Those were the words my sister-in-law said in my face last night, and I needed to hear them. This week, more than any other, has felt like a week of transition with dominoes falling into place of people and churches being so generous with their time and money to partner with us. And the house showings. Don't forget the house showings. It has been our busiest week yet with those, and we are grateful. Today a realtor showing my house commented that it was super clean and well-maintained. It's kind of ridiculous how validated that made me feel, but you know, for all you women that do the work no one sees. This afternoon I was able to rest, and the blinds were all open, and light streamed in, and I exhaled and enjoyed the cleanliness, but I wouldn't want it to stay this way. It's too much work.
The kids and I were out for 3 hours on Monday running errands and buying pumpkins. "Mom, you're going to buy ANOTHER ONE?" We have two more on the back porch. I don't regret it; my porches have never been more inviting.
Cooler temperatures came right on time with the advent of Autumn, and boy, has it felt nice. We've spent lots of time at parks letting the kids run free in the past week. It's just so nice when it no longer feels miserable outside, am I right?
A few years ago now I read Ann Voskamp's, One Thousand Gifts, and the concept of seeing all of life as a gift really took hold of my heart. It's still hard to "Give thanks in all circumstances" when the circumstances are hard or not the way I want them to be, but if every little thing comes to me from a loving heavenly Father, who is working all things together for my good, then every little thing really is a grace and a gift.
I've been keeping my own list this year, hoping to make it to 1000 by the end. It's been such a good practice throughout each day, trying not to take things for granted but feeling really and truly grateful for so many things:
1. brewing coffee on a cold morning
8. fresh starts
35. Dad and Josh in Guatemala together
71. watching Sherlock with Parker and KJ last night
83. the kids each eating one bite of broccoli :)
133. James' sticking-up hair in the morning
The list kind of serves as a diary of sorts of the past year.
185. looking forward to Skyping with Del
270. being able to see Papa
340. reminders the Lord cares for me
365. Amazon Prime
425. talking to Mom
483. the very thought of iced coffee
503. I get to move to England! It's really coming true!
534. not running out of gas
585. an e-mail from Kristen Sosebee
I'm at 773, and I'm going to keep counting graces, because this really is just a season, and I don't want to miss it.
I love you. :) I want to do this in 2015.
ReplyDelete:) Love you, too.
DeleteWhat a sweet post, dear Lynn. You are precious.
ReplyDelete