november/ twenty-thirteen

Having just sent out our 2013 Thanksgiving greetings, it feels a bit soon to be sending out another email, but for those who appreciate the quotes and pictures, here are some favorite images and words from November 2013. As Advent begins tomorrow, may the coming weeks be ones that prepare your heart to welcome the Light. 

The book of Psalms are ancient worship songs that “have a remarkable way of telling the truth about all the fluctuations of the human heart. There are psalms that are written from a heart that is anxious and angry, and there are psalms written from a place of peace and well-being. In all these examples, we learn that we can bring our authentic selves before God no matter what is going on in our lives. During this week of Thanksgiving, it may be helpful for us to remember how the Book of Psalms often approaches the topic of giving thanks. In many cases, the songs of thanks to God are not rooted only in the immediate feeling of joy and peace, but also more significantly in the deep memory of God's faithfulness. Whether we are happy or sad right now, filled or empty, we can all look back to the times in our lives when we've seen the hand of God at work, or back to the times in our greater human history when God has led us out of bondage. It's our memory of God's work in the past that gives us confidence and hope that God's plans for us aren't yet completed - and this is truly a reason to give thanks through all the seasons of our lives.”

-Seattle Pacific University (email from University Ministries - November 25, 2013)

vibrant gratitude 

 HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY to Anna! 

 celebrating in Red Square at University of WA- unicycle style 

birthday traditions- balloons and decorating the Fremont people here in Seattle 

 Thomas Merton writes "To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us--and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference."

 When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness,
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”

~ Mary Oliver ~

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. –G.K. Chesterton

introducing POPPY- the newest member of our family 

"We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”

― E.E. Cummings

giving thanks in Missoula, Montana for the holiday 

What if the question around holiday tables wasn’t – What are you so grateful for? But rather How are you changing the world because you are so grateful? -Ann Voskamp

Such a treat to be in Missoula for some sweet celebrations....

Seattle Kids Marathon & Rafiki Run - November 30, 2013