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Saturday, November 22, 2008

choose thankfulness

Three posts in one day!  It's feast or famine around here I guess.  This one's been brewing for about a week, but I wanted to wait until I had this banner finished and hung so I could include a photo.  At a time when there seem to be disappointments all around.. struggling economy, presidential elections that didn't go as we'd hoped (and what that means for 35 years of laws to protect not yet born babies), and things in our own life not going quite as we'd thought for the last few months... We choose thankfulness.  There is so much to be thankful for, in little and big things every single day.  The other night, we sat down as a family (after a few days of feeling really sad about missing home) and we decided to make a list of things that we're thankful for HERE.  And we decided that we're going to focus on these things and enjoy this place to the fullest for whatever time we have here.  We have no idea really if we'll be here for two years or twenty... only God knows for sure.  And while it's okay to miss family and friends (and weather and culture) where we came from, we're choosing to be thankful for what we have here.  Here's what we came up with... ideas submitted from all family members, well all but Judah, in no particular oder:
really nice sink water
extended family being here
playing with neighborhood kids
mornings together
being able to ride bikes and play outside more
new friends
corn field 
playing in the snow
wild rice
Old Creamery Cafe
Caribou Coffee 
Mall of America
opportunities to trust God
the Waters Church
great new church friends
the Christmas play (Brooklyn will be a narrator and Zeke will be "back stage" moving sets)
not having cable tv
geocaching
fun parks
Mississippi River
less traffic
cheaper gas (down to 1.62 yesterday!)
renewed dreams
getting closer as a family
less busy-ness
doing more art/ crafts

5 comments:

eternity driven said...

this is wonderful!! Good example, Jen! For your kids but also for us as we're missing you with tons of tears at this thankful season!! How did you make the banner? Is it paper or fabric? Hung on a ribbon? Oh, it's so pretty!

jenny said...

it's felt and ribbon... thank you!

Angel said...

I love it! I wish I had wall space to make that! What an awesome reminder!

Unknown said...

Hi Jenny,

I just found your site from your facebook page. It is so great! I can connect with you on alot of levels with moving to MN from CA.
Your blog is pretty neat.

gery-riggin said...

I am thankful I had the opportunity to go out and see some of the things your family is thankful for -- one of the highlights of my year :-) but even more thankful I am part of your family. you add so much to my life!!