Month: December 2012

Tonight I was busy talking to Aunt Dot and then realized that Dutch had not moved in quite some time. I paused and realized she had planted herself next to the dog food container and was sitting and staring at it. I realized I had forgotten to feed her this evening and in a very quiet way Dutch got a message across to me. I quickly placed one scoop in her dish and within moments, she was enjoying her Eukanuba (brand of her dog food) meal!

I walked away smiling and amazed at how this dog of mine has learned to communicate. It got me thinking more about how often we may communicate something without words, hoping someone will notice. I know that at times I will position myself in a certain way, hoping someone will hear what I am thinking….

As we go into these holidays, it may be tempting at times to long for something and remain silent. I want to invite you to use words and risk asking for what you need.

I am thankful to have learned over the years to find my voice and use words to communicate my feelings, wants, needs and desires. I don’t always do it well, but I am thankful I don’t just have to wait by the food container hoping someone will hear what I am thinking….

 

 

 

This is my current Facebook status:

Isaiah is sleeping over. He told me his bedtime is 815 and although he likes the idea of staying up later on Friday, his body doesn’t really know what day it is. He crawled in bed to watch Scooby Doo and at 815 exactly he was out. Gotta love a six-year-old who knows how to listen to what his body needs! ♥

As I wrote it, I began to realize that I have not been listening to my body very well.

It really is the basics….water, sleep, exercise, nutrition….

I know it has to do with how busy I allow myself to be, but it also strikes me how easy it is to drown out the needs of my body….water, sleep, exercise and nutrition.

I have come a long way on my journey of understanding my basic needs…

I have come a long way in measuring and weighing my foods….

I have come a long way in recognizing that 3 oz of chicken and 12 almonds is sufficient….

BUT

then I realize how easily I am distracted and how quickly I sacrifice what I know to be best for what I am craving in the short-term…

then I realize how easily I let my schedule interrupt my plan…

and then I realize that I am convinced but not yet convicted…

My goal in the next 30 days is to listen to my body and let my heart leap off the cliff of conviction!

And with that I am going to finish my last glass of my one gallon of water for the day and get my 8 hours of sleep!

 

 

 

Just breathe…

Sounds so simple….

Sounds so obvious…

And yet, I find the words helpful!

I had a week where I was just too busy…

And yet I planned every event I participated in this past week…

I had a choice with each activity…to say yes or no….I said yes each day and each evening…

I enjoyed each event…

And yet by the end of this day, I know that it is a week I forgot to breathe…

When I forget to take time to breathe, I lose the joy in the simple things…

When I forget to take time to breather, I lose my spontaneity and freedom…

When I forget to take time to breathe, I lose my ability to look beyond myself and love others well…

I am thankful for this simple reminder tonight and will hang this note to self around my house: just breathe!

 

 

 

 

I was outside this afternoon and was silenced by the sound of birds….

There were so many birds chirping and the sound was almost glorious…

And then I remembered it was almost Christmas….

I am not sure I can recall every hearing the birds in December like I did today…

The weather has felt like a mystery over the last year…

And yet I must be honest that I really liked biking on December 3…

And so, as much as I love the birds and the biking, I do believe that the frozen ground helps to prepare the land for Spring. And so I am willing to say good-bye to the birds and move my bike downstairs, but I will say that in my prayers, I am asking for lots of sunshine in the coming months!

So, as the cold weather comes and the winds start to blow, may we remember that there is a purpose, even to the cold!

Dress warm and enjoy!

There is a song at the start of Parenthood the TV show that has the following lyrics…

May you always do for others

And let others do for you…

Tonight those words seem so profound…

I wonder if we lived out these words

of being kind to others and embracing kindness from others, how different our world might be…

Give it a try today….

may you always do for others….

And let other’s do for you….

Enjoy the journey of kindness….I can tell you, it is life changing!

 

 

 

My nephew turns 9 today…

And without a doubt, when I think of this sweet boy, I think first of his smile…

I also think of his story….

How he was born in Haiti…

How he lived in the orphanage…

How he cried for days straight when we went to meet him…

How he came home and began to smile, and really has never stopped.

Jean Marc is a deep thinker, funny, compassionate, a natural gymnast, and loves one on one time.

He plays hard, laughs hard, sleeps hard and has a heart that is so tender towards the kids in Haiti….

Jean Marc is clear about his desire to adopt a boy from Haiti and tells me regularly how he will take his son to Disney for his birthday when he turns 7. He knows what house he wants to live in and as a kid who had a bit of a rough beginning, God has blessed him with the ability to have a dream and a vision!

Jean Marc is a fun cousin and is well-loved in the Borgdorff bunch. 

I often wonder what his life may have been like if he hadn’t been adopted and I quickly catch myself remembering what is important is that God selected him for our family. He has been adopted and he is very loved and deeply liked and enjoyed. I am thankful that this wonderful 9-year-old calls me Aunt Trish. I am thankful that this tender 9-year-old has a passion for life, laughter and loving others. I am thankful that this wonderful 9-year-old has the name of Borgdorff and is included in this wild and crazy bunch I call my family. I love you Jean Marc. You are one of a kind and a creative creation of God.

Enjoy being 9 and never stop smiling!

Today is my 43rd birthday and I planned to have a wonderful day…

At the end of it, I can say it was filled with fun and celebration, but I am so thankful for a very special moment.

This morning we went to participate in my nieces profession of faith. Anne is 16, quiet, confident, beautiful and thinks and acts clearly.

As she stood in front of her church today, and in her quiet and calm way answered the questions asked of her about living a life of faith and being an active member of the church, I was overcome with gratitude. I have never birthed a child, but my heart loves my nieces and nephews as if I did. To hear Anne’s professions of faith, to watch her embrace her faith and to witness her courage as she lives her  faith out in the day-to-day, brought tears to my eyes and swelled my heart to almost bursting.

As I get older, I realize that gifts are wonderful and fun, I love the tangible gifts I received today, but the moments with those I love are one’s that will never fade or clutter. My heart grows with those special moments and today, on this my 43rd birthday, I am very thankful for the special moment of Anne’s profession of faith. I love that kid more than I ever thought possible.

I saw this picture tonight and it made me smile deep within….

Is this ever how you feel, even with all of the holiday spirit surrounding you?

I hope that you are able to live honestly this holiday season.

I hope that part of your living honestly will include moments of deep joy…

I hope that part of your living honestly will include moments of silence…

I hope that part of your living honestly will include moments of Worship…

I hope that part of your living honestly will include much grace and love towards others (and yourself)

I hope that part of your living honestly will include laughter, meaningful conversation and reflection…

I would guess part of your living honestly will include some anger, sorrow, disappointment, sadness and tears…

I would guess part of your living honestly may include you choosing to not engage in a power struggle, silly argument or the need to have the last word….

And sometimes living honestly might be living like sweet Alyse in the picture above. But don’t forget, Alyse lives full of smile and sweetness almost all of the time!