a moment of silence

So I'm thinking that the picture says it all today. I'm thankful that I live in a country that gives the freedom to vote.  But truth be told, I'm struggling with the negative comments appearing across the social media...and I guess it's not just the social media.  It's been around us this whole campaign season.    Granted, I'd like my candidate to win the election, but not to the point that I'm slamming his opponent.
I truly hope that no matter what the outcome, we are able to come together post election day.  Because here's the thing folks, we're in this together and for me, until the parties really start working together it will just continue to be a battle....

Okay, those are my two cents....and now I will sign off...breathe, pray and call it a night.

Gracious God,
I'm so thankful to live in a country with so many freedoms.  As election day comes to a close, bring us a time of forgiveness and healing.  May space be taken to hear the voices of others and remember that we live in this community of the United States together.   Thanks for the gift of community and the reality of learning about what that means, especially in the murky times.   Blessings to all who lead around the world.  In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Today felt a little like Christmas...

Okay, I'm well aware that it's not Christmas....heck we haven't event made it to Advent, let alone Thanksgiving.  Yet in the social hall today, it felt like Christmas.  There were carols being played, and over 20 people wrapping shoe boxes that will be filled on Sunday for Operation Christmas Child.  These fine volunteers wrapped over 300 boxes.  One first timer said that she can't wait to do this next year....it was so much fun!

Here you can see some of the unfinished boxes:

Here are some of the wrappers hard at work...they wrapped and wrapped.  

They were fed and they continued wrapping.  

And of course...there was music.  

Just to see the folks gathered together this morning was great.  There are so many hearts and hands that will touch these boxes in the next week that it will be too many to count.  So many hands, sharing the generous donations from folks within our community for the sole reason that some child whom we do not know, will receive a present on Christmas.  Over 2 months until Christmas, but the preparations for children around the world are taking place.  

I am so thankful for all that I have been blessed with a home that did not struggle to provide for me.  More so, this day, I'm thankful for those who are blessed with time and talents to give gifts to those in need.  Thank you God for all the blessings you have given to all your children.  May we see the abundance and share it with others.  

a quick glimpse of yesterday.

So, it was trickier to pick up my race number yesterday than I thought it would be....I really wanted to run.  But...seeing these three primed and ready to go made me smile:

One of them crossed the finish line with a PR of 2:04 and the other two came in first and second in their age bracket.  A good day, I'd say.

Thanks God for safe travels, for the ability to cheer, yell and encourage many runners and for these three who rocked the All Women and One Lucky Guy Half Marathon yesterday!

PS. So after a very late night last night, the above is all that I had time for before heading in to work this  morning.  There were so many other pretty amazing moments yesterday that I had to revisit this post.
In the midst of the race adventures there were car problems.  Yet kind souls helped get my dad to an auto parts store and other kind folks helped him repair the car, and yet other kind souls helped transport stuff and wait with my dad until AAA arrived.  Too many amazing moments experienced through those unexpected (albeit frustrating) moments.

And so, there we were, a dozen of us waiting at the finish line....we our crowd got louder and louder as our two approached the finish line.  We cheered as they crossed the line - finishing first and second in their age bracket.  We smiled as they were awarded hats, gloves and chocolate for their age bracket accomplishments!

We were also at the finish line as the last woman crossed.  A few of us had cheered her on at the 10 mile mark...and here she came for the finish.  We cheered and clapped and she finished.

As my fiance got her significant other's email (to share photos) he said this was a tough race for her, but it was a new PR.  It just goes to show you, that each runner runs her own race.  I hesitated sharing this story about her because I don't know her and I definitely don't know her running story.  I don't know her history, her training, what drives her to run and train and what motivates her to keep taking one step after the other.  I do know this...that she completed a half marathon yesterday with a new record.  She set out to accomplish a task and she completed it.  I'm thankful that a group of us were there to cheer her across the finish line, but truth be told, as much as we could muster for her, she lifted each of us up.  She brought tears to our eyes when we learned that she set a personal record.

I thought about her a lot today....and prayed for days of rest and recovery....may she have many days of rest in the joy of a personal accomplishment.

Too many things?

So the day began with a cup of coffee and a bit of the Muppets Take Manhattan. A breakfast of German pancakes around the table with family was excellent.

Then my mom and I went to a local health food grocery...we walked the aisles....then sipped coffee and conversed for quite some time. It was a wonderful morning. It's times like this that I wish I lived closer to my parents. They are pretty excellent.

The afternoon and evening were good times with my sister & brother-in-law.

And there was the eating of pig knuckles at the German restaurant for dinner and many other tasty treats.

Oh and a stop at the craft store where we tried on some antlers, you know, because that's what you do.

Thanks God for more safe travels, time with family, good food, conversations and laughs.

Home sweet home.

So let me start by saying that I drove through some pretty storm hit area today. Many down trees and many lines at gas stations. There were some pretty hard hit areas from Hurricane Sandy and I'm thankful that the area I'm in fared fairly well.

I do have to say it was wonderful to take a break from driving and grab a bite to eat at The Clinton Station Diner.
http://www.clintonstationdiner.com/.
I've driven by it many times and have never stopped in. After missing the exit, we drove passed a gas station with a line of cars waiting for gas. It was the that we began to wonder if it was even open.
We walked up to the door at 1:20 and the handwritten sign that said opening Friday at 1:00.
As we walked in the first thing we were asked was, do you have power at home? Thankfully we were able to respond yes. If we did not have power, we would have been eligible for coffee and many lunch specials on the house. It was cool to see the local restaurant feeding so many people and giving to those who were still facing the hardships from the storm.

But gosh, it's great to be home.
These are some things I found in my bedroom.

A fun bag that used to hold blocks or games. And a dream catcher that I made one year at camp. And thinking about the dreams I've been having lately, the catcher may come in handy.

Today I'm thankful for people who are able to give out of what they have and the opportunity to come home and remember fond memories of growing up.

Lunch with Logan

For those of you who have met her, you know that Logan is an amazing young woman.

She is constantly thinking about someone other than herself.  When she is in the middle of having fun, she names people who aren't there and says, you have to tell so and so (it's often Pastor Bill) about this. She always asks about someone who isn't there and checks in to see how people's significant others, children or parents are doing.  She says what she is thinking which often opens your eyes to see something in a new way or it brings a smile to your face.

She is truly a gift from God and we are blessed be in this family of faith with her.

We are just so thankful to know her and be in her life.

Today, she treated the female staff at Trinity to lunch.  It was her way to say thanks for all that we do.  We were humbled to share a meal, good conversation and grand laughter.  Some of us had tears in our eyes from laughing so hard.

During lunch I told Logan what I was blogging about this month and asked if I could get a picture of the both of us to use on my blog and she said yes.

I'm thankful that she is in my life.  

I'm thankful she lets God's light shine through all that she says and does.  

Gracious God,

Thank you for the many ways you have blessed me this day.  Thank you for the gift of Logan in my life, my church family and my community.  May we all see through her eyes and let God's light shine through all that we say and do.

In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Until tomorrow . . . 

giving thanks....for the next 30 days.

So, tomorrow, November is upon us. I'm not really sure where September and October went, but here we are one the eve of November, surrounded by fall colors, scents and food. I'm ready for a month of all things pumpkin, apple and turkey.

Looking back on October I had some amazing moments and some not so amazing ones. On October 14, I ran the Baltimore 1/2 Marathon and got a new personal record. 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds. Just under 2 hours! I was ecstatic! The run felt great, the accomplishment felt great....I was truly thankful. Then as we explored the city of Baltimore, I realized the pain in my tendon....and was hobbling all over the place. I took the next week off from exercising. The following week I went for a couple of bike rides, and then saw the doctor. I was diagnosed with Achilles Tendinitis....and am not allowed any weight bearing exercise of any kind. The toughest part of hearing about this was the reality that I would not be able to run in the All Women and One Lucky Guy 1/2 Marathon this coming Sunday. (The one that my mom and two friends ended up registering for, as well.)

I tell you, I know it's not the end of the world, and I'm hoping that 3 weeks of rest will help heal the tendon without having to wear a boot....but only time will tell. In the meantime I'm learning how to sit. If you're a person on the go, like myself, this is a challenge. I have been praying daily for patience and healing. I've also been in a bit of a funk, sad that I had this great race 3 weeks ago and now I can't run at all. I get daily email reminders about upcoming races....I delete them hastily.  I also frown when Daily Mile sends me an email that my friends miss my training.... :( 
But enough of this pity party. 

In the midst of it all, I have been inspired by a few things. The first being the cover article for our November newsletter. It has inspired me to give thanks each day during the month of November. 
I have also been inspired after seeing a book that was made up up 365 photos....one taken each day of the year. That book was centered around seeing God at work in the world. My one photo a day will show things for which I am thankful.

In essence....my 'down time' on the sofa will give me the time to reflect on things in my life for which I am blessed. I'll share pictures of things for which I am thankful....and take some time to blog about the specifics....now would probably be a great time to generate my Christmas card list, and get that photo card created.....who knows, maybe I could even do a Christmas letter this year.....hmm.....

While I realize that not everyone loves to take pictures or likes to journal, I hope that my blog this month inspires you at some point to see the things in your life for which you are thankful and to share those with others.  Feel free to share ways or things for which you are thankful.

Thanks for reading....

+paz