Addie,
You are a gift, an answer to a grieving mamma's prayer. Your presence has helped sooth the aching, deep hurt that death left in my heart. I will never forget the day I met you, with streams of tears on my face. The Lord had given me another girl, the longing of my heart. He had given me you. I cannot imagine life without you. Your cuteness and giggles brings us all so much joy. I love you and treasure your life, sweet girl.
We're celebrating your life today. You are such a gift to your family and we love you more than we have words for. Thanks for being an amazing dad, faithful husband, and example of love for Jesus to us. You mean to world to us all!
Expectations can be a trap for me. I want something to go a certain way. Then, it doesn't. And a struggle begins in my heart. It's usually not pretty! But why did I expect it in the first place? Because I've let the past dictate. Or because the Jones' do this or that. Or because I'm living outside my gifting or season I'm in. It can be for many reasons.
I could have had a lot of expectations for this Christmas season. I usually do. But this year I had to reset those expectations. I'm so glad I did. Doing less, thinking more. It's been very good for me, for my family.
There still has been much to do. It's been busy. But I have to say it's been a much more peaceful season for me. I've actually been amazed at how much has gotten done for the little planning that was accomplished. And because of the the little thing we now have called the internet. It does help simplify at times. Most of the cookies are baked, shopping is done, tree is decorated, and we're gearing up for our trip back to Maryland next week.
In the next few posts or so, I can't wait to share what my girls did for Christmas this year {with a little help from mom and dad.} More to come on that!
For now, here are a few things I gave thanks for this past week.
*my sister's heroic service
*9 years of Mckenna's life
*horses
*watching my girls enjoy a horse ride
*ice cream, so sweet
*birthday candles that celebrate life
*neighbors
*puffy clouds
*70 degree day!
*the Lord who speaks
*God's sovereignty
*sugar
*beef stock, simmering on stove
*energy for my day
*gingerbread
*provision of food
*a developing grateful heart
*peace, amidst the Christmas season
*a to-do list, done
*the sounds of littles giggling
*mercy when I fall again
*friends for dinner
*joy of Addie
*good news of friend's engagement
*recovery + healing {stomach bug}
My favorite gingerbread recipe, we make almost every year. This year we made a batch to hang from the tree and of course a few to eat!
This year all Mckenna wanted was to go horseback riding. So that's what we did as a family. It was her special gift. On Saturday we picked up her sweet friend, Anna Grace and headed to the stables.
A thought has regularly been in my mind. It keeps coming back, as if to remind me of my weakness and the challenges of this past year. A first I'd fought it...
Mckenna,
You're 9 years old today. I'll never forget the cold December 2nd day you were born. One of the happiest days of my life. You have been a gift to this family and have brought all of us so much joy. You have grown up a lot this year, learning many new things. I love your heart for people and those in need. You're receptive to instruction and desire to please the Lord. That makes my heart glad. This year has been a hard one for you. You've left all that is familiar, all you know and love and have come to a new place, a "new land" as you would call it. You've been brave. It's been difficult, but I've loved seeing how you persevere and are really trying to love this new home.
Happy Birthday, Mckenna! I'm so glad I get to call you, my daughter. I love you so much!
This past week was a gift. And I gave thanks for it. It was so wonderful to be able to go back home to Maryland and see my family. I have never gone so long a stretch without seeing my sister. We had a great time and made memories. As is usually the case, it went by way too fast. But the drive there and back went well and I'm definitely up for doing it again in 3 short weeks.
Something wonderful happened this past week. It happened a few times. I found myself, at different times, spontaneously giving thanks. When there was not anything particular to think about I thought about all the Lord has done and gave him thanks. A great work of His grace.
I brought my "One Thousand Things" journal with me, but didn't pull it out once while away. Not because I didn't want to, but the days were busy. This morning I took time to catch up.
*girls who are learning to help
*happy girls
*a reminder to pray, not use my strength
*Addie's hugs
*a walk outside + the blue sky
*a heart beginning to spontaneously give thanks
*a safe trip home
*wonderful time with family
*God's purposes over mine
*He uses weak, broken things
*moments to savor my girls
*my sister's heroic service
*His work in my big girl's heart
*Wallenmeyers
*Selah's doll, the exact one
*successful shopping trip with all the girls
*God's healing to my heart
*health
*a husband who trusts the Lord
*friends who encourage
My sister assigned me desserts this year. I've had fun the past few weeks dreaming of what I was going to make. Two requirements - travel friendly + yummy! Here is what I decided on:
Pumpkin roll
Cranberry white chocolate chunk cookies
2 Apple pies
1 pumpkin pie
hmm...and maybe some salted pecan chocolate pieces (if I have time).
Pumpkin roll was a disaster the first round. Made it a second time and looks yummy. I tripled the cookie recipe and I can't wait to try them. Dave gave the thumbs up! Pies come tomorrow.
Then we'll finish packing up and hit the road around 3:30am Thursday morning. Can I get some sympathy yawns? You're probably wondering what in the world would compel us to leave then. Well, quiet car + sleeping kids + 4 hours of trip out of way = happy mom! And it's not as bad as driving all night with no sleep. At least we get some! I'm hoping we'll just have to stop once. I know, I'm a hard core mom. Maybe twice if it's not going so good, but then hopefully it will just be a 8 hour trip.
Kel, have a pot of coffee going for us around noon!
Here is the cookie recipe I used/tweaked. I tripled the recipe and got about 6 dozen.
Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 - 3/4 cup real white chocolate, cut into small chunks
1 cup fresh cranberries
chopped Pecans, to desired amount
Preheat oven to 250. Rinse cranberries and place in a glass dish and cook for about 10 minutes to soften up.
Increase oven temperature to 350. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in the white chocolate and cranberries, then pecans. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto cookie sheets or stones.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. For best results, take them out while they are still doughy. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to
cool completely.
Last week was full of days that I didn't want to give thanks. I was tired. My hubby was traveling. I was tired of being housebound with 4 little ones, in my yoga pants for what seemed like days on end. I was impatient with the girls. My attitude was ugly. I still jotted things down in my journal I knew in my head I was grateful for, but my heart was not in it.
On Saturday I was in the shower and I was reminded how grateful I am of hot showers. And then I thought about how much of a blessing a shower is. Yes, a shower. I don't deserve a hot shower. I don't deserve all the countless things I have. My heart should be yearning to give thanks. But I don't. Instead, I run for things that I think will satisfy. A break. Shopping. Time alone. A drive in the country blasting music. Anything but listening to fussiness and crying and needs 24/7. But do they really satisfy? I've tried and, no, I'm left empty. Empty and then looking for the next thing that will give me joy. Again, empty. So, in the shower I was reminded of what the Lord showed me as I started this new journey. My satisfaction is completely in Him. You think I'd live in the good of this by now. But this summer the Lord brought my heart to a place of deeply understanding this. The times I'm most satisfied and content are when the focus is on above, not around me. Seems so simple. But not for this often proud, unthankful heart. There is One who rains down day after day grace and mercy. Provision for all needs and more. Generous gifts to bless. And when I see them, give thanks for them, am consumed with who He is and what He's given. JOY!
It's so simple. Yet I fail so often. Here, again, I pick up my pen and write.
*Selah feeling better
*Hailey's growing contentment
*a pound gained (for Hailey)
*grace to help us trust
*Jerry Bridges
*music that ministers
*beautiful weather
*hope of heaven
*hot showers
*the Lord leading us
*a day to get things done
*Dollywood
*time to bake
*a daddy who loves his girls
*cranberries, so red
*my friend, Helen, who spurs me on
*a God who is sovereign and good
*the gift of giving
*hymns
*Thanksgiving
Last week, we took a field trip to the Forbidden Caverns with the big girls co-op science class. We had a great time. I came away freshly amazed at God's creation, even underground, 300 feet.
© Blogger template Shush by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009
Back to TOP
