Day 8 of Giving Thanks

By Cathy Smith

This is a tough day for many to give thanks.  In an election, there is always a winner and sometimes it's not who we would prefer.  I would like to give thanks that we as women have the right to vote. Without the 19th amendment, I would not have been able to vote.  I am thankful our foremothers worked so hard to give us that right.  I am working for my generation and future generations in Illinois to have the right to have a  CPM attend their home birth.  It is currently illegal in our state.

We may not have the final say in who leads our country, but we can always work hard to make changes in our world, large or small.  I am thankful for the strong women in my life, and thankful that we have a democracy in our country.  We can always do something.  We can instill in our daughters strength and dreams. We do this with the women we serve at births.  I choose to raise up my daughters to be strong.  After all, "little girls with dreams, become women with vision."-Unknown

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 7

Today, I'm grateful for the opportunity to start over, start new things, and face giants.  

It is pretty terrifying, doing things that are unfamiliar, things that you never thought you would be doing.  I'm thankful that God shows me in big ways that he's by my side.  This song from Francesca Battistelli has been popping into my head all day, and these particular lyrics just reach out and grab me.  Enjoy!

We could really live like this

Can't you imagine it

So bold, so brave

With childlike faith

Miracles could happen

Mountains would start moving

So whatever you may face

Don't you be afraid

Of giants in your way

With God you know that anything's possible

So step into the fight

He's right there by your side

The stones inside your hand might be small

But watch the giants fall

Warmly,

Andrea

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 7

Today, I'm grateful for the opportunity to start over, start new things, and face giants.  

It is pretty terrifying, doing things that are unfamiliar, things that you never thought you would be doing.  I'm thankful that God shows me in big ways that he's by my side.  This song from Francesca Battistelli has been popping into my head all day, and these particular lyrics just reach out and grab me.  Enjoy!

We could really live like this

Can't you imagine it

So bold, so brave

With childlike faith

Miracles could happen

Mountains would start moving

So whatever you may face

Don't you be afraid

Of giants in your way

With God you know that anything's possible

So step into the fight

He's right there by your side

The stones inside your hand might be small

But watch the giants fall

Warmly,

Andrea

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 6

In a world where we are taught that "practice makes perfect" and we strive to always focus on being the best versions of ourselves, I am thankful for my mistakes and my flaws.

Sometimes we may feel that we have everything together, and then the world seems to think it's just about time to knock you down a few notches.

While it's so hard to see through the regret and disappointment, I'm thankful that my mistakes give me the opportunity to learn and grow. Without these experiences I would never evolve to be that best version of myself.

Life sure takes a lot of practice, and I guess this journey does get us as close to perfect as we can hope for. No one is perfect, but we are all perfectly flawed.

Keep on living and learning,
Marissa

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 5

Today I am thankful for unconditional love.  I'm not talking about romantic love.  Not that exciting, new love when you first fall in love.  Although, that love is pretty great... but that's not the kind of love I can really appreciate today.

I'm talking about the kind of love that a mother (or father) and child have for one another.  The kind of love that we have for our siblings.  The kind of love that very best friends have for each other, that they support one another, no matter their differences.  The love that Jesus Christ has for me, for us!

I'm continually overwhelmed with love when my daughters run to me and love on me when I feel like I've been neglecting to give them the attention that they deserve.
I'm overwhelmed with love when my brothers, sister, and their spouses reach out and ask me what I need, and are willing to carry my burdens, alongside me.
 I'm overwhelmed with love when I pray for a forgiving heart because I'm feeling bitter, and Jesus sends me love, healing, and new friendships to take away that bitterness.

I'm so very thankful for unconditional love!

Warmly,
Andrea

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 4

Tonight especially, after truly enjoying sharing some laughs with my girls I am thankful for the healing power it holds. It can jolt you out of a funk in no time. 


This week has been a difficult one filled with worry and stress, but in moments of laughter everything can freeze and we are able to experience only that moment of pure bliss. 

Whether it be tickling tiny bellies until they are squeaking and squealing with giggles, or the gut wrenching, tear trickling, 6-pack growing laughs with your best friends, there really isn't much better medicine for your soul than a good laugh, and that I am grateful for!

~Caley

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 3

This blog came from Marissa, on the night that The Cubs WON The World Series:


As I sit with my family, watching Game 7 of the World Series, I am struck by the overwhelming support Chicagoland is giving to the Cubs. 


 No matter if you are a Cubs fan or not, or even a baseball fan at all for that matter (like me), people everywhere can be seen wearing Cubbie blue and be heard singing, "Go, Cubs, go!" 


 This unbiased support reminds me of the amazing job we have at A Joyful Journey to support a laboring woman in her choices, no matter what. 


 Tonight I am thankful for the unconditional love and support we are blessed to give and receive. It is so very important, and it is something everyone can benefit from.  

With love and support to you all, 
Marissa