Out my Window: dreary day but the hill is glowing with fall leaves, the yellows and oranges are so bright and beautiful
Enjoying: beautiful fall weather, fresh apples, fry cakes, sunrises, moon, apple pumpkin candle burning each evening, twinkle lights on at night, fresh flowers, laughter of kids
Listening to/Watching: Had Ruins by For My Nine Friends https://soundcloud.com/for-my-nine-friends or https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWxxDW0wpmX75WVOBOY-8HwwsrdGCBPy4 and Still Vol. 1 by Michael W. Smith (instrumental tracks) (Spotify) on in the background this week. I listened to this week’s episode of Holy Post Podcast, another fascinating British author, Os Guiness. It was an interesting discussion on the influence of the 60s on Western Culture, specifically American. Many other quick quips that make this worth the listen. https://www.holypost.com/holy-post-podcast/episode/1d5870aa/episode-427-can-1968-explain-2020-with-os-guinness I finally finished Lord of the Rings Trilogy: The Twin Towers. I jumped into the last of the trilogy, Return of the King, https://www.amazon.com/The-Return-of-King-J-R-R-Tolkien-audiobook/dp/B009NOT66S/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=return+of+the+king&qid=1603561457&s=audible&sr=1-1 This narrator is so marvelous. As long as this series has been, it has still been enjoyable.
Reading: By my bedside: The Pursuit of the Holy: A Divine Invitation by Simon Ponsonby. Still reading Jen Pollock Michel’s book Surprised by Paradox: The Promise of And in an Either-Or World.
I am back to being in the mood for good story, so I am on the hunt for some good fiction to disappear into.
I am reviewing a study on Habakkuk from Dannah Gresh for Moody Publishing.
I am reading through Jill Briscoe’s Faith Enough to Finish during my morning Bible Study time. I usually prefer Jill’s talks over her writing, but this is the encouragement I need right now.
So excited, my friend Rebecca Lindamood from the marvelous foodie blog FoodiewithFamily.com has released a new cookbook. My mouth is watering just looking through it. The Ultimate Guide to Vegetable Side Dishes. Who doesn’t need creative, delicious ways to add more veggies to the table? As always she is witty and fun, and the recipes are very doable and very delicious. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1645670856/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Rambling Thoughts: This week marked a big moment in my gratitude journey. I wrote a bit about it here https://inkblotlife.com/2018/10/24/measuring-my-days/ My second journal is complete. It is falling apart and definitely seen better days but it has been through a lot of life with me. I was curious how long I had been using this same journal with the fall looking cover with the words “Give Thanks: a gratitude journal” on it. I remember being so excited when I found it. Apparently it was 9 years ago. Wow… My first entry in this journal is 11/25/11 with number 1809… 14 years with Ryan (Nov. 22 is his birthday) Next Month he will be 23. That takes my breath away just typing it. The last nine years I have not been as consistent with writing down gratitudes, and yet this notebook still filled up with generous gifts from the giver of all good gifts. There are some seasons that are full of fun and beautiful gifts that were easy to think of, and others where it was a sacrifice of praise. There were some seasons of keeping track of gifts was intentionally choosing defiant joy and the discipline of giving thanks. I am thankful for this habit, even when it is not always a daily thing, or when it feels like it is mundane. It is a record of life and choosing joy. It sits on my side table reminding me “in all things give thanks.” The last entry of this journal was 10/22/20, 5881 beautiful morning sky even with clouds. I open a new journal continuing this habit that has been like oxygen this year. This discipline is what I have needed to practice daily since June to keep from sinking under the weight and darkness. I am reminded each morning of the light from the day before. Most are mundane, and many are repeats, but all are good even the hard ones. They help me keep my perspective and see the light that is all around, even in a world that can feel so dark at times. We have a good father who gives good gifts. As I close one journal and open the crisp pages of the next one I rejoice and give thanks to the giver of all good gifts and ask Him to help me to keep looking and seeing Him. 10/23/20 #5882…
Fitness and Mental Health: Getting some walks in and still doing Pilates with The Balanced Life Sisterhood https://thebalancedlifeonline.com/ Mental Health: being intentional with my daily gratitude journal, exercise, and continuing to look for beauty are key. Trying to add more veggies into my days. Writing the date and day and a brief list of the events of day has been very helpful for my mental health. Numbering my days…
Home: Keeping up with basics as I head back into a full week.
Giving Thanks For: freedom, being able to go out and about, getting together with a friend, returning to school, a few more beautiful fall days, gorgeous sunrises, my home, provisions, rest, so much beauty in this world, praying friends, good books, challenging thoughts, community, grace, getting to work with kids and some wonderful people, silly stickers and belly laughs from little kids, God ordering my days, His protection against the unseen
Inkblot Life 