Heart-felt Gratitude

I know, I know! Thanksgiving is almost a month away. But I've been thinking a lot lately about how blessed I am at this point in my life. God has blessed me in so many ways and I am so thankful.

One of the things that prompted me to write this post at this time was a little article I read; it was written by the editor-in-chief of Guidepost magazine, Edward Grinnan. I trust it will be OK to quote him in my post, as you could also read it in the November issue of the magazine.

He said: "One of the pleasures of growing older is the perspective it brings to the store of blessings that multiply in your life; growing older means growing more grateful. Of course there is loss and heartache and disappointment too. But it is against these adversities that our blessings stand in high relief, the joy of family and friends and faith and work, and gratitude for the gifts each new day holds. These are the things that make us whole, and with which, as I daily remind myself, I am so richly and undeservedly blessed. Even in these dark and troubled times I find more to be thankful for than not--much more. Gratitude is a practice of the soul that helps us live happier lives and grow closer to God, and our blessings are the living evidence of His grace."

PSALM 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us and we are His, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

An Unbelievable Evening!

When I was a Mary Kay Consultant, many years ago, We learned a little phrase that we would use when someone asked how things were going. It didn't matter if something really good had happened, or if we'd had a really bad week, If someone said "How was your day?" we would say, "It was unbelievable! ( as you can see, that phrase works whether it was good or bad).

As I mentioned in my last post, my sisters and I, along with a friend of Brenda's and her sister, went to hear Carrie Underwood at Ravinia--an outdoor theatre. Everything about that evening was definitely "unbelievable".

The shuttle ride from the far-away parking lot was unbelievable--People with coolers, bags, chairs etc. squeezing as many bodies as possible into the bus.

The number of people was unbelievable--there was quite possibly one trillion, all sitting around on this HUGE lawn area. But could we find a spot? Just barely!

The weather was unbelievable--clear, crisp, and rather cold--but beautiful.

We had unbelievably good food--chicken salad wraps, mixed fruit, crackers and veggies with dip, and melt-in-your-mouth home-made chocolate truffles for dessert.

The conversation was unbelievably good--two sets of sisters, laughing, talking, and just enjoying the company.

The musician was unbelievably good! We could hear her, but not see her. We did get close enough to see the screen for a little while.

It turned out we couldn't even hear very well after a while, as there were unbelievably loud boisterous people around us.

We left early (well actually it was already close to 10:00 pm) and we had about an hour's ride home to Brenda's.

Perhaps I could just sum this all up for you--We had an unbelievable evening of adventure!

Christmas Questions--Favorites and Stuff

Brenda sent me these questions so thought I'd try to answer them. (She originally got them from Nicole.)
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper for most but bags for odd shapes or when I'm in a hurry.

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial-still have to take time to string lights (it's an old tree!)

3. ? When do you put up the tree ? Usually try to have it up by the weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually on New Year's Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes; I especially like eggnog flavored ice cream.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Sad to say, but I don't honestly remember.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? A couple very small ones; One is from Haiti

8. Hardest person to buy for? Lynn; his family is used to telling family members what they want for Christmas, and then it is really no surprise-they get what they asked for. I like surprises!

9. Easiest person to buy for? My very good friends, Shirley and Judy

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I tend to get things I don't really like from one of my first husband's relatives; ( I don't think they blog) It's not that these things aren't nice, but it's things I would probably never use-like a flame snuffer for candles-I just blow them out!

11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? I really enjoy getting Christmas cards, so I mail them.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A lot of them are my favorites; I like some of the newer Christian-based ones that have come out-The Christmas Card, Christmas Shoes, etc.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Ideally, around October, but that usually never happens. This year I did start around the end of October, as I have adopted 12 "grandchildren" this year.

14. Have you ever re-cycled a Christmas gift? Yes. Once I think I even gave it back to the person who gave it to me!

15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? Home-made cookies or candy; pumpkin roll

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I much prefer colored.

17. Favorite Christmas songs? I love most of them. I listen to Christmas music from Thanksgiving to Christmas. I really like the Hallelujah Chorus; there's a fun one that Lowell sings, and for the life of me I can't think of the name of it. ( I even help him sing it)

18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? We usually stay home. Our family gatherings are not actually on Christmas.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes I can. (You'll just have to trust me on this one.)

20. Angel on the top of the tree or a star? I have always had a star.

21. Open presents Christmas eve or Christmas morning? Usually Christmas eve. I sometimes have to work Christmas Day, which is the case this year.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I don't know if it's annoying, but it's sad that so many people don't celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, because they don't know Christ personally. It's also sad thinking about family members who are no longer with us to celebrate-but they are celebrating with the Lord Himself!

23. What I love most about Christmas? Getting together with family, the Christmas music, the special programs at church, etc. There's not much I don't like. (except maybe the traffic.)

24. Do you believe in Santa Claus? I like the spirit that comes with Santa Claus-the elements of fun, surprise, anticipation, etc.

Christmas's Past

I put up my Christmas tree last Sunday. As I was deciding what ornaments to put on it, I was looking at all the "home-made" ornaments my kids made (many years ago!) and other ornaments that are way past their prime. I was wondering why I didn't just throw them away. Then I was reading through my "Christmas Ideals" magazine and saw this poem. I thought it was appropriate.

Christmas Angel

Half of me wants to throw away

This angel with damaged wings,

Stored in the attic at Yuletide's end

With leftover Christmas things.

Half of me sees that the gold on her robe

Is tarnished beyond repair,

And obviously the sheen is gone

From her halo-crowned, golden hair.

But half of me treasures the memories

That crowd in as I hold her near,

Memories of all the joys she has seen

From her treetop year after year.

So, I climbed the ladder, and put her there

In what is her rightful place,

Forgetting the injuries the years have brought--

She still has her angel face.

Though the glow she once had

Through the years may depart,

She retains, as always, her hold on the heart.

Christmas--Cards, Kids, Family, Fun

I am having a really fun time this year with Christmas. I have traditionally written a poem for my Christmas letter for the last several years, and this year was no exception. ( I also have them all addessed sealed and stamped, AND delivered.) I can't believe I sent them out so early this year. One of my friends in Woodburn said, "Congratulations Donna! I always wait to see who i will get my first Christmas card from, and this year yours is the first".

The other fun thing I am doing is that for this year I've decided to be a grandmother to 12 of my great-nieces and great-nephews (the ones that will be at our Christmas gathering.) I don't have any grand-kids and don't have any prospects of any, so I volunteered to get a little gift for each of the 12 kids. I'm actually having a blast! I got some general ideas about likes and dislikes from G-Ma Lou. I can only hope that the kids will be somewhat excited too, but even if they aren't super impressed, it has added some fun and joy to my Christmas.

I will be going to Oklahoma City on Dec 19th for a few days to see family and friends. I guess it's a sign of my somewhat mature age, but it seems like time has just flown by these last few months. I'm also having fun figuring out some gifts for them. Now, if I could only figure out what to get my husband!! He's a little tricky to buy for, but I think I finally figured something out.

To all you gift-givers out there, I hope you're having as much fun as I am. My hubby thinks I've gone mad. (He hasn't really said that, but he gets this strange look on his face and looks at my boxes, and says, now, tell me again, who all are these gifts for? )
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!

Thanksgiving

Tanyale, Tyler, and T.J.

Sharice, Brian, Lynn, Lou, and Rog (kids in background)

Lynn and I had no family to share Thanksgiving with (his daughter had other plans and my son is in Oklahoma. So my sister Lou invited us to share thanksgiving with them. I hadn't really spent time visiting with Brian and his family for a long time, so it was really nice. Of course, Lou, the cook, had a fabulous meal! Later in the afternoon, Rick and Dawn and their family, and Jon and Laura and their kids came also. After dinner some of us played rummy cube for a while. Then they played Yuker (sp?) I had never played, so I watched for a while, then tried my new found knowledge. I played a few good hands, but Lynn and I lost! It was a fun day.