Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Daily 5 - Year 2, Day 121

Today's Daily 5:
  1. Watching the season finale of The Amazing Race (and having my favorite team win!)
  2. That the word of God truly is living and active
  3. the security and rhythm of catching the bus at the same time each day
  4. anticipation of coming days and forthcoming plans
  5. learning how to make pretty snowflakes for the first time ever
  6. being ready to go for tomorrow's shop opening at work
  7. the Christmas lights on Stephen Avenue
  8. Subway for supper
  9. Zoolights with a friend
  10. Caramel apple spice from starbucks
  11. crawling into my pajamas early

Reverb 10: Day 14 - Appreciate

Today's Reverb 10 prompt:

December 14 – Appreciate

What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

(Author: Victoria Klein)


Naming one thing I appreciate most is a challenging prospect for someone who makes a daily practice of listing the things from that day that caused gratitude within me.

But, if I'm choosing, I think I'd say that the one thing I appreciate most from this year is finding myself surrounded by supportive friends from a wide variety of places, and in some really unexpected arenas of my life.

In the last several months in particular, I've discovered the depth of supportive friendships that I have, and have been so grateful for the way my friends have come around me this year where my life has fallen apart.  They've taught me and are teaching me that I am deeply loved, and that is no small feat for someone who considered herself essentially worthless in the eyes of the world.

To those friends, gratitude comes in emails and cards, in gifts of time and returning a listening ear.  And in hugs.  I pay much gratitude out in the form of hugs!

Thinking About Friends

I'm thinking about friends this morning, some blogging buddies, and some "in real life" friends, and praying for them as I ride the bus.

About Ian, a blog acquaintance by chance, whose posts I always look forward to. He and his wife are walking some dark valleys in these days, and I find them often on my mind and in my prayers.

About Lois, who I still always want to refer to as Lovely, since that was the blog pseudonym she used when we first became online acquaintances. She is ending the year by counting joys and giving thanks, and I am loving her thanksgiving and joy lists.

About Jenny, a regular "anonymous" commenter here, who always signs her name.  I was praying for her this morning, too, for an Advent that is full and rich, and a Christmas season that is joyful.

About Karla Adolphe, my real life friend.  Karla and her husband Gary have been friends for a while, and I was delighted to get the news yesterday that Karla has teamed up with another musician (Aaron Strumpel) to record a new album.  You can see some footage of the two of them performing together live here.  And you can support and follow the progress of the new album here.  Karla's music has often been uniquely used by God in my life, and I'm always excited when there is more music forthcoming!
There are so many others on my mind and heart too.  And so I spent the bus trip this morning, with Karla's music playing quietly on my ipod, praying.  May God be near each of you and supply you with immense hope and joy in this day and this season!