Simple Joys

With all the stresses of normal life, it is often difficult to remember the simple joys.  Those small things that bring us the purest joy.  I strive to keep these things at the forefront of my thoughts so they don't pass me by when they are kind enough to come my way.  I know I don't always fully appreciate these moments.  Hopefully we can all help each other stay more aware of them.  Feel free to leave me a comment with your additions to the list.  :)

• Driving down a tree-lined street, the kind where the trees from either side meet above you.
• Climbing into bed with clean sheets after a shower
• A child running towards you for a hug
• Unexpected calls from friends and family just to say hello
• Getting cards in the mail
• The clean fresh smell after the rain
• The wag of your dog's tail
• Watching someone's face light up in response to a thoughtful surprise or gift
• Getting the perfect nacho
• The satisfaction of accomplishing something you worked hard for
• The warmth of a blanket
• Saving more than you spend at the store
• An encouraging word
• Helping someone learn - anything
• Hearing the right song at the right time
• Finding something you thought you lost
• Feeling strong emotion and remembering what we're capable of
• Receiving a compliment, and giving a compliment
• Unexpected laughs, even better than just plain laughs
• Someone recognizing something in you that not everyone does
• Enjoying the beauty of Earth
• Capturing an awesome moment on ""film" (or an SD card now)
• Finishing a good book

These are just a few reminders.  It seems harder for us to focus on the good things.  It takes lots of practice to remember how blessed we are, and how little it takes to bring a smile.

Unspoken

I've been told it is best not to share your thoughts on religion and politics with acquaintances.  I usually tend to follow this advice.  Well, I'm going to just bend the mold for a minute.

I have never been vocal about my beliefs or thoughts on faith and religion, so it is hard to find the right words here.  It has always been fairly private to me.  However, I try to live my life in a way that others see my faith through me, without having to preach it.  I'm not that outright in telling my beliefs, but I hope that others know them anyway.  I want to live in a way that shows God's love.  I strive to continuously grow in my own personal journey of faith, but while I tend to keep that to myself in words, I hope the actions come through to others. 

I enjoy listening to KLOVE, positive enoucouraging radio.  Just like most music genres, there are songs I like and songs I don't totally love.  So it is another radio station in my rotation, I flip around a lot.  In January the radio station issued the 30 day challenge: to listen to nothing but KLOVE for 30 days.  So through January and February I did just that.  Well, almost.  The radio station did not change in my car for 30 days.  It was all I listened to at work.  I thought I would get more tired of those songs than I did.  It was a blessing to have that in my life everyday.  My faith was more on my mind.  I was striving more than usual to stay positive and hopeful and keep things in perspective.  It was an excellent source of comfort to hear those encouraging words every day.  I'm glad I took the challenge.  Although I've gone back to a larger variety of music, I still listen to KLOVE often and always feel encouraged from it.

Now, for the season of lent, I am re-reading (I think this is my 5th time) The Purpose Driven Life.  It is a 40 day journey, that again focuses my thoughts on my faith.  It is always interesting to see how I read and interpret things differently from each time I read it based on what's happening in my life.  My favorite day each time - Day 16.  Summed up: "The best use of life is love.  The best expression of love is time.  The best time to love is now." 

My relationship with the Lord is ever growing and I want to continue striving to live a life of love.  I have a lot of questions, sometimes doubts, but I am learning and continuing on my journey.  I enjoy my conversations with the Lord, it can be anywhere at anytime, but those little moments are pretty awesome. 

Always be joyful. Never stop praying.
  --1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, NLT

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
 -- Colossians 3:12

TATE!

Let's start the new year blogging again!

I became a first-time aunt on 9/10/11.  Tate William Millard is so precious.  The only thing I would change would be getting to see him more often!!  I can't wait to watch him grow through 2012.