weekend thanks

so the husband decided to post yet again. i am super
thankful for my awesome friends in west chester.
and ange and i are heading up to see all of them today.

suhweet

First...

Today I am thankful for all of our firsts. Since we've been married a little over 5 months, tomorrow will be our first married thanksgiving together! I love finding the new norm, coming up with new traditions and all the new experiences that we have together.

Yet to come...
-first half-anniversary (I think its like half birthdays and should not be overlooked!)
-first Christmas, we're working on our first christmas playlist!
-first Valentines day
-first get-aways & vacations
-first anniversary

Things we've done...
-first beach trip with the Gallaghers
-first pumpkin picking. :)
-first apartment
-first nyc trip and zoo trip
-first time both being sick and the same time. :)
-first married cg

so much for equilibrium.....

so the husband decided to post again since this whole blog shenanigans is predominantly dominated by the more thoughtful and witty party of the recently married bowers couple. so....here are even more things i am grateful for....

1. College...yes, just college, AND the fact that it's over, so I could get a job and marry the gorgeous girl that posed with me in this picture with my fake diploma.


2. Unfortunately, with the ending of college comes the ending of rooming with this goober. (No really, I am saddened by that fact. No, really....I am.) But we still manage to catch up, dress up, and clean up in a few locations around the east coast.

3. Chillen with my bro at various events....currently seems like we chill alot at football games of various types. Here we are with our man Jayson (dude behind jesse) at the redskins/cardinals game....
And some support of American Corporate Capitalism Greed...(AKA starbucks) at the cousin's super bowl.

4. Chillen with the dawgs.....both of them pictured below.

5. Hanging around with Kevin and Anne's boys. These guys are awesome dudes, and they do a great job taking care of their mother as dad is currently deployed in the Middle East. Thanks for being such a good example of how to care and respect your mother guys. You rock.6. Lastly, two goofballs I have for friends have made the list.....pretty much just because these two pictures make me and angela laugh. But they really are cool guys anyway....ya'll should get them to sign your baby's forehead or something.

-Tommy O (in riot gear apparel)

And Nicky D (seriously folks, thats the only tie he owns. send him your clip ons)

books

Today I am thankful for books and authors. I love curling up with a good book, especially on an almost-wintry days like today. I'm thankful for people who put hard work and many hours into writing for my enjoyment. I am thankful for books that challenge us to grow in our thoughts and understanding of God's character. I'm thankful for books that help me to see my sin and remind me of the grace of God upon my life to change. Here are some of the books I've been digging into recently. What's your favorite book you've read in 2008???
“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
- Dr. Seuss

my turn! pick me!

so now its husband's turn to post on the gratefulness of the blog. i'm grateful for many things...and not all of them are really super related or anything. but they are all favorites...

1. the wife (most favorite)
2. home cooked meals (made by the wife)...some favorites include: tortilla soup, mac n cheese, BBQ ranch cheesy chicken dip, and sharpie's death balls.

3. my jeep
4. a very sweet job

5. grown up field trips

6. 40 asians admiring the bull in downtown manhattan

7. fat gorrillaz. yesh, i spelled it that way on purpose...

thanks for the memories

If you are in any of the pictures below, thanks for the memories. I love that life is full of crazy, special, sweet and hilarious moments. I love looking through old pictures and remembering. If you have any good old pictures, please send them my way!!

youth camp admin '08 (admin olympics!!)

Sharpie's rehearsal dinner.
Meg's big day!!

roomies and google.

moe and ange... we are going to be the coolest old ladies.

Me being a fake homeschooler.

NA.

N-I-C-K-Y-D

One of the times Sharpie locked her keys in the car...running.

Goshen Fair...the best fair.

old school youth camp.

Traci's bachlorette. Purple Parrot. :)

boys football league.

target trips.

Viva Bolivia '06. On the Road of Death.

Movie trip, someone went into the mens room by accident.

Stephie's rehearsal dinner

Sign for the Chicken BBQ, office fun.

Admin. YC '07. Charity's finest.

Brooklyn or bust. When WOW MOM started.

Cross Culture christmas party.

Classic Youth Serving Day.

Jer's graduation. Go Rams.

NA '06. The year of the road trip.

One of the mischief-eves. some of the best times.

fighting pride with gratitude

"Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow." -Michael Ramsey

omniscient

Today I am thankful that the Lord is all knowing. As I am reading through Isaiah, not understanding the majority of what I am taking in, it is a comfort to know the Lord knows it completely.

Romans 11: 33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable are his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

gas prices

Today I am thankful that the gas prices are the lowest they've been since 2005. Praying they're staying. :)

champs

Today I am thankful for sports, especially football.

This morning some of the Gallaghers (Jer's mom's side of the family) gathered to watch the twins Brett & Brendan play in their superbowl. They won!! It was lots of fun to see them play and their dad as head coach. I love the enthusiasm sports brings from both the players and the fans. Good job guys!

love endures all things

Firstly, Today I am thankful for love. How empty and meaningless life would be without love. Ephesians 1: 5 "in love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ". Through the Lord's love for my unlovable soul, I receive: Salvation, Adoption, Union, Sanctification, Peace, Mercy & Compassion, Security, Blessings, the list is endless. I'm so thankful that God loved me first, because I am sure that in my rebellion I would refuse him still. Take the time to listen today to All I Have Is Christ. Photo Credit: Miss Lydia Hartnett


Secondly, it being our 5 month anniversary, I am thankful for love on this earth. That the Lord would choose Jeremy for me, astounds me still. Sharpie and I often talk about how much better God's plan for us is. (sometimes I need the reminder!) So, Jer today I am thankful for you. You are the greatest gift to me apart from my salvation. Often when you fall asleep I lay there thanking the Lord that he would be so kind to give you to me. I thank you for your love for me, that endures all things. I pray that our love for one another would grow and exemplify 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7. Some of my favorite things about you: when you talk in your sleep :), your love for all things police, your love for people, that you looked up that song and are learning to play it for me :), how serious you take your roles in life and when you burn bugs that sting me. :) Thank you for loving me dude.

fuzzy and blurry

Today I am thankful for my contacts and glasses. It would be so sad if I had to go through life not being able to see clearly. I wouldn't be able to drive or do most normal activities. They are such a huge blessing. I remember the first time I got glasses. We got into the car to drive home and I just remember being amazed at what the leaves and the grass looked like. Everything was so much more defined. Though sometimes it can be a bummer having poor vision, it helps me to understand so much more the expression "look through the lens of scripture." Without the truth of God's word so many things would be so fuzzy.

Today is: "I think you're boss day"

Shout out to Traci Prater Healey for her brilliant mind, she came up with the title "I think you're boss day". As a part of gratitude month 2008, I thought it would be fun to thank someone in your life that you appreciate and has a special place in your heart. Someone who you wouldn't normally take the time to thank on a day to day basis. So, start thinking of your gratitude dude or dudette and I will share mine with you...


1. This dude like myself, has a love for peanut butter, but I'm a skippy peanut butter fan and he's a peter pan fan.


2. Mystery dude once fell through his bedroom ceiling and lived to tell the story.


3. Mr. Dude should have been a candidate for the 2008 Presidential election...I would have voted for him. Not to mention his wife would have made the best first lady ever.


Have you guessed yet.....


Dr. Seuss.....Nope, he was a close runner up



Mr. Rogers.....No (he died people, the saddest day in Leo's life)




Mark Prater....Bingo


For those of you who don't know, Mark and Jill Prater blessed Jer and I by doing our pre-marital meetings. We loved having one on one time with them, learning lots about the married life from them. And lots about Indiana. :) They were always open to our questions and sharing personal experiences with us. Thinking back I know that we were spoiled to have the opportunity to receive their input and prayers in our lives. Our marriage thus far has been richly blessed and that is due to their influence in the "early days". Thank you both for your love and care for our souls.

JaMarcus, I specifically wanted to thank you for your love for the local church and its people. I thank the Lord for choosing to bring you back to Covenant Fellowship after your church plant to Pittsburgh. I strongly believe that you were a means of grace in the life of the church during some difficult seasons, and often you were the one who I specifically remembering caring for my soul and leading me well. Growing up with out a father, I had no lack, due to men like you and the pastoral team who shepherd the flock with a regard for its utmost importance. Thank you for living a life that is pleasing to the Lord. Thank you for loving your wife and daughters in a way that sets an example for the young men in the church to follow. Thank you for loving God's people, who I'm sure aren't always easy to love. :) And thank you for never straying from the truth in God's word.

random list

The things I'm thankful for that don't get a post all to themselves....

-brita
-little surprises
-sharpies
-su doku (jer is becoming a pro)
-gchat
-jodi picoult books
-weddings
-the 411
-gilmore girls
-prizes in cereal boxes...if they still have those
-text messages
-corn dogs
-secret meetings in the book shoppe storage closet
-"someone's" library fines.
-snow
-scope
-popsicles
-magazines
-chick flicks
-target, anthropologie, ae, etc.
-good perfume/cologne
-All things Christmas
-flip flops
-vest
-pictures
-kids
-mail
-football
-flowers
-sleep
-beach
-pranks
-advil
-post-it notes
-ipod
-dogs
-stories involving: jamarcus, nickyd, sharpie, kenny, moe, etc.
-camping
-going to the movies
-happy pappy & the finance queens
-bucket lists
-spell check
-sweatshirts
-speed scrabble

jeep-jeep

Thankful for our jeep.

It is all things good.

Red and pretty.

Has a sunroof.

Makes Jer feel tough.

Has room for future kiddos.

Holds all our stuff.

Takes us to our friends up in Philly.

Drives us to church, stores and various outings.

Is a great beach vehicle.

We rock out to our tunes in jeep.

Jer & Ange heart the jeep.

The best is yet to come.

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." -Revelation 4: 9-11

Reflecting this month on all the things the creator has given us, has been such a good reminder to me that the best is yet to come. Because one day we will be face to face with our creator, standing along side of the twenty-four elders declaring Worthy to the lamb who was slain. Today I am thankful that this earth is not our last stop, but we have eternity with our Savior to look forward to.

Thankful for food!!!

Thankful for all the yummy food...

Heart shaped muffins. Dr.Pepper. 5 Guys. Guacamole. Bacon. Cheese. Linda's Chocolate cake. Cookie cakes. Starbucks. Mesa. Wawa. Food Source. Sushi. Sarah's death balls. Mac & cheese. Water. Moe's burritos. Milkshakes. Blue moon. A good salad. Zebra Cakes. Chips (the rippled kind, I give the folded ones to sharpie). Lafrance luncheon, lunches. Mrs. Oneill's pancakes. Mom's stuffing. Mashed potatoes. Kildare's nachos. Purple parrot margartias. Strawberries.

My list could be endless. Comment your top 5 foods you are most thankful for!

bridesmaids

I am super thankful for all of these ladies who stood beside me on my wedding day. Each of them have helped me to grow in godliness and bring laughter to my days. I thank the Lord often for the gift they are to me.

Josie: Is my sister in-law. She is filled with the joy of the Lord. The thing that stands out to me the most is how helpful she is around the home. She will make an amazing wife and mother someday. Favorite memory of Josie- She was trying to figure out why our new email address was bowers.jerange and Josie was like what is a jerange... :) umm he is jer and i'm ange. Gotta love those Josie questions. (Josie... what does FBI stand for!?!?)

Maureen: My Moe. We grew up in the same church, but didn't become good friends till about 2 years ago. And she has affected my life greatly. She is thoughtful, compassionate, and strong in her faith. Favorite memory with Moe- This one time we were on an Alpha retreat, Moe saw dead people... :)

Steph: We go way back, lots of memories, growing together and big life moments. She is the life of the party wherever she goes. Steph has always been good at challenging me, asking the hard questions and bringing truth into my life. Favorite memory of Steph- shaving our legs in that tiny tub at YC and getting an odd look from Mrs. Harvey. :)

Meghan: Just drove down and surprised me today. I was shocked to open my door and have her standing there, balloon in hand! :) But that is just a small picture of Megs love for people, which I have often been the recipient of. Favorite memory of Megs- would have to be when we went to this market in Bolivia that was "like your ebay"...it was nothing like ebay. It was the Bolivian black market, filled with the best thieves/pick pockets in La Paz.

Traci: Traci did admin for the youth ministry while I was in it, and the early days of admin when I first joined the youth a-team. T is one of my favorite people to talk to, ever. She has such a gift of wisdom and insight and who I love to go to for advice. Not to mention she is just the definition of fun. Favorite memory of Traci- was NA '06 road trip, we stopped in Pittsburgh for the night, and Traci whips out this little finger puppets....

Sarah: Sharpie and I have been friends since junior high, we've been through it all together. She is so humble when it come to her own sin, and so helpful to draw me out about my own. Sarah has always encouraged me to pursue the Lord in all things and been faithful to pray for me. Favorite memory of Sharpie- Well this one time when we were loving others through the form of pranking, Sarah was the get-away driver (not sure whose idea that was) and when we drove pass the house we pranked someone yelled duck, and well everyone knows the driver shouldn't duck....she did.

Perspective

Please take the time to read...

http://albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=2715

rainboots

Today I am thankful for my jcrew rainboots. They make my heart happy, especially since I got them for $20 instead of the original $65. Everyone loves a good sale. So, today I am thankful for good finds, good sales and rainy days to wear my boots in. (it down poured 10 minutes after we took this picture, photo credit: kurt)

Rock the Vote

Today I am thankful for our country and the freedoms we have. Its easy to take it for granted, since I've never had to suffer to gain freedom. But many souls fought hard to make it easy for us to vote today. So, lets not take it lightly.

Today's election reminds me to be thankful for the ultimate ruler, over all creation. I'm thankful today, that my hope is in a God who is not shaken by an election, who already knows the outcome and who holds all things together.

Colossians 1: 15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Jer and I have a voting date tonight when he gets off work and before we head to cg. I'll try to snap a photo to post! Second time voting for presidential election for me, first time in Maryland!

5 things I'm thankful for today!!

1. The local church. Eric Simmons shared yesterday how the local church is proof that God's plan for salvation worked. How kind of God to allow us to be a part of His plan.

2. My new crocs. My slippers I wore to death needed replacement, figured crocs would be more durable. And who can resist 50% off!?

3. Tissues, cough drops, cough medicine, tea, hot showers and a warm comfy bed. The husband and I have had a cold for the last week and are thankful for small comforts. We were also thankful to be sick together, it wouldn't be fun to be sick alone.

4. Jesse Bowers. The best brother in-law...ever. We like to laugh a lot, and have heart to hearts, and talk about his naturally wavy hair, and what I should name his future nephews or nieces. His favorite right now is Jesse, so we can call "him" LJ...little jesse.

5. That Jeremy is half way through the Academy this week!!! How kind of the Lord to bring Jer thus far.

Gratitude Month Begins!!!

Things Jer and I are thankful for...

Ange:

-Autumn and my husband's cute butt.

Jer:

-COPS (the show)

Both:

-Pumpkins!