Wordless Wednesday

So....
I know the title of this post says wordless Wednesday
but considering there have been zero words on this blog for a week and a half
(even my sister fussed at me for being so negligent)
I thought I would tag on a few thoughts.
I selected this photo from our recent cruise because it reminds me of a wonderful time.
One of the reasons I really enjoy vacations is because they create memories.
but the memories disappear from our minds and thoughts so quickly
and I want to keep them fresh.
When I look at this photo, the sights, sounds, and smells of the ocean fill my mind and my heart.
I feel serene, peaceful, and grateful.
This is good because since our return, I have been making preparations
(with a group of outstanding coworkers)
to open a hospital...
now in just a few days.
There is something very, very satisfying about making something from nothing.

I wonder
How did God feel when He created the earth and all that is in it?
And I stop ...
in awe...
of how big He is
and how small I am.
And He loves me.
Amazing.
Grace.

Multitude Monday One Thousand Gifts

Taking time to be grateful...

for

Heat. Every Monday since I started my new job, our building has not had heat. This would not be so bad except it has been bitter cold outside, Texas or not. And I REALLY do not like the cold. We don't really know what is going on with the heating system, but today, when I got to work and discovered the cold, I drove home, picked up a blanket, and went back to work. It warmed up as the day went on, so we must have gotten heat, but I am so grateful to be in a heated environment.

Friends. Real friends. These gifts surface at exactly the right time, and honestly, there was a time not that long ago that I wondered if there is such a thing as real friends, and if there is...would I really ever have them? Well, I have had them all along. I forget sometimes when I get cynical. But, I have them - that's for sure! And they just get better and better.

Reading. I am grateful that I have the ability to read. And I read all day long - various types of things, but reading is a huge part of my life. Through reading, I get to know God when I read his word, I read at work to find out what I am supposed to do, I read to learn how to do things, and I read for entertainment.

Patience. Other people's patience especially. I observed my daughter's boyfriend exhibit outstanding patience this evening.

Memories. Recently, I read through some old journals, letters, and cards. It brought back some memories. Some time back, I would have thought some of the memories were "bad" memories, but there is an old cliche' "Time heals all wounds". I find this to be true. Most of what I thought was "bad" just "is" now, and even some of what was painful, now brings joy. And an old friend who I thought I lost, is not lost at all. She is in my memories (and she still reads this blog sometimes). That's not lost or bad...and for that, I am grateful.

Cold medicine. Yep. I am grateful because it keeps the symptoms of the common cold from bothering me too much. I can carry on with most of my regular activities, even when I have a cold.

Cycle class. I found a form of regular exercise that I enjoy, even look forward to. I can go at various times too...and tomorrow I will go at 5:45 a.m. Crazy, I know, but I really like cycle class. Thank you, God, for answering my request to help me stay diligent in my exercise. (yes, even when I have a cold)

My husband. This one is constant - and so is he. Not perfect, but a great husband.

Serenity. I remember when I felt my life was unmanageable. I am so grateful for the day I decided that I might be able to benefit from a 12 step program. I will only look back with gratitude.

Forgiveness. I have learned to forgive. And I have been forgiven. Sadly, not all the damage is repaired (thinking of "Memories" and lost relationships), but forgiveness is what makes that paragraph a happy one. I pray that the ones still feeling hurt will find the same freedom in forgiveness.

Feeling grateful.

Friday Fill-ins

Whew.
The week is over and I am so tired!
But it was a fantastic, wonderful, fulfilling, and joyful week.
The hospital I am working for is close to being open for our first admits and even though that is very exciting, I have been awake a few nights in the middle of the night since I am the one responsible for getting those patients checked in, with insurance verification...
so we can get paid.
I love it.
But the details swim through my head at the most inappropriate time,
like 1:15 a.m.
And honestly, I am flat worn out mentally.
I have good friends who have kept me encouraged.
Thanks to my best, best friends...
getting me out in the middle of the day and going to lunch,
sending sweet "thinking of you" emails,
dinner with my prayer partner/accountability partner that lasted until bedtime,
and the most surprising...
my new co-workers.
Working together for a little over a month now, but we all agree, feels more like a lifetime...
and family.
New for me to enjoy spending time with people I work with
when I am not at work
and blessed to have spent 2 nights this week with some great, gifted, and exceptional women.
As I prepare to go to bed and read a book
(The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo)
I thought I would post a little entertainment.
Friday Fill-in (the blank)

And...here we go!

1. Right now I need sleep...just sleep.

2. Water is what's in my glass - it was Riesling earlier, but just a little. :)

3. A copy of this letter remains tucked away to remind me of how far God has brought me since the time it was written.

4. Peanut Butter is best with a spoon.

5. The best movie I've seen lately is Public Enemies; Johnny Depp was great and I was routing for the bad guy - I couldn't help it!

6. Some of the things I like; turn into things I love.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Girls Night Out with my co-workers, tomorrow my plans include cycle class, shopping with my oldest and closest friend, and worship services at The Village Church, and Sunday, I want to relax in the morning and have my kids over for family dinner!

Hope your weekend is great too!

Multitude Monday - One Thousand Gifts (80-89)

I wish it weren't so difficult for me to stop and take the time to think about the many things that I have to be grateful for. It seems it is when things are going well, dare I say even almost perfect, that enjoying all my blessings hinders my ability to s.t.o.p. and savor them and to thank God for them. My life is a holy experience, filled with the gifts that God showers upon me.

My beloved husband, who still, after more than 30 years, leaves me love notes under my pillow when he goes out of town.

Pulling into the garage and the door swinging open and my beautiful teenage daughter waiting and hanging out with me and helping me cook dinner. Her singing, and playfulness give me energy even after a long day.

And long days, like today, that although long, bring satisfaction and joy at being productive.

So grateful to be able to say (and mean it) "I love my job!"

My sister-in-law's pathology report coming back with no further malignancy after a double mastectomy. Thank you, Gracious Father.

Thinking back to last week, when our family was on vacation together...the laughter, the relaxation, and the sound of my family sleeping (and breathing...dare I say, snoring?) all in the same room.

The tears that came to my eyes when I dove underwater in the clear, blue Caribbean sea and laid eyes on the undersea world; the beauty took my breath away.

My pastor's MRI scan, clear of any evidence of brain cancer. Thank you, Gracious Father, again!

A warm home, cozy and safe while it snows outside.

And knowing that the snow is short lived in Texas because I really do NOT enjoy snow.

~

Resolve

New Year's Resolutions sort of get on my nerves. Why do we think that because we go to sleep one night and wake up the next morning that our motivation or our strength to make huge life changes will happen just because one number changed on the year of our calendar?

Okay, I get the new year, new beginning thing, but we have that same opportunity often. Every day is a new day. Every hour is a new hour, and even a minute gives us the gift of a new start and another opportunity to make a better choice than we might have made the moment before.

Not to say that I am not for setting goals because I certainly am, but it annoys me just a little that lists upon lists of resolutions are made at this time of year and so few of them are achieved. I wonder if it is because we make a list of 5, 10, even 50 things that we want to do differently, add to our lives, or resolve to stop doing and in all reality, to make one major change at a time and stick with it is so much more achievable.

So my New Years Resolution? It is to continue looking for opportunities every day to grow, to love, to be healthier, to make a difference, and to honor God. Those chances happen every day and I don't want to miss them when God brings them to my attention. And to resolve? Blech. My mind rebels against the very thought. Resolve sounds like it is something I would be doing in my own power, and even sounds a little like "white knuckling" my way through something. If that's the case, it's guaranteed failure for me. I am weak on my own. God's power is the only way that I can make any real change in my life.

Just thinking....

Wordless Wednesday

We are back and we had a fantastic time!