Thirteen Things I'm Thankful for!

1. My husband, and a front row seat to see all God is doing through him, with him, and even sometimes in spite of him!
2. David (4 yo) who everyday makes me laugh, makes me think, and makes me get out the art supplies!
   
3. James (2 yo) who everyday reminds me that boys were created to be adventurous, strong-willed, and hungry!
4. My extended family. They know where I've been and love me anyway; they know where I am and support me in countless ways; and they know where I want to go and encourage me along the way!
   
5. Our home. This is the first full year we've spent in one place in a while, and I hope we'll be here for years to come.
   
6. Our church family. And just like family, we see each other at our best and worst and still love and encourage each other!
   
7. My Sunday School class. I am so thankful that I have a safe place to use my strengths as a teacher and share my struggles! I couldn't ask for a better group to spend an hour with in the Word every week.
   
8. Friends. Old, new, and in between! Tell it like it is friends, watch my kids friends, haven't talked to you in weeks but still love you friends, talk to you every day and still love you friends... love 'em all!
   
9. Facebook. Last week my boys broke the head off of baby Jesus in our nativity set. I mentioned it in a status update on Facebook. I got 12 comments about it- including three friends from high school, my former youth minister, and my 4th grade teacher. How cool is that? I'm so far away from where I grew up, there's no way I would still be in contact with any of those people if it weren't for Facebook.
10. Twitter. From friends to famous people, I love the interaction that is possible because of Twitter. Of course the biggest blessing is the blogging friends I've made. Teri Lynne writes a little ode to the DKIRLBFFs and says everything I would say here!
    
11. Books. Some tell old familiar stories I never get tired of reading. Some teach me things I didn't know.
    
12. All the tools and tips I have found for educating my boys. From fun blogs to Kumon workbooks, I'm so glad I'm not alone each day to come up with ideas and inspiration!
    
13. This blog, and the opportunity and challenge it presents to keep my writing every week!
    

Five Favorites

• I love this post, I'm a Peeker, He's a Peeker, Wouldn't You Like to Be a Peeker Too, from Lori's blog, quoting her friend Cindy. Cindy writes about why preachers' wives often peek. We just can't help it. Go find out why!

• The Fall 2009 Journal of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is now out. You can see select articles now online- JBMW 14.2.

•  Since I like both Chick-fil-A and In-n-Out, I enjoyed the discussion at Stuff Christians Like this week over which will be in heaven. Here are the reasons for Chick-fil-A and here are the reasons for In-n-Out! We only have Chick-fil-A in PA, so I'd have to vote for them. If we are earning rewards in heaven for the times we eat there, my family will be set!

• I love Heather Koerner's take on the recently used excuse, "That's not who I am," or "That's not the real me."  She writes, "And it's so tempting to sweep UH [Ugly Heather] under the rug. 'That's not me,' I protest. 'I'm not like that.' But, maybe, that's exactly who I am. That's exactly why I need a Savior. That's exactly why I continue to need to be sanctified." Over the weekend Ugly Sandra came out a couple times, which remindede me how far I still have to go in my constant battle against self!

• Erin Davis writes, "I’ve made my list, checked my budget, and clipped my coupons. There’s only one thing left to do—call a teenager." Her practical advice from True Woman last week talks about how easy it actually is to mentor. I especially love this convicting quote, "I’ve stopped trying to schedule mentoring. I’m done trying to model godliness from inside Starbucks. I simply invite girls into every crevice of my life. I live transparently in front of them, and I work hard not to miss any teachable moments when the opportunity to speak God’s truth in love presents itself."
  

Traditions

(Sorry I couldn't get a clip of the song "Tradition!" from Fiddler on the Roof. The only clips of it on You Tube were silent with subtitles! But feel free to sing along in your head, like I'm doing as I type!)

Growing up, my dad would get us breakfast every Saturday morning either from Hardee's or the local donut shop (any Daylight Donut fans out there?). For lunch every Saturday we had hamburgers. These habits of routine eventually became traditions. Now, every Saturday at my house we have hamburgers. And we have breakfast for dinner every Saturday night, our own tradition!

This is the time of year we're all thinking about traditions. Traditional foods, decorations, bed time stories, family get-togethers, church events... I love it all!

This year we are starting a new holiday tradition. My husband Lee grew up attending a Methodist church. He enjoyed the Advent season with the traditional readings, songs, and candle lighting. This year he is incorporating that tradition at our church, and we are also going to do an Advent calendar at home. I've been scouring the internet for ideas and Scripture reading plans. I'm in the process of making this Advent Calendar from Chasing Cheerios. I really liked our reading plan from last year and may use it again, adding activities to our celebration!

Do you celebrate Advent? If so, please share you ideas and links to any posts you have written about it! I'd love to see your calendars or ideas.

Speaking of traditions, one of the books from my Christmas list is Noel Piper's Treasuring God in Our Traditions. My friend Brooke is giving away a copy on her blog, A Life in Need of Change. I would love for you to head over there and enter to win. There are five ways to win and you have until Thanksgiving to enter! 

image source

Calling to Do More

I want to do what God has called me to do.

I want to do all God has called me to do.

Does anyone else feel the difference in these two statements? For me recently there's been almost a conflict between them.

I want to do what God has called me to do. I want to be faithful in growing in my relationship with Him. To be a good wife, mom, homemaker, Sunday School teacher, friend, pastor's wife.... all of these are enough. These roles allow me to use my talents and gifts. They keep me on my knees praying for guidance, strength, and grace. They keep me in the Word, dependent on Him for instruction on how to do better in each area He has placed me.

But I think about doing more. And that is my struggle. By wanting more, am I implying that to do what I do is "less?"

But without the desire for "more," books wouldn't be written. I really appreciate all of you who read this blog, but unless you're here specifically to offer me a book deal, I'm going to have to "do more" than "just" write for my blog if someday I want to write a book. And therein lies my struggle. Because what if, like James and John, I'm arrogantly asking for more than what God has planned for me? (Matthew 20:20-28)

In his book, Forgotten God, Francis Chan writes,

"I think a lot of us need to forget about God's will for my life. God cares more about our response to His Spirit's leading today, in this moment, than about what we intend to do next year. In fact, the decisions we make next year will be profoundly affected by the degree to which we submit to the Spirit right now, in today's decision."

"It is easy to use the phrase, 'God's will for my life' as an excuse for inaction or even disobedience. It's much less demanding to think about God's will for your future than it is to ask Him what He wants you to do in the next ten minutes. It's safer to commit to following Him someday instead of this day" (author's emphasis, 120).

I will continue to be faithful in all He calls me to do. And I will take steps to do what He may be calling me to do. Today that will include doing laundry, laughing with my children, praying for my husband, soaking up God's Word and working on a chapter in my book.

Instead of seeing, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..." I will see one long road, full of opportunities for today and possibilities for someday. And that will make all the difference.   

image source: Bodie Bailey

Five Favorites

• Writer Lawrence W. Wilson wrote "The Things I Wish I'd Know about Being a Writer." My favorite, "6. Dedication- The hardest part of writing is sitting down. I wrongly assumed that the hardest part of writing a book is getting a contract. The hardest part of writing a book is, well, writing the book." (HT: @HolleyGerth on Twitter).

• Matt Chandler spoke on Hebrews 11 at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary last week. Good stuff people, good stuff.

• Modern Media Mom wrote an excellent post on "Managing Your Time Online."  During the busy holiday season, something has to give. Streamlining your on-line time will free up time to make those sugar cookies (or hang the stocking, or fold the laundry, or read one more story, or...)! 

• This is supposed to be my top favorite quotes and links. Here's my favorite quote from our house this week! David's preschool class is studying community helpers this month. Lee was the guest speaker last Friday as the community helper preacher! David's teacher asked the kids what they thought preachers did. Eventually she had to ask David, who said they preach and help people. Since then, David has been telling us he wants to be a preacher when he gets big. He wants to help daddy! On that topic, since turning four last month, David has been sitting with me in church (on the front row by the way). In addition to being the preacher, he also wants to play the drums and bass guitar. He sure will be busy!
  

• I'm reading through the Bible in my study time and my favorite verse from this week is the first verse in Ruth! It's not so much what the verse says, but that I'm finally through Judges. Chapter after chapter of everyone doing "what was right in his own eyes" wore me out! I need the short but sweet story of Ruth to remember that in the middle of godlessness, God is still on His throne!