Who's Counting

I am glad I did not set out at the beginning of the month to list 100 things I am glad about.
I am glad it is warm enough for the precip to be in the form of rain for my trip home from work this evening.
I am glad to have stopped for groceries and gas before I got home so I don't have to go back out this rainy evening.
I am glad to come home to a fire in the pellet stove and a dog who is glad to see me.
I am glad to have a plan for Thanksgiving day that includes the STP, the Goob, friends who invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner, cranberry jello salad and gluten free chocolate mousse cake.
I am glad to have winter tires on my car.
I am glad to be home.

Amen and Praise the Lord

Today the STP preached from David's Psalm of Thanksgiving in I Chronicles 16.  I am glad to worship with the STP.  Today I sat in a different pew.  It is like visiting a new church.  But the same preacher and the same God.  I am glad to have a God Who is a covenant maker Who is totally faithful.  I am glad to have a God Who is a sovereign creator Who is awesomely powerful.  And I am glad to have a God of salvation Who is mercifully loving.
This afternoon I accidentally took a nap.  I have an overwhelming number of things to do this week, but I am glad that rest is a spiritual discipline that I have just about mastered.  I wish I had woken less cranky, but I am glad that I woke up.  So there.
After my nap, my cranky self and the STP worked on the budget.  I do not know whether I am thankful for Dave Ramsey or not, but I am glad that I only have to budget once a month.  And I am glad to have a new start and money in the entertainment and restaurant envelopes.  And I am glad the STP is mostly patient with my cranky self.  I am glad we have some time away scheduled next week.
This evening I am drinking green tea, eating a Dove dark chocolate and reminding myself how glad I am.

Virtual Tour de Bridge

In honor of Uncle Ronnie's sixtieth birthday and because this was the year of the Tour de Bridge.  And because we didn't manage to schedule a bike ride and because I'm not ready to give this up...

I am glad to announce the 2016 Lane Family Biennial Tour de Bridge--Virtual Edition.

Here's how it works.  

1. Ride your bike.  

You pick the time and the place.  You pick the bike.  (As we are gettin a late start, stationary bicycles are acceptable.)  You pick the distance.  You can even choose the increasingly popular sag wagon option.

2.  Take your picture.

Bonus points if you are wearing an official tour shirt from a previous tour.  

Your picture should include your bicycle.  

Bonus points if your picture also includes a bridge.   Or a tunnel.

Note:  If you choose the sag wagon option, your photo should include a snack or a drink.

3.  Submit your photo.  

Post it on Facebook.  Text it to any and all Lane family members.  Email it to Aunt Brenda.  Print it and mail it to Gram.  

This ride is open to all Lane family members.  Regardless of age.  Old (Looking at you, Uncle Ronnie) or new family members (looking at you, Kord Tagley). 

Lane family wannabes are welcome to participate. 

#2016tourdebridge      #60isthenew35       #happybirthdayron

The Fine Print:  Since this is a virtual tour, photoshopped images will be accepted for consideration.

Be Glad In it

Today we started practices for the children's Christmas program at church....And I am glad there were children at practice....And I am glad that there were adults who were more than willing to help with music and costumes and set construction....And I am glad for my Pinterest board called 'I might help with the Christmas program'....And I am glad the wise people brought gifts....And I am glad that God came to earth in a human body.

I made chicken enchilada lasagna for fellowship dinner...And I am glad I had a plan ahead of time...And I am glad I precooked the chicken and mixed up the sauce Friday evening...And I am glad it is gluten free and doesn't taste gluten free....And I am glad I am not eating dairy free because my chicken enchilada lasagna recipe calls for 1.5 cups of sour cream and 5 cups of shredded cheese.

This afternoon the Steelers lost to the Ravens...And I am glad that will not have any affect on my day tomorrow.

Tonight my small group met to discuss chapter three of "The Good and Beautiful Community"...And I am glad that the designated snack maker made yummy things...And I am glad to be in community with these people...And I am glad to have people who rejoice and are glad with me.

Tomorrow I will be still be expecting a package to arrive containing a surprise and a project....And I am glad that there is a Wyoming, MI and a Wyoming, MN and a Wyoming, NY....And I am glad that so far my package has only traveled to one of those places....And I am glad that I am not in a big hurry...And I am glad for anticipation.

And I am glad for my sister Nancyann who still reads and comments on my blog posts.

He Has Made Me Glad

Yesterday I cleaned my house and watered my houseplants.  In the guest room I discovered a pot of succulents that I had transplanted several weeks ago and promptly forgotten.  Turns out my succulents thrive on neglect.  ...And I was glad for clean water to drink and enough water to water plants just cause I like looking at them.  ...And I was glad to remember a beautiful summer wedding from which I scavenged most of the succulents. ... And I was glad I made a family wedding in CA a priority in my summer.  ....And I was glad for a sister who makes hospitality and generosity look easy. ...And I was glad there is a picture of  lots of my extended family under a big tree in the middle of a vineyard.
I also took down the bats from the front porch.  ...And I was glad that I had bats to hang on the front porch.  ...And I was glad to remember a wedding 6 Octobers ago. ...And I was glad that marriage is even better than that wedding.   ...And I am glad that I have flight reservations for Christmas.

If It's November...

Psalm 92:4   For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

...I must be thankful.

Today I did not have to go to work so I could go to Ladies Bible Study...and I was glad to listen to Beth Moore and fellowship with a great group of women.
Today I voted for the PennLive boys soccer player of the week...and I was glad that, at the end of the day, my second favorite nephew was the winner. Go Mattie!!
Today the sun warmed the afternoon air and I hauled 4 wheelbarrows full of dead plants out of the West flowerbed...and I was glad to be outside and to get that job done.
Today I talked to Princess Amidala and planned a little surprise...and I was glad to hear her voice and share a plan with her.
Today I stuffed an acorn squash with a sausage and apple filling...and I was glad for the Hinkles who shared their garden goodies with me, and that the recipe turned out okay, and that the STP was home for supper.
Today I shopped online...and I was glad for free shipping and the anticipation of packages arriving.

Tomorrow I plan to be glad most of the day.  And I'm looking forward to it.