Sunday, December 1, 2013

Thankful

I am feeling incredibly grateful this week.  It is wonderful that we have a holiday that encourages us to slow down and take time to reflect on all the amazing blessings in life. 
This guy.  No words can describe.  How did I ever get so lucky? I praise God daily that he put us together in this world.  There is no one better I would want beside me.  It's cheesy, but he completes me.  He is my perfect compliment.  He makes me a better person.  Because of him I get to be a wife.  I get to be a wife.  To him.  How awesome!?
And this gal.  Seriously? How am I so lucky?  She cracks me up and makes me smile so hard my jaw tightens.  She makes me feel like the best person in the whole world.  Each day is incredibly special and exciting with her in it. 
Our little family.  Nothing compares.  On Thursday following the Turkey Trot, the three of us drove to the mountains to stay at the cabin.  I am so thankful that we have this opportunity and amazing friends that bless us in this way.
We arrived just in time to watch the replay of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, my absolute favorite! We had the perfect little holiday: cooking good food, enjoying each others' company, hiking, and playing.
We were surprised with several inches of snow at the top of the mountain.  I couldn't wait to get Eleanor bundled and out in it.
She did pretty great and hammed it up for the camera.
We went for a family hike on Friday, avoiding the hustle and bustle of the shops for the quiet beauty of the trail and waterfalls.
We packed a lunch to avoid the crowds at restaurants and Eleanor enjoyed her first PB&J.
I am thankful for generous friends who graciously hand down clothes like this snow suit for Eleanor.  We are the grateful benefactors of so many hand me downs and just couldn't be more appreciative.  This snow suit came at the exact right time.
Jelly face.
The holidays are my favorite time of year.  I really like summer weather and all fall activities.  But from Thanksgiving to New Year's my heart literally sings and I just sort of float on happiness.  I am so joyful this year.  I have been given so much. 
While in the mountains we met friends for breakfast and tree cutting.  We actually skipped out on a real tree (we have a fake one at home already) but we joined Shawn and Vanessa for fun at the tree farm.
I am so thankful for unexpected life.  These two little babes make the world a sweeter place.
I am not sure how you could look at a baby and not see the work of a Creator.  The sweet little life pumping through their heart, into their veins, through their lungs and out into the world.  A life so sweet and precious.  Praise God for babies!
Garret had a blast with Santa and pony rides.  Eleanor, not so much!
So if this is the the final post I am going to write here, then the final thoughts I want to put down go like this:

God is Great.  Not just because of sweet husbands, good babies and generous friends.  For this we are thankful.  But God is also great because He is just.  And He is also merciful.  I am not deserving of the life that I live.  I wouldn't be deserving of any life.  But for a Savior I get to live.  I live with abundant joy because my life was bought with a price.  Jesus died so I may live.  I, a poor sinner.  I choose wrong more often than I choose right.  I am selfish.  And I am unworthy.  But he loved me anyway.  He has always loved me.  And now I get to Him in return.  I get to be a wife, and I get to be a mom.  But most importantly, I get to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ.  And I get to be a friend of the One Most High, and I get to love Him. 

When I think about the people I love and question whether they understand fully the love of God, my heart weeps.  I don't know how to tell others about God.  I get tongue-tied and lost in my words.  I find it hard to explain how deep and magnificent His love is.  It is difficult to explain something that is so much bigger and better than words can describe.  God is the author and creator of life and I hope that you see that.  I hope that you can understand how much He loves you and begs for your attention.  I pray that you will someday give your life wholly to God.  That you would experience true joy in Him.

It is hard, I know that.  As people of this world, to understand something so far off, it is too difficult.  When we lean on our own understanding it is impossible.  When pride stands in the way, and we fear looking weak or ashamed we turn God away.  When others' opinions of us is more important than His, we shun our Lord.  If you are a parent of a teenager, imagine how you felt when they suddenly thought you were no longer cool enough.  When the world around her gave her all the answers and her friends and belongings were more important than you.  Did that break your heart? Did you want to shake her and make her understand that you love her and that you will always be there for her? Did you want to pull her into a tight embrace and protect her always? You once were her entire world.  You made her after all.  And now she has turned her back on you. 

Oh yes, that is how God feels.  And more.  He is jealous for you.  He wants you to know Him.  To hear Him when He speaks.  To love Him.  And to choose Him.  He sent His only son to die, to save you.  That's how much He loves you.  And because I love you too, I am sharing this with you.  It isn't that hard after all.  It's just a confession that He is Lord.  And an admission that you trust Him. 

How grateful I am that I am loved so incredibly.  How thankful for a life and an opportunity to share His word.  Oh, how thankful for this space that I have inhabited for four amazing years, to chronicle so much of my life.  Thank you for being here and participating in this journey.  May God be with you always!
And just for fun...Eleanor's second PB&J ever!
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!