Soaring and Stillness: Life with the Chickadees

" We give thanks not because of how we feel ...but because of Who He is..." -Ann Voskamp This is a week of thanksgiving, in word, in deed, in practice. A week where we pause and count our blessings, give our thanks. A week to remember... strength growth sorrows laughter upheaval  peace joy There is gratitude in the remembrance; allowing ourselves to visit the year with fresh eyes and an open heart, seeing what we may have missed in the hurried of the day. Giving thanks in all things, because His purpose is present even in the shadows. They shape us, define us, allow us to find a strength within that could only come from Him. In the dark, we are hallowed out and space is shaped for Him to come in.  Our invitation, most often, is when we are in the dark places. The thanksgiving? It is a response of gratitude. Of joy. It is an acknowledgement of the One who gives us all good things in His time. ...

We're big  HUGE believers in giving thanks. Showing gratitude in both word and deed. In our home we pen thank you notes up the wazoo (I'm quite sure it's a lost art form at this point). At dinner, we tell one amazing thing that happened in our day and describe why we're thankful for it. We carry lunch sacks of food in the car to hand out to the homeless we encounter at stoplights.  You can laugh...my man did when he first heard about it... We regularly donate to food pantries and rescue ministries. When we pray? We start with our thanks and then move on to the other things... However, I've found one of the best ways to teach the girls gratitude in giving is in the sponsorship of   Compassion children.  We write letters, send birthday and Christmas gifts, and sponsor monthly. Our chicks love hearing about the lives they touch on the other side of the globe. Our hearts, as parents, melt when  they suggest purchasing goats and chick...

My friend teased me about the fact that we already did thankful edition over here at the nest. I laughed and wrote back that there is never a limit on being thankful. I think we get so busy living that we sometimes forget gratitude. I do not desire to forget . So, this week, we're giving thanks again, for things big and small, for the opportunities we are given and those we let pass us by. Thanks. It's a small word with so much heart. It lies firmly in mine this week. I am so thankful. 1. I'm thankful for our groomer. Her name is Kim. The life she leads is not easy; she's supporting her adult son and granddaughter by making Fido look amazing. I am no longer able to bathe and trim our pup easily. It's too hard on my hands, back, hip and arms. I pushed forever not willing to give up this task that saves us money, but gave in about a year ago when I found Kim. She loves my pup and is as gentle with her as I am with my girls. I am thankful. 2. I'm thankful for godl...

It's a most excellent day to kick off our Take 5--Thankful Edition because today is a day for which I'm supremely thankful. Today was the day that our amazing God chose to bring me into this world and gave me the opportunity to live . For this? I am thankful beyond words. Here are five other thankfuls I have for today...I'm looking forward to hearing yours. 1. Grace. I know it sounds trite, but it's something for which I'm truly thankful. Grace by which I have been saved, grace by which I go, grace alone. Thankful. 2. Laughter. The way the twinkling tones of my daughters meld together and lift my heart. Every. Single. Time. 3. Family. Nuclear and other. Lifting me up and making me whole in areas I didn't even realize I was lacking. Allowing me to grow. Change. Bloom. 4. Knowledge. I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn and guide. Sometimes it's all in finding the teachable "heart moments". 5. Nature. I'm not the biggest fan of bei...