Ladies of Grace - September 2

It's Wednesday! Time to link up to Walk A Mile and her Ladies of Grace blog carnival! If you have a story of how you have been offered grace this week, or how you were able to offer grace to another - please share! We learn how to walk this journey together by sharing our experiences in life - by sharing those moments when we notice our heart is hardened and cold, and those moments when our hearts feel a little lighter, softer, and warmer...

My story for this week happened at church on Sunday. (Seems an obvious place to experience grace... but that's not always the case. When you are part of the inner-workings of any place, the politics can always surprise you!) But this Sunday was beautiful.

I've shared many times on this blog about our Thursday night Open Sanctuary - a couple hours a week, we are able to open the sanctuary, light the candles, and allow people to come in and pray, meditate, relax, or re-connect with God in their own way. It's a time of peace in a hectic week... A time to breathe.

Well, we decided to give the congregation a taste of what this is like on a Sunday morning. Half way through the sermon time, we dimmed the lights, lit the candles, and experienced real and profound silence. People were encouraged to get up, come forward, and light their own candle. And just be.

Normally, people do not like anything "different" on Sunday mornings. Normally, we would hear plenty of comments about "don't mess with my worship time." But this congregation is very special. Whenever I ask them to try something new - they do. With no complaints. And seemingly, with open hearts. I stood in the back during this experience and saw the shoulders soften, the eyes close, and the tears fall. Visitors, as well as long time members, got out of their seats and lit candles. Peace was felt.

My heart was nervous and shakey heading into Sunday morning - and it melted and warmed right along with everyone else's as I realized our intention of offering a moment of peace - even on a beautiful Sunday morning - was being accepted and absorbed. I love the feeling that God is standing over us - is in the room - is wrapping His or Her arms around our congregation. It's a grace-filled moment.

What's your grace-filled moment of the week? I'm anxious to hear!

Things I am thankful for today:

1. No headache.
2. Being able to focus at work.
3. Kind comments from friends.
4. Dad's pic message yesterday of Al Franken at the State Fair - made me chuckle.
5. A phone call from Mom.
6. One of my youth group kids is taking his drivers license test tomorrow - and I'm scheduled to have lunch with him afterwards. I'm praying it's a celebration lunch!
7. Coupons from Kohl's - now I can go get my eye cream and moisturizer! Ha ha ha.
8. Tomorrow is Thursday (my Friday!).
9. I have the weekend to myself - to do what I want to do!
10. Looking forward to lunches with friends!

I Got Nuthin

Headache today. Doctor's appointment this Thursday.

The worst is spending a beautiful, sunny, cool day in a darkened bedroom with an eye mask to block out all slivers of light! Nothing got done today - and I missed book group! Ugh.

Ok. Enough complaining. Here are the things I am thankful for today:

1. Sunshine.
2. Cool, quiet mornings.
3. No staff meeting - even though I forgot!
4. Paychecks.
5. Eye masks.
6. The hubby - so good to me.
7. The dog - wouldn't leave my side for more than a moment.
8. Mac and cheese.
9. Going to bed early.
10. Deep sleep.

A Simple Woman's Daybook - August 31st Edition

For Today...

Outside my window... a cool fall-like morning. Blue skies, crisp air, still and quiet.

I am thankful... for my lazy afternoon yesterday. Boy, did I need that! It was a nice weekend.
From the kitchen... probably not a whole lot this week. State Fair tonight, leftovers tomorrow night, gnocchi on Wednesday, and then the hubby's gone for the weekend - so I can make WHATEVER I want! Ooooo - the options....
I am wearing... my plaid flannel pj pants, a red tank top, and a red sweater coat - it's been a COLD morning!
I am creating... a Bed and Breakfast idea binder... Yep - starting the research!
I am going... to the State Fair tonight! I used to hate State Fairs... I can't believe I'm excited to go! (And I'm going to eat mac and cheese on a stick. Yum.)
I am reading... "So You Want to be a Innkeeper" and a Dean Koontz book in those rare moments when I can read for fun.
I am hoping... for at least one more day at the pool before it closes for the year!

I am hearing... the neighbor's air conditioner. It's 48 degrees outside. I don't get it.
One of my favorite things... having fresh flowers on the dining room table. Thanks, babe!

A few plans for the rest of the week... a visit from Em and Elly, the State Fair, work, book group, open sanctuary, lunch with a friend, the Minnehaha Bluegrass Festival, maybe some Renaissance Festival? Maybe some pool time?
Here is picture thought I am sharing... my little friends. The bird feeder has been hopping this weekend - sometimes with 8 birds at a time! (Even a downy woodpecker stopped by!) Don't you love the little guy staring right at the camera - I think he thinks he's a STAR!

Things I am thankful for today:

1. Waking up early and getting some work done!

2. A visit from Em and Elly!

3. Elly's giggle.

4. The beauty of Em being such a good mom.

5. Elly and my dog are starting to be friends...

6. State Fair!

7. Mac and cheese on a stick - yum. Fried pickles - I've had much better. Tom Thumb mini-donuts - the best!

8. People-watching.

9. Getting home in time for a normal bed time. Perfect.

10. Good shoes. I love coming home and not having sore feet!

Sunday Thanks

Today I am thankful for:

1. Quiche for breakfast. Yum.

2. Trying out "Open Sanctuary" in worship this morning - dimly lit, candle-lighting, silent space - in the middle of our Sunday worship service. Beautiful.

3. Lunch with our Children's Ministry team.

4. Fireworks last night - we could see them from our driveway!

5. Watching the dog, watch dogs, do agility courses on TV - too funny!

6. Lounging around in sweats all afternoon!

7. Curling up with a book and a blanket.

8. Grandma's Christmas dessert... leftovers. Oh darn.

9. A visit from Em and Elly tomorrow!

10. And a visit to the State Fair tomorrow night!

Lauren

Today we hung out with my sister-in-law, Shelly, and her family. We went to the park and the kids (Lauren, 7, and Evan, 4) played and played and played. They had their cousin, Avery, with them - going up the rope ladders and down slides, spinning in the shade of the trees, seeing who could run up the giant hill first, and who could roll down the fastest! They chased Uncle Mike and laid in the grass, looking at the clouds. We ate hot dogs and chips... And enjoyed the day.

Later, they all came to our house for a pizza dinner - and to celebrate, belatedly, Lauren's 7th birthday. The kids ate - and then ran upstairs taking turns "running" "2 miles" on our elliptical machine! We actually had to lure them back downstairs for the much anticipated frozen oreo dessert! We lit birthday candles, sang "happy birthday" and watched Lauren blow them out - and dug in! Yum.

The kids scarffed what they wanted - and went back to the elliptical... If only the adults were that anxious to exercise! Instead, we ate what the kids didn't want of their desserts...

Anyway, so here's 10 things I am thankful for about Lauren:

1. The twinkle in her eye.

2. Her giggle.

3. Her stubbornness. Ha!

4. Her willingness to try new things.

5. She's very smart.

6. She gives good hugs.

7. She's creative.

8. She likes to play (nicely) with our dog.

9. She likes games and "I Spy" books.

10. She used to let me read to her when she was little.

Happy Late Birthday, Lauren - We love you!

And the Winner is...

Kayla Noelle!

I used www.random.org - #4 was the winner. Congrats, Kayla!

Friday Fave Five - August 28th

It's that time again - already! Time to look back over the week and notice five things that brought joy to my life! If you'd like to join in on this reflection, link up to Living to Tell the Story! We love to share in the joys of each other's lives!

Here's my five:

1. I got to spend last Friday morning with my sister, Emily, and her husband, and my niece. They were here on a quick visit on their way to Alaska (where they will be moving to this fall). I only had a couple of hours with them - but it was a sweet couple of hours!

2. My visit to Wisconsin to visit my dear friend, Cheryl. The drive was nice and relaxing, the dog loved making new friends and showing off, I loved chatting about old times and new, and I always feel more at peace after spending time with Cheryl.

3. Confirmation at church! Two of my youth completed the three-year confirmation process and took their membership vows last Sunday, and one of their mothers officially joined the church, too! A wonderful celebration!

4. This may sound weird... but planning for this Sunday's worship service is one of my highs. I was asked to speak about something in particular - and when I had an idea to do more than just talk about it - but offer a way for the congregation to experience it, the idea was accepted and praised! I'll have to fill you in next week as to what this is about!

5. Lastly, the hubby called and woke me up early this morning because REI is starting their annual Labor Day sale. He saw some of the things I've been watching for, majorly marked down and in my size, and wanted to let me know before they were gone! So cute.

What are your fave fives this week?

Remember to check out my GIVE-A-WAY! Entries must be in by TODAY at noon!

Things I am thankful for today:

1. Slept in really late!
2. Stayed home most of the day.
3. Very friendly service at the pharmacy (no worries - just refills).
4. Close parking spots.
5. Yummy dinner with the hubby - kabobs on the grill!
6. Talking about Bed and Breakfast daydreams over a glass of wine.
7. My windwall jacket - perfect on these windy, cool nights!
8. All the birds that have been visiting my feeder! So fun!
9. Getting my first B&B book - and it's funny!
10. Making Grandma's Christmas dessert for our niece... It's delish!