workin' it

"Faith is more than belief: it produces its own work. Faith works itself out in love (Gal. 5:6)."  ~ Rollin Grams

day 25

we just had a wonderful Thanksgiving day.  and, there are so many things that i am truly thankful for.  trav and i were chatting today about how it's so nice that i don't have to drive across the cities on these cold, blustery nights, that we get to share this place we call home, and that thanksgiving day starts and ends with him by my side.  but, one of the bonuses of marrying trav that made my thanksgiving day really rich this year, is marrying into his family.  i do so love my in-laws, and i am so blessed to now share their name.

day 25:  so, on this twentififth day of november, thanksgiving day, 2010, i'm thankful for the family i have gained by saying "i do."

day 24

when someone asks me what my favorite class was or who my favorite professor was while i was at Gordon Conwell, i have a hard time limiting it down to one.  i usually can come close to three, but even that is a difficult thing to do.  that said, one of my top three professors is Dr. Gary Parrett and one of the top three classes was a class he taught called Worship and Christian Formation.  though the hope is that most classes transform you in some way, only a few classes did i walk away and say "that just radically changed my life."  Dr. Parrett's course opened my eyes to different forms of worship, Scriptural backing for them, and the need for sensitivity as we engage our culture while not dumbing down our faith.  this course was the beginning of my walk into worship ministry.  and, though i don't know where my road is going, the walk has been good.  my time crafting services and worshiping behind a piano has been rich.  and, even amidst the pain and turmoil i have experienced leading worship in the church, at the thought of it, my heart pines after leading worshipers into the Lord's throne-room once more.

Dr. Parrett was in a devastating accident last summer, and this morning i received this CaringBridge update:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/garyparrett.  oh, friends!  God has done good things. and, in-spite of the pain, is redeeming the situation again and again.

day 24:  today i am thankful for so many things...  a wonderful seminary education that did dramatically change my life; incredible professors who humbly teach tomorrow's (and today's) leaders, the opportunity to lead on earth the activity that we will engage in throughout eternity; Dr. Parrett; God's healing hand; and God's commitment to redeem what is painful and broken with a promise to someday make all things new.  and until then...  we gratefully wait what is yet to come.

day 23

"For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  ~ Hebrews 4:12

day 23:  ...for this i am thankful.

day 22

trav and i had a wonderful weekend with my family down in ioway.  we went down so that he could do some hunting with my bro, and so that we could celebrate my niece's birthday.  i love my family.  and, i love the way they love trav, and he loves them.  i'm thankful for my siblings and their families.  i'm also very thankful for two parents that love me and each other.  and, i love that travis is now my family!

day 22:  i'm so thankful for my family.

day 21

three months.  three months!  we've been married for three months.  and, though there have been hard days and difficult conversations, we both agree we would do it again!  :)  i'm so thankful for my husband.  i waited a long, long time for him, but he is so worth it.  he's my beloved.  he gets me.  i love the way he loves the Lord.  i love his generous heart, his deep compassion, his ability to experience life through emotion.  i love the way he digs into theology and its application to life.  i love the way he is ok with being challenged and is willing to grow in the midst of it.  i love the way he loves his family, and the way he loves mine now, too. and, i love the way he loves me...just to name a few of the reasons i'm crazy about him!  :)

day 21:  i'm very, very thankful for my travis

day 20

we came down to iowa so that travis could do a little deer hunting in south dakota.  and, after three weeks (2 in minnesota and 1 down here), a deer crossed his path at just the right time.  hearing his stories and the fun he had with my brother makes me thankful he was able to shoot one.

day 20:  i'm thankful my husband shot a deer and a nice one at that (boy that seems an odd thing to be thankful for...)