Today's Bliss: One More Weekend

I have had a long, restful break from work this holiday. I am very blessed that I was able to have so much time with my family, with Scooter, with N, and with myself. When I am not running around in the midst of a hectic schedule, I have the opportunity to read, think, write, and accomplish things that have needed some attention for a while. I am so glad that the year has ended in this way!

One of the things that I am doing this week is reading a book called Catch. (I am studying for some church duties that I have for 2012.) I am only about half way through, but it has been an interesting read so far. The writer comes from a church that focuses solely on ministering to the non- and nominally-religious in their community. When I read this, I thought: isn't that what we are all doing? But...is it? Really? How many churches worry more about their current members than those outside their walls? One point in the book that really got me thinking was a statement about church congregations. The author was encouraging her readers to help their church's congregation focus on the mission of ministering to the non- and nominally-religious. She wondered what the church members were more worried about: reaching out to their community or whether or not they got their parking place and their pew of choice. Huh...good question. I think that every church has a mix of people and each person has a different focus for some reason or another. But no matter our differences, our primary identity should be love. Receiving it from God, showing it to each other, and showing it to our community.

I hope that 2012 will bring more depth to my faith and my love for the people around me.

I have one more weekend of my break. I have some fun things planned for the end of this long respite and I look forward to enjoying every minute of it! I hope you feel blessed and blissful as you enjoy the last two days of 2011!

Today's Bliss: Time

The past month was extremely hectic. There was a to-do list for each day, each weekend, each hour, it seemed. Getting ready for Christmas is always a busy time. I enjoy the process of shopping, decorating, wrapping gifts, baking, cooking, and entertaining; but after a while I am just plain tired!

This week, I finally have time to relax and take it easy! Time to get organized, clean the house, and work on the long to-do list that has developed as of late. Having time to get things done (or to just read a book for that matter) is a rarity in our society. Our busy schedules and hectic routines follow us everyday, everywhere we go. Personally, this really wears me down after a while! I need time to recharge and focus on the blissful life blessings around me.

I hope that you have some time to relax this week, to take it easy as we wrap up 2011 and get set for 2012!

Today's Bliss: Christmas

Christmas is a time of peace. Time to reflect on the blessings we have and the grace that has been given to us so freely by our Father in heaven. The gift of Jesus can get lost in the hustle and bustle of our American culture this time of year, but if you take some time to think and look around you, He is with us...even in our busiest, most stressful moments.

Symbols are everywhere at Christmas. Lights remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. Evergreen trees remind me of nature, God's beautiful creation, and God's faithfulness. Family gatherings remind me of the supportive people that God has given me to help me make it through life. Good food and sweet treats remind me that God wants us to celebrate our blessings and enjoy the life He's given us. Gifts remind all of us that Jesus was the ultimate gift of love so that all of us can have abundant life.

I hope that you have a blissful Christmas. Take time to remember the reason for the season and the love that you have all around you!

Today's Bliss: Cookie Brittle

A friend of mine at work introduced me to a fabulous, wonderful thing a few months ago: Cookie Brittle. It is so delicious! I made my own version last weekend and gave it all away as gifts. So I made another batch today so that we can share it with our families for Christmas. I wanted to share the recipe with you because it is easy, quick, and so so good. It has bliss in every bite!

 Cookie Brittle:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups flour

1 1/4 cups mix-ins (use whatever you have, semi-sweet or milk chocolate, white chocolate with cranberries... possibilities are endless!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie pan with parchment paper. Mix the butter and vanilla.
Add in the flour, sugar, salt and mix-ins, using your hands or a wooden spoon mix it all together until well combined. The dough will be fairly dry and crumbly. Dump the dough onto lined cookie sheet.

Press it into a thin layer using your hands. Mine didn't completely fill the cookie tray. The thinner you press it, the crispier it will be and the quicker it will cook, so adjust accordingly. Bake for 20 minutes, check, if edges are lightly brown and center is set, remove from oven. Allow to cool COMPLETELY. Break up into pieces.

Enjoy!

*Recipe discovered on http://whiskandaprayer.blogspot.com/

Today's Bliss: Food for Thought

Sometimes I really appreciate reading or watching things that make me think. I received the following commentary in an email and wanted to share it with you because it is definitely thought provoking, especially during this Christmas season.

Social Commentary by Ben Stein, CBS Sunday Morning news show, 8/30/06:

 

Ben Stein

My confession: 

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees...I don't feel threatened.. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

 I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the
Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

 My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

 Ben Stein

Today's Bliss: Parents

Fifteen years ago, I may not have thought of my parents as bliss. But they are. N's parents are, too. We are very, very blessed that we have four people in our lives who know us well, love us deeply, and help us with anything we need. This past week, N and I took spent some time with our parents. We took our Dads to a Predators hockey game; we took our Moms to see Opryland Hotel and the Christmas decorations. Our parents also came to N and I's Christmas party and they really made it fun! All of these events were really nice and gave us some time to enjoy the healthy relationships we have with each other.

N and I look forward to spending the holidays with our parents and we give thanks for them every day! We hope that you have a chance to hug your parents and thank them for what they have given you: life.

N and his Dad

Me and my Dad

N and his Mom

Me and my Mom

Today's Bliss: Room In The Inn

Tonight, N is sleeping on our church's gym floor. He'll probably only sleep an hour or two, then get up at 4:00am to clean bathrooms, move mattresses, tidy the kitchen, and mop floors. Our church is a Room in the Inn host. Every Friday night, we host 12 men who have no where else to go. Some of them wait for hours outdoors in a line for the opportunity to eat a hot meal and sleep in a warm place. I helped with food service, but N is giving up a night of sleep...that is a big sacrifice to serve a fellow man in need.

With Christmas upon us, thinking of just the phrase "room in the inn" makes me stop and think. Mary and Joseph needed room so that Jesus could be born...and they never found it. Well, they found a stable, but that was hardly sufficient for childbirth and caring for a newborn!

Here I am with many material blessings, a warm home, bountiful foods that I like to eat, a job, a loving family to help me when I ask them to...I could go on and on! Surely, we all have some "room in the inn" to offer to people who are hurting. Maybe I don't open up my front door to people, but I can pass on some bliss and some blessings by helping out a brother who needs a sack lunch. Maybe I don't offer counseling, but I can lend a listening ear. Maybe I skip a night of washing my own dishes to wipe tables and clean plates.

I have a lot of "room" in my life to give to others. Sometimes I excel at this; other times I don't. In 2012, may we all ensure that we focus on offering love, hope, and grace to people who need it.

Today's Bliss: Shopping

I am not really that much of a shopper. Christmas crowds and crazy bargain hunting is definitely not my usual scene. But yesterday, I was very blessed to shop. I know that sounds odd, but it was true. We had a Manger Marketplace event at my church where twelve or so non-profit causes set up booths and sold items that would benefit their charity. There were wind chimes, Christmas ornaments,scarves, baked goods, jewelry, coffee, ice cream, lotion, and many more items available for purchase. Many items had been handcrafted by people in far away lands...and it was beautiful work!

I got a lot of people crossed off of my Christmas shopping list after this event and I am so glad that these gifts will be doing more than putting a smile on the reciever's face. The purchases will also put a smile on the face of a woman seeking to provide for her family, of a man who can give his children somewhere to live, of a woman who needs to get off of the streets and make an honest living, of a homeless person who needs a bite to eat.

Giving gifts can change the world and I am so glad that many of mine this year will be a blessing to people in need, here at home and around the world! If you still have some shopping to do, take a moment to consider what you can buy that will have an impact on those in need.

Today's Bliss: Good News

Today was a good day at work. I don't come out and say that often, so it's sort of a big deal when I feel that way and want to share it. I actually really like my job and my coworkers, and I don't necessarily have bad days, I just have a lot of challenging ones. See, I am a fundraiser. Everyday. Constantly. I am always planning something, doing something, asking for things that will help bring in money for the non-profit I work for. I definitely have developed a knack for it over my years in this line of work, but it never gets to be an "easy" job by any means. But today I had some things go well. I got some good news. And that made a truckload of bad days seem not quite so bad!

Good news balances us out. When you are in the midst of a day that you cannot see the end of or a situation you just cannot figure out, a bit of good news makes all of the difference. We are in the season of good news: Christ was born, He is with us, He has come to save us, He is our Light at the end of whatever struggle we find ourselves in. Thank God for this beautiful gift!

N and I have had a really nice holiday season so far and we have a lot of upcoming festivities to help us celebrate a fun, happy year together. We are giving thanks to God for all of our blessings! We began our celebration with a new Christmas tree and we both love it. Here I am with our new tree and our sweet dog, Scooter:

May your holiday season be filled with blissful things and many blessings!

Today's Bliss: Holidays

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones! N and I really enjoyed our trip to Kentucky last week to be with his family to celebrate the holiday. We ate a lot, watched movies, helped decorate for Christmas, spent quality time with each other, and relaxed. I did not touch a computer or get online for 3 days straight...that was most definitely blissful for me! I needed to un-plug. We also got to see the new Muppets movie that I have blogged about a couple of times. It was a really good movie; I felt like I was seeing my old friends! I will forever love Miss Piggy and her extreme self confidence, Kermit's faithfulness to his friends, and Fozzy's determination to be happy.

Time spent away really makes me let go. If I had 4 days at home, I would feel the need to work on projects, conquer to-do lists, and be productive. When I go away, I let myself read magazines, watch television, chat with N more...it is a really good way to recharge, especially before the bustle of the Christmas season that is coming up so soon.

As I look at the remainder of my 2011 calendar that is filling up so quickly, I am bracing myself for a crazy month ahead. But, I am so so blessed by it. I am glad for the yule-tide activities, occasions to greet friends and family, and time to celebrate our ultimate gift: Jesus. I am blessed that I do not feel a need to attend a Blue Christmas service, that I do not feel lonely rather than fulfilled, that I am not searching for a place to go to celebrate with loved ones.

May your upcoming holiday season be blissful and not stressful; uplifting and not sad; loving and not loathing. Look around in thanks for what you have and who you are!

Today's Bliss: The Muppets

Tomorrow the new Muppet movie opens and I will definitely be ready to see it. I have been counting down for weeks to see all of my favorite characters back in action. I have always been a huge fan (you may remember my Miss Piggy specific post not too long ago) and I cannot wait to reconnect with the kind-hearted, innocent Muppets that really helped shape me as a child. I can still sing the Muppet Babies theme song by heart!

This movie is not the only thing that I am excited about today. Thanksgiving week is full of reasons for me to be thankful. Family, friends, fun, food, Friday shopping... I am a very blessed girl and I look forward to celebrating my life of bliss this week! Happy Thanksgiving!

Today's Bliss: Biscuits

Today was a really nice day. N and I met my parents for a tour of Cheekwood and a late lunch at the Loveless Cafe. We were celebrating my dad's birthday!

Cheekwood had several exhibits that we really enjoyed: a garden train, Buffalo Bill memorabilia and wild west artifacts, and holiday trees and decorations. We also saw a birds of prey lecture which was interesting...we even got to see a bald eagle and pet a screech owl. It was a beautiful day outside and we had a chance to enjoy it as we roamed through the Cheekwood gardens and grounds. Every exhibit had something special to offer to our day and we definitely appreciated it all!

After our morning filled with learning, we had to get something yummy to eat and the Loveless did not disappoint us. I had not been there in years; N had never been. We loved every bite of fluffy biscuits, crunchy fried chicken, and creamy corn that we had on our plates! It was a good meal and a good way to end a day of fellowship.

Breaking bread is an ancient tradition. When you have a meal with someone, you have time to talk, enjoy their company, savor the blessing of food that you've been given, and celebrate a day of life. I am so grateful that we had this nice day with my parents. N and I are lucky to have a strong, loving, healthy family in our lives. Take a moment to savor the people around you, break bread (or biscuits) with them, and tell them how they make your life feel like bliss!

Today's Bliss: Technology

I don't know where I would be without technology. In the last hour, I have gotten so much done, all thanks to the internet and my trusty laptop. And my job? I cannot imagine doing my daily assignments and projects without my computer, email, and the web. I look back at not-so-distant history and wonder how everything worked without the technology that surrounds us everywhere we look. I think that the world was just slower. A century ago, it took weeks for a letter to travel long distances. Now, a letter can travel from one inbox to another, across the world, in seconds.

As easy as technology makes my day to day life, I can see a whole lot of negative things about it, too. We are constantly looking at a screen instead of faces, chatting through a keyboard instead of vocal conversations, relying on computer contact rather than human contact. This is one main reason that I do not have a smart phone. I would be much too distracted by it. I want to live in the moment and enjoy people around me as much as I can.

N used to have a Blackberry. On a trip to the beach, he talked all day about the sunset and how he could not wait to see it! Well, the day passed...evening came...we settled into the sand, held hands and waited for the much anticipated sunset to arrive. It was beautiful! As I turned to look lovingly into N's eyes to celebrate this moment, I couldn't. He was too busy checking Facebook on his phone! He had missed the thing he had looked forward to all day because technology distracted him.

I think that we miss a lot of things because we are staring at our televisions, phones, and computers. Stop. Go outside and take some time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Celebrate the gifts that God has given you. Then hug someone, look them in the eye, and give thanks.

Today's Bliss: Looking Ahead

Next week, the holiday season officially begins! It is so hard for me to believe that it is time again for turkey, decorations, gifts, parties...the list could go on and on. 2011 has passed by very quickly for me! Today I am pausing in anticipation of the holiday season and giving thanks that it is almost time to celebrate the blessings we have been given, the birth of Christ, and a new year. I love the holidays and all of the activity that comes along with it, and I am so grateful for family and the opportunity to spend time with them.

Many people around us are not as happy as I am during the holidays. We have all experienced losses that are difficult to face during these joyful, festive times, but some people are left with emptiness rather than happiness during this season. Other people face financial challenges that prevent them from traveling far distances to see relatives or from purchasing a gift that their son or daughter would really, really like to have.

I am blessed. I don't need a lot of "stuff." My gifts are the people around me, their health, their love. N and I adopted an Angel Tree child last year at Christmas and we plan to do it again this year. We want to be sure that someone else feels the bliss of the Christmas season and knows that somewhere out there is someone who cared and wanted to show them love.

Today's Bliss: Home

There is no better feeling to me than going home. And home can mean several things: home is my childhood home where my parents still live; home is N and I's current home; home is the place in Indiana where I visited my grandfather so many summers growing up; home is N's parents house in the country. And no matter how long you are away from your familiar surroundings, all of your memories rush back as soon as you return. There is something special about being in a place that is comfortable, familiar, yours. As soon as I step through my doorway, I feel so much more relaxed. I can be myself, rid of the stresses that I encountered on the outside.

Home is a place that I can express opinions, wear pajamas at 5:00pm, cry when I am frustrated, laugh a bit too loudly at a movie, talk to my dog as if he is a human, play childhood boardgames with N, chill out on the couch for four hours straight and not apologize...I could go on forever with this list!

I am very grateful for my home and for living in a country where I have the freedom and the means to have this comfortable place to live. I am grateful to share my home with my sweet husband N. I live a life of bliss everyday in our home!

Here is a photo of N and our home sweet home:

Christmas 2009

Today's Bliss: Reminders

I just caught myself saying something that I am trying not to say (especially with this blog in mind): "why is everything so hard?" Really? Hard? My life? I don't think so. I hate when I say this about my blessed, easy life. It was only a low tire that brought out this exasperated comment. As soon as I made this statement, I apologized to my husband and immediately thought of Nasra, the 13 year old girl that I sponsor through Compassion International. She lives in Tanzania and I have corresponded and provided assistance for her for 7 or so years. Her lifestyle and mine are vastly different. My tiny problems are nothing compared to the challenges she faces!

I am grateful that my heart is training my brain to take reality checks. When I get frustrated over something small and insignificant, I try to pause to think about the problem and if it is really worth the worry. I am definitely still working on incorporating this day to day, but I am slowly making progress.

I pray that I will be better; that I will focus on a bigger picture and take a moment to appreciate all that I have today and everyday in my blissful life.

Today's Bliss: Miss Piggy

I don't remember a time when I didn't love the Muppets. I am anxiously awaiting the new movie coming out 17 days from now! The Muppet that I have always loved the most is Miss Piggy. She is self confident, bold, opinionated...she is unapologetic about who she is and she owns it. I mean, she is a fashion-conscious pig who loves a little green frog and sees nothing odd about it. So great! I do admit that sometimes Miss Piggy is a bit shallow and a little too bossy, but I think that she is misunderstood a lot, too.

One thing is certain: Miss Piggy has confidence in who she is, the good and the bad. This trait alone has been a big reason that I have always admired her so much. I am a self-doubter and I can be really hard on myself. Sometimes I wish I had a little more Miss Piggy confidence!

So with bliss that I will get to reconnect with my old Muppet friends later this month, I salute you with a mighty "HI-YA!" Miss Piggy style! :-)

Today's Bliss: The Weekend

The past few weeks have been crazy at work and we have been traveling every weekend. I have enjoyed seeing people and doing some fun things; I have even enjoyed most of my crazy workdays. However, you get to a point eventually where you are ready to stop and rest, take a moment to breathe, and relax. I am definitely at that point today and I am very grateful for a weekend at home. We do have some things on the calendar that need to be done, but nothing that will hinder my relaxation. :-)

Something that our society is missing is a true sabbath. Even at church we have Sundays FULL of meetings and events, keeping us away from a peaceful day of rest and meditation. I am certainly guilty of packing my schedule so full that I feel like I will never be able to stop and sit and take a moment to be thankful for what I have. (That is what this blog is all about, after all.) But I hope that I can keep in mind the need to pause, pray, and rest in the love that Christ so generously offers to all of us. His love is the key to our sabbath: taking time to give thanks for it, accept it, and share it with others.

Today's Bliss: Top Chef

It has been a super crazy week and it is not even close to being over. But, in less than five minutes, I will be removed from the stress by one thing: Top Chef on Bravo! It is one of my favorite shows and it's back for a new season. I can't wait to see the challenges and delicious food that will appear on the episodes this fall. Enjoy an hour of bliss and be inspired by some awesome chefs.

Today's Bliss: Halloween Memories

I have always liked Halloween. It is a fun time to dress up, eat some candy, and enjoy time with friends and family. Costumes are always exciting and for a while, my family owned a novelty store that had some awesome rental costumes that were a lot of fun to wear!

Over the years, one Halloween memory sticks out in my mind. When I was young, I was a dedicated reader of American Girl Magazine. One year, they featured a host of awesome Halloween costume ideas and there was one that I just had to try for my own trick or treating: a bag of Jelly Belly jelly beans. My very artistic father recreated the logo for me...I hunted down a giant, clear trash bag to fill with colorful balloons the perfect size so as to not fall out of the perfectly cut leg and arm holes...I found brightly colored tights...and I painted my face with bright, jelly bean shapes. I was ready! Off I went with my dad and some neighborhood girls to trick or treat. It was a lot of fun until the sixth house, when I noticed that the leg holes of my jelly bean sack started to tear a bit and I was loosing a jelly bean (balloon) each time I took a step. Uh oh! I walked more carefully, trying to save my super cute costume! But, alas, the further we walked, the more balloons escaped from my costume. I was so mad and so upset: why would a magazine promote a costume that had so many flaws? By the time I got home, I had no balloons left in my costume. Instead of looking like a bag of Jelly Bellys I looked like a garbage sack-wearing girl with a rainbow of colors on her face.

Looking back on this story, I laugh. It was a funny experience, although I didn't think that at the time! What I am most grateful for when I think about this trick or treat adventure is that I remember it so well. I remember my dad's dedication to making my costume and my trick or treating fun; my mom's help pulling my dream Halloween look together. I was a lucky girl to have a family who wanted to have as much fun as I did.

This year for Halloween N and I were part of a Trunk or Treat at church. There were a lot of refugee children who came to the event and I could not help but wonder what they were thinking about us...adults dressed in crazy outfits handing out free candy?!? A little weird to an outsider, I am sure! But, no matter what they thought, everyone left with something sweet and it was a great way to reach out to the community around us and show them that we care.

Have a blissful Halloween!

Today's Bliss: Old School Entertainment

I've had a pretty stressful time at work the last couple of weeks. Not awful, just crazy. Tonight my head was spinning when I got home and I needed some distraction. So, N and I got down to our roots and played board games: Sorry and Jenga. It was so fun and a welcome activity to get my mind off of my stress. This led to discussion about some classic games that we loved when we were kids: Guess Who? and Chutes and Ladders! I can't tell you how many hours I spent playing Guess Who?...what a great game!

I have found that problems and stress are always much worse when I am in my own head. Thinking, thinking, thinking. The best thing for me to do is stop, focus on the people around me who want to enjoy my company, and take time to enjoy my life instead of worry it away.

Thank God for N and for a quiet evening. The perfect, blissful solution to a disquieted mind.

Today's Bliss: Humor

At work last week I recieved an email with a link that told me I should "click here." Seeing as the email was from my boss, I decided that I better do what she said. So I clicked. And was so glad that I did.

I don't want to ruin anything for you...just see for yourself:
Click here to see what I am talking about!

Humor is such a blessing to all of us. In the midst of a busy day (or a busy life for that matter), humor can lighten our hearts and minds a bit. I also know, thanks to my very intelligent mother, that humor can be medically beneficial, too. So enjoy your laughter, look for humor around you today, and cherish the life you've been given.

Today's Bliss: Friday

There is one great thing that happens every week (but it is especially sweet after a long, stressful week at work): Friday evening arrives. Tonight I am working a bit late, but afterwards I plan on hanging out with my husband, eating lots of leftover pizza, pouring a glass of wine, and watching a funny movie. This definitely describes bliss to me!

When I have a rough day or a rough week, there is always something that I look forward to: the end of it. I am able to see an end. Some people are having difficult seasons of their lives. Instead of rough days, they have rough years or rough decades. But for me, it's a much shorter time period and I am can look ahead, optimistic that things will get better soon. I can survive a challenging day because I know that my loving family will help me overcome it. And the next day will begin fresh. For that I am very blessed.

I pray for people who can see no light at the end of their tunnel. For those whose difficult circumstances seem to be never-ending. For people who need hope. May we all step up and show those around us the Light of Christ and the comfort He offers us every moment of each and every day.

Today's Bliss: Marriage

I have had a rough week at work. Nothing is horribly wrong, but nothing is quite right either. Everything is just so hard. Everything that should be easy and even a little fun just feels difficult. Every morning, I have woken up and hoped for a better, easier day. So far, I haven't really gotten it.

Tonight, I reached my limit. I burned my thumb on the oven rack and that was it. The edge that had been looming closer all day? I went over it. Hello, tears that were not really necessary. Hello, ridiculous reasoning that didn't make sense even to myself. Hello, uncalled for whining. It was a bit much.

But you know who stood by and never said anything negative to me? Who picked up the chore I was doing and pitched in to get it done quicker? My sweet husband N. He truly makes my life bliss. I am grateful for the time I had to learn some real-world navigation on my own as a single girl, but I am so so grateful  for this wonderful time of marriage. Always spending time with someone who accepts and loves you...hanging out with your best friend who will always laugh at your jokes even when they are not funny...relaxing in your life because for the first time, you can just be you.

Thank God for N. Someone who loves me just as I am, even when I cry over a teeny, tiny burn on my thumb.

Today's Bliss: Cake Wrecks

Everyone needs to smile each and every day. Laughter is even better. So, every single day, I check out my favorite blog: Cake Wrecks.This blog focuses on badly decorated cakes. It may sound silly (and it is), but you are guaranteed a laugh when you read through the posts and see the horrendous cakes that bakeries think are perfectly fine, sell-able merchandise.

One of the things that I am most grateful for in my life is laughter. God wants us to enjoy ourselves, have fun in the lives he has given us, and spread cheer to others. My mother has deeply instilled in me a profound respect and appreciation for humor. When I was in middle school, I was less than appreciative of this humor, but now, I like it. I get it. I am blessed by it.

So, take a moment for blissful fun and a laugh on Cake Wrecks. Click here to see how awesome it is!

Today's Bliss: Music

Last night, N and I went to a Christian concert downtown. Lindsay McCaul, The Afters, Sanctus Real, and Casting Crowns all led us in worship, telling their stories and lending their voices to inspire us and remind us of God's love.

I have always loved contemporary Christian music. DC Talk started my fandom, followed by Third Day, my all-time favorite! But lately, I have lost touch with that music genre. I will try to blame it on the extreme repetition on our local Christian radio stations, but really, I just quit listening. And I am trying to remedy this. I have been listening to more Christian radio in the car and it helps me focus on God as I drive. This is especially helpful in rush hour traffic!

We are so blessed that we have the ability to hear music that can uplift us so much. God has given people the gift of creativity so that they can turn their life stories into songs that can teach us, lift us up, and help us be better people.

Casting Crowns has a new cd called Come to the Well. The album was inspired by Mark Hall's (the lead singer) study of the story of the woman at the well. As he read the story, he realized something: he was not taking the lessons of the story and applying them in his life. He was not going to the well to refuel himself...he was going to people, books, places. This was a powerful point for me. So much of my life, I have worried about what other people think, how my actions will be interpreted by those around me; Mark is saying not to dwell on this at all...other people are not the well, Jesus is.

Mark has written a new book called The Well also and I am planning on reading it to get more insight into how I can avoid getting distracted by the things around me and focus on Jesus. If I am getting my energy, insight, value, vision, and purpose from Him, my life will have even more bliss.

Today's Bliss: Hearwarming Stories

My boss forwarded an email today that had a a link to a heartwarming story. I was teary-eyed by the end of the article and found myself giving thanks for the chance to take a moment during a busy morning to be reminded of how precious life is and how important it is to show love to people around us.

Click HERE to read the story. You'll be glad you did!

Hearing stories about other peoples' struggles, triumphs, successes, and failures can really inspire me. I am reminded that when I fail, I am not alone; when I succeed, I am in good company. Jesus used parables to help us learn. I think that there are many modern day parables all around us, just waiting for us to pause, discover, and share the stories that can help all of us be better people.

Today's Bliss: Teamwork

I am part of many teams. I am on a team, both departmentally and organization-wide, at work...I am on several different teams at church...I am on a team at home with N...in many ways, my extended family is a team. I really like to harmoniously work with people, moving together toward a common goal that can help us all progress forward.

N and I are a really good team. We are generally on the same side on any given issue, which really helps keep the peace around our home. We also work well together on projects, from cooking dinner to cleaning the house. I am so grateful for this teamwork and the ease that it brings to our daily life.

I have known several people who simply could not work well as part of a team. They may have preferred to do their own thing, but I really think that it made their life much, much more difficult. We all have to calm our own ego sometimes so that we can work with the people around us.

God has given us community for a purpose. He has given us a team of people to support us, love us, and help us succeed in the tasks that he offers us. I pray that I can be a good member of all of the teams that I am a part of, that I can work for the betterment of all of us.

Today's Bliss: Love

I have been very blessed every day of my life because of one thing: love. God's love, my parent's love, N's love, love from friends and my community of faith. I have never felt un-loved. I really don't think that very many people can honestly say this in our broken, frustrated society. So, I proudly own the love that I have in my life and I cherish it. The funny thing about love is that if it is pure, it cannot be held onto completely. If you are loved, I believe that you then are compelled to show love to others around you.

I hope that I am seen as loving. I definitely have days where I don't show my love very successfully, but overall I hope that I can show love to others as much as I receive it.

We had a family dinner tonight for my birthday and I realized how much love there is in my life and how easily it can be taken for granted. Everyone should pause and think of the love they have in their life and how they can focus on passing it on...showing others that they are loved, too.

God's love is the strongest love, of course. Unbreakable. Eternal. Today in church we sang a song that mentioned bliss...so I had to share it. I think that one of the ways God's magnificent love is shown to us is in the blessings we receive; some of the most important blessings are outlined here:

Lord of All Hopefulness (verse 1)
Lord of all hopefulness
Lord of all joy
Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy
Be there at our waking and give us, we pray
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Today's Bliss: Birthdays

Today is my 28th birthday. I am so blissful today: it is beautiful outside, my parents called me with their traditional birthday song, I had a great morning with N...running errands, choosing my gift, eating a yummy cupcake for lunch...and tonight is date night. What a great birthday!

Looking back at all of my years of birthdays, I see how great it was to have a loving family around me for every single birthday that I have had. Whether I was a little girl with a delicious cake ordered to match my carefully chosen birthday party napkins or I was away at college and received a surprise flower delivery, my family and friends have always been there to help me celebrate. I am blessed.

Tomorrow night we will have a celebration with N's parents and my parents. Every time I look around at the six of us together, I am thankful. Thankful for a husband who loves me and an expanded family who cares for us deeply.

Spend a moment in the sun, basking in the glow of the blessings that you have. Happy day!

Today's Bliss: Comfort Food

Whether your day has been good or bad, whether you've had a day full of fun activities or dull chores, there is one thing that can always make your day better: comfort food. Nothing makes me feel safe and secure like a good, home cooked meal. And it's always especially good if it is a dish that my mom used to make when I was growing up.

I cook a lot. I try to make wholesome, healthy, tasty meals that N and I both enjoy. I actually really like menu planning, searching through recipes for new dishes to try, coming home in the evenings to spend some time with N as we cook...it is a part of my routine that I find really relaxing.

This has been a hectic week at work, so I was really looking forward to a night of cooking and comfort food...and it was just as good as I had hoped. After we ate, I felt relaxed and, well, comforted.

Our comfort food: chopped steak, mashed potatoes, and sauteed garlic and mushrooms.

Sometimes, your greatest bliss can be found in little things around you. Tonight as I was cooking and enjoying our meal, I thought about the things I've learned from my mother as she cooked countless meals for me in her kitchen (and still does when I am at home). I thought about my Grandfather and his cooking prowess that showed itself in our delicious Thanksgiving dinners. I thought about how grateful I am for my family and the examples they have set for me...not just in the kitchen, but in all areas of my life. 

I am so blessed. So are you. Give thanks and be comforted.

Today's Bliss: Grace

I mess up all of the time. I snap at my husband, N, for no reason...I get angry over silly things...I don't show love to my neighbors like I should...I make mistakes. Thankfully, I am surrounded by grace. N is a very forgiving person and is always accepting of my apologies, friends understand when I have an unpleasant attitude, family members show me love even when I don't deserve it.

Even more valuable than grace from people around me is grace from God. Jesus was perfect...I am very imperfect. But no matter how much I mess up, God forgives. He teaches. He shows me a more righteous path that I can take; a path that will make me a better person. I just need to listen for His voice, be directed by His guidance, and try to live out His plans.

Thank God for His grace that heals, loves, and provides for me every single day. I pray that I will accept the grace that God offers and that I can have grace for others around me, too.

Today's Bliss: Productivity

Sometimes my to-do list seems very, very long. I know that I can get everything done, but the motivation to get going and actually do it rarely comes when I have the time to do things. Today, the planets aligned. I was productive at work and at home...and the night is still young. I have plenty of time to continue checking things off of my list. That is a good feeling.

The rush of the world and the instant-gratification society that we live in can really knock us off our center: Christ. Luckily for us, God does not get caught up in the rush like we do. While we run around doing our "important" chores and jobs, he is at work making sure that we are cared for...the most important thing of all. What we need to realize is that we need to stop, slow down, and listen for Christ's voice. We need to pause to look around and see God at work, preparing our next step. If we don't, it's like walking down a crowded side walk without watching where you are going. If you don't keep your eyes on the path ahead, you'll likely step in a pothole or crash into someone else rushing through their life.

Take a moment to stop. Turn off your television; put your laptop aside. Center yourself: pray, meditate, breathe, think. This is when God can talk to you because your ears and eyes are not filled with the rush of the world. This is a perfect place to find your bliss.

Today's Bliss: Fall Weather

I am always hot in the summer, so when the weather gets colder and fall begins to fill the air, I am grateful for some heat relief. But more than this, I am reminded of the ever changing world I live in. Nothing is finite, everything has an end and a beginning. Fall foliage and chilly mornings are my favorite parts of this time of year and I am grateful to see how God can paint nature around me to show me His beauty. I am grateful that I can see it, appreciate it, and witness the process of putting things to rest for a while.

As a teenager, I loved a song called Every Season by Nichole Nordemon. The song is a great statement about nature and the way it can inspire us. If you have not heard the song, you should definitely give it a listen, but in the mean time, here are the lyrics.

Every Season by Nichole Nordemon**
Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer 

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn 

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter 

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

**Source: Christian Lyrics Online

Today's Bliss: Fellowship

Tonight N and I had dinner with some friends from our church. We've known each other for a long time but have not spent a lot of time together socially (outside of the church walls, anyway). We had a really nice chat about our church, about life, about many things. I was reminded about the sacred presence of Fellowship throughout the Bible. Jesus spent quite a bit of time in fellowship with his disciples and his followers. This often gets overlooked.

Our church is pretty good about offering fellowship opportunities, but it is not often enough that N and I reach out to people to spend time really getting to know them in a different setting. It is beneficial to everyone to have a new set of ears to listen to your opinions, to ask questions of someone who has a different point of view than you do, to share a thought with someone who truly wants to hear it. I am grateful that I have people in my life to fellowship with. And I am even more grateful that I am accepted, just as I am, no questions asked. I can be myself; I can be me. Opinionated, blunt, realist...caring, insightful, thoughtful. The not-so-good traits and the good traits all rolled into one. What bliss!

Spend some time in fellowship with someone new; you never know what blessings will blossom from the time you invest.

Today's Bliss: Messes

My mother, J, forwarded me a daily devotional email today that I really liked: 

I find my best art work has come from creative solving of accidents: running short on a supplies forces me toward a refreshing innovation;  rain splashing on my canvas leads to a new vision for the scene. It is through the unexpected, the unplanned, even the disappointing events that I am opened to a greater level of awareness, care, and creativity. What a blessing, then, if my own failures and shortcomings allow the Divine to work a beauty that was before not even imaginable! -Bronwen Henry  

What a great reminder that life's imperfections, challenges, and surprises can lead to inspiration, positive occurrences, and blessings. Every single day something does not go as planned in my life. Many times I am frustrated when this happens, but almost every time, I can see that things turned out for the best...different maybe, but better than they would if I had planned them. I see that the best-made plans sometimes are not God's plans for me and I am thankful that He is in control and I am not.
 

Tomorrow, look at the messes that you may have throughout your day. Where do you see a pile of shambles awaiting your wiling hands to rebuild them into something beautiful? What plans change from a simple item on your "to do list" to something more substantial, something that can bless you and others in your life?

Today's Bliss: Health

I have had a cold for a week now and I have had no energy. It has been frustrating, but it made me realize how blessed I am with good health. I rarely am sick, and when I am it is a minor illness. Daily, I hear about people who are extremely ill, struggling to survive. My life is bliss because I am able to enjoy it. A little cold now and then will not hinder my lifestyle. Every day, I can get up, go to work, enjoy time with my family, and LIVE! What a blessing.

Take a moment to pray for all people who are suffering and struggling to live a fulfilling life due to illness.

Today's Bliss: Friends

Looking back at my life, I see how many people have moved in and out of it. From elementary school to now, I have had a lot of different friends. Many of them are not in my day-to-day life at all anymore, but this does not make me depressed or sad. Rather, I am so grateful for the role that people played in my life while they were there. And, more importantly, I hope that the role I played for them was positive and helpful.

I think that God gives us relationships that we need just as he gives us the food, water, and shelter that we need. Some relationships we'll need forever; others we will need for a shorter time. I don't mean to sound like I think people are disposable...I just mean that as all of us continually grow and change, walking along the pathways of our life. As we walk, our paths will cross with others, or sometimes we completely join with them and we'll walk side by side.

I have had a few friendships end throughout the years, sometimes through a misunderstanding that just cannot be cleared up, or sometimes because life circumstances pulled us in very different directions. While I feel regretful for some of these occurrences, deep down I know that just as there was a reason to have that friendship, there is also a reason that it ended. Whether I understand it or not. This is where Faith comes in!

I am so blessed to have a great group of friends in my life that are diverse, supportive, fun, and steadfast. Nothing is better than chatting with an old friend, even if our busy schedules have not allowed us to talk in a long time. The relationships that I have with the people in my life truly help me to remember that my life is bliss.

Today's Bliss: Faith

Having faith defines me. I have always deeply believed in God and honestly cannot remember a time when I questioned His very existence. I may question the "whys" of things that He does, but I never question that He is there, listening to me and blessing me...even in hard times. It troubles me when people claim to not have faith in anything. Sure, I see the challenge in putting faith in a governmental system, other human beings, or even yourself at some times, but having no faith in a higher power? That is hard for me to understand.

If I am ever having a day when I feel that I cannot see God at work, I stop and really look at nature. Animals, trees, grass, plants: all are intricately created and formed in a beautiful way that allows them to thrive in their native environment. If this much attention was given to grass as it was being created, I am positive that I had even more.

God is faithful to us at all times. I can only hope that I will always have strong faith in Him; because when I do, my life is bliss.

Today's Bliss: Summer

As summer ends today, I am happy looking back at what a great season it has been for us. N and I have had the opportunity to travel, spend time with family, enjoy a lot of quality time together, and relax. I have hope that the fall and winter will be just as blissful. I am looking forward to crisp morning air, carving pumpkins, turkey dinners, Christmas parties, and family get-togethers.

When a season changes, I am always surprised by how quickly time seems to pass me by. It seemed just yesterday that I pulled out my short-sleeved shirts and thankfully put away my jackets! But this is how life is: always moving forward, whether we are ready or not. I pray that I am ready to face whatever lies ahead of me as we finish 2011, taking time to stop and enjoy the life of bliss that I am blessed to have everyday.

Today's Bliss: Peace

Today is International Day of Peace. This is a hard thing to grasp on a big scale. From war-torn villages in far off lands to large American cities dealing with a population that is 10% homeless, our country is in conflict here at home and overseas. But whether or not we are actually in a declared time of peace, today is a day for everyone to stop and think about their lives. Are you creating peace in your life (for yourself and for those around you)?

Something that is very difficult for me to learn is how to fully be at peace. How to avoid conflict and let go of things, situations, relationships, etc. that cause disquiet in my life. But building a life of peace is something that I will always focus on. Life is too short to not embrace peacefulness; because for me, a life of peace means a life of happiness and bliss.

This summer N and I went to Europe for two weeks. It was a great trip and we got to see a lot of different places and monuments. One of the places that we visited was a memorial at the remnants of a WWII concentration camp called Amersfoort in the Netherlands. This site had been a place of so much hatred and suffering...everything that is the opposite of peace. But the memorial was beautiful, and I was very moved by the place of peace that had been created to remember the souls who had passed through this camp.

If something this beautiful and peaceful can be created at a place that had been filled with so much conflict and terror, then there is hope for all of us.

To celebrate this Day of Peace, pause for a moment to pray that people everywhere can find hope and peace in the midst of the chaos that may surround them.

Today's Bliss: Surprise

I felt sickly today: a combination of allergies, a sunburn, and the beginnings of a cold. I made it through the workday okay, and was focused on getting home to cook a good dinner for N before he had to leave for his Bible study. I wasn't looking forward to all of the effort that cooking and cleaning up would entail, but I was readying myself for the task.

I arrived home and headed straight for the kitchen. And then...Surprise! My father-in-law, D, had sent home chili with N for our dinner tonight. I was so happy and relieved! I am sure that D had no idea what a big thing this would be for my sick self, but what a blessing. It was such a small thing, but it really made my day. (And it was delicious, as D's cooking always is!)

Blessings like these are all around us. We just have to look. And next time you have a hunch to send food to someone, shoot them an email to say hello, or call them to see how their day has been, do it! You never know when that person may need a surprise and a little something to give them some bliss.

Today's Bliss: Fun

Today N and I went to the first Titans home game of the season. The weather was beautiful, the game was entertaining and victorious, and it capped off an already good weekend, making it a great weekend. Sometimes you just need to have some fun! Where else are you aloud to scream, wave a pom pom, and jump up and down? And of course wore my vintage 1999 AFC Champions t-shirt, my traditional garb for all of the Titans games that I've been to.

N and I at the game (we sat in front of disgruntled Ravens fans):

Go Titans Go! :-)

Today's Bliss: Connections

This weekend has been busy, but in a pleasant way. N had a couple of events surrounding his 10 year high school reunion and tonight we attended a fundraiser with several members of our church. When I think about the different groups of people that make our life what it is, I am speechless. I am now in my late twenties and married, which means I have connections with people who I grew up with, people that I went to college with, people I work with, people I go to church with...and N has the same groups in his life, too. Our community is made of many people.

When I was younger, I wanted to move far away and start over from scratch, building a new life with new friends and contacts. But now, I am so grateful for the people I know from all of the different parts of my life. Whether I only see them on Facebook or I see them regularly at church, I am blessed to have community and connections with a diverse group of people.

Look around your life. The different people you know are uniquely your own community. No one else will have the exact same connections that you do...not even your spouse. So take a moment to give thanks for the connections that you have. God has placed people in your community for a purpose so that you can enrich their lives and that they can enrich yours.

Today's Bliss: Scooter

Coming home is always a wonderful feeling, but when this sweet face is waiting for you, life is bliss.

This photo was taken during a winter day and Scooter had snow caked in his beard! We couldn't get it out so we had to let it melt for a while. Scooter is 4 1/2 years old and he has been a faithful companion to me through thick and thin. His tail is always wagging, he's always happy to see me, and he is my sweet boy.

Animals are dedicated to their families, they are not judgemental, they forgive easily, and they are always ready to show love. We all could learn a little something from our furry friends.

Today's Bliss: Acceptance

I have been striving for perfection my entire life. I want to be perfect in everything I do, at all times. This is, of course, completely impossible, but I try anyway. Daily. Mostly without even realizing it.

I have made quite a few mistakes in the past 24 hours, ranging from burning last night's dinner to serving out a completely unnecessary sharp comment to someone who didn't deserve it. Tonight during dinner I made a verbal list of my missteps to my husband, N. His response was exactly what he always says to me: "Don't be so hard on yourself."

What an incredible blessing to have someone who forgives you and accepts everything about you. Someone in your corner who is ready to defend you, even if they are defending you from yourself. I honestly don't know how my self esteem survived before I had a full-time encourager, reminding me that I am not expected to be perfect at all times. Instead I am expected to be myself, a normal human being who is a mix of good and bad.

I will continue to strive for perfection in how I treat others; this is something that I will always focus on improving. But I will try to treat myself a with a bit more forgiveness, too. Because acceptance from N is important to me, but accepting myself is vital. And this acceptance definitely is bliss.

A Blissful Project

I have always tried to focus on the positive, and, alas...my realist personality always seems to win. But, I have recently been pondering on what happiness really is. What does it mean to be blissful? What do you "need" in your life to have bliss?

The world is in such a state of turmoil right now. People are starving, jobless, struggling, searching for a light at the end of their long, dark tunnel. I look at my life and realize that I am incredibly blessed: I have a wonderful husband, supportive family, a fun job, a healthy body. I definitely have some bad days, but overall...I got it pretty good. So when I have a moment of frustration, instead of letting myself give in to anger, I need to breathe, look around and realize: my life is bliss.

I am embarking on a journey to identify the little things in life that make me happy. By focusing on the positive things around me, I hope to cleanse my heart and mind of negativity, fear, frustration, and anger. I want to be a better person. I want to uplift people around me and live a life of service. I want to be like Jesus.

My Sunday School class has been reading a Rob Bell book and it has been one of my main inspirations for starting this blog. The great Rob makes a point that I find profound: we are the Eucharist. We are called to break ourselves open, pour ourselves out, and serve others. Whether this is not honking at a driver who is this close to hitting your car in a parking lot or it is giving your local Contributor newspaper vendor an extra couple of dollars that you can spare, we can all do a little more to reach out to those around us and share some happiness.

So, my journey begins. Finding happy, sharing it, and openly showing the world that I am in a state of bliss.