Thursday, November 30, 2017

November Twenty- Seventeen

November Twenty-Seventeen 

“Attention is the purest and rarest form of generosity.” –Simone Weil 

“To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.” –Mark Twain





"The root of joy is gratefulness... It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful." - Brother David Steindl-Rast



"Let us give thanks today,
For the wonder
Of God’s love poured out,
For the beauty of Christ’s life given.
For the joy of salvation received....


Let us give thanks today,
For the abundance of provision shared,
For the richness of friendship enjoyed.
For the delight of friends and strangers.....

Let us give thanks today,
For seeds sown in darkness,
For glimmers of faith in the midst of doubt,
For a shining light at the end of the tunnel.....

Let us give thanks today,
For the glory of God
 In every thought, in every deed, in every moment.
Let us give thanks today for God." 
-Christine Sine




Dear God, you are constantly coming to your people even when we fail to see you. 
In each and every moment that we are blessed to see you here and now, 
give us courage to leap with joy at your coming.
Amen. 

Monday, November 27, 2017

gratitude

This is what our kids have to deal with having a mom who is a teacher. 
Our family assignment every year around Thanksgiving is to write a letter about what we are grateful for and to share these letters around the table. 
This year, we did this on Saturday night after Thanksgiving. 
I am convinced that this is such good work for us all to build these muscles because there are plenty of things that can weigh us down so it's essential to focus on the good gifts and to share in this practice of gratitude together. Giving thanks for these times--
These are the days to remember... 









Sunday, November 26, 2017

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Home Depot after the airport run yesterday 

tree decorating Saturday night 

Taylor sewing on another bell for Poppy's stocking-- 
this is our 5th Christmas with this amazing little furry friend... 





Trader Joe's rings in Christmas with these chocolate covered peppermint jo-jo's.... 

joy to the world...