Day 2 of Thanks

Today I am thankful for my church band's music. I have a CD of their's and boy does it help me get through those trying days. 

GracePoint Tunes

I am also thankful for Matt. He is the best fiance. He does the little things that really make a difference. For example, he couldn't sleep this morning, so he picked up the house for my book club's gathering tonight. He is such a sweetheart. 

30 Days of Thanks

Today, as the first day of November, the month in which Thanksgiving falls, I am going to start a 30 days of thanks blog series.

I have never done this before in my blog - I snagged the idea from another blogger.

While we should be thankful everyday, let's be honest, it's not likely that we take a few minutes each day to reflect on the things we are thankful for. I encourage others take on this project of 30 days of thanks too, whether you blog, journal, whatever.

Today, I am thankful for.....

* dayquil to help get me through the work day
* my life in the Midwest - that keeps me safe(r) from natural disasters others in the U.S. are faced with regularly
* my local car mechanic place who looks after my car and my safety
* money in my bank account - to buy the little things, like kleenex, bread, winter gloves, etc that we all take for granted, while others less fortunate struggle to stay warm and barely have food to survive each day, let alone worry about blowing their nose into something soft and convenient.

What are YOU thankful for?

Midwest Life Taken For Granted

I was thinking about this the other day....how we, Midwest folks, take life here for granted. We complain about no ocean to swim in, no sandy beach lifestyle, and the snowy winters.

Well, since hurricane Sandy has hit the east coast, I am learning to appreciate my life here in our little Midwest. Winter here doesn't seem so bad compared to the water that swallows homes, tosses cars and drowns the city streets.

Who are we to complain about windy days or pouring rain? I thank God for my life here. I pray for those who have been affected by Sandy. I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through.

Isn't it sad that it takes a disaster such as this for us to realize what we have and count our blessings?

With the cold winter days lingering ahead in the coming months, I will bite my tongue whenever I feel the urge to whine about the cold or the snow. I will embrace the tiny white blessings from the sky and be thankful I have not endured worse conditions from mother nature.

Come spring, I will appreciate the cool rainy days, the dry Indiana clay in which I have to work with in an attempt to plant flowers, the miles of cornfields and flat land that surround my hometown, and the few days in the summer when I can enjoy a nice swim in Lake Michigan.

This has been a lesson learned - Midwest life should not be taken for granted.

Pray Out Loud

My heart has been flooded with prayers for people in my life and even complete strangers. I would like to take a few minutes to write my prayers down and to share in hopes that you can add these people to your prayers too.

Dear Lord, please watch over and care for the following people:

1. My brother, Jerry's friend, Ethan and his family. They recently lost Ethan's dad. My heart breaks for all of them, especially Ethan, because he is so young. Ethan was one of my students when I did my student teaching in college.

2. My brother, Mark's friend, Pat, who just this weekend committed suicide. Hearing his story breaks my heart. A recently divorced, father of 2, who lost everything in his split with his ex. I pray for his two children, especially, who lost a loving father who was struggling with life.

3. My church friend, Katie, who is searching for her purpose in life right now and what God's plan is for her. She is feeling very lost and she is young working professional away from family.

4. My church friend Julie - her mother, who recently found out that she has lung cancer.

5. My friends, Jill and Mike and their baby, Gia, who still has not come home from the hospital due to a lot of health complications. She was born early in May 2012.

6. My brother, Mark, who was recently deployed to NJ. He is an EMT. I pray that he arrives and return safely. He is so brave and I admire the work he does every day to save lives.

7. My brother, Jerry, who is still struggling, I know, with the troubles he has faced with our older brother, Brandon. I pray these two will some day mend their relationship and find love in their hearts again for each other.

8. My brother, Bill, who is recently deployed with the Navy until March. I pray for safe travels. He only has two years left of service. I am very proud of him and everything he does to keep us all safe.

9. My brother, Cody, who is always seeking in his place in the world. I pray that he some day finds the direction God has meant for him.

10. My mom. She is recently on her own again after a long relationship with her ex. I pray that she find comfort and strength to do life with God. I pray that she realizes she isn't alone - that God is with her and will look after her.

11. My grandma, who is still finding her place in this world as a widow. She is doing well and I pray this continues. She has struggled so much after my grandpa's death. I cannot imagine losing the love of your life after 45+ years together.

12. My dear friend, Ellie, and her dad. He is battling cancer and has been for awhile now. I pray for his good health and peace in their lives.

13. My co-workers and their safe travels back to the office.

14. My church, as we go through some changes. I hope our new transitions keep us in line with our mission and vision for our church.

15. My pastor, Ben, he is so strong and probably has a lot on his mind and heart these days. With his long-time friend, and co-pastor, move on to a new church.

16. My fiance, Matt. He doesn't know it, but I pray for him daily. I pray that he arrive safely at school and basketball practice and home. I pray that he know and feel the love and commitment I have for him and our relationship. I pray that he never doubt me or my love.

17. My nieces, Jade and Ella. These two little girls hold a very special place in my heart. They are my world. I would do anything for them. I am always praying for them. I pray they feel and know the love their fathers have for them despite actions and decisions made a couple years ago. No little girl should ever not know her father or the love he has for her.

18. I pray for all those who are on the east coast as hurricane sandy approaches. I pray for their health and safety. 

I pray for all those that I have missed in this prayer. I will try to make this Pray Out Loud post a regular weekly thing.

Thank you, God, for all that you do in my life. I am so grateful and I am reminded of your everlasting love and forgiveness. This last week was a wake-up call and reminder of all that you have done for us. I pick up and carry my cross for you, always, Lord. Amen.

Book Club Reading List

I promised to share my book club’s reading list, so here it is: 

1.      The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William Paul Young

2.      Change of Heart by Jody Picoult

3.      Dancing at the Shame Prom by Amy Ferris & Hollye Dexter

4.      The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenrides

5.      The Wife's Tale by Lori Lansens

6.      The Homecoming by Dan Walsh

7.      Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

8.      Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

9.      The Guy not Taken  by Jennifer Weiner

10.  Prep  by Curtis Sittenfeld

11.  The Man of My Dreams by Curtis Sittenfeld

12.  The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

13.  The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

14.  Baby Proof  by Emily Giffin

15.  Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

16.  There's Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder

17.  Long Drive Home by Will Allison

18.  All We Ever Wanted Was Everything by Janelle Brown

19.  The Baby Planner by Josie Brown

20.  Secret Lives of Husbands & Wives by Josie Brown

21.  Room by Emma Donoghue

22.  The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

If you have any good book suggestions, let me know. I am hoping to choose our next book in November.

Our current book by Jennifer Weiner, Good in Bed, is amazing. I am only about half way through it, but it has been great so far. I love the twists and turns in a story.

How to blow your marriage....

This guy, Dan, from, Single Dad Laughing, wrote an awesome blog post about marriage advice. Divorced twice doesn't mean he doesn't know what NOT TO DO in a marriage.

Funny how people meet a divorced person and automatically think the worst.....

1. They are marriage-challenged
2. It was their fault it ended
3. They are out to prey on married men/women
4. They cannot be trusted
5. They're damaged goods
6. They're on the rebound

And boy, does the list go on!

Just because someone is divorced doesn't mean they don't know anything about marriage or what it takes to make one work. If anything, they know more, because they've experienced what can go wrong and can grow from that. This can make them an even better husband or wife for the next person. Bet you didn't think about that, huh?

Here's Dan's quick list (his blog goes into far more detail about each one - you should read it!):

1. Don't stop holding her hand
2. Don't stop trying to be attractive
3. Don't always point out her weaknesses
4. Don't stop cooking for her
5. Don't yell at your spouse
6. Don't call names
7. Don't be stingy with your money
8. Don't argue in front of the kids
9. Don't encourage each other to stop working out
10. Don't poop with the bathroom door open
11. Don't stop kissing her
12. Don't stop having fun together
13. Don't pressure each other
14. Don't label each other with negative labels
15. Don't skip out on things that are important to her
16. Don't emotionally distance yourself after a fight

I would also like to add some from my own experience:

1. Don't put your spouse down in front of others
2. Don't choose whether or not you're going to spend time with her based on if her plans are better than your friends' plans
3. Don't just say you love them, SHOW it
4. Don't forget about sex after the honeymoon
5. Don't put him in the middle of you and his mother (or someone like that)
6. Don't stop dating each other - establish a day for date night
7. Don't talk to someone of the opposite sex about your marriage problems - TALK TO YOUR SPOUSE
8. Don't put yourself in situations with someone of the opposite sex that walk the line of right and wrong
9. Don't use sex as a bargaining tool
10. Don't stop asking "how was your day?" and actually listening
11. Don't shrug off her tears
12. Don't stop sweeping her off her feet
13. Don't stop being a team
14. Don't go to bed angry
15. Don't leave God out of your marriage
16. Don't let her give up on her dreams for yours

You can read Dan's full blog post here: Single Dad Laughing.

Jesus & Why I Don't Believe in Spanking Children

Warning: this blog post is pretty deep today. It is not meant to be offensive, but if you feel offended, I apologize. Remember, these are my own thoughts and beliefs. I don't expect everyone to agree. That's the beauty of our world.

Okay, the title of this post seems like polar opposites and you're probably wondering why the heck I am writing about Jesus and spanking children. Here's why......

Our church service on Sunday was the last day of the series, "It's Personal." Our pastor, very bravely, showed the scenes of Jesus' torment and death on the cross from the Mel Gibson movie, The Passion of the Christ. If you haven't seen the movie, it's very real and can be difficult to watch at times. Here's the movie trailer if you're interested:



I say our pastor bravely showed this, because it is challenging to watch. He even said some people might be offended by him showing it in church, but if we can't observe it in church, when can we?

You may think, how dare I compare Jesus' death to spanking children. That's just it.....as we watched the scenes of Jesus' flogging and whipping, my head was down. Tears poured from my eyes. This is how I feel about spanking children. I can't. I won't. I cannot inflict any of kind of physical pain like that on another human being. Not even my dog, actually.

Hearing the scenes was enough for me. It was a reminder that Jesus died for our sins and how selfish we can be. Think about all the times we get upset or angry and curse aloud.....

Someone cuts you off while driving.......
You're walking behind someone super slow in the mall........
Your luggage is lost at the airport.......
You stub your toe on the curb.......
Someone steals your parking spot.........
The waitress messes up your order.......
Your spouse forgot to rinse their dishes......
The dog chewed up your favorite pair of shoes......

These are small things folks! Yet, we scream, we curse, and we stress. Jesus' death serves as a constant reminder of why I am here. He gave us all a second chance. He forgives. Why can't we?