in the waiting: November 2012

Friday, November 30, 2012

Day 29 of Thankfulness

I am thankful for evenings that involve doing absolutely nothing but full of so many blessings

Friendship

Laughter

Stories

Memories

It helps that our house makes my heart leap every time I walk in!

There is nothing quite like Christmas lights and a blanket in the evening

Maybe add a good book and some hot chocolate:)

Day 28 of Thankfulness

Three hours of Christmas music

Two hour SNL Christmas Special

One banana bread

Christmas magic in our home!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I brought my decorations back Sunday after I went home for Thanksgiving

I had just a ~~few~~ boxes of decorations

I don't know how but I feel like I get more every year...hmmm

It must be those killer after Christmas deals I stock up on

For the outside porch it seemed fitting to do an outdoorsy theme

Lately I have been into baking, well and cooking for that matter

I have been enjoying how to get creative when cooking since I am trying to eat healthier

I love trying to get creative and see what I can come up with next

Of course, there is much trial and error

Lots of cook book and blogs

I am learning a lot of new recipes

Finding new fun kitchen gadgets

And having a great time

As much fun as the decorating, the baking and christmas music is, I always find myself having to pause for a moment to reflect on the REAL Christmas magic

Jesus Christ our Lord

"For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten son"

John 3:16

Day 27 of Thankfulness

I am sitting here on my living room floor

I am wrapped up in my favorite fleece blanket

I am full from a delicious homemade dinner and dessert

A smile on my face from a great conversation with my roommate

Christmas decorations surrounding me- going up tomorrow!

I am listening to my favorite Christmas music

I have a Merry Mistletoe candle burning

My heart if full

I am blessed

Thanksgiving may have past but tonight I sit here with a thankful heart. I have been reminded more than ever this year about the importance of being Thankfulness...choosing a grateful heart.

I like to think that I have always been grateful for what I have. I was always grateful for family, friends and health but this season I am experiencing a thankfulness that I have never experienced before.

Joy

Hope

Passion

Purpose

Drive

Faith

As I strive to learn more about God daily

Love Him more

Serve Him more

I discover the purpose of my being

I was made BY God and FOR God

This life I live is meant FOR Gods glory

I always knew that God has blessed me

I have a great family, amazing friends and my health

But I am seeing more clearly that God has blessed me more than I deserve.

Day 26 of thankfulness

Going to the doctor, the eye and dentist are all appointments that I have been going to since I was young. I never knew any different. Didn't everyone want to stay healthy and have clean teeth?

It wasn't until I got a "big girl" job when I realized the importance of health benefits. I am blessed that SPU provides the very best especially in days like today.

Today at the dentist I had to get some cavities filled.

My whole right side of my face was numb

I was drooling everywhere

I couldn't eat for five hours afterwards

But you know what? All that was worth it because I know just how blessed I am to be able to not just go to the dentist but be able to fix my not-so-good teeth brushing habits.

I don't have any pictures of me at the dentist but I do have the cutest nephew who takes the cutest pictures :)

Day 25 of Thankfulness

Today I am thankful for early morning volunteering with my cousins and SPU athletes

I am thankful for the platform I have to help make a difference

I am thankful for the time this morning to get to know some athletes better

I have never been to Madison Park area in Seattle. Boy was it pretty! The houses in the neighborhoods were amazing and the little shopping area with the Starbucks was so cute! With Christmas all around me I forget that it is still fall!

I was reminded yesterday again of the beauty and why I LOVE this season.

Day 24 of Thankfulness

Growing up my sister and I ~~obsessed~~ loved the Enumclaw Hornets

We thought those players were the coolest people ever

Each year we had our favorite girl who we always cheered a little harder for

but really we loved them all

We went to every game, near and far, and we also got to ride on the bus sometimes!

Whether or not they knew, they were role models for many young girls

Then it became my turn to be a Enumclaw Hornet

My turn to put on the Enumclaw hornet jersey

My turn to represent the Enumclaw High School

My turn to be a part of the team that I cheered on for many years

My turn to be a role model for the young girls

It was my turn

By Gods good grace I felt the same way as a player at SPU and I love working here

But there is just soemthing so comforting and nostalgic when I walk into the Enumlcaw gym

The memories

The sweat and tears

The games won by alot and the heart breaking loses

All come rushing back and I am that little girl again longing to play on this court

Thankfully, my sister is the head coach at Enumclaw

This is her fourth year

My sister is one of the best coaches I know

She is knowledgable

She is dedicated

She is passionate

She is a hard worker

She is a competitor

She is the perfect coach for Enumclaw High School

Today they had a shoot around before their jamboree at WRHS and I was able to come

I watched as Beth introduced Jace for the first time

I watched as her team set goals, did shooting drills, and got ready for their games

Brought back so many good memories

Today I am truly thankful for my roots

Thankful for my time as an Enumclaw hornet

Thankful I still find joy in coming back

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I took this picture this morning at my aunt and uncles as I am watching my cousins for the weekend.

I stumbled across this CS Lewis quote.

God just wants us

Yes, every part of us

The broken

The hurt

The sinful

The doubter

The undeserving

He still wants us just as we are

He wants nothing in return

We just need to simply just be

Day 23 of Thankfulness

Black Friday- The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is upon us!

Actually it has been here for the past two months

Why does it seem like Christmas comes earlier and earlier

It is impossible for our culture to enjoy one holiday at a time

Department stores decorate and holiday sales come earlier each passing year

I am not completely innocent, I do get caught up in the excitement of the holidays well before Halloween

But as much as I love Christmas but I also love to celebrate Halloween AND Thanksgiving and enjoy the gifts and excitement of each holiday

Thankfully, Christmas is much much more than the decorations

More than the presents and bows

More than the decorated trees and lights

And yes, even more than the Starbucks peppermint mochas

When Dec. 26th comes

The lights, decorations are being taken down

The presents have been opened

We still have the best present of all

His love

His grace

His mercy

His ever present presence in our lives

However, this doesnt mean I am not going to still enjoy the magic of Christmas

Believe me, they dont call me Jessie Christmassen for nothing!

But I am going to be more thankful

More appreciative

Love a little more

Give a little more

Share a little more about the Reason for the Season

Day 22 of Thankfulness

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year we started new traditions and had a new addition!

New tradition #1

My amazing mom crafted together a "Thankful Tree" this year

She made paper leaves for our guest to write what they are thankful this year

When my mom told me her idea, I decided to make one for the SPU office

What can I say like mother- like daughter :)

After the meal and board games we gathered around the piano and sang Christmas carols while my Uncle Steve played his magic

My mom even made booklets of Christma carols!

New tradition #2- Christmas carols

And the newest addition to our Thanksgiving ~~craziness~~ festivities is the one and only Jace!

Beth and Kevin have been switching every other year for the holidays

This year Kevin had to work so Jace and Beth were able to spend some time with us

Who knows who the next new addition will be;)

I love this little guy more than I thought was possible!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for many reason

Nothing is better when family and friends get together for the holidays

Today I am thankful for:

A mom and dad who have created a house of love and tradition

A place to come home too for Thanksgiving

Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and pumkpin pie

Boards games that create endless amounts of laughter

Footballl on TV for those (grandpa) who need a more low-key activity

My dad praying before the meal

My mom and her passion to create new taditions

Baby Jace and the joy he brings

Excitement for the holiday season coming up

Just when I think that life quite possibly could not get any better,

That God has blessed me with more than enough...

Thanksgiving comes around and I am filled with more joy than I ever thought possible

God continues to remind me what life is all about

Love...His ever consuming love for us

For His love truly endures forever

For that I am forever grateful

Day 21 of Thankfulness

Is there anything better than getting lost into a good book?

I love fantasy books

Harry Potter

Hunger Games

Lord of the Rings

Twilight

You get the picture

I love a book or series that captures my imagination and lets my mind get lost into that world

Well, tonight was the end of an era

I just got back from the last Twilight movie

It did not disappoint

Team Edward or Team Jacob it didn't matter

Over the past five years the world has been enamored with this series

It captured the minds of our nation (young and old!)

Many critiqued the author and her writing

Some said the plot was stupid

Others put down the acting

Well, you know what? I don't care

This series captured the minds of many, many youth and got our nation reading

This series brought hours and hours of entertainment through books and movies

And for that I am thankful

Thanks goodness for The Hunger Games!

Seriously, if it was not Thanksgiving tomorrow this would be me!

Day 20 of Thankfulness

I try to be strong but I fail

I try to stay positive but I fail

I try to show grace but I fail

I try to be unselfish but I fail

I try have complete trust but I fail

See a pattern?

However, I was reminded today that I don't need to be strong ALL the time

I don't need to have it all together ALL the time

Because God is my strength and you know what?

He doesn't fail...ever

So when I have days where I feel defeated

I am tired

I am overwhelmed

That is ok, because I know that my strength doesn't come from me

or this world

It comes only in Him..

...And He never fails

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.

My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my defense

He has become my salvation.

He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him."

Exodus 15:2

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

Phil. 4:13

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And just because my nephew is too darn cute not to show these pictures!

Ae they not the cutest God-fearing, small-town loving, plaid-wearing family ever?!
I have a sister and brother-in-law and now nephew who truly bless me everyday.