ThAnKsGiViNg - Pt 1: Chicagoland

This past weekend we headed to my parent's home outside of Chicago to have our first of 2 Thanksgivings; the first was with my side of the family. I am so thankful for the family that I am a part of, the family that God placed me in. God knew just what He was doing, as always. Sure, we're crazy, but we sure do know how to have a lot of fun when we're together!
We got together on Saturday to eat some amazing home-made grub. We all got to be together, which doesn't happen often since we live in a different state, and it was a blast. The party started at 2pm and lasted until after 11pm. We ate, played games, told stories, took pictures... We made memories, and I am so thankful for them.
Before dinner we started a new tradition: each person, kids included, say one thing that they are thankful for. It seems so simple, but it was a huge blessing and a sweet time of sharing. God can use even simple things like that to draw us closer to Him and to one another. It was precious.

Here's some pics of the day:

Ben & dad's favorite pastime - Chess


Turkey Prep


Whip cream in the mouth - our family specialty



This is us :)

living under guilt

According to dictionary.com, guilt is defined as, "a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined."

“Long-term, gospel-motivated obedience can only come from the grace of what Jesus has already done, not the guilt of what we must do.” -Tullian Tchividjian

So thankful for a God, for an Almighty Father that takes it all; One who I want to surrender all to; One who wants me to lay my burdens at His feet so He can set me free.
God doesn't motivate by guilt, He doesn't want us to be motivated by guilt, and He doesn't want us to motivate others by guilt. I used to and sometimes still do struggle with guilt until I realize that it is not from God and it can never be from God - I have to cling to that truth on a daily basis.
I no longer want to do things or function because of guilt I feel. I don't want to do things around the house or for Ben or for loved ones or in my church because I feel a guilt-led responsibilty to do it. I don't to be carrying around this guilt that I wasn't meant to carry, that I have been set free from.
Guilt, I am done living under your never-ending pressure. So done. Set free. So thankful.