kapachino

Tag: Lists

  • weekend intentions

    What, you don’t write your lists on hospital order sheets?

    Since last weekend we were all deathly ill (we were not actually near death; I am exaggerating in order to obtain your pity) a lot of things have gone undone and untended to around the house. This long holiday weekend comes at a perfect time for some catching up. For example, I would like to be able to walk through the house without wading through dog hair, have actual food in the kitchen other than crackers and applesauce, and a microwave to reheat it in. Having to use the oven and stove when you’re not even really cooking is the worst.

    Catching up on crafts would be fantastic. We haven’t been to church in several weeks and the guilt is starting to build up so we’d better get back there. (I do not actually feel guilty because things happen and God does not love me any less. I do miss church though, and we’ve been meaning to visit the place David’s brother & family are going.)

    We have a couple social things planned, and of course being able to read and relax would be amazing. I just started Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie, a 600-page history of the role of the last family of the Romanov dynasty in the fall of Imperial Russia (little known fact: I traveled to Russia with a friend when I was 23 because we were/are both obsessed with the history/culture/literature and therefore this book excites me greatly have I lost you yet?), so if I’m going to finish in time for book club in late June I need to read every spare chance I can get.

    But mainly, I want to get caught up on chores. Because I go a little bit crazy when they’re not done.

  • Things To Be Thankful For

    With Thanksgiving just hours away, I remembered that years ago, when I was a sophomore in college, I wrote a list of things I should be thankful for. I was going through a hard time, and I needed to do something to give myself some perspective. I carried the list around with me for years, and added to it. A lot of the items are situational and wouldn’t make sense to you, but most of them are timeless and still apply. I rummaged the list up and would like to share some of it with you.

    Things to be thankful for:

    • My hopes and dreams – even the fact that I have them
    • My voice
    • My brothers and I turned out the way we did, and that we are friends
    • I was raised in a Christian home
    • I am a daughter of God
    • I have access to resources (money, food, etc.)
    • I am athletic and somewhat talented at a sport I love
    • Musical influences and songs that impact me
    • God can provide fulfillment in seemingly meaningless things
    • My intellect
    • Nice weather
    • I am convicted of my sins and have a strong conscience
    • It is a joyful thing to worship God
    • My parents love me so much
    • My education
    • God’s word is available to me
    • God is who He is
    • Simple pleasures such as eating, sleeping, sneezing, hot water
    • Health
    • When God makes things happen that need to happen, even I’m too stubborn to do it
    • Friends who are completely real with me
    • Suffering (helps me grow)
    • New friends whose hearts are in the same place as mine

    Of course now I have to add some more things:

    • My handsome, loyal, intelligent, loving, sensitive, and compassionate husband David
    • Our home
    • Our families are friends with each other and all live nearby
    • Our dogs Cleo and Eddie, who I never get tired of petting
    • The wonders of the Internet and how it enables me to stay in touch with dear friends and make new ones
    • A challenging and fulfilling vocation
    • Books, books, books
    • My church family

    Once you get going listing all the things you have to be thankful for, it’s hard to stop. It’s overwhelming to be so blessed. But even if I lost everything, I’d still be grateful, because I have God. With him, the best is always yet to come, and that kind of hope is priceless.