His thoughts, trusting He knows the best plan. When we trust (by choosing), and allow the Lord to expose our "uglies", we grow in character, and actually change into the person we all long to resemble whether we realize it or not - Jesus Christ.

Aaron, I love you, with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind. I am proud to be called Mrs. Conrad. Thank you Jesus for how you change hearts. May I be reminded to run to you everyday. May your name be praised for all credit is due you.

Family Photos

Moments... how does one capture them? They seem so fleeting... here one moment, gone the next. Is this why we take pictures? Is this why we write? Is this why we journal? Is this why we (try) to scrapbook?

I just thought I'd take a few moments to share my four blessings with you today - captured so naturally by our friend Arminda (check out her site to the right). At certain times in our lives, God has blessed us with friends who can do for us what we cannot - take amazing photos with their amazing talent (thanks too Melanie!)

Deuteronomy 11:18-20

18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds...19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Our family verse, Matthew 19:26

....with God all things are possible."