This weekend we headed over to Findlay, Ohio to see some of the Wittenbach clan and watch our niece, Becca, graduate. 

418. I am thankful for nice weather so we could enjoy the outdoors.

419. I am thankful that our niece, Abby, is home from a semester in California.  She was definitely missed.

420. I am thankful for Tye, who is basically Noel's hero.  He thinks he is the greatest, and Tye is so wonderful with him.

421. I am thankful that I have these guys in my life.

 

 422. The happy graduate!!  So thankful for her and all her hard work!

423. I am thankful for sibling love. . .

424. and crazy cousin love!

425. I am thankful that Becca has such amazing support from her parents.

426. I am thankful that whatever bug Elise had on Friday was over quickly so we could enjoy the weekend.

427. I am thankful for safe travels to and from Findlay, especially in the rain and storm.

428. I am thankful that most of the corn and beans are starting to pop up.

429. I am thankful for the rain.

430. I am thankful for blooming flowers.

431. I am thankful for lazy Tuesday mornings to drink coffee, read, and blog.

432. I am thankful for electronic devices that help on long road trips.

What are you thankful for?

It's a Wrap!

The end of the school year is here.  Everywhere you look there are awards ceremonies, graduations, and open houses.  This year is Noel's last after 4 years going to school at Chapel Hill.

409. This is a picture of him right after his last day of school.  I'm so thankful that he enjoyed school so much.  He was actually sad about it ending.

410. Just look at the graduates!  I feel like I'm going to blink and these kids will be heading off to college!  I'm so thankful for moments to stop and savor who they are.

 411. Of course, I'm thankful for my little graduate :)

412. If you know Noel, or have seen him in programs, you know that while he is very animated in real life, he does NOT like being on stage.  However, Kim Shelton taught them a song that he actually got into!  Thanks, Kim!

413. I am thankful for friendships that Noel has made that hopefully last beyond this year.

414. Another end of the year program was with my Bridges students.  I am thankful for these teens who I get to spend time with every week.  They challenge me, entertain me, make me laugh and cry.  Most days I learn more from them than they do from me.  I'm sure of it.

415. I am thankful for the Bridges Staff  I get to work with Chelsea (here) and Chad (above) are two of them.  I feel so blessed to be a part of this outreach with them.


416. I am thankful for getting to spend some time with 2 Crossing students today planting peppers.  What a great opportunity to teach them life skills, teamwork, and leadership.


417. On a side note, I am thankful that a kind man found my wallet (which had fallen out of my pocket at Menards) and went to great lengths to find it and return it to me.  See?  There ARE nice people in Kokomo.

What are you thankful for?

I am thankful for. . .

382. watching the kids fly a kite with David in the back yard.

383. seeing Elise learn to not be afraid of the water.

384. homemade chicken noodle soup.

385. our garden.

386. my very own master gardener, David.

387. weekends with very little obligations.

388. popsicles.  Don't they just make everything better?

389. finally getting to record Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I.  I've been waiting forever for it to be on regular tv.  Now the trick is finding the time to finish it!

390. having the month off from teaching Sunday School.

391. plans to see our amazing niece, Becca, graduate next Sunday.  Valedictorian, baby!!

392. getting to go running with my friend Cara.  Too bad I slowed her down!

393. watching Noel learn about friendships, even when it is tough.

394. free danishes and cheese samples for Elise at Sam's Club and Meijer.  Makes her actually excited about going grocery shopping!

395. Hannah

396. Cheyanne

397. Michelle

398. Kiley

399. and Evan, who are all graduated from high school this year.  I'm so proud of them, and so blessed to help lead them in youth ministry.

400. handmade mother's day gifts from Noel and Elise.

401. late night talks.

402. sun tea.

403. the look on Noel's face as he is watching the fields around us be plowed.

404. Noel getting to ride on said tractor!

405. my brother.

406. seeing Bridges students receive awards.

407. playing games and trash talking with Elise.

408. forgiveness.  Getting it and giving it.

What are you thankful for?

It's the day before Mother's Day. My 7th one as a mother.  When I was pregnant with Noel, my mom kept saying, "Your lives will be changed forever."  And I knew it was true (of course), but I didn't know just how it would change.  There are parts of being a mom that are amazing.  Parts that are fun.  Parts that are hilarious.  There are also parts that are hard, challenging, downright ugly.  Motherhood brings tears in all forms.  Laughter as well.

Another part of motherhood is just the tediousness of some of it.  I'm not gonna lie--getting the kids up, ready, fed, dressed, packed up for school every day of the week is annoying.  So are things like making them eat the right foods.  Reminding them to be kind.  Having conversations for the 35th time about something.

But when I take a breathe and look at those tedious moments, it is then that I see how much God has shown me about my relationship with HIM through those times of parenting.  Doesn't He feel the same way when I have to be reminded for the 7,876th time about not worrying?  or my attitude?  or any number of things I still struggle with?  It is in the mundane.  The day-in and day-out.  The everyday.  Where  God can work miracles in each of us.
 
 And so, I am thankful for. . .

368. my amazing mother.

369. my grandmother.

370. the adopted mothers I have had throughout my life:  CaraJean Rayl, Barb Frederick, Karla Herman, Gail Sackett, and others.

371. my mother-in-law.

372. Noel Edwin.

373. Elise Jo.

374. hugs and kisses from my kids.

375. homemade cards.

376. reading stories at bedtime.

377. eating popsicles on the back porch.

378. playing dress up with Elise.

379. playing Legos with Noel.

380. spring afternoon projects.

381. new flowers, freshly planted.

What are you thankful for?

Don't read my blog today.

Read this instead:

353. This weekend, I helped take 31 Bridges students to an overnighter at Indiana Wesleyan University.  I am thankful that these kids had the opportunity to be in a Christian environment, surrounded by people who love and support them, and exposed to a college setting.

354. After the overnighter, I was VERY thankful for my nice, comfy bed.

355. I am thankful for conversations that challenge me and keep me thinking long after the conversation has ended.

356. I am thankful for getting to start planting our garden.  Lots of pictures to come!

357. I am thankful for my niece, Baylee, who I got to see win her tennis match tonight.  So proud of her!

358. I am thankful for a successful school year for both of the kids.

359. I am thankful for new insight into Bible passages.

360. I am thankful for big, ripe strawberries.

 361. I am thankful for funny faces, and children who don't shy away from the camera.

362. I am thankful that I have a handy husband who is putting together a playset for the kids.  I think they are having more fun watching him build it than they will actually playing on it!

363. I am thankful for quiet moments after the kids go to sleep.

364. I am thankful for hand-me-down jeans.

365. I am thankful for sore muscles.

366. I am thankful for fun events that we hope to have this week:  field trips, animal adventures, preschool programs, Pinkalicious, and more!

367. I am thankful for a great sermon at church yesterday.

What are you thankful for?

These last two weeks have been pretty crazy.  Friday, April 19, several areas of Kokomo flooded.  Dozens and dozens of houses were damaged, and even more were completely destroyed.  As we have been doing flood relief, I look at all of the items that were ruined, and I am overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things we have.  Overwhelmed with how much clean up is still left.  Overwhelmed at the devastation.

But there is ALWAYS thanksgiving to be had.

335. I am thankful that nobody died from the flooding.

336. I am thankful for the hundreds of people who have donated clothing, food, furniture, time, sweat, etc. to help those who lost so much in this flood.

337. I am thankful for the connections I have with different ministries that have really stepped up during this time.

338. I am thankful for opportunities to share God's love in tangible ways to people I probably would never have met.

339. I am thankful that through this ordeal I have met some amazing people.

340. I am thankful for my youth group kids who have jumped in and served.

341. I am thankful for sunshine after the rain.

342. I am thankful for stories of rescue and recovery that are a testimony to the power of God.

343. I am thankful for a dry house.

344. Last night, as we were working with one man to help clean out his house, he was angry.  Angry that after all these years of working, he couldn't rest.  But in the midst of the anger, he was realizing that some of his "stuff" that was salvageable was better off given to others who had lost so much more.  God is moving!

345. I am thankful for my husband, who goes along with my crazy ideas. 

346. I am thankful for hearing my children praying for the flood victims.

347. I am thankful for a company who donated a storage facility for donations.

348. I am thankful for reminders that all of our stuff is just that:  stuff.  Even if my house never floods, I can't take it with me--it will all be gone someday.

349. I am thankful for God's forgiveness for our materialistic mindsets.

350. I am thankful for the passage in Matthew where Jesus tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. 

351. I am thankful for my niece, Becca, and my nephew, Jacob, who jumped right in and helped with flood relief as soon as they came here to visit this past weekend.

352. I am thankful that I have this day.  This hour.  This moment.  To make a difference for the kingdom.  May I not waste it.

What are you thankful for?