Family Traditions

Week 13
Family traditions. We all have them. Are they silly?
Every Black Friday instead of shopping, my family piles into our van, drives north to choose the finest Christmas tree we can spot at Richardson's Farm. We point to one we think looks good. Dad says its too tall for our house. We find one that looks shorter and we walk over, but they are always taller than they appear. We discuss and debate the pros and cons of each tree: trunk shape, fullness, needle sharpness, overall shape, height...
"Is it leaning?"
"There is a hole on this side"
"We can put that side against the wall"
Usually a snow ball fight or game of tag breaks out.  Someone probably trips on a tree stump.
We decide to just pick a tree... after all, they all pretty much look the same anyway.
Dad saws it down. We wait in line for free hot chocolate. We tie the tree to the top of the van.
We go to eat at the Cubby Hole Cafe. We sit in "the big booth" (the only one big enough for the 5 of us). We drive home and listen to the Nsync Christmas cd. Yes I said Nsync.

This is all sort of silly if you think about it. We do the same thing over and over every year. Why?
Is it because it is familiar, it is stable, it is comforting? In a world where things are always changing. In a family where kids grow up, schools, cities, jobs change... the day after thanksgiving never does. It is comforting.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction..." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Maybe those traditions aren't so silly after all.


In the spirit of Thanksgiving: I am thankful for my family. For a family who cares enough to have traditions. For a God who uses such a family for love, warmth, and comfort. 

We missed you this year Kev-o.

All things are possible

Week 12
Outdoor education.
Some staff may say that it is exhausting, chaotic, and stressful when those buses unload 150 5th graders.
And they're right.
Aside from keeping everyone safe and having fun, we want to make sure they learn something.
And they always do.
I love it. I love watching their eyes widen as they walk up to the high ropes course. Or watching them back away from the platform at the zipline in fear... all to discover that with a little determination, hard work, and trust they can do it.
And they will love it... and probably want to do it again!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5)
"...with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26)
Don't ever let your doubting expectations keep you from trying, believing, or trusting.
There's nothing better than watching a kid accomplish something they would have never dreamed possible.
All things are possible.
Simple as that.

God is in the details

Week 11
I am reading a book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

It is rich, full of beauty, and full of truth:

"I know there is poor and hideous suffering, and I've seen the hungry and guns that go to war. I have lived pain, and my life can tell: I only deepen the wound of the world when I neglect to give thanks for... the rivers that run and the stars that rise and the rain that falls and the good things that a good God gives. Why would the world need more anger, more outrage? How does it save the world to reject unabashed joy when it is joy that saves us? Rejecting joy to stand in solidarity with the suffering doesn't rescue the suffering. The converse does. The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world. When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of grace and let joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let joy soak into our broken skin, life grows. How can this not be the best thing for the world?"

I do not want to be one who deepens the wound of the world.

I am learning so much about the necessity of gratitude.

Not just in the great and good things but in every breath, every trial, and every triumph.

If we fully accept God's grace and salvation, we should be thanking him for every detail of every moment of our lives. "Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if not with thanksgiving?"

"As long as thanks is possible, joy is always possible. Joy is always possible."

Specifically I am thankful for the Ranch. I am thankful for the friends and people  that God has enhanced my life with. I am thankful for the moments of joy that I receive so often.

"With an expiration of less than 12 hours, what does Jesus count as all most important?"

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them... (Luke 22:19).

Refreshed and Ready

Week 10
This past week we went to the beach.
Chincoteague Island, Virginia... land of the wild ponies and the tastiest ice cream.
Intern vacation.
"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God." (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13) 
God gave us the gift of intern vacation. With a beautiful beach, great company, and a hot tub to relax in, who could ask for more.
October was a busy month.
Refreshed and ready for November!