Happy Thanksgiving!!

As I sit here, listening to relaxing Christmas music...admiring the aroma of a candle...with the Macy's parade in the background, I am overcome by the blessings that surround our cozy, warm home.

It is more than turkey and stuffing, more than reduce prices and receipts, and it is more than get togethers and traditions.

I have heard many say "why not be thankful all year round?" True. However, today is a special time of the year to really think about and be thankful for what means the most to you. I am thankful all "year round," but it seems as though it is a little easier to count my blessings as the holiday seasons creeps upon us.

This time of year makes me especially thankful for......

health - as many will spend their holiday's in the hospital.

life - as some will spend this holiday season remembering a loved one that was with them the year prior.

friendship - as some may have their holiday slip away with out those who were once near and dear to them.

five senses - I am able to hear, smell, touch, see, and of course taste the holiday season as some have never seen the glow of Christmas lights.

resources - as I enjoy heat and dependable transportation, some will gather at local food shelters for their celebrations.

So, as we stuff the turkey, hang the decorations, cut down the tree, wrap presents, attend holiday performances, and gather for celebrations, I hope that a spirit of thankfulness follows.

I also hope that you are able to do more than remember those who are less fortunate. Whether it be a pair of mittens, change dropped in the red bucket, a toy for a child, or money given to a food bank, there are many small -and big-ways to bless others.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. May God bless your holiday seasons as you spend time celebrating with those you love!

(Thanksgiving Day 2009)

All Things Are Possible,
Stephanie Miller

Got Label?

Advertisement. It's everywhere. Ads, flyer's, commercials, bill boards. Although a variety of items may be advertised through these means, they all have something in common: SELL.

What better way to sell an item than to claim that you simply cannot live without it. Want to make your product known? Then blow the end result way out of proportion. These ads are colorful, well displayed, and created to get our attention.

One great advertisement: Infomercials. I cannot help but watch these, whether the product is good or bad. Infomercials are loaded with promises, exaggerations, and drama. I love watching people struggle to.....curl their own hair, spot treat their clothes, and chop vegetables. I mean, what are you supposed to do when you vacuum lost its suction, your couch is filled with fur, and you cannot keep yourself wrapped in a regular blanket?

I also love prescription drug commercials. Is it just me, or did those commercials not exist 10 years ago? I thought that doctors were supposed to keep up on different types and brands of medicine. I think that it is weird to knock on our doctor's door, requesting medication because the commercial "says so."

Oh, and you talk about drama. Would a certain drug really make me want to jog with my dog in the woods on a crisp fall morning? Could a drug really make me become the life a party while
I dance the night away? And who really wants to risk nausea, mood swings, dry eye, swelling, constipation, chest pain, and not to mention death?? Hmmm..... maybe I do want to jog with my dog......

Finally, shampoo advertisements. Seriously, how many "rich vitamins" in that bubbly, creamy goodness? You can't help but to get a kick out of their verbiage...... intense, complex, enriched, fortified, nourished, incredible, amplify, manageable, ph balanced, protects, moisturizes..... just to name a few.

I wonder what would happen if we were all shampoo bottles. What if all of "us" was put into a bottle, with our insides advertised on the outside? What if we had labels on us, advertising all of our "ingredients?" What our insides were displayed and advertised. What if we came with a long, typed list of our positives and negatives?

I imagine that we would act or carry ourselves differently. We would have to live up to our label or rather, our label would have to live up to us.

I wonder how many people are hateful and angry on the inside, but act loving and compassionate on the outside. Has your opinion of someone ever changed after getting to know them? Could you imagine how ugly it would be to see.....angry, mean, doesn't care, lies, cheats.......etc on our neighbors bottle?

What would be inside of your bottle? What big words would be used to advertise you? Would your infomercial promise characteristics that are beneficial to those around you?

What's the verbiage on your label? .........loving, respectful, compassionate, kind, caring, truthful, patient, giving........

Examining my label.......

All Things Are Possible,
Stephanie

Vace Of Sticks

Grandma, you took care of me all this week.

You taught me good manners and how to speak.

I wanted to do something special for you,

Because sometimes I act like an animal from the zoo.

Grandma, you are great and you know all of the tricks.

I went outside to find you flowers,

but I picked you some......STICKS!!!

Love, Grant.

Wondering

Last night, or should I say early this morning I wondered...........

Will he be tall?
Will he grow hair?
Will he love Jesus?
Will he have a -little- attitude like....mine?
Will he be a hard worker like his dad?
Will he like going to the zoo?
Will he listen to christian music?
Will he EVER eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?
Will he drive too fast?
Will he keep his room clean?
Will he have close friends?
Will he always be healthy?
Will he ride the bus?
Will he EVER be -officially- be potty trained?
Will he get married?
Will he stop picking on puddles?
Will he serve others?
Will he beg for a pet goldfish?
Will he be an uncle?
Will he be a good student?
Will he follow the rules?
Will he play sports?
Will he be a poet?
Will he get stitches?
Will he believe in Santa?
Will he continue to be easy going?
Will he serve Jesus?
Will he sing in a Christmas play?
Will he leave the Christmas tree alone?
Will he travel the country?
Will he go to College?
Will he be a skate border?
Will he EVER stop watching -his- cartoons?
Will he dig for worms?
Will he help a stranger?
Will he always watch DVD's in the van?
Will he fight with his siblings?
Will he pick his nose?
Will he always enjoy getting the mail?
Will he have children?
Will he EVER stop moving?
Will he know and remember his Great Grandma Booth?
Will he always love water?

..................... while snuggling next to my baby. His soft, fuzzy hair tickled my nose. I could smell baby soap coming from his sweet, soft skin. The sound of him breathing made me smile, as my arm could feel his heart beating. He was cuddled with his blanket and wearing fleece Christmas pajamas that said "Dear Santa, Define Good." Hmmm......that made me smile even more.

As we cuddled, I wondered.

Sigh. Then I prayed.

All Things Possible
Stephanie

A Friendly Farewell

Dear Gallbladder,

It's time you and I talked. It's time you and I went our separate ways. For you, it's GO TIME. I'm sorry that it has come to this, but you simply are not doing your job. You actually don't even have that hard of a job, but for some reason you are unable to do what you were asked.

And to think that I even considered letting you stay. I really thought about keeping you around. However, you made it very clear to me the other day that you need to leave.

So, on Thursday, November 11th at 9 a.m. you are leaving. I'm not sure where you are going to go and I don't even care. This was your decision, not mine.

Pack your bags,
Stephanie

(Oh, like you have never written a letter to your gallbladder before.......)

Sometimes

Sometimes God leads you down a path.

Sometimes the path does not make sense.

Sometimes life doesn't make sense.

Sometimes it is not a matter of lemons or lemon aid.

Sometimes there is more hurt than happiness.

Sometimes the puzzle was not finished even though all of the pieces fit together.

Sometimes God leads you down a different path.

Sometimes it is worth the pain.

Sometimes there is peace and healing because you know that God will continue to guide.

All Things Are Possible,
Stephanie

This Week

This week we pray.

This week a decision will be made.

This week lives will change.

This week we pray often.

This week is exciting.

This week is in God's hands.

Will you pray for us this week?

All Things Are Possible,
Stephanie