What’s yours?

I am grateful for distractions to my day when it becomes monotonous.

I am grateful for oatmeal. Yes, I said it. This morning, on a whim, I decided to BUY a McDonald’s oatmeal because a co-worker said it might make me less hungry at work. However, when I got to work and took the lid off, I discovered that it was covered in…FRUIT. Apples, cranberries (I think), and RAISINS! I almost cried, my experiment was ruined by nasty fruit. But, I was hungry enough, I decided to mix it all together, and whaddayaknow. It was actually good. Another first for me in this new life of living outside the box. One tiptoe at a time.

I am grateful that not all men are rude. I “halfway” met a man last night, if that’s what you call introducing myself while he texted and barely looked up, and he had to be one of the most rude people I have ever encountered. On top of that, he is a physician. A professional who deals with patients on a daily basis. I wasn’t a patient. So, on top of being grateful that not all men are rude, I am also grateful that I am not this man’s patient.

I am grateful for a TV in the conference room today, so I can catch up on scores of the games every now and then.

I am grateful for perfect spring weather today. I hope my Dad will get out and start playing some golf again.

I am grateful for the opportunity to listen to District Court Judge Kathleen Sloan and Assistant DA Erica Miller last night as they described their positions and cases that are handled in their courtroom.

I am grateful for a new cookie recipe – they’ll be perfect for Bingo on Monday night.

Lime Tea Cookies...in time for Spring!

And I am grateful my life does not depend on wins and losses.

Only a person who is willing to look back and thank God for the past can fully open up and trust God with the future as well. – Pastor Anne Williams

I am grateful for warm evenings that allow for extra-long walks.

I am grateful for reusable grocery bags. I carry one every day that Ron and Pam gave to me. The bags are so much stronger than plastic grocery sacks, they make no noise, and they have an actual “bottom” to them for better stacking. AND, the handles are much more comfortable than plastic ones that cut off the circulation in my hand when loaded with weight. Oh, and I suppose they are beneficial to the environment, too.

I am grateful that my final online court case/homework is finished.

After hearing the story yesterday of the 22 pound cat that went crazy and held its family hostage, it reminded me of Angela’s cat Belinda.  I am sure Belinda was crazy because someone had named her Belinda.  Cats shouldn’t be named Belinda.  However, I am grateful for happy memories of Sneakers, Gizmo, Topo, and Panther. THOSE are cat names.

I am grateful for Norma. She is a resident at The Gables, and she wanted to help with the Tuesday night Bingo prizes that we provide each week, so she had a friend make pretty china coffee cups full of artificial spring flowers to give away next week. What a sweetheart.

I am grateful that God used a family that was considered poor and unwanted in the world to raise His Son. Every step of Jesus’ life, He demonstrated to the world that He was available, not out of touch or out of reach, and “nobodies” mattered to Him.

Romans 8:31-39:

³¹ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? ³³ Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. ³⁴ Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful for fresh pineapple.

How to cut a pineapple

I am grateful that my husband daily supports me and encourages me as I volunteer at the assisted living facility, going with me on Tuesday evenings, and now with CASA, listening to me talk incessantly about what I am learning and sitting with me while I do my homework.

I am grateful for my brother’s help with showing the house.

I am grateful that I was able to share my “Ama Brag Book” with the Bingo ladies last night and that a few of them patronized me and actually looked at the zillion pictures.

I am grateful for the simple pleasure of eating a salad and baked potato while watching “The Voice” and listening to the thunder and rain last night.

And I am grateful for a baby’s giggle.

Giggles

I am grateful for hunger pains. I think it would be a very bad thing to not feel hunger.

I am grateful that I can alleviate these hunger pains so easily. Others cannot.

I am grateful for the smell of a baby.

I am grateful for hills that make my legs work harder.

I’ve been aware of words lately. This morning’s word: bittersweet. I can think of so many situations in my life that live up to this oxymoron. It is a good thing that the bitter stuff in my life also has a sweetness to it.

My brother Ron sent me a book almost two years ago that I had put on the shelf, intending to read. Good intentions… But I decided to begin reading it, and I am so sad that I waited for two years to do so. This passage reminds me of the word bittersweet. It is SO GOOD:

Since life poses an endless series of problems, life is always difficult and is full of pain as well as joy. Yet it is in this whole process of meeting and solving problems that life has its meaning. Problems are the cutting edge that distinguishes between success and failure. Problems call forth our courage and our wisdom; indeed, they create our courage and our wisdom. It is only because of problems that we grow mentally or spiritually. When we desire to encourage the growth of the human spirit, we challenge and encourage the capacity to solve problems, just as in school we deliberately set problems for our children to solve. It is through the pain of confronting and resolving problems that we learn. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Those things that hurt, instruct.” – from The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck

Another oxymoron? I have a love-hate relationship with early morning walking. I HATE waking up before it’s time to wake up, just to go walk in the frigid cold in the darkness of the night. HATE getting out from under the covers. HATE disturbing a really nice dream. But I LOVE the quietness of the walk, the view of the stars, the sound of the mama birds waking up their families, the companionship and conversation with Sam, and the way I feel when we return and are refreshed and awake for the day.

I am grateful for the bittersweet-ness of life.

I am grateful that in my love-hate life situations, there is a love side.

And I am grateful that soon, the neighborhood will be full of flowering trees and the flowerbeds will be overloaded with tulips.

I am grateful that I do not have to run errands today in the gorgeous, warm 70 degree sunshine, because it would be hard to come back into the office.

I am grateful for almost 24 hours with my Dad and Aunt Drula this past weekend and so grateful Dad doesn’t mind driving and enjoys coming to visit.

I am grateful for game night with family and a funny niece who said, “You’re goin’ down, clown,” when I took the bid during Pitch.

I am grateful for the youth choir and a wonderful rehearsal yesterday.

I am grateful for hot dog season again.

I am grateful for copy machines that make life so much easier and office tasks so much more efficient.

I am grateful for a clean car with a full tank of gas.

After going to the auto show on Saturday, I am more grateful now than ever for used cars.

I am grateful for the most beautiful book from Karissa that is cover-to-cover pictures of the most adorable grandchildren…

I am grateful for the knowledge that today is Middle Name Pride Day, so that I can reflect on my own middle name – Joy.  I am grateful that my parents gave me this name. It comes from the Latin word “gaudia” which means “rejoice.” And I will.

I am grateful for the beauty and uniqueness of naked trees against the pre-dawn sky lit by the crescent moon and stars, and the privilege to see the canvas change to a beautiful pink sky just before the sunrise.

I am grateful for my hearing, in order to hear such variety of bird songs during the morning walk.

I am grateful for the wonderful text message from Zak and Katrina sharing that the banquet was a HUGE success.

I am grateful for these GORGEOUS pictures of Annistan and Anjalie that Karissa sent to me, and pictures of Anissa and Andrae, so proud of their pre-school-at-home accomplishments!

I am grateful for a long overdue phone call with Terry last night. It was SO good to hear her voice and catch up.

I am grateful that my I’s are dotted, T’s are crossed, references are finally in, and I am ready for graduation/certification next Wednesday!

I am grateful for success at work – finding a qualified candidate is so satisfying.

I am grateful for bosses who treat us to lunch for special occasions.

I am grateful for a wonderful email from Geri!

I am grateful that it is National Cereal Day today. I love cereal. I have fond memories of Dwight/Karissa/Katrina eating Tupperware storage bowls-full of cereal. Other fond memories are of sitting at the breakfast table eating cereal while reading the cartoons/random facts/info on the back of the boxes and being so excited to reach down into the bottom of a full box in order to find that plastic package with a surprise inside! My all-time favorite cereal is Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch. Mmmmm.

Some Cereal History:

Of the more than 314 million people in the U.S., 49 % start their day with a bowl of cereal.

There are 2.7 billion boxes — enough to wrap around the earth thirteen times — of cereal sold every year.

And I am grateful that my Dad is coming to visit tomorrow!!

It’s that kind of day.

I am grateful that I do not have cat or dog hair all over my clothes.

I am grateful for the sound of my Dad crunching potato chips. I love that sound. People could crunch potato chips around me all day long, as long as they share and then keep their mouths closed to finish the eating.

I am grateful for parents who trained their sons to open doors for women of any age. With that said, I am so appalled at the 20-30+ year old professional men in this office building who walk in front of women as we enter the building, no more than 10 feet away, and they are oblivious to the fact that we are right behind them. Thank you, moms and dads, who taught your sons back in the 50’s and 60’s to be gentlemen. And thank you, moms and dads who are raising sons to be gentlemen right now. I know, this is more of a gripe than a grateful. No, this is finding something to be grateful for in the middle of a gripe. 

I am grateful for Elizabeth. I miss her. I miss our South Texas days. I just saw a woman walk in to the building who looks like her, and it’s funny – on Sunday, there was a lady in the choir at church who I had not seen previously, and she could have been Elizabeth’s Mom. Elizabeth, you are on my mind this week.

I am grateful for my son-in-law Zak. I’m not only grateful, I am very proud of him. Today is a big day. He is the director of Central Oregon Youth for Christ, and tonight is the annual fundraising banquet. He and Katrina took a huge leap of faith last summer and moved their family across the country in order to live a dream and serve God in a new capacity, and this is very much out of his comfort zone, I think, to be in charge of planning and pulling off a banquet/silent auction. AND, he is the special speaker as the new director.  I just know God is going to bless him and the organization for his hard work, his dream to reach marginal kids, and their leap of faith.

I am grateful for memories of Anissa asking for a snack – a little cup of Pringles chips. I can still hear her saying, “Chips, please!” with her ornery grin.

I am grateful for boxes of animal crackers. It was such a treat and a rare occasion to sit in the shopping cart and have Mom surprise me with a box to eat.  I always thought it was so special to carry my box of animal crackers by its string handle.

I am grateful for a toothbrush and toothpaste, and I’m glad I don’t have to brush my teeth with my finger or with salt. Although as much as I love salt, that wouldn’t be so bad. It would be better if the toothbrush was a french-fry and the toothpaste was salt. That would be okay.

I am grateful that Sam does laundry. Sitting around the conference room table listening to the stories made me very grateful Sam does laundry.

And I am grateful that I only gave up french fries and pop and not potato chips in January 2013.

Seriously. Read his blog post – it’s short and won’t take any time at all. I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about.

Meanwhile, in Syria…

I am grateful for the daily calendar that Michelle gave to me. Here is today’s entry. I read it twice and then typed it, and it hit home after the second reading. Try it:

To be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars…to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends, and every day of Christ, and to spend as much time as you can, with body and with spirit in God’s out-of-doors – these are the little guideposts on the footpath to peace. – Henry van Dyke

I am grateful for a youtube video of Sam’s great nephews, with their ingenious idea to pull Max’s tooth. This is so delightful – I love that word – and watching it puts a smile on my face every time:

Max and Cooper Pull a Tooth

I am grateful for my sister-in-law Marlene. I forgot her birthday last weekend and I feel SO BAD.  She is a WONDERFUL sister, and we are so blessed that she is a part of the Ferguson family. She is loyal beyond explanation. She supported me during the darkest days of my life, and it didn’t matter that I was to blame for much of the darkness – she loved me anyway. She loves her boys fiercely. She showed my Mom her love by the tender care she gave during Mom’s last two weeks on earth. She makes us all laugh with her sarcasm and wit. And you can pick her out of a crowd with her infectious laughter. I am so sorry, Marlene, that your special day went unnoticed by me. I love you and I am so grateful you are in my life.

 And I am grateful for Valerie today. She is a Proverbs 31 woman and I hope to become more like her as I grow up.

That quote reminds me of Zak and Katrina. They didn’t listen to the world say, “It doesn’t make sense.” They wanted an adventure, and they are living it. I am grateful for their example. I am grateful for Bob Goff’s lessons to DO and not just talk about it. I am grateful for the people in my life who, by their example, show me a better way. I don’t want to just talk about doing, I don’t want to talk about making plans. I want to be the person that is spontaneous and steps out of my comfort zone. No ruts. No complacency.

I am grateful for this mouthwash, because it makes everything taste bad for several hours, so I do not want to eat. But it DOES make a mouth fresh and hopefully a little healthier, and for that I am also grateful.

I am grateful for my boss who taught a very valuable lesson about owning a mistake and a bad attitude and sincerely apologizing, all for the sake of reconciliation in the family.

I am grateful for my church devotion this morning about reconciliation and for a new beginning with my daughter.

Tuesday’s Church Devotion

I am grateful for a chapter in my book that hit home. I find myself being very selfish at times, thinking that I am owed a humble apology. But Jesus forgave me BEFORE I asked. I may never get those apologies. That’s not the point. I can only control my end. And in order for me to truly be at peace, I must forgive without reservation, without expectation. I must do as Joseph did and begin the act of forgiveness and live in the space of grace, the doorway to reconciliation. I am so grateful for the peace in my heart.

Forgiveness vacillates like this. It has fits and starts, good days and bad. Anger intermingled with love. Irregular mercy. We make progress only to make a wrong turn. Step forward and fall back. But this is okay. When it comes to forgiveness, all of us are beginners. No one owns a secret formula. As long as you are trying to forgive, you are forgiving. It’s when you no longer try that bitterness sets in.

Stay the course. You’ll spend less time in the spite house and more in the grace house. And as one who has walked the hallways of both, I can guarantee that you are going to love the space of grace. – Max Lucado, “You’ll Get Through This”

I am grateful for little things that make me happy, like minions and the “happy” song:

Because I’m Happy!

I am grateful for this beautiful surprise in my inbox this morning that also makes me very happy:

Annistan laughs.

And this beautiful surprise in a text message last night:

 Sweet Reilly Joy.

And I am grateful for the security I feel in knowing that when I die, I will leave something monetary for those I love. I see now why it was so important to Mom and Dad to have things in place. Mom talked about having such peace about getting their affairs in order. I get it now. It is a good feeling to have life insurance that I set up by myself to take care of my family. Hopefully, they will be proud of the person I became, the example I set, and see that what mattered most was following Jesus without abandon and pointing my “world” towards Him.

I am grateful for the experience of sitting at a table with family on Friday night, hymnbooks for all, singing hymn after hymn after hymn, in four part acapella harmony. This one played in my mind all weekend:

God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again – Selah

I am grateful for an end to training. One more week of online work, and then they say I’ll be ready to begin my CASA advocacy.  Today’s session was another eye-opener. I don’t think there is any way that any of us can be truly prepared for this commitment we are about to make…

I am grateful for ironed clothes.

I am grateful for mouthwash.

I am grateful for leftovers on the table and ready when I got home tonight.

I am grateful for time to read my book.

I am grateful for an evening of cookie baking, The Voice, and a basketball game to watch. I SHOULD be working on my homework or recording Fabien’s piano lesson, but instead, I am sitting in front of the fire and watching a ballgame.

I am grateful for peace in my heart.

I am grateful for conversations with my daughter this weekend, for the recording of her solo that she sent to me, and for beautiful pictures of my grandchildren. And I am grateful for a videos of Anjalie’s little laugh and Andrae’s silliness.

I am grateful for time spent with the Scofield family this last weekend.

I am grateful to have learned how to play “Pitch.” Made me miss playing “Rook” with my parents.

I am grateful for warm sunshine to melt the snow.

I am grateful for the smell of fresh-baked cookies.

And I am grateful that Dwight sent a copy of his picture of the honking tree, so I could share it here.  So glad we have the original: