Home (Thankfulness Day 2)...

So raise a glass and gather round,
Toast the night and friendships found.
And I'll lay to rest my troubled face,
And breathe deep this amazing grace.

So, I literally have five posts saved that were supposed to be "Thankfulness Day 2"... things for which I am very grateful. Still, I haven't found the right words, and I have painted (or written, or really, not written) myself into a corner, now. If I'm going to have "Thirty Days of Thankfulness" completed by Thanksgiving, I now have to write a post a day. I can see Denyse rolling her eyes... we'll see how that goes. I'll get to the other five topics eventually, but today...

I'm thankful for old and new friends and for a place where I've been hanging out with old and new friends for 19 years, now.

Get on the Good Foot...

The foot picture idea is catching on...

Scuba-girl Hallie at the pool last summer...

Nancy, Andy, and Tori at a wedding...

Hannah Kate and the GHS Lady Lions before a tournament...

Thanks for the pics, guys!!!

Love in This Club (Thankfulness Day 1)...

Last year, when Mark was off being a soldier and Joel was off being a rock star, Denyse, Paige, and I started Monday Night Supper Club. Basically, the idea was that Monday was the worst day of the week for us, so why not give ourselves something to look forward to? We decided that each of us would cook one Monday a month, and on the fourth Monday, we would eat out.

Well... unlike many of the projects that we undertook last year (marathons, cupcakes, etc.), this one stuck. For me, it has become a highlight of the week, and as the ever-wise Joel has said, we've created a community.

We've added members. We've had one-night-only guests. Sometimes, the boys are there, sometimes they aren't. Sometimes we stay on schedule and have delicious, gourmet meals. Sometimes, we frequent Papa Murphy's and Big Baby's. Sometimes, we debate the merits of Calvinism and form grand plans for missions funding. Sometimes, we discuss the UPS man and form grand "That's what she said!" jokes.

Either way... we know that there's a group of people to eat and laugh with on Monday nights, and for that, I am thankful...

I Have You to Thank...

Last year, my favorite blogista, Denyse (like the title I gave you?), wrote for thirty days on the things for which she is most thankful. Of, course, being a blogista, she did this in thirty consecutive days. I, not being a blogista (but an aspiring imaginista), plan to do Thirty Days of Thankfulness beginning now and finishing on Thanksgiving Day.

I've been thinking about this for awhile, but as I close in on three months left in the states before my big adventure in Peru, I'm starting to feel the sadness for some of the things that I have already left and will be leaving behind (at least for a little while). This isn't a bad thing...

I pitched a hissy fit at God a few weeks ago when I couldn't find the black boots that I wanted to wear to church. In a panic, I just knew that I had donated them, along with many of my other beloved shoes, in the spring when I was feeling the urge to purge myself of all of my worldly possessions and set out on my quest to save the world. On that Sunday morning a few weeks ago, realizing that the me in the spring thought that I would forever be able to subsist on Toms, Converse, and flip flops, the me in the fall was angry. I was frustrated with myself... I was frustrated with God... I began to cry... over a pair of black boots... that I eventually found in the attic later that day. But, in that moment when I had obviously lost some perspective, the boots represented all of the things that I was giving up- my house, my car, my job, my kids, my comfort.

Now, of course, I'm back in my right mind (with my boots within view as I type), and I am beyond excited to be going to Peru. Still, I feel like I was given these months in the in-between to reflect on the blessings that I've enjoyed over the last five years... over the last thirty years. So, that's the plan. Thirty Days of Thankfulness. (And, no, I won't be devoting a whole day to the boots... maybe to shoes, in general, though.)

For Freedom...

Well... I was in China for part of the summer, and I have been remiss in posting anything about the trip (or anything for that matter).  Needless to say, it was amazing.  Hopefully, I'll be writing more later this week, but for right now, I've been playing around with iMovie.  The pictures aren't the best, but it gives you a small glimpse of one of my new favorite countries.  

I chose the song because:

1.  I've recently become obsessed with any music from Jimmy Needham, and...

2.  During my time spent in China and following the trip, I've been thinking a lot about our idea of freedom.  

I may expound more on my brilliant thoughts later this week, but for now, enjoy the video...

God Bless the USA (and the people who cry every time they hear the song)...

Denyse,

I love you because...

-You will love George W. Bush until the day you die, and it doesn't matter what others may say.  You're nothing if not loyal.  

-You've stood in the same room with W and Bono, and you wouldn't dream of bragging about it ; )

-You, like I, wanted to be a country superstar when you were young.  And, although I think Dolly makes more sense than Johnny, I appreciate your good taste in music.

-You appreciate a good "That's what she said..." joke and the occasional inappropriate (if somewhat grammatically incorrect) t-shirt.  Sometimes you wouldn't even know that you're a minister's wife (in a good way).

-Your a great traveller.  You believe in the possibility of seeing everything in NYC in three days, and yet, you understand the necessity of a good afternoon nap while at DisneyWorld or the beach.  We've seen the wonders of the world and the wierdest of the world together... Machu Picchu and Lobsterman.  I'm grateful that I've seen it all with you! 

-You're funny.  Not in-your-face, center-of-attention funny.  You're under-your-breath, behind-their-back funny (in a good way).

-You're paranoid... I mean discerning.  You can see to the heart of people.  And, while I know it can be a burden, I'm glad that you use your gift for good instead of evil.

-You have raised the most unusual children I've ever known (in a good way).  They are funny and creative and sarcastic and... well, great.  They are our walking consciences.  They are going to get even better, I'm sure.

-You care about people.  I constantly hear your voice in my head saying, "They just need Jesus." I know you say it jokingly when it's about the characters in "Rent", but I also know that you see needs that I often overlook.  

-You're here.  I know you didn't want to be, but the last 14 years wouldn't have been the same without you.  Thanks for leaving better to come to worse because you made it better.

For these and many other reasons, I love you!!!  Happy 26th Birthday, Denyse!!! 

Think About It, Think, Think About It...

Lee,

I love you because...

-"There's people on the streets getting diseases from monkeys.Yeah, that's what I said, they're getting diseases from monkeys.Why's this happening, please, who's been touching these monkeys?Leave these poor sick monkeys alone

They're sick, they've got problems enough as it is..." You get this.

-You embody that great line from Steel Magnolias when Julia Roberts says, "An ounce of pretention's like a pound of manure." You are who you are, and if they like it, that's great. If they don't, you don't stress.

-You don't try to hide your vices. I won't list them here, though.

-You appreciate the irony.

-You're one of the best friends I've ever seen. You genuinely care about the people that you call friend. More uniquely, you have this bizarre circle of friends that don't seem to make sense, but when you're with them, they do. I envy your openness to people.

-You appreciate real talent and strive for it in yourself. You're hard on people who have much success with little justification, but you're harder on yourself (with less reason).

-You can quote all the best lines from all the worst movies, and sometimes, you seem to channel the spirit of Chris Farley.

-You want to know more. You don't really care about degrees and accolades, but you have this desire to gain knowledge so that you'll be equipped to do the things that you've been called to do.

-You laugh with me... at inappropriate times and for completely immature reasons. We have the best family dinners, and it's probably best that I don't say anymore.

-You have this incredible heart. I've told you that I envy your sensitivity. I know that you see it as a weakness, but you're this amazing contradiction of giant grizzly bear on the outside and sweet teddy bear on the inside. (Doesn't that sound like an ad for something?) Anyway... I can't say enough... you're my most difficult critic and maybe the person in the world that I'd most like to make proud. I'm glad we didn't kill each other as children... I like you, now. Oh, and you're not adopted.

Happy Birthday!!!

Daughters (should be so lucky)...

So... I didn't forget the birthday.  I just forgot that I had this series of blogs.  Especially sorry that this one is late!

Daddy, I love you because...

-You have a sordid past.  I won't go into detail, but people never believe that Big Gar has a seedy history.  (Okay... maybe seedy is a bit strong...)  Obviously, their disbelief is evidence of a miraculous change, but I still secretly find it amusing and a little comforting that you're evidence that God really does look out for us even when we wander a little (or a lot).  Thanks for being honest with us.

-You took me fishing and shooting... exactly once each.  Well, you only took me fishing on the boat once.  I love you for having hobbies about which you're passionate... that you didn't feel the need to pass onto me.  You don't even roll your eyes that much when I go on an anti-gun tirade.  (Lee's militia-ready stash covers both of us, right?)

-You can use words like "dogmatic" and "ain't" in the same sentence.  Beautiful contradictions...

-You taught me to cocoon.  My students coined this phrase.  It's the way that you and I shut down when we're angry.  Instead of screaming, we become silent.  I didn't realize what a gift this was until I realized the millions of times that I would have said things I would have regretted if I hadn't gone into my cocoon.  Thank you for cocooning.

-You encourage people... always.  You see the beauty in people that no one else may see.

-You read.  I loved books before I could read them because you showed me that they were important..  the leather-bound War and Peace and the Little Golden Book Cinderella.

-You write.  I've always been fascinated by the journals that you keep, and I hope that I'll someday have the consistency that you do.

-You listen when it's wise and speak when it's righteous.  "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart..."

-You let us become who we're supposed to be... praying hard all the time.  Lee and I aren't normal... I don't know if you've noticed.  Thanks for being okay with Chandler and Piper and Miller and Lewis and Obama and Barr and St. Louis and Peru... and surrogate grandchildren for the time being.

-You love Mom.  You love her in a way that everyone can see it and know that she is priceless to you.  It's not just her-it's Grandpa and Susie and Mary Ann and Lee and I-but, it's most importantly her.  

For these, and infinite other reasons, I love you, Daddy!  Happy Birthday!!!

Is This Love?...

So, we celebrated William Shakespeare's 445th birthday in my classes this week.  Ironically, he also died on his birthday, and one of my students suggested a wake, instead, but I thought a birthday party more appropriate.

My ninth graders read Romeo and Juliet each year (as I'm sure most of us did as ninth graders), and as an introduction, I had them read Sonnet 116 and respond with their own prose or poetry defining love.

With their permission, here are some of the highlights:

"Love is..." by K

Love is...

... not a crutch to be thrown away when one feels better.

... not a fading rose, a thing that loses substance and 

dies with the season's passing.

... a part of God, our protection against evil and the prince of air.

... a force of nature, invisible, 

powerful enough to move the unextraordinary to do the impossible, 

but when absent, devastating enough to drive a saint to the unspeakable.

...a cord of communion, stretching between two people, 

attaching them 'lest the cord be broken,

at which time, either being at the ends of the cord 

take to bleeding inwardly in the agony of solitude.

... the missing element, what Hitler needed to prevent himself from mass genocide.

... eternal.

"Love..." by B

Love is the neverending power in our world that creates all things good.

Without love, we would be in utter chaos.

Love is the driving force that has carried man through time.  Love lasts forever.

It never subsides.

Love grows through time.  

Love should not be a temporary thing.  It is a lifetime commitment.

Love is not found by sight alone but by seeing the person within.

Take heart unto whom you love, for you might not experience the ultimate power of this unexplainable emotion.

And my favorite...

"Love is not Real" by M

Love is not real.

I hate how it makes you feel.

It makes you cry, it makes you sad.

When it's all over, you'll be glad.

I've looked for love, left and right.

And when I look, no love's in sight.

They will make you scream; they will make you shout.

They will throw a right hook and knock you out.

They will hit you while you're on the ground.

And, they will laugh and dance all around.

And, when it's all over they will want you back...

like a fat kid wants a Big Mac.

Respond/ React...

Joel responded to my "Is It Any Wonder?..." post here.  He's a good writer, and we think he should have his own blog, so persuade him if you like.