The Impossible Season

It really is impossible. It is an impossibility that I could actually get packages sent to Washington ON TIME. So if you are a family member, please know that your stocking stuffers are bought...but not sent. I like to think if them as the "New Year's Stuffers." It is a way to extend the holiday. By the way the same holds true for our (what turned out to be blurry) Christmas Cards. I put "Happy Holidays" on them, not because I was being PC, but because I was I just knew that a Christmas Card was a little beyond me...

So, speaking of the impossibility...I want to follow up on KD's Blog of yesterday. Mary. The mother of the savior, the financee who rode a donkey (actually, I am not sure this part is actually in Bible - do you know?)...who gave birth in a stable, as a virgin, who was full-fledged servant of the Lord.

Now, if I was God, and I wanted my Son to come to earth as the mighty king, I think I would have had the best accommodations possible, and had him be born to a beautiful, well-liked, well-respected woman. I would have had a purple velvet blanket to warm him, and had a parade and trumpets. If this was the Savior that I had foretold of, that all of the Old Testament prophets had discussed, I would have had it witnessed and documented by Kings, not a couple of Shepards and a few animals. Isn't it just impossible? Doesn't it just seem so?

So if you wonder if God's ways are our ways...just remember that he chose Mary, a stable, a few Shepards. This was the KING foretold, the salvation of Israel. God uses unbelievable people in unbelievable situations. Isn't it just impossible to fathom?

There is great mystery in the story. I love that. I love to BELIEVE the IMPOSSIBILITY of the story, you must have FAITH (small as a mustard seed), not BIG faith, but enough to let God work on you and through you.

I have a new appreciation for the story this year. I hope that I can treasure the impossibility of this story for the other 364 days. It is an impossible season, made possible by the only one that could.

Lord, Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this story. Thank you for the birth of Jesus. Thank you for the love you showed us all through the gift of the savior. Thank you for the impossibility of the story; that we may know it could only be of YOU. No one else would have done it in this way. Lord, thank you for friends and family, and help them to see your impossible season for what it is. Help me to live this impossible story each and every day. To be in the presence of you, the one who does things so differently than I would have. Use me. Help me to be that servant.
In your holy name, AMEN.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my papa's birthday! I Love him! He has been my supporter, my cheerleader, my mentor, my fix-it person, my confidant, my friend, my teacher, my coach and the voice of reason in my head. He is my dad. If you know him, chances are you love him too. He has that affect on people...

Here is a few recent moments with my dad...

Celebrating Mom's Retirement and the Wedding!

With three of the four kids...and Shane!

Three generations of Coonrad boys!

Aunt Roma, Dad and Aunt Loretta. It appears there is a genetic link here!

Dad and I doing what we love to do...checking out cattle!

Three things that I learned from my dad that I hope every person learns:

1) Life is about problem solving...sometimes we have to figure things out on our own. I remember one year about two weeks before the Jr. Livestock Show in Spokane and I realized that my steer wasn't "finished." I told Dad. He said he knew...but he thought I was a little late figuring it out to do much about it. I didn't do too well that year, but I learned a lot. It was a similar thing the year dad told me to do my own taxes....

2) Life is about family. Dad and Mom would sacrifice anything for their kids. They did it growing up. They do it now. Family is important. I thank God that I know how important family is. It's because of Dad and Mom.

3) Life is Love. Sacrificial, non-judgemental, limitless love. I learned this from my papa.

If you see him, will you wish him a Happy Birthday? Have a piece of cake with him. Tell him he is wonderful. Tell him thanks for the lessons. Tell him his Wormie loves him.

Counting my Blessings

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

This was the theme of today's Daily Bread devotional. It said to COUNT your many blessings. Really...COUNT them. I don't think I can. I am thankful for so many things...little things. I am not sure I can count them. So in no particular order...I am going to work on just this weekend.

One - I am thankful that I am warm over the holiday and I don't worry about where I will be tonight.

Two - I am (usually) thankful for my pets. Just kidding!

Three - I am thankful for my job.

Four - I am thankful that the semester is over.

Five - I am thankful I have a car that works.

Six - I am thankful for Christmas

Seven - I am thankful I have a husband who goes to church with me.

Eight - I am thankful for Coffee.

Nine - I am thankful for kind words from friends.

Ten - I am thankful for time to work on my dissertation.

Eleven - I am thankful for our home.

Twelve - I am thankful for peanut M & M's.

Thirteen - I am thankful for Jim Dugan who is helping me with my stats tomorrow.

Fourteen - I am thankful for holiday parties.

Fifteen - I am thankful for graduations (we had our College of Ag Graduation on Saturday).

Sixteen - I am thankful for holidays with families (the planning, the fun).

Seventeen - I am thankful for MadGab (the game) that we had SO much fun with over Thanksgiving that we had to buy it for Christmas, also.

Eighteen - I am thankful for family.

Nineteen - I am thankful for the legacy's of family (I am channeling Genevieve and her cookies today).

Twenty - I am thankful that grades are due tomorrow so I can be done grading (down to the last four inches of grading - down from three feet).

Twenty-one - I am thankful for late night chilly walks...It makes the house seem warmer.

Twenty-two - I am thankful for fire places.

Twenty-three - I am thankful for Hot Chocolate and Russian Tea.

Twenty-four - I am thankful that people put up outdoor Christmas lights.

Twenty-five - I am thankful that we have food so I can make Mark's lunch (so many don't even have this).

Twenty-six - I am thankful for laughter.

Twenty-seven - I am thankful my husband will hold my hand (usually...).

Twenty-eight - I am thankful for Nicole's name on my caller ID (she didn't even leave a message - it just makes me smile to see her name).

Twenty-nine - I am thankful for God's plan and God's timing.

Thirty- I am thankful for Cougar Gold Cheese (really, isn't it great)??

Thirty one - I am thankful for a good night's rest.

Thirty-two - I am thankful for naps.

Thirty-three through thirty-six:

Lindsey and Sawyer, Sawyer, Sawyer and Sawyer (come on...he's cute enough to warrant four "thankfuls").

Thirty Seven: I am thankful for coffee and conversation on Saturday mornings.

Thirty Eight: I am thankful for a good marriage.

Thirty Nine: I am thankful my sister (she is on my mind today).

Forty: I am thankful for good recipes.

Forty-one: I am thankful that I know my savior.

Forty-two: I am thankful for the great sermon this weekend by Pastor Charlie Sandberg.

Forty-three: I am thankful for the Little Church in LaSalle (Pastor Jeff is leaving...they are on my heart).

Forty-four: I am thankful for Sirus Christmas Music on the TV.

Forty-five: I am thankful for Irvin Berlin's White Christmas (I love this musical - a tradition I stole from the Franklin's :)! I could watch it a million times (maybe I have)...

Forty-six: I am thankful for whoever is reading this. You are a blessing to me.

I am thankful of my blessings too numerous to count (and this is just over this weekend).

Count yours...it will be shocking

Working from Home; the Life of a Pet

I am working from home today because I am technically done with the semester except for the mountain (actually it is only 3 ft. high - no kidding) of grading to do - which I can do at home!! Yea!!

I am dissertating and working on grading (back and forth) and Sugarland is playing on my IPOD (it is a brief reprieve from my usual holiday music).

I am in my pajamas and am downing my third cup of coffee. Isn't God grand? This is truly renewal of the spirit (see KD's post!)...

And I looked over and saw the pets...this is their life EVERY day...seriously, how great is that?

When I took their picture, they both looked at me like I was seriously disturbing something very important in their life.

Really?!?

3 am

It is amazing what can happen at 3 am. My friend Nicole has always had a bit of insomnia. Yesterday she told me that she believes that this is the Lord working on her...I loved it. She said that if she did a better job of praying in the day, maybe the Lord wouldn't wake her up at night...when she truly finds diligent prayer time. I love this...
Until last night when I woke up at 3 am and started counting days until my paper had to be submitted...AAAHHHHHH!!! Unlike Nicole, I panicked; my heart started to pump blood a little faster...I didn't pray; I panicked!
So this morning I awoke (a little fuzzy headed) and decided I needed a plan (and perhaps a miracle). Here it is:

December 12
Literature Review
December 13
Literature Review
December 14
Literature Review
December 15
Literature Review
December 16
Literature Review
December 17
Literature Review
December 18
Analysis, Literature Review
December 19
Analysis, Literature Review
December 20
Analysis, Literature Review
December 21
Analysis, Literature Review
December 22
Analysis, Literature Review
December 23
Chapter 3 Revisions
December 24
Chapter 3 Revisions
December 25
Chapter 3 Revisions
December 26
Chapter 3 Revisions
December 27
Chapter 2 Proofing and Revision
December 28
Chapter 2 Proofing and Revision
December 29
Chapter 2 Proofing and Revision
December 30
Chapter 1 Proofing and Revision
December 31
Chapter 1 Proofing and Revision
January 1
Chapter 1 Proofing and Revision
January 2
Analysis, Chapter 4
January 3
Analysis, Chapter 4
January 4
Analysis, Chapter 4
January 5
Analysis, Chapter 4
January 6
Analysis, Chapter 5
January 7
Analysis, Chapter 5
January 8
Analysis, Chapter 5
January 9
Revise 4
January 10
Revise 5
January 11
Revise 4/5 SUBMIT PAPER

I am determined to take it a bit at a time. I am praying that I can hear the Lord whisper to me each day that I can do this. So that while I need to write each day I also want to enjoy the holiday, New Year's and my anniversary; but I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I am leaning (very heavily) on the rock this morning, praying for the ability and perseverance to pull this off!!
Asking for strength, confidence, and supernatural ability. He has brought me here, hopefully together we can make it to the end.
Also asking for that restful sleep; that 3 am thing kills me!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It started on Thursday night...

And didn't stop until yesterday morning...

And it's really COLD!!

So the snow is crystally white and fluffy...

And very COLD!!!

But it looks like something out of a movie...

And even at night it is light by the reflection off of...

The blanket of untouched snow...

It is an unbelievable scene for an unbelievable season.

Many blessing and peace for you today.

Merry Christmas!

Husbands and Trees

My husband loves me. I am not sure why at times, but he does.

Last weekend was our annual outing for the "Christmas Tree Find." We go to the Roosevelt National Forest about an hour away from Fort Collins and "hunt" the perfect tree.

Our day goes like this...

We get up early; we want to make sure we are one of the first up there - someone else might find our tree in the vastness of the forest.

It is ALWAYS cold and windy...so there is a mad dash around the house to look for long underwear, make coffee, pack snacks. Did anyone pack the saw? Do we have something to tie in the tree?

We load into the old Toyota pickup. The trip is sure to be rough, and 4-wheel drive is required.

Then we stop here. Vern's has the best cinnamon rolls in Fort Collins. They are delicious. This is a mandatory stop. The cinnamon rolls are so big you will need a big cup of coffee to eat the entire thing. And then just as the sugar threatens a nap, you arrive at the forest and the dog in the back seat goes wild!

And then we look, walk, look, hike uphill, hike downhill looking for the perfect tree. See, it's hard looking for one in the natural setting. It is very easy to find a Charlie Brown tree. And when you think you have found the perfect one..
You realize it is actually THREE trees!

We make this harder because I like Spruce trees, not pine trees. So we have to look in the valley's where water is a bit more abundant. And then we spot it. Mark looks anxiously at me...is this the one? I give it my seal of approval...and Mark's work begins. He cuts and hauls...I take pictures.

So, this is how I know Mark loves me. I get two trees. Yep. TWO. Why? Not sure - probably because I have enough decorations for two. Last year I decided I needed two - one for each level of the house. But they don't really fit upstairs...so I have two in my living room. And I got two this year, also. He must love me...

Because this year when we got the trees home...they were too tall...for even our vaulted ceilings. It is hard to keep a spindly tree strait in these situations. It took a LOT of time, to get them in the house, and somewhat upright. And then...well we don't have a ladder. I know it is so urban of us (where are our country roots anyhow?) So this year we had to move the trees over to the balcony...so we could decorate them from the upstairs (I am not kidding). We couldn't even reach the top from standing on a bar stool.

I forgot to mention that our tradition is to drink (red wine) while decorating. It is a dangerous situation in our house!!

They never really look this tall in the forest.

And then the decorating...Mark doesn't really get my creative vision (yes, honey, I mean to put those pheasant feathers on the tree), but he tolerates me just the same. And in the end, he always thinks they "look good." I think he might secretly be annoyed with me. I think he believes that we have taken the "Christmas Thing" too far. But he loves me...so he moves trees, hangs lights, asks if this is where I want the ornaments.

And then they look like this...

And all is good in the world.

I love Christmas. I love him too!

Tawnya

Happy Birthday Tawnya!!

Today is Tawnya's 30th Birthday.

There are so many things I could say about her. I first met her when I was a student teacher, she was the teachers aide. It was much later that I found myself in the midst of a second circle of girlfriends...Nicole, Lindsey and Tawnya. We were all at a strange transition in our life. We practically lived with one another. We laughed. They (not me) talked about stomach issues (no need to go there??) We had garage sales. We ordered take-out (a lot)! We ended up most evenings over Queso and Margs at the RIO!! (Still do, when we can). We were fearless! We shared our lives, thoughts and emotions. It was that moment in time that I am so thankful for - it was so unique and unexpected - this gift of friendship.

If I could sum up one word that best describes Tawyna it would be GENEROUS! Yes, she is my beautiful red-headed friend, yes she is diligent in her work, yes she is an incredible mother, yes she is an incredible confidant, yes she is kind...but mostly Tawnya is GENEROUS.

She calls to check in - more than I do. She can always make time for you. At every major event in my life, Tawnya was by my side. When I got married two years ago...it was my sweet, pregnant friend that tireless worked with the flowers, put on a shower, set up the reception. She is faithful and giving. She is generous. She is kind and understanding. She is generous. She loves...with her whole entire heart. She is generous.

Over the last two years we haven't been in the same town. But I see her a lot and I am thankful for that. Each visit is peaceful. She encourages me to relax, take a soak, read. She is generous. Each visit is fun, filled with laughter. She is generous. She worries about me (and everyone else, too)! She is generous. She has two incredibly cute boys - she is a diligent mom. She is generous. She is a wonderful daughter and sister. She is generous. She is the most un-judgemental person I know. She is generous.

I have so many incredible friends that I am thankful for - but Tawnya - today I am thankful for you. May the love of our Lord continue to wash you will blessings. May you know today, that I love you and am so thankful for this friendship of ours. May your 30th be filled with incredible memories. May the next 30 have even more. May you know, without a doubt, that your generous spirit is one I love and aspire to have. Know that I am so very thankful for it!

If you read this, will you pray for Tawnya today? Shout praises to the Lord for this incredible woman!

"Even in the darkness, light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice." Psalm 112:4-5.

PS - sorry about the picture. We have taken many over the years, but this is the only electronic one I have!!

The Birth

I am tapping into the season. This morning we got up (at a ridiculous hour) and worked out. I actually like going to the gym before 5 am because then I get to turn on the TV. I turn on CMT. I know...a little cheesy - but who's to care...we are alone in the gym. I sweat and breathe heavy to the tunes and videos...and decide what my next download will be to my Ipod (I love that thing). Interesting...I never watch CMT at home - it is a workout thing.

So I am working away and Brad Paisley's song "When I Get Where I'm Going" comes on. It is one of my favorites. In the song there is a line: "When I get where I'm going, I will shed the sins and sorrows I have carried all these years" or something similar. ;)

We all carry heavy burdens, whatever the cause. Moments we would take back. I have one that I am working on diligently now. I will shed the sins and sorrows. I will walk hand in hand with the Lord. I will understand all of those things which I just DON'T get in this life. I will be eternally happy. It must be the best Christmas ever in heaven.

I must never forget that this is all possible because the God decided that there would be a human son. It is because of this special birth that the savior can take on my sins and sorrows so that I can live in that freedom. This incredible trinity started when the Father gave the Son, the reason we celebrate this holiday.

Now I know that we need to be accepting and loving to all faiths, ethnicities, etc this season. But somewhere down inside, I like to think that everyone in their holiday glam is celebrating this special birth with me. See, I get it...and maybe this is the season they will, too. Won't you pray for this with me?

In the season of gifts...only the perfect gift could be given by the perfect ONE.

Merry Christmas!

A Spirit Without Limit

Good Morning!

What a busy, crazy time! Most everything in my life right now is "after my dissertation" but I wonder if I will fill that time with "other" things. I just seem attracted to the craziness of life. I spent time with a good friend yesterday who is considering a job change. It makes me sad. He is so good at Ag Ed. And yet, I understand the need and desire to slow down and appreciate a normal pace of life. I know that I am speaking to the choir of over-achievers in this blog...what would life be like if we could just 'take off' and ski for a day (ok, I don't ski...but you know what I mean)! Who are these people who ski on a Monday day anyhow???

I was complaining on Thursday last week to another friend about all I have to get done. He reminded me to not make things harder and more difficult than they are. He kindly said that it is achievable...otherwise I wouldn't be in the middle of it!

Regardless, I focus on the lists, the tasks ahead, the things I must get done today. The plan.

I should focus on the maker of all tasks ahead. I need to focus on the big, big maker of all things. The true plan, and the true planner. He is bigger than all things, He is in these lists and events, and He is the author of my plan. He is limitless in what he can do, and He knows what I can handle.

I was reading my bible about love yesterday and came across John 3:34. It says:
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God
And God gives the spirit without limit.

Without Limit. A Spirit without boundaries and limits. A Spirit of God that can accomplish all things...so dear multi-taskers...let's embrace our nature today and love that God in us can help us to get everything accomplished! Let's focus on the maker of tasks, not the tasks in the business of life!