Gratitude Friday
This has been a great week! I have so many things to be thankful for which only creates a problem when you’re trying to keep things to a relatively short list. There are moments in my day when I am grateful for the smallest of things like a spot on my favorite level of the parking garage or left over cookies from a meeting or even a post-it note in just the right size. All of it seems so trivial but it’s not. Really, everything in life is about the status of your heart. Do you come to God each day with a heart full of gratitude or a heart full of longing? You all know we long for a family but thanks to this blog (shout out to Carrie for convincing me to start this) I am more focused than ever on maintaining a spirit of thankfulness.
Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 & 18
1. My husband’s gift – It seems like so many people are searching for their passion in life. You know “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”. I have certainly searched for this as have most of my friends. But my husband never has. There’s not enough tea in China to convince me to teach and even less to teach…band. There are days when he calls me and I literally hold the phone away from my ear trying to avoid hearing whatever horrible sounds the teenagers are making in the band hall. He loves it. It’s the perfect place for him. Striving for perfection, organization, creativity, website design, cheesy jokes and the opportunity to say, “Its okay. I’m with the band.” He’s a wonderful teacher, band director, leader and mentor to those kids. And every time I watch him conduct, I love him a little bit more. Teaching band is his gift.
2. My gift – After years of analyzing, experimenting and doing just about all there is to do as both an event planner and an assistant, I finally understand my gift. I am both. What I love is scheduling and organizing “events”. Now, those can be related or they can be completely different. This week I’ve been working on 3 “events”. All of them require ground transportation, flight arrangements, IT coordination, food and beverage service, décor, marketing, detailed itineraries and on and on and on. None of these events are the same but all of them need attention. I’ve started to view every thing I do as an Event. We sent out 1,200 letters a couple of weeks ago. I created a schedule, assigned duties and made sure it was done on time and correctly. Love it. Anyway, all that to say, I love making sure the people I work for have all of their needs met in every way whether that’s sending out 1,200 letters, planning a reception for 150 people or just managing their travel schedules. Managing every day and extraordinary “events” is my gift.
3. Informercials - I love infomercials. And let me be specific, I love infomercials about weight loss products. Yesterday, while running miles 1 – 3, I watched a new one on a home gym. It’s a step, like for step aerobics, with hooks on the side where you can attach resistance bands. Included in this package were a nutritional guide, a cardio DVD and an instructional DVD. Fabulous. What I love most about infomercials are the stories of the people. None of these products are miracles and likely most of them are difficult. Really, have you actually tried Tae-bo? It’ll kick your tail. A piece of equipment or a DVD will not make you lose weight but these people have done the work. So while I run, I am grateful that people have lost weight, regardless of the product, by doing the work. Oh, and congratulations to Mom and Mr. Pack! They did the work and well, wow!
4. Skirts – I love skirts. Always have. In both high school and college, I would get all dolled up in a skirt and cute top for a big test. Seriously, if I was especially nervous about a test, I thought the best way to combat that was to look like I had it all together. I still feel that way. Only now, thanks to the 2,000 rubber band snaps, I can wear skirts much more often. Today I’m in my red linen Ann Taylor skirt I wore last summer to my cousin’s bridesmaids’ luncheon. It flares out at the bottom and I love the way it swings when I walk. Tonight, we’re going to Chris’ band banquet where I’ll get to wear my black and white silk skirt. Now, if there was only a permanent solution to being blindingly pale, I’d be all set!
5. God’s Timing – I was in high school when Garth Brooks’ “Unanswered Prayer” came out. Even then I remember thinking that God doesn’t let prayers go unanswered – He just may give you the answer you don’t want. You know, like “No” or “Wait”. As we approach a year since we found out we would be moving to Texas, I am very grateful He knew what we needed and what would happen instead of letting us plan everything. We’ve had a good year. Yes, we miss our friends and yes, we miss our church but really, as a family, we have been so blessed this year. Now as we sit watching things change around us, we know all things are in His control and His timing is perfect. And for that, I am most grateful.
Have a wonderful weekend! We love you all!!!
This has been a great week! I have so many things to be thankful for which only creates a problem when you’re trying to keep things to a relatively short list. There are moments in my day when I am grateful for the smallest of things like a spot on my favorite level of the parking garage or left over cookies from a meeting or even a post-it note in just the right size. All of it seems so trivial but it’s not. Really, everything in life is about the status of your heart. Do you come to God each day with a heart full of gratitude or a heart full of longing? You all know we long for a family but thanks to this blog (shout out to Carrie for convincing me to start this) I am more focused than ever on maintaining a spirit of thankfulness.
Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 & 18
1. My husband’s gift – It seems like so many people are searching for their passion in life. You know “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”. I have certainly searched for this as have most of my friends. But my husband never has. There’s not enough tea in China to convince me to teach and even less to teach…band. There are days when he calls me and I literally hold the phone away from my ear trying to avoid hearing whatever horrible sounds the teenagers are making in the band hall. He loves it. It’s the perfect place for him. Striving for perfection, organization, creativity, website design, cheesy jokes and the opportunity to say, “Its okay. I’m with the band.” He’s a wonderful teacher, band director, leader and mentor to those kids. And every time I watch him conduct, I love him a little bit more. Teaching band is his gift.
2. My gift – After years of analyzing, experimenting and doing just about all there is to do as both an event planner and an assistant, I finally understand my gift. I am both. What I love is scheduling and organizing “events”. Now, those can be related or they can be completely different. This week I’ve been working on 3 “events”. All of them require ground transportation, flight arrangements, IT coordination, food and beverage service, décor, marketing, detailed itineraries and on and on and on. None of these events are the same but all of them need attention. I’ve started to view every thing I do as an Event. We sent out 1,200 letters a couple of weeks ago. I created a schedule, assigned duties and made sure it was done on time and correctly. Love it. Anyway, all that to say, I love making sure the people I work for have all of their needs met in every way whether that’s sending out 1,200 letters, planning a reception for 150 people or just managing their travel schedules. Managing every day and extraordinary “events” is my gift.
3. Informercials - I love infomercials. And let me be specific, I love infomercials about weight loss products. Yesterday, while running miles 1 – 3, I watched a new one on a home gym. It’s a step, like for step aerobics, with hooks on the side where you can attach resistance bands. Included in this package were a nutritional guide, a cardio DVD and an instructional DVD. Fabulous. What I love most about infomercials are the stories of the people. None of these products are miracles and likely most of them are difficult. Really, have you actually tried Tae-bo? It’ll kick your tail. A piece of equipment or a DVD will not make you lose weight but these people have done the work. So while I run, I am grateful that people have lost weight, regardless of the product, by doing the work. Oh, and congratulations to Mom and Mr. Pack! They did the work and well, wow!
4. Skirts – I love skirts. Always have. In both high school and college, I would get all dolled up in a skirt and cute top for a big test. Seriously, if I was especially nervous about a test, I thought the best way to combat that was to look like I had it all together. I still feel that way. Only now, thanks to the 2,000 rubber band snaps, I can wear skirts much more often. Today I’m in my red linen Ann Taylor skirt I wore last summer to my cousin’s bridesmaids’ luncheon. It flares out at the bottom and I love the way it swings when I walk. Tonight, we’re going to Chris’ band banquet where I’ll get to wear my black and white silk skirt. Now, if there was only a permanent solution to being blindingly pale, I’d be all set!
5. God’s Timing – I was in high school when Garth Brooks’ “Unanswered Prayer” came out. Even then I remember thinking that God doesn’t let prayers go unanswered – He just may give you the answer you don’t want. You know, like “No” or “Wait”. As we approach a year since we found out we would be moving to Texas, I am very grateful He knew what we needed and what would happen instead of letting us plan everything. We’ve had a good year. Yes, we miss our friends and yes, we miss our church but really, as a family, we have been so blessed this year. Now as we sit watching things change around us, we know all things are in His control and His timing is perfect. And for that, I am most grateful.
Have a wonderful weekend! We love you all!!!
I think those infomercials make losing weight look to easy. Speaking as a person who has tried multiple diets and it seems like I've been on a diet for at least 25 years, losing weight is not easy. You got to get up and move! Thanks for always encouraging me. You've taught me much in your quest for a healthier lifestyle. Mom
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