November: the best of my days

I'm well aware of the fact that bloggyville
has been a bit of a ghost town these last couple months.

And while there are countless things
that I'd like to take the time to document and to share,
I have been enjoying how full my days are.

Full of work, full of friends,
full of family, full of adventure,
full of grace and full of joy.

Here are a few highlights:

1. A great workout
2. Catching up on Revenge!
3. Celebrating the McDougals
4. Spending time with Alana + Erin
5. Snuggling by the fire for a quiet morning
6. Crafting with my sister
7. A Pomegranate-Blueberry tea latte
8. A way productive night
9. Even though Girls Night was a bust,
Erin + Lyssie still came over
10. Forgiveness + Honest Communication
11. Feeling proud to work for Qualcomm
12. A no-commitment kind of Saturday
13. Holding sweet little baby Averie
14. Canceled Meetings
15. A great workout
16. A perfectly productive night
17. Seeing Andrew + Amy at Bible Study
18. Celebrating Mr. and Mrs. Pistotti
19. Christmas decorating!!
20. Singing one of my favorite songs
21. Faux-Thanksgiving Dinner with Danny
22. A Head Massage while hearing stories of how good God is
23. Getting off work early to go see Papa
24. Celebrating Thanksgiving with family
25. Walking through downtown Sonora #socute
26. Having lunch with Jacob + Christin in the midst of a long drive home
27. The start of Advent
28. Appetizers for dinner. #nomnom
29. Reconciliation + Encouragement
30. Celebrating Jakey's Birthdayyy

And seriously, does December start tomorrow?
That's nuts.

It's not necessarily the
"oh-my-gosh-Christmas-will-be-here-in-a-flash" stress that gets me,
but more the fact that this year FLEW by.

It's time to celebrate the Christmas season
and start thinking about next years goals.

Archive:
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

Thankful for: A Change of Scenery

We've been house sitting for the last couple days.
And while it's always a little bit inconvenient,
I've enjoyed the change of scenery.

I wake up to a different view
from a different backyard.
I wake up at a different time
to feed dogs I normally don't see.
I get to shower in a different bathroom
and use a different soap and shampoo.
I drive different windy roads covered in greenery
and see different people on my way to work.
I stop at a different coffee shop
and get something other than 'the usual.'
I see the world differently.

And when I drive home,
I stroll along the coast,
soaking in every last glimpse of sunlight
before it sneaks back over the horizon.
I try different restaurants
and play with dogs I normally don't see.
I peal away from chores
and from computers
and I see the world differently.

Thank you, Lord, for this change of scenery.
Thank you for the little beauties and treasure I get to delight in.
And thank you for eyes to see.

Thankful for: Our Home

We have a home.
We have running water.
and warm water at that.
We have a heater
and an air conditioner.
We have flooring with no stains (yet!).
We have a refrigerator
and a dish washer
and an oven.
We have a washing machine
and a dryer
and no neighbors above us.
We have a safe neighborhood.
and a garage.

But most importantly,
we have a home filled with love and with memories.
A place for relationship
and for shelter.
A place to gather.

We are rich.

and for that I'm beyond thankful.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for entrusting us with this home.
May we use it to glorify You:
to care for Your people, to entertain strangers,
and to remember that all good gifts come from You.
Please bless our home
and those who enter it.

Thankful for: Canceled Meetings

Sometimes the day just doesn't go as planned.
Production issues come up.
Fires need to be put out.
and well, it just isn't as expected.

But then there are those days.
Those busy days jam-packed with meetings.
The days you wonder when you're going to get any work done.
And then a meeting gets canceled.
or maybe even two.

And it's a little shiny penny
that I can choose to pick up and cherish.

and thank God for.

Thank you Lord, for canceled meetings
and for teaching me flexibility.

Thankful for: Productivity

We pray each Sunday morning
that the Lord would multiply the offering given,
so a while ago I started praying
that the Lord would also multiply the hours in my day.

Now of course He doesn't literally extend the day,
but I do believe that He blesses us when we spend our time wisely.

On Saturday morning,
I spent several hours with the Lord, reading the Word
Now I hate to say
"when I should have been cleaning the house,"
but that is what I had originally planned during that time.

When Saturday came along,
this time with the Lord became more important
and the cleaning got postponed
what felt like indefinitely.

But tonight,
in what I believe to be a divine appointment,
Jeremiah has spent the evening with his buddy
and I have had a chance to bust out the productivity.
Clean bathrooms. Vacuumed Floors.
Filtered Inbox. Paid Bills. Clean Laundry.
and it feels like Heaven.

Tonight I'm thankful for the gift of time
and for productivity.

Holy God,
Thank you for the ways it feels you create time in my day.
And thank you for the energy to accomplish the tasks I need to do.
Thank you for husbands who cook dinner.
And for minutes that feel like hours.
Thank you for blessing us and our home
as we try to be good stewards.

Thankful for: Lifelong Friends

Jeremiah has been friends with the same group of friends since high school.
It's awesome.

Me?
I keep in contact with a couple people from middle school,
1 person from middle school and high school,
a handful of people from youth group,
a grip of people from college,
and a couple friends from church.

Most of my friends aren't even friends with each other.

But Jeremiah,
he knows exactly who is coming when "the crew" gets together.
They laugh together, chat together, reminisce together,
warm-the-house so-to-speak when new homes are bought,
celebrate each others' weddings, and hold each others' babies.

I love it.
and I'm so honored to be a part of that.
Today, I'm thankful for lifelong friends.

Heavenly Father,
thank you for the gift of friends
and thank you for these special, loyal friends in particular.
May the way we treat each other
be a reflection of Your character.
And may we never forget
that these good gifts come from You.Holy God,

Thankful for: My Best Friend

He's loyal.
He's thoughtful.
He's cozy.
He's organized.
He's gracious.
He's tender.
He's handy.
He's fun.
He's generous.
He's hard-working.
He's my teammate.
and he's my best friend.

Today, and every day, I'm very thankful for him.

Lord,
thank you for the gift of companionship
and thank you for the life-long best friend you've given me in Jeremiah.
It's plain and simple
and yet it's one of the biggest blessings of all.
May our love increase day after day
and may we glorify You together.

Thankful for: the Time Change

I'm all for long summer days
don't get me wrong.

But there's something encouraging
about the sun already being up
when I get out of bed in the morning.

There's something inspiring
about its' rays peaking through our blinds.

And there's something majestically jaw-dropping
about the gorgeous sunsets I see
in my rear-view mirror
as I drive home into the darkness after work.

Today, I'm thankful for the time change.

God,
Thank you for the beauty of your creation.
And thank you for the reminder this Sunday
that how we spend our time
is a reflection of the priorities of our heart.
Continue to open my eyes
to what you have for me during this season of life.
May I not be in constant battle with the Ticktator,
but may I find peace in Your timing
and in the beautiful reminders
that time is in Your hands.

Thankful for: Good Health

Yesterday, I stopped by the doctor's office on my way to work.
I had to get my second vaccine in a series of three.

And although that little son-of-a-gun
was not terribly enjoyable at all,
I smiled as I drove off.

I got to leave.

I don't frequent the doctor's office,
nor do I spend time in urgent care or in the hospital.
I can run, jump and play.
I can travel, I can work, I can drive.

I'm healthy.
And for that I am thankful.

Father God,
Thank you for taking care of my body
and for sustaining my every breath.
Please help me to take care of myself
and to treat my body like the special gift it is.
God, I also lift up those who are sick.
Comfort them. and heal them with Your mighty hand.
For You are able.

Hawaiian Highlights

Last month Jeremiah and I went on vacation

with his old boss, her husband, and their two-and-a-half year old.

We spent the week on the Big Island...

waking up early to go for a run and to enjoy the morning sunshinewatching the sunrise from the top of Mauna KeaScuba Diving Puako, Suck 'em up, Black Pebble and HonaunauPracticing our Island graffitiWalking on Black Sand beachesEating bomb.com shaved iceHiking on an active volcanoPlaying in the warm aqua waterJumping through insane blow-holesMarveling at Akaka Falls and the Waipio ValleyHiking to KiholoWatching the geckos change colorEnjoying the beautifully warm nightsHiking through botanical gardensReading, sleeping and drinking lava flows on the beachRelaxing with a seaside couple's massageWatching the sunset each nightand spending time with friends
It was SO much fun to
well, be on vacation instead of at work,
but also to be spending time with our friends!

We love you S, D + E.
We've watched E's home videos almost daily!

Weekend Pennies

This weekend went by way too fast,
but it was full of so many life-giving things.
The mess at my house can sure attest to that.

Jeremiah letting me take the Altima for the weekend
A double-dip Starbucks day
Safe travels without too much rain
A sweet text from a friend
Walking around Downtown Disney
Donuts for dessert
Sleeping in
Pumpkin Spice Soy Latte and fresh orange scones
Slobbery dog kisses from the cutest pup
Cuddling up by the fire
Meeting new friends
Spending time with old friends
Lunch at Balboa Island in Newport
A maternal perspective
An absolutely gorgeous post-storm day
Finding the candy corn salt water taffy I thought was gone til next year
Instragram
Paper Source
Great conversation
The perfectly timed sunset
A surprise visit with my sister
Seeing old hall-mates
A quick hello to my father-in-law
Macaroni and cheese and pretzels
Free beer
Celebrating a Birthday Girl
Getting to know new friends
Snuggling up with the Mister
A much-needed extra hour of sleep
Another awesomely (totally a word!) impactful sermon
Holding a sweet baby in the nursery
Catching a glimpse at how small the world can be
BBQ. Nuff said.
A successful shopping trip with the Sister
Being inside while it thundered and lightninged
Watching Elf and Grinch
Finishing making my Christmas cards
A helpful sister
Wrapping Christmas gifts
Delivery for dinner
Sweet Emma's home videos
Hugs and Kisses from Mom and Dad
Revenge

Thankful for: Major Minute

Point Loma has a new event this year
just for undeclared students.

It's called Major Minute.

And it's an event for students who are openly still searching for a major.
It's a place where they can come to hear recent alumni
share minute-long anecdotes about their own experiences.

Last month, I had the honor of speaking at this event.
I wasn't sure quite what to expect,
but it ended up being a great casual networking event
and a wonderful chance to hang out with the students
(and watch the gorgeous Loma sunset!!)

While I'm not necessarily passionate
about Computer Science majors (my major!) specifically,
I have a very tender place in my heart
for the process of processing vocation.

I firmly believe that not only has the Lord gifted us each uniquely,
but that He has also placed a call on our lives.
I believe that the way that we work
says far more about our walk with the Lord
than the way we worship.

And I believe that this event was not just a great opportunity for the students,
but also a reminder to reflect on my own journey.

Lord, thank you for continuing to lead me through this process.
And thank you for the desire you've placed in these students' hearts
to pursue a life that glorifies You.
May Your Spirit speak to their souls as they seek You
and may their ears be open to hear Your guidance.

Thankful for: Glimpses of the Kingdom

Last night we honored some very special friends of ours
as we bid them safe travels to their new home in Texas.

It was a night of people coming together
to show their appreciation for two people
who have so uniquely touched the lives of many people.

A beautiful picture of community,
of loyalty, of generosity, of consideration,
and of love.

And to see men gather around them
and pray for their journey...

it blessed my heart
and I know it blessed theirs.

This morning I'm so very thankful
for glimpses of the Kingdom.

Lord, thank you for the people you've placed in our lives,
the people who reflect your heart,
the people who carry each others' burdens,
and the people who need to know Your love.
May you be glorified. May you be recognized.
May you guide our dear friends on their journey.

Thankful for: Grace

I am beyond thankful for grace today.
and grace yesterday and grace tomorrow
for that matter.

I do not have it all together.
In fact, today, I don't even feel like I have some of it together.
I juggle, and juggle, and juggle,
and then the balls start to drop.
Or they all pound to the floor simultaneously.

Welcome to today.

A few years ago, this would of stressed me out.
It would have crumbled me to a crying mess,
completely void of worth.

But today,
it reminds me
of my need for the Lord
and of my deep dependence on
and thankfulness for His grace.

Heavenly Father,
thank you for sending your Son to the Cross for me,
thank you not only for your mercy that meets me in my time of need,
but for the abundant grace you've shown me
again and again and again.
You are Holy. You are what I need.

Thankful for: Alarm Clocks

I know, I know...
alarm clocks aren't typically something people are thankful for.

Most people hate them,
hit them, snooze them,
and throw them across the room
as they cuddle back into their cozy bed.

But today, I'm thankful for alarm clocks

On Monday I forgot to set my alarm clock.
Thankfully, my internal clock only woke me up thirty minutes late,
but I definitely felt the absence of that tiny little convenience.

Today, I had an 8am meeting
so I had to make sure I was at my desk in time.

If that little guy hadn't woken me up
from the deepest of sleeps,
that would have been bad-news-bears.

So...

I'm thankful to have an alarm clock,
a functioning alarm clock,
an alarm clock that reminds me that I'm alive
and that today is a new day.

Thankful for: Co-workers

I'm one of those people who practically keeps a running list
of things I'm thankful for -
little things and big things alike,
commonplace experiences and sacred moments.

So during the month of November,
a month so commonly dedicated to, among other things, thanksgiving...
I've decided to share one of these pretty pennies each day.

Today I'm thankful for my co-workers.

co-workers who can't wait to hear about my recent vacation,
co-workers who offer to give rides,
co-workers who invite me to parties,
co-workers who are understanding,
co-workers who I eat lunch with,
co-workers who I can rely on,
co-workers who bring gifts back from vacation,
co-workers who make me laugh,
co-workers who miss me while I'm gone,
co-workers who challenge me to be better at my job,
co-workers who are thoughtful,
co-workers who make me feel sane,
co-workers who share,
co-workers who care,
and co-workers that have slowly but surely turned into friends.

Lord, thank you for preparing me for my work environment,
for ministering to me through my co-workers
and for opening my eyes to the daily blessings you bestow upon your children.