Sunday, November 22, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: My Parents
I’m so thankful for my parents...for their love, their wisdom, their prayers, their discipline, and their faith. They’ve seen me at my worst and at my best and have stuck with me through it all. I’ve found them to be full of wise council from their years of life experience. Their love for each other shows me it is possible for a couple to stay married and have a wonderful life together in our society. Both of them have called me on numerous occasions to share a scripture verse with me…one that is particularly meaningful for whatever situation I’m facing in life. I’ve not ever doubted God’s love for me and I think that is in large part because of my parents overwhelming demonstration of God’s love to me through their own loving actions and words. I appreciate that they know what to say, how much to say, and when to stop and let God do the rest of the work. I’m so thankful they desire to be a part of my life and yet have given me the freedom to spread my wings and fly. I’m thankful for the sacrifices they’ve made for me over the years. How do I express my gratitude? Saying thanks just doesn’t seem to be enough. Mom and Dad, I love you with all my heart and am grateful beyond words for both of you.
Jamie at 6:19 PM
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Sunday, November 15, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: Claire
Whenever I spend time with my best friend, Claire, it’s like taking breath of fresh air. This weekend I visited her in Bloomington and celebrated her birthday over a delicious slow paced Mediterranean dinner. It was absolutely perfect. What a special friendship God has given us. We met in first grade and have been friends ever since. And our friendship just keeps getting deeper and better as time goes by. How do I sum up 21 years of our friendship? It’s rich. It’s an iron sharpens iron kind of relationship. It’s filled with laughter. It’s filled with fervent prayer for each other. It’s seen seasons of tears, and we’ve come out better for those seasons because of each other. It’s silly. It’s fun. It’s amazing. And I’m so thankful for Claire and her friendship. Love you, Claire!
Jamie at 9:58 PM
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: Peter and Jayden
I just got off the phone with my brother, Peter, wishing him a happy Veterans Day. What a great man he is. I’m so thankful for him and his character. He's a man of integrity and that is a beautiful thing. I appreciate the sacrifices he makes as he serves our country. He just recently moved to Texas to go full time in the Army and will be deploying to Iraq sometime after the first of the year. He’s already spent one year in Afghanistan, so this whole deployment thing isn’t entirely new for him. I’m so thankful for God’s protection over him in that year and am praying for God’s continued protection as he goes on this new assignment. I’m thankful for all the veterans who have selflessly served our country over the years. We have so much freedom – but it has come a cost, and I don’t take that lightly nor for granted. Peter is also very generous and of course a great big brother when it comes to teasing his little sis. Andy and Pete are pros in that area. But I wouldn’t be near as feisty without them in my life, and I would be lacking in a lot of laughter. So, thanks Peter, for your integrity, your generosity, and yes, even your relentless teasing and tickling. Love ya, Bro!
Also, I would be amiss not to mention that today is also my nephew’s 1st birthday! Jayden was born 9 weeks early a year ago today and there were several times we were uncertain if he would be able to pull through some complications he had while in the NICU. I’m praising God for his precious life and am so thankful for his health and the joy he brings to all of us. Seriously, his smile is to die for! I’m also praising God that my sister, Betsy, is still here with us. We had quite a scare with her health as she was carrying Jayden due to preeclampsia. But God worked miracle upon miracle…and I’m so thankful!
Jamie at 9:55 PM
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Monday, November 09, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: Angie
Tonight I had dinner with my old roommate, Angie. And let me tell you, I’m so thankful for her! I can’t even begin to tell you how God has used her in my life. And to think we were perfect strangers when we moved in together. As often is the case, God certainly showed up and had a hand in that whole situation. Angie is one person who has taught me to be ok with the messiness of life…to embrace it and accept what is, is. She also has great insights and has spoken truth into my life many times. Tonight as I sat and listened to her tell a story of what God has been challenging her with and leading her to, I was refreshed by her obedience to God and God’s faithfulness in her obedience. We also have a similar sense of humor…and love to laugh together! God has used her to shape me into a better person. It’s the whole dynamic of relationships…even though sometimes they’re messy….it’s a beautiful thing. We need each other. Thanks, Ang, for your friendship and willingness to do life together. Love ya, girl!
Jamie at 9:13 PM
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Sunday, November 08, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: Fall
I’m so thankful for beautiful fall days! Yesterday and today we had unseasonably warm weather and I quite enjoyed soaking in the sunshine and warmth. I still wasn’t feeling back to 100% health wise so I didn’t get to be outside as much as I wanted. But I drank it in as much as I could. I'm also thankful for the vibrant changing colors of leaves in the fall. They are mostly gone now, but I sure did love them and appreciate them at their peak. I would have loved to get outside with my camera this year and capture the sites, but since I didn’t I’m sharing a picture from Brad Pontius. He’s my best friend’s (Claire) dad and practically my second dad. He’s also a great photographer. Funny both my Dad and Brad have that in common! Check out
Brad's picassa album for more beautiful photos. He does great work!
Jamie at 6:29 PM
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Saturday, November 07, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: Nephews - Spit Up, Diapers, The Whole Package
Last weekend I had the pleasure of babysitting one of my nephews, Johnathan. He’s about 8 months old and quite the mover! We had a very eventful time together. He first surprised me with a very full diaper. This was the spilling over kind of diaper…not fun. I didn’t realize it until after I had done the diaper change…and then I saw it…all up the back of his shirt. Yuck! Now, remember, I don’t have much experience changing diapers on very active 8 month olds. So, in the process of me removing his clothes, John managed to spin around on the floor and the next thing I knew I had some of his “surprise gift” on my pants! Shortly thereafter he spit up and then sat in it. Thankfully, my friend, Melanie, showed up in the midst of all of this and we managed to get everything under control. It was at that moment I questioned my desire to be a mother some day. But then after having him fall asleep in my arms later in the day I realized how precious this moment with him was….and all the spit up, dirty diapers, and crying are worth special moments such as these. I love all my nephews dearly and am so thankful for each one. They have such a way of making you feel loved…simply for existing. There’s so much love in a child’s heart to give. I could learn a lot from their unassuming, non-judgmental, free for all love.
Jamie at 9:40 AM
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Thursday, November 05, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: Jesus
Words can’t express my gratitude for Jesus…the One who died for me, forgives my sins, accepts me where I’m at while beckoning me to just be in his presence and allow him to transform me. He has been so many things to me over the years: a pursuer of my heart, a comfort in rough seasons, a healer of so many aspects in my life, a protector even when I’m clueless (I’m sure I have no idea the extent of his protection, but I have a feeling it’s been a ton!), a disciplinarian in my wayward moments, a source of strength, a friend when I’m alone (and when I’m surrounded by people too), a provider in times of need, a guide when I’m at a loss of what to do next, a patient one in my sometimes slow obedience, a truth teller when I’m believing lies, and my source of hope when all seems at a loss. One of my favorite authors is Alicia Britt Chole. I just finished her devotional, “Intimate Conversations,” and she concludes it with one of her primary guiding principles in life. It captures my sentiments as well.
Life is not about the scenery.
Life is all about the Company.
God is with us.
And his presence is enough.
Jamie at 6:12 PM
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Wednesday, November 04, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: Tea
This may sound like a trivial thing, but I’m so thankful for tea today. I’m on the brink of a full blown cold and am sipping on some peppermint tea as I write this. It’s so soothing to my throat and gives me that warm fuzzy feeling that makes me just want to crawl under a blanket and fall asleep. In fact, I think I’ll be doing that very soon. I do enjoy a variety of teas including black, white, green, and herbal even when I’m feeling well. Maybe herbal isn’t a category of its own? I don’t know. Everything seems a little foggy to me right now. I just googled it…and yes it’s considered a category of its own. At least it is on Celestial Seasonings website. Anyway, to quote my best friend, Claire, “Tea makes everything better.” I concur.
Jamie at 8:42 PM
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Tuesday, November 03, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: My Community
Tonight was small group night…and let me just tell you, I love these girls! They are terrific, and I’m so thankful for each one of them. I've discovered that real change happens best in the context of relationships which has made building community a passion of mine. For me, the important components of community are an environment of trust, support, and encouragement, the freedom to challenge each other, and the knowledge that no matter what, each one is loved and accepted. It's taken a long time for our small group to develop this kind of community but over time and with perseverance, we’ve been blessed to have all these things and much more. Each woman brings such a unique and wonderful contribution. I miss these girls when I don’t get my weekly dose of them. The above picture was taken during a retreat we took together last spring. Can’t wait for our next retreat! Thanks Amy J., Michelle Z., Christin, Michelle H., and Amy S. for doing life with me. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of each of your lives!
Jamie at 9:57 PM
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Monday, November 02, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: Christin
I’m so thankful for my roommate, Christin. I must say, I’ve been blessed with a number of great roommates over the years. I’m thankful for each one of them and their contribution to shaping me as a person. Christin has been my roommate for 2 ½ years now and has proven to be a delight to live with. She never fails to give me a good laugh nor does she fail to give me a good scare (literally – she jumps out from behind walls and says “boo” or something of the like)….on a daily basis! Her laughter is infectious, her spunk is inspiring, her generosity is all encompassing, and her listening ears and words of encouragement are quite refreshing. She’s simply full of life and a joy to be around. Her effect on me leaves me a better well rounded person. So, I would be amiss to not thank God for her. Thanks, Christin, for your friendship and love for life.
Jamie at 9:58 PM
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Sunday, November 01, 2009
A Season of Thanksgiving: Intro & The Five Senses
November has arrived and has peaked my appreciation meter. I’ve found that counting my blessings brings healing. It also brings a better perspective on life and points my thoughts toward those things that are good, lovely and worthy of thinking of. In light of that, I will be posting several blog entries about random things I’m grateful for during the month of November. It won’t be an all encompassing list as I think it would be impossible to mention every single blessing in my life. Instead, it will be those blessings that are at the forefront of my mind for whatever reason. I hope you’ll take some time this month to count your blessings as well. Let's get started!
The Five Senses
I’m so thankful to have the ability to experience all five senses: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling. Have you ever stopped to think about those things? They make life so much more enjoyable. I’m thankful I can see brilliant sunrises and sunsets. I’m thankful I can hear my loved ones voices and a variety of music. I’m thankful I can smell homemade bread baking, scented candles burning, and fresh flowers in bloom. I’m thankful I can taste the downright goodness of anything sweet . Yes, I’m guilty of having a sweet tooth. I also love the taste of different spices mingled together to create a flavorful dish that ends up bursting in my mouth. I’m thankful I can feel the softness of baby’s skin and a hug from someone I love. These senses are all gifts…ones I don’t want to take for granted. In fact, I think I’ll go enjoy the tastiness of some homemade pizza right now and thank God for the ability to experience its flavor with every bite!
Jamie at 7:05 PM
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