Thursday, November 30, 2023

November Twenty-Twenty-Three

 

God of the everyday
Thank you that you
Make no divide
Between ordinary
And extraordinary
May we be blessed
To see you in the mundane
And ordinary tasks
Which you have gifted us this day
-Jeannie Kendall 


There are numerous studies on how practicing gratitude benefits well-being, physical health, and fosters community. Indeed, when we think about the gifts that surround us — provision, love, support, the wonders of nature — we refocus and reframe our experiences. We literally learn to see the world differently. But not in a kind of Pollyanna-ish, denial way. Rather, gratitude gives us a wider lens, one that allows for deeper dimensionality and realistic color, that enables us to draw previously invisible meaning and purpose from life and opens us to possibilities of hope and compassion we didn’t know we had. Gratitude isn’t magic, but its benefits are enormous.  -Diana Butler Bass 


Gratitude is not a passive response to something we have been given; gratitude arises from paying attention, from being awake in the presence of everything that lives within and without us. - David Whyte




a CRAZY Yes! 



Gratitude makes us appreciate the value of something and when we appreciate the value of something, we extract more benefits from it; we’re less likely to take it for granted. In effect, I think gratitude allows us to participate more in life. We notice the positives more, and that magnifies the pleasures you get from life. Instead of adapting to goodness, you celebrate goodness. With gratitude, we become greater participants in our lives as opposed to spectators.  -Brene Brown, Atlas of the Heart 



A practice of gratitude is not about dismissing sadness, anger, fear, or confusion. Rather, it offers us the opportunity to see that we often experience multiple feelings at once; to welcome joy into the same places where we hold grief; to turn our attention to what is quietly growing and breathing day by day, which, to our possible surprise, includes ourselves. -Kristin Lin



No amount of regret changes the past. No amount of anxiety changes the future. Any amount of gratitude changes the present. -Ann Voskamp




Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Willow Wednesday 11.29

 

Taylor took this picture and it captures her little personality so well.... 

Willow's favorite spot in the house... 


contentment 


Monday, November 27, 2023

Rafiki Run 2023

Thank you so much for supporting us in our annual fundraiser for Children of the Kingdom with our Rafiki Run this year. We had the most beautiful day at Seward Park on Thanksgiving for the Rafiki Run, and we were crazy enough to follow Jason's lead to take a polar bear plunge after.  With your help, we have raised over $5000! Thank you so much for your generosity and support! 








Good to the Last Drop

          It was good to the last drop with time with Anna and Taylor back at home for Thanksgiving! 

chasing the sun at the Arboretum Sunday morning with Anna for a gorgeous run 





  

Taylor and Jason's gravel bike ride on Saturday morning near Chuckanut 

Anna and Helen (friend who used to go to Scripps who stopped by on Sunday night) 

picking up Micah from The Christmas Carol last night

best spot in the house... 


Sunday, November 26, 2023

This is 36!

 Such fun to celebrate Sikose last night to ring in 36! 



Sadaf and Chari 

Sikose and Zion Lily 



Sarah stopped by to stay goodbye to Anna and got roped in to be in a picture :) 



We went around the room and asked everyone to say a word that described Sikose--- 
What a gift she is in this world!