Joy, Forgiveness & Love Day 22 & 23

Day 22

A Gift Grateful

I am grateful for this little one 

Emma Joy

She is one of my co-workers little girl

She comes and helps out during events

AKA- the best, little helper there is

She is blessed me more than I ever imagine being touched by a child

She is strong, beautiful, and smart!

Not to mention one of the biggest hearts I know

She doesn't have the easiest or most normal life for a child but you know what?

She gives, she shares and she smiles all the time

She is FULL of JOY!

I can see why her parents had that as her middle name

They just new 

I am grateful for Emma coming into my life and changing it forever 

  

Day 23

3 Gifts in Christ 

Just three?

The more time I spend getting to know Christ

The more time I spend getting to know our Savior

The deeper my faith grows

There are an abundance of gifts found in Christ

1- Eternal Life

"For God so loved the world He gave His only son, that whomever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16 

2- Forgiveness of sins

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

3- LOVE

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8

"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8 

I dont know what my future holds but I know Who holds my future
#goodenoughforme

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me
Galatians 2:20 

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Family Ties Day 21

Day 21

3 Gifts Family

The gift of gathering around the table at Thanksgiving 

The gift of siblings

Jon, in the back  -31

Beth white dress and mullet haircut - 28

Me, blue dress and awesome haircut- 28 

Chris, little boy- 26 

The gift of having my sister as my best friend and mother of now TWO baby boys 

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Pumpkin Spice Day 19 & 20

Day 19

3 Gifts Autumn

1- The smell of pumpkin spice candle when I walk into my parents house. I will always remember the coming home on Friday nights from a HS football game and having an overwhelming sense of comfort. The candle, the fall decorations, the pumpkins on the porch

2- Walking out and feeling the sun on my face and the crisp Seattle air

3- Thanksgiving table settings! I have visions of how I would want to set my table. Of course, it changes every year :) From napkins, to plates to the center pieces. You guys, my heart skips a beat when I look through the Pottery Barn catalog. 

AMAZING Right?! (sigh) 

Day 20 

3 Gifts of Tradition

1- My dad, brother Chris and myself go to the same christmas tree farm and we tag our tree before Thanksgiving. I mean we have to get the best one! and then the 3 of us go cut it down together. I treasure this tradition because I know one day I will have to start my own. 

2- Thanksgiving at my parents

Love. Faith. Family. Comfort. Laughter

3- Macys Thanksgiving Day parade. I know this is not my own tradition and honestly our family never sits and watches but there is something so soothing about having it on in the background Thanksgiving morning. While we are cleaning, baking or doing a puzzle we have it on.  It is there. It is always there. The comfort and excited of what is to come. 

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Playing Catch Up! Day 14-18

3 Gifts silent

1. Silent Night- one of my favorite Christmas carols

2. Sleeping- ok, so I don’t actually know if I am silent- Maybe I talk in my sleep. I don’t think I snore. I will have to ask my husband one day J

3. “Quiet times” The morning is a time I cherish so much. For one I have never been a morning person, so the fact that I am saying this is a miracle. But not only do I love the mornings, I love my time with the Lord the most.

Love the trees until their leaves fall off, 

then encourage them to try again next year

3 gifts Golden

1.     SUN! There is nothing better then a sunny day in Seattle AND during the fall.

2.     Golden color of the fall leaves. Beauty abounds this time of season

3.      Golden Tate!- I know, I know, silly right?! BUT he is helping the Seahawks win AND he is on my fantasy team and helping me win too :)

3 gifts Hard Eucharisteo

1. Grace

2. Grace

3. Undeserving Grace

Grace is like tall, blades of grasses.
Always bending. Never breaking. 

Stretched through time to the Cross of Christ. 

This grace is a free gift to you, to me.

3 gifts of laughter
1. Inside jokes- family or friends. This time of year the inside jokes come out and laughter never stops.

2. Jace- How sweet the sound of children giggles.

3. Sense of Humor – One of my top qualities I look for in men is a sense of humor. Someone who can make me laugh without trying. Someone who is funny, likes to laugh and can make me smile even in the midst of trials.

A gift made, shared, passed on

1. My parents home-made with love, laughter and faith

2. The gift of sharing how God has answered prayers with a best friend

3. My grandma and moms wedding dress

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Joy, Peace and Hope- Day 13

Day 13

3 Gifts Behind a Door

Thoughts of doubt, anxiety and uncertainty 

So silly right? 

I mean it is the season of Thankfulness

And for petes sake I even put up the Giving Tree at work!

However, there they were today

I told myself it was ok

Then I felt guilty I wasn't grateful

Then I was ok...

One roller coaster of emotions

A vicious cycle of emotions

Do you ever feel that way?

It is not only exhausting but most importantly, it is not the way we are supposed to live 

I looked to the only truth that makes sense in life

The Word

And you know what it reminded me?

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances

In ALL circumstances, Jessie

Even when I am full of doubt, anxiousness and uncertainty

Even when I am tired and weary

Even if....

IN ALL things give THANKS

I sat in my car for awhile before I walked into my house after work

I knew I needed some good ol' fashion clean up of the heart

I turned on my Christmas music and I started saying, out loud, everything in my life I am thankful for

Something happened deep in my soul 

The load lightened

My thoughts turned towards blessings

And even though it was small, a grateful smile returned

My heart started to beat joy 

I am blessed

3 Gifts Behind a Door

1- JOY- behind the door of self-pity

"For the JOY of the Lord is our strength" Nehemiah 8:10 

2- PEACE- behind the door of anxiousness

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts" 

Phil. 4:6-8 

3- HOPE- behind the the door of uncertainty

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

Joy, peace and hope are always right behind the door if you are only willing to open it and walk through

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Comfort and Joy- Day 12

Day 12

3 Gifts at noon

This morning was rough and I didnt get my quiet time in during the morning

Sadly, story of my life lately

So, I headed to my happy place for my lunch break to get it in at noon

Starbucks on Westlake 

Gift #1- A place I can go that gives me a sense of comfort away from work. The view of the city, the american flag blowing out in front, lake union right below me. No matter what time of year this places is beautiful. But today was a treat! It was decorated for Christmas- insert happy dance!

Gift #2- The excitement of the holiday season. Yes, I know, its only Starbucks but I cant help it, my heart leaped a little when I walked in. 

Gift #3- My quiet time with Jesus Calling. Always what I need to hear.  A constant reminder that God loves us . NO greater gift. 

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Remembering- Day 10 & 11

A beautiful day in Enumclaw today 

Day 10

3 Gifts Found in Bible reading 

This one hits home real hard today

I haven't been doing my morning devotions the past couple mornings and I am noticing

I can tell I am more anxious, more on edge for what the day holds

Even now as I am writing this I am anxious for what the week holds

The peace that I find from reading the Bible is not there

The Bible is the Word of God and is powerful and life changing

All promise are inspired by God- 2 Timothy 3:16 

And you guys, the Bible is full of His promises!

Here are 3 of my favorite gifts

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 11:28-29

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

John 14:27

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Day 11

3 Gifts in Remembrance 

Something so special and magical about the season of fall 

1- Today I was reminded of the beauty of seeing fall through the eyes of a child- or toddler :) My dad was busy raking up the leaves that have taken over their yard so we took my nephew Jace (13 months) outside to play. At first he wasn't quite sure what to do with the leaves but you could see his mind spinning. He would bend down and touch them, then try and kick them. 

I think he was in awe of the beauty of fall :)

Next year we will be piling those leaves up for him to jump in!

2- The gift of remembering my past with gratitude and thankfulness that none of my plans worked out because God has more in store for me than I can ever imagine or ever plan. 

Keeping my hopes higher than ever tonight! 

3- Today we are reminded of the sacrifice that many men and women have made and make everyday for our freedom. 

 "Greater love has no one than this; to lay down ones life for ones friends" 

John 15:13

Thank you Veterans

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The Magic of Fall- Day 8 & 9

Oops missed a day!

Day 8 

A Gift Sweet, Salty, Sipped

Sweet- My sweet, sweet face of my baby nephew! Well, he is not much of a baby anymore he is 13 months. He is seriously the most precious boy I know. I am beyond excited for #2 to come in April. 

Salty- This might be weird, but my sweat! I love nothing more than to get a good sweat from a hard workout. Right now I am training for a half marathon so I have been running long runs and sweating a lot!

Sipped- Fresh, clean water. Every single day. To drink, to shower, to wash my clothes...to drink. 

We are so BLESSED. 

Day 9 

3 Gifts Harvest 

1- The smell of Bath and Body Works Pumpkin Spice candle- If you know me, you know I LOVE candles. I have this weird habit of lighting them the first thing I do when I wake up or get home. Cant help it. The right smell can be such a mood changer! Candles create coziness and feeling of home.

2- My relationships with student-athletes only seem to grow. The joys that I get from watching them play, encouraging them in their sport, supporting them in life decisions is amazing.

3- The magic of fall 

This fall has been more captivating than most
Nothing really particular that set sit apart from Falls in the past
But somehow, my heart is more sensitive to its beauty
How the sun's light seems to touch the trees in a more magical way
How incredibly graceful a single leaf floats when falling before me
My heart is touched by it all...and it makes me happy

This ever-changing, beautiful, magical world we live in

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Seattle Rain- Day 7

Day 7

3 Gifts From Your Window

 

1- The beautiful fall colors that show the creativeness and beauty of the Lord. This fall has been more amazing than I have ever seen. The beauty of the colors are so vibrant this fall.

 

2- SPU student-athletes. OK, this might be from my doorway of my office, but I have come to get to know and love the SPU student-athletes and nothing brings me more joy than to watch them play.

 

3- The sound and view of Seattle rain. Call me a true Seattlite. Its true. I absolutley LOVE the rain. The sound of rain. It brings me comfort.

It is home to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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