Thankful Thursday 1/31

Taking The Artist as my inspiration ... here are ten things I'm grateful for this week.

one: a warm, cozy house

(with wind chills dipping into the thirties below zero outside, 

it's especially easy to be grateful for this one this week)

two: warm oatmeal raisin cookies

(I haven't baked cookies in a while -- a task usually done by The Artist -- 

but having a light reading load this week and unable to warm up sitting still on the couch 

led me to the kitchen -- best oatmeal cookie recipe ever, our go-to)

three: a pretty pink origami tulip 

(from The Bookworm -- a new skill learned in her Arts and Crafts for Girls co-op class)

four: my birdhouse

(new visitor this week: the Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco)

five: sunshine

(streaming through my bedroom window on this frosty morning)

six: Pip

(our playful Budgie -- so sweet to have bird songs in the house,
especially in the dead of winter)

seven: Mr. Bubbles LaCroix

(The Athlete's Beta fish moved down to the kitchen this week while his owner is in Haiti 

-- so we don't forget to feed him! -- and we've been enjoying his bubbles all week)

eight: having my hubby at home

(sub-zero temperatures meant he got to work at home twice this week)

(note the pile of blankets on the empty couch)

(I'm sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace
wrapped in an electric blanket he just brought me!)

nine: live bedtime music

(The Musician knows what I like when it's time to relax)

(He doesn't want me to post this -- he just learned this song that day 

and the video was taken on my phone so the quality isn't very good.)

(But I'm the Mom.) (And I like it.)

ten: The Athlete will be back in the U.S. day after tomorrow

(the multiple daily notifications of unrest and danger
from the Embassy in Haiti are not helpful)

What are you grateful for this week?

The JOY of the Lord is our Strength - Guest Post by Richard Casey

“The modern philosopher had told me again and again that I was in the right place, and I still felt depressed even in acquiescence. But I had heard that I was in the wrong place, and my soul sang for joy like a bird in spring.” ― G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy

We Christians are frequently in the habit of adopting the ways of thinking of the prevailing culture, or we assume God is a certain way, that He will do this or that thing, or we conclude that our circumstances are one way or another. Routinely, we make false assumptions about the way things are, or about God. Mercifully, however, God is the master of paradox and surprise endings. We see this clearly in the Beatitudes. The meek will inherit the Earth; the mournful will be comforted; the persecuted are blessed. The Gospel challenges our expectations. Remorse for sin and confession result in forgiveness, and healing. The sorrow of death leads to the joy of the resurrection. The danger for us is that we get trapped by our own notions, group think, or the the spirit of the age, and fail to discern what God is really up to. 

In the 8th chapter of the book of Nehemiah we read the fascinating story of Nehemiah and the reading of the Law. The Israelites had returned to Jerusalem after their release from Persia under the King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah was Governor, and Ezra the High Priest. In the narrative the people are brought together and the Law of Moses is read, translated (the Israelites would likely have spoken Chaldean) and explained. The crowd, upon hearing the Law read to them were distressed, saddened and wept. Hearing the Law of Moses did not bring them them joy, but rather sadness and distress. Their veil of complacency was removed, and they saw their spiritual condition as it truly was. The reaction of Nehemiah and Ezra, however, was not one of reprimand or reproof, but rather they declared the day holy and told everyone to return to their homes and have a party, rejoice, and share what they have with those in need! The people were told to do this because “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”

So, what do we make of this story? How do we find joy in the revelation of our complacency and the unveiling of truth? The self discovery of our own sin is really a mercy of God. As Christians this revelation brings remorse, confession and forgiveness. This forgiveness brings healing and joy, and this joy is a blessing to be shared. The Israelites under Nehemiah and Ezra show us the proper response to the unveiling of truth in our lives. Throw a party and share your blessings from God. This, after all, is the Gospel.

Back-to-Blogging Daybook

Looking out my window... I see the fresh snow that fell overnight. 

This winter has been so incredibly lame in the precipitation department 

that I am inordinately thrilled by this blanket of whiteness 

and the quiet that seems to accompany a heavy snowfall.

I am thinking... about my oldest daughter.
She left for Haiti yesterday and will be incommunicado until Saturday.
It is her first time serving on a mission trip, her first time in another country without me.
I am so excited for her. But, the mom in the me, can't help but worry a bit.
Keep her in your prayers?

I am thankful... for quiet Sunday afternoons together.
My dear husband is sitting next to me on the couch reading a novel.
The Musician is one chair over, agonizing over the lyrics for a song he's writing.
The Artist and The Bookworm are crafting at the dining room table behind me.

from a similar Sunday a few weeks ago

One of my favorite things... is my bird feeder.
When we moved to this house two years ago, I lost my ability to watch the birds
from my windows because the yard where the feeder was is below the deck.
Just before Christmas this year, my husband surprised me 
with a new deck-mounter feeder!
I have since enjoyed daily visits from the house finches and chickadees.
And this past week, I had my first cardinal visitor!
(Those who know me understand my obsession with cardinals 
and will know the significance of this visitor.)

The Musician, keeping his mother happy (barefooted and all!), by making sure the feeder is full!

I am creating... updates to this blog.

(It's been a LONG time.)

I just finished reading... The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander.

(If you're looking for a new spiritual work, I highly recommend it.)

I am hoping for... the predicted new snow accumulation of five more inches tomorrow
(and that the hubby's work calls a snow day BEFORE he ventures out)!

I am learning... to enjoy every single moment with these two!
Senior year is bittersweet. (More on this later ...!)

In my kitchen... The Musician has given up on his song lyrics
and is hand-washing the remaining brunch dishes. (Lucky me!)

In our homeschool... everyone is busy.
(This category really needs a whole post of its own! But here are some highlights....)
The Bookworm is reading The Hobbit and devouring her biology lessons.
The Musician has added piano and voice lessons to his spring semester schedule.
The Seniors are finishing their study of the U.S. Constitution.

Post Script
My obsession with cardinals has something to do with this wonderful lady.

(Check out her sweatshirt!)
(Also, check out the mug in the picture above.)

Shared Quote

In the degree of the truth of our conception of Him, our minds grow broader, deeper, and warmer; our hearts grow wiser and kinder; our humour deeper and more tender; we become more aware of the wonder of life; our senses become more sensitive; our sympathies stronger; our capacity for giving and for receiving greater; our minds are more radiant with a burning light, and the light is the light of Christ. Caryll Houselander, The Reed of God

A Moment from My Week: Friday Night with My Hubby

(I can't bear to get rid of a perfectly fine tree! Or the coziness of the lights!)

Closing Notes
The Artist started a blog of her own! Check it out.

And for other January daybooks ... go here.