Gratitude is a God-honoring attitude

This Sunday I did the Children's Story at church and since it's Thanksgiving this week, I went with that theme. As I was researching and getting some ideas, I stumbled across some really interesting comments and stories on Thanksgiving and being thankful.

These aren't my words, but I thought they were indicative of the spirit of Thankgiving -- Some of the most important words that we can speak to others are the two words, "Thank you". If we bestow a gift on another, we should do so out of a motive that doesn't expect anything, even a thank you, in return.

It seems that so many times I really crave that "thank you" from someone if I do something for them. But the comment above, helps me remember that my actions and deeds should be done in Christ's love and I'm sure we would all agree that Christ never desired a "thank you" for the works that he did. He simply wanted people to follow him and believe. And so I think it is a good reminder that we should do things out of love and humility- without ever needing that "thank you".

Scripture from today came from Luke 12:48, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked"-- we have been bestowed with many blessings. It seems even the simple ones get swept under the rug. Like having food, shelter, clean water, warm beds, loving relationships, etc. My last semester in college, I took an Intro to Counseling class and every Thursday we were to journal about something talked about in class and also list 5 things that we were grateful for. And each new week they needed to be 5 different things. It's amazing how difficult it seems to come up with 5 new things each week...and yet there are millions of blessings to be thankful for. I really enjoyed that exercise as it got me thinking about the simple and complex things in my life that are worth praising God for. And it helps you to think positively about your surroundings, plus simply sitting back and reflecting on the good in one's life is always a good thing.

Things have been going great for me. There are some days that I'm walking to work and I can't help the smile that sneaks onto my face because I feel so much joy and happiness from being in this place and city. It truly feels like a God-thing that I am here in Boulder and serving in my workplace. I couldn't have asked for a better placement and am very pleased with how things are working out. God is good indeed. Plus I am hanging out with co-workers more and more and developing some great girlfriend relationships. I feel quite loved and wanted so that is a good feeling. Work keeps me quite busy and it seems like sometimes there is barely time to breathe..so it will be nice to have two days off work this week for Thanksgiving. I am starting to do some brainstorming for programming ideas for February and March.

From all the walking I do to and from work, I have been thinking about the privilege it is to have a vehicle and the great independence one receives from it. I have been lucky enough to have a vehicle from about the time I started driving at 16. The only time I didn't have a vehicle was my first semester of college, but even then I found ways of getting around. But living here in Boulder and not having wheels has been eye-opening for me and quite humbling. I quickly became one of the regulars on the bus ride to Lafayette. I smile to see people parking their cars in the parking garage off of Table Mesa in order to ride the bus to Denver or elsewhere. People are conscious of their environmental footprint here and that is nice to see. Some statistics on transportation:

-The average U.S. household owns 2.2 automobiles -- 10% more than in the early 1990s and 70% more than in 1955. So there is definitely a precedent for fewer cars per family.

-According to the U.S. Department of Transpotation Statistical Records Office there are approximately 62 million registered vehicles in the U.S. at the current time and appox. 6.4 million unregistered functioning vechicles.

-(2000 survey)The car is by far the most common means of commuting in North America where 71% of company workers and every second student commute by car. The situation is less extreme in Europe where 58% of company workers, but only 10% of students commute by car. In East Asia, car drivers make up 25% among company workers and 15% among students.

Well Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and may you remember to be thankful for all the blessings, small and large, in your life.

-Lindsey-

Home is where the heart is

The past two weeks have gone by quickly and it has kinda felt like a roller coaster of emotions as well. Last week I only worked three days because of a huge snowstorm we received Tuesday night. We ended up with more than two feet total. It was a complete winter wonderland. So I enjoyed two days off work baking cookies, making homemade chili and cornbread, sipping tea, journaling, and watching movies. It was nice to have some down time especially since I have been sick now for the past two weeks.

This week of work went well. It is a new month, so I work with different participants and once again have to discover where they live and what "tricks" make the day go a little smoother. It was a fairly normal week, nothing really out of the ordinary. Friday I enjoyed getting a tour of Celestial Seasonings...from now on when you sip a cup of their tea, remember that Boulder is the only packaging center in the United States and people all around the world are enjoying Celestial's flavored drinks. They give free tours and free samples. In the afternoon, we visited Colorado University's planetarium. We viewed the solar system and learned about constellations and also gained some knowledge about how sound works. For office work this past week, I complied data from surveys completed this summer on Out and About's summer camp, both from instructors and families. It was interesting to see what positives and negatives there were and what trends are apparent. My supervisor spoke with me and said she would like for me to help the after-school programmer in organizing and planning some events for this upcoming summer camp. I am excited for the prospect because I think it will allow me to use some of my gifts in leadership, organizing, and planning. I don't know exactly where I will help in planning, but it might be fun to do arts and crafts or sports and games. O&A has a great summer camp and hires 40-50 additional Rec Instructors to assist. There will likely be a few improvements made, but otherwise it should be a good summer.

Halloween weekend I wasn't feeling very good, and when that happens in a new town with no family around or mom and dad to make you chicken noodle soup- I felt like I was in a valley. Just kinda lonely and thinking to myself, "What am I doing here?" or "What was I thinking signing up for this?". I definitely feel challenged here. I knew it would take a leap of faith to come out to a new town and "start over"... but sometimes you don't realize it until you are actually living it. I think you can make a home wherever you put down roots--it's just a matter of finding good soil. I think they biggest challenge for me, has been socialization. Having a good, steady social group to back you up, check in on you, laugh, dance, play, etc. with is one the keys to happiness in life (I think) and to not immediately have that out here- is tough. But things take time and slowly the pace increases. I have been occasionally hanging out with co-workers and just last night some of them were playing music at a coffee shop- which led to seeing other co-workers and hanging out for the rest of the evening. So I definitely feel accepted and enjoy their company. I know that this year is good for me--strengthening my character, serving those around me and the Lord, gaining experience, meeting new people with different backgrounds, the list goes on. The majority of the time, I know this is GOOD. And God is good...so I continue to hold my head high.

Overall, things are good for me. Still getting over a cold and coughing a lot. This Wednesday is Veteran's day and a paid holiday, so looks like a four day week for me. Tomorrow I hope to go to the zoo as it is another free day.

Psalm 67:1-2

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.