Day 3: Wuv, True Wuv

This was one of those weekends where I happened to be gone for a majority of the time. Yesterday, all of the morning and a portion of the afternoon was spent at choir practice. Today was another choir practice and then assisting with children's choir, and before that I went to run a few errands. This meant that Stephen was with Charlotte for most of the weekend. I am so very thankful that I am married to a man who is not only a good husband but a good father.

I knew I loved Stephen when I married him, but my love for him has only grown as I have watched him parent Charlotte. He is such a loving, kind, thoughtful, and fun father. He is often far more patient with Charlotte than I am, and nothing brings me more joy than seeing the two of them laughing together.When I was sick last year, he bore the brunt of the work at home and was practically a single parent, but he never complained or even acted like he was tired. He was my rock during that time, and I can't imagine going through the past year without Stephen.

I am so grateful for how God has blessed me with my husband. I pray that I will never take him for granted.

Day 2: Make a Joyful Noise

Today I spent about 5 hours practicing with my church's choir for our Christmas program, and I don't think I could have enjoyed myself more. We are doing selections from Handel's Messiah this year, and I am looking forward to it immensely.  Before this year, I was only familiar with 2 of the songs, so it has been a tremendous learning experience for me. It also doesn't hurt that we have a fantastic choir director.

I have loved singing since I was a little girl and have been a part of choirs since elementary school. There is something about music that speaks deeply to my heart, as I know it does so many others, and the fact that I also have the chance to sing the songs that have so moved me is such a gift. I am thankful for the ability to sing, and though I am not the best singer, I sing with my whole heart and like to think of it as a small offering to the One who gave me my voice.

Here is one of the songs that we are singing, entitled "And the Glory of the Lord." Obviously we will sound just like this recording. Ha! :)

30 Days of Gratitude

Those of you on Facebook have probably seen the trend of the past few years that involves stating one thing you are thankful for each day in November. I have never participated, but this year I felt drawn to the idea of deliberately looking for something to be thankful for each day. However, I have decided to post my daily "thanksgiving" on my blog, so I can be more verbose than a Facebook status post usually allows.

Today I am thankful for the beauty of nature. I was especially struck by the vibrant reds, golds, and oranges of autumn as I drove to work this morning. I took a moment to thank God for the beauty He places all around us, the beauty I get to enjoy in the midst of the monotonous, routine drive I make every day. The wind had the leaves on the trees practically dancing and clapping, as if in praise to their Creator, and I thought of the day when we will all bow before Him and worship. What a day that will be.

What are you thankful for?

A picture from our recent trip to Natchez Trace State Park