7 Quick Takes (Volume 60)

1) We had a great Thanksgiving. I started the day by sleeping in. I can't remember the last time I got out of bed after the sun was up. It felt great. Then we spent the day with my husband's family. I especially enjoyed some game/bonding time with our grown nephews who talked with us more than ever before and later with other nieces and nephews. We met our niece's boyfriend from South Carolina (good guy--nice work, Hannah). We knew he'd fit right in when he laughed at Uncle Kevin's racy answer in good humor. Good food, good people, good laughs, good day.

When I prayed for a husband, I never thought to pray for the family he came from, that I'd get along with them and feel like I belonged. But God was more than gracious, granting me great relationships with my in-laws. They are awesome people I am blessed to be a part of.

2) Miss Innocent One had a good laugh when she flipped a page in her notebook at school to find a little note from Drama Queen.

"Hi, Miss Innocent One. How was your day at school? Bummer. I don't know when you will find this note, but hi. Well, what are you doing? Pay attention to your teacher! Don't keep reading. Okay, I'm done. --Drama Queen"

Apparently at the school's open house, Drama Queen got into Miss Innocent One's desk and had a little fun.

A few weeks later, she found another note.

"Ha ha, you thought the other one was the only note. I got you! Epic failure! Tell Mr. M I said hi. What are you doing? Tell him right now!"

For the little girl who loves leaving notes all over the house for me, this was totally speaking her love language. Nice work, Drama Queen.

3) No Black Friday shopping for me today. I've done it in the past if there was an item I couldn't afford otherwise, but it's not my bag, because number one, you're still shelling out money and two, I'm not crazy about crowds. The only things I find appealing about it is crossing some things off my to do list and going out to breakfast with my husband.

4) It's getting harder and harder to put on eye liner. My eyelids are getting wrinkly, or should we say less taut? Yeah, that sounds better. ACK!

5) Ladies Man is a budding artist and already got a graphic design gig. He designed a logo for the business my brother works for.

Not bad for a fourteen-year-old, huh? I'm proud of him! Thanks, Brad and Jackie, for giving him the opportunity.

6) Ladies Man also got a boost from Drummer Boy, when the big bro called his little bro to ask if he would help him design the mat for the drum line show.

I love it when my kids do things to build each other up. Sometimes the younger kids don't think the older ones really notice them, since they're gone all the time doing their own thing. A little gesture like leaving notes in a note book and asking for their help go a long way in showing they care. There may be a chance they like each other as adults.

7) Our Thanksgiving isn't over yet. We spend tomorrow with my family. It's always a rip-roaring time with kids running all over the place and more food than we'll ever eat. I don't know what it is about being around my family, but it spurs this eat-everything-in-sight mechanism in me. After dinner, my mom sets out tons of snacky stuff and we sit around the table talking or playing games and nibbling all afternoon. Commence praying now, okay? I DON'T want to waddle into church Sunday!

I hope your Thanksgiving was terrific. Enjoy the weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15-17

May you see His grace, feel His peace and know His love this day.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.

Living out Gratitude

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

John F. Kennedy

Will you make a list of what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving? Will you talk about it at your dinner table? It's sweet and refreshing and a good way to evaluate our lives, but can we take the warm fuzzy feeling a step further?

Can we learn to LIVE in our gratitude?

Living in gratitude means on a tense Monday morning with my family (those I thank God for every day) I zip my lip when I'd rather let someone have it. I thank God for my husband by showing him grace and not nagging him when other obligations push home projects to the bottom of his list. My gratitude for my dear mother is expressed by drawing from her excellent example when raising my own children. If I praise God for my church, the lonely woman I encounter there gets a listening ear. If I am grateful for my home, I open it up to others. I make time for the treasured relationships He's given me. If I am thankful for His word, I do what it tells me.

Passing on the love and grace we've received in our every day is the highest form of appreciation to a loving, giving God.

What are you thankful for? How you can live out your gratitude?

Please join the In "Other" Words gang and give us your thoughts about today's quote.

Simple Gestures

He always locks the door behind him as he leaves.

I'm still home, working within sight of the door, able to see anyone coming and going and yet my husband feels a need to lock it. It may just be habit. He probably doesn't even know he does it, but with one little twist of his wrist, he stirs up a sense of security in me, a feeling that he cares about what happens to his wife.

I ran into a woman at Walmart, a woman I have interacted with through the years, but not spent a lot time with. She had news to share and said, "I wanted you to hear it from me because you've been significant."

Wow. One sincere sentence touched me. Her words packed a big punch, making me feel special and appreciated.

Miss Innocent One is the queen of leaving little notes around the house. I find her little "I (heart) you, Mom" notes all over the place--on pieces of scratch paper I have sitting by my computer, on a notepad resting on my nightstand, in my e-mail inbox, even in her assignment book I sign each day for school. It never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Making people feel valued is not hard. Each of these acts required less than a few seconds to complete, yet built me up for hours. It really is that simple to touch a life. A pat on an arm, a thoughtful question , a listening ear, even a comment on Facebook can buoy a lagging spirit.

What can you do to show others they are loved and valued? What simple gesture will speak volumes for you today?

7 Quick Takes (Volume 59)

1) The silliness comes out of no where at our house. When Ladies Man came over to give me a hug before he left for school, I noticed he was WAY taller than Drama Queen, his older sister and mentioned it.

Ladies Man to Drama Queen: Bye, Shorty.

Drama Queen: Yeah, bye, Gorilla.

Miss Innocent One entered the kitchen as Ladies Man shut the back door.

Drama Queen to Miss Innocent One: Well, hello there, Peaches.

Peaches?! Where did that come from? I live here and I'm confused. Is it some kind of evil plan they've concocted to keep me off balance?

2) We've kicked into crunch time on this year's Christmas musical at church. Every year the set gets more and more involved. This year we're suspending things from the ceiling as well as building 14 foot walls! It takes a regular construction crew to get this thing together, I tell you. We are blessed with fantastic people at our church who freely give of their time and get excited about the productions. It's a perfect picture of the body of Christ using their distinct gifts together for one purpose. It gets me every time. Thank you, CCC people!

And to those of you live in our area, COME SEE THE PRODUCTION! It's a full fledged musical for the whole family and FREE besides. You won't be disappointed.



3) There's a much touted defensive tackle who plays for Nebraska named Ndamukong Suh. I still can't pronounce his first name. I'm so impressed when the television announcers say it so effortlessly, letting it roll off their tongues with ease, like it's the same thing as saying Fred Jones. I wonder how long it takes them to master it. Anyway, I thought Ndamukong Suh was a mouthful until Drummer Boy showed us the name of a kid on the Husker drum line--Krit Palakavong Na Ayudhaya. Try to say that three times really fast--or even once! If you can say this name without stumbling you'll have everyone believing you're a genius, just like if you read through all the tough names of the Bible at Bible study without pausing. It doesn't matter if you say it right. As long as you say it with confidence and no bobbling, people will think you're really smart.

4) A few weeks ago, I was asked to give a devotional at a bridal shower. I decided to make it an object lesson and pull out different kitchen utensils to remind the bride of what she should do in marriage. For instance, a cook book was to remind her to put the right ingredients into their relationship, a kitchen timer was a reminder to spend time with her husband. . .you get the idea. I was so surprised Drama Queen was horrified as I explained what I was going to do. One item in particular sickened her.

Me: So I pull out the meat baster and tell her she needs to keep their relationship juicy.

Drama Queen: Mom! That's sick! You're not really going to say that, are you?

Me: Why is that bad?

Drama Queen: Mom, that's just wrong.

Me: Hey, it's a very important part of married life. Sex bonds a couple together.

Drama Queen: Ew. That's gross.

Why is it okay for her to tell her siblings they smell like butt, but I can't say two married people need to keep their relationship juicy? Is she a teenager or what?

5) My hair is doing some strange things this week. One day I looked in the mirror and told my husband I had Betty Rubble hair (You know, from the Flintstones. Hey, now that I think about it, I should have wished for a Betty Rubble waist!). He laughed and laughed (He's good like that--always making me feel witty), until he carried the comparison through.

"Wait, that makes me Barney," he said.

6) We finally have a picture of Ladies Man's pvc pipe trombone. Yep, it really exists. He added the black electrical tape for funk, I guess. For some reason, it reminds me of Dr. Seuss.



7) I'm excited for Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday. There's no pressure to find the perfect gift for people who don't need anything in the first place. No huge commotion. Just cooking and eating and hanging out. Since I rarely have to cook too much, it's mostly hanging out and eating. What's better than that?

I've got LOTS to be thankful for. If I think about it too much I'll cry, so instead I'll leave you with a good word.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:12-17

The best way to express our thankfulness to God is to love and support each other.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!


Wander over to Conversion Diary to read some other Quick Takes.

Life is Hard, but God is Good

“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”

M. Scott Peck
The Road Less Traveled

I'm not buying this quote. Life is difficult. Period. Knowing it is difficult is no help at all. Knowing life is difficult does not comfort me when I can't sleep worrying about one of my kids or money or how we'll ever get everything done. Knowing life is difficult does not soothe my grief over lost loved ones or stupid comments I made. Knowing life is difficult does not help me deal with a struggling child or looming deadline. It does not provide the wisdom or inspiration necessary to comfort a friend. Knowing life is difficult accomplishes one purpose.

It establishes my need for an all-powerful, all-knowing, merciful, loving God.

Jesus said,"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

He said, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

He tells me, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Only in my reliance in Jesus and His Word am I soothed and comforted. Only in Him do I find strength and motivation for each day.

Knowing life is difficult means nothing.

Knowing Jesus Christ is everything.

For more interpretations of this quote, visit Nina at Mama's Little Treasures.

7 Quick Takes (Volume 58)

1) I've been trying to eat healthier and the other night I came to the dinner table with a pile of spinach (among other things) on my plate. Ladies Man stole a glance.

Ladies Man: Leaves? You're eating LEAVES?

Dad: And diarrhea. . .

Apparently he thought my dressing looked less than appetizing.

Ladies Man: Dad, we need to support Mom.

He put a hand on my shoulder.

Ladies Man: Not that I'm saying you need to go on a diet. I think you look fine, but if you want to do this we need to support you.

See how this kid understands women?!

Dad: Okay then, Ladies Man, why don't you pray tonight?

Ladies Man: Dear Jesus, thank You for our family. Thank You for our food. Please help Mom enjoy her leaves.

And I just couldn't help it. I bust a gut right in the middle of the prayer. But it got even better.

Drama Queen: Mom, you've been telling us we need to eat what we can find in the wild. Poop and leaves is about as good as it gets. Nice job.

2) Lately God's pressing on my heart a desire and NEED to pray with others. It feels more powerful, you know, because it's two or three gathered in His name. He's blessed me this week with amazing prayer times with friends. Praying together is part of my growing awareness that God does not intend any of us to walk alone. He has given us each other. Why do we put up a good front, striving for independence when we could accomplish so much more for His name if we humbled ourselves enough to ask for help? What are we afraid of?

We need each other. We feel the love of Jesus through the skin of people. We've got to touch each other, physically, emotionally, spiritually, to persevere in this world. May we recognize the great gift He's given us in each other.

3) Who says kids don't pay attention to current events? After playing with the kids of some family friends, Ladies Man said, "I hope when I start dating, my girlfriend will have a cool little brother. That would be fun. I like little boys. . . well, you know, not like Michael Jackson, but they're cool.

4) My fig tree is having sympathy pains for its cousins outdoors, shedding leaves by the minute. I'm sure it has nothing to do with my forgetfulness in watering it, right?

5) I've been trying to break Ladies Man's habit of saying "no offense" after any contrary opinion he feels compelled to share.

Me: Saying "no offense" after you've just slammed something doesn't soften the blow. You can't take it back by saying "no offense." It still hurts whether you say "no offense" or not.

I'm not sure it's sinking in, at least not to him, but evidently Miss Innocent One is catching on. After her rough day at school I offered to take her out to lunch.

She gave me a funny grin and didn't say anything.

Me: Or if you want I can make something you really like at home. What do you really like?

Miss Innocent One: You make good stuff and all, but I'd rather go out. No offense. Wait. That doesn't erase the blow, does it?

Glory be. At least ONE of my children listen to me!

6) Yesterday was Ladies Man's birthday and the anniversary of my father's death. I've decided God knows what a wimp I can be, so He orchestrated the two events on the same day to force me to buck up and be happy on a day I might be tempted to wallow. It gets easier every year and God graciously surrounds me with VERY thoughtful people who call or e-mail to say they're praying for and thinking of me. He is so good.

7) Which reminds me of an old song. Enjoy.





Be sure to visit Conversion Diary to read other people's Quick Takes.