Thanksgiving 2014 – On Track

As I mentioned yesterday, our family Thanksgiving tradition includes tracing our hand prints onto a white tablecloth.  In each of our fingers, we write down something for which we are thankful.  This week, I’m taking time to share something I’ll be writing on the tablecloth this year.  I’m hoping you’ll contribute to the conversation by leaving something for which you are thankful for each day.

Here is the second thing I’ll be writing down this year:

On Track

On Track: Life Lessons from the Track & Field is the name of the book I self-published in April this year.  The book was a project in that it helped me learn more about the writing and self-publishing process, but it was more than just a project or experiment.  It truly became something for which I am very proud.

I’m thankful for the many people who contributed to my project.  There are too many to list here, but there are a few that deserve special mention.  I’m thankful for John Noonan who graciously lent his design talent to create a book cover that captures the essence of my book.  I’m thankful for Anita Comfort who utilized her English experience to edit my book.  I’m thankful for Matt McWilliams, Rob Shepherd, Diane Karchner,  Dan Erickson, and Mark Sieverkropp who read my book ahead of time and offered generous endorsements.  I’m thankful for the people who reviewed the book on Amazon.  These people (and many others) contributed to making the book release process as enjoyable as possible.

I’m thankful for the many people who have purchased the book or given it away for others to read.  I wrote this book for me, but I also wrote it for other people.  And I’m honored that people would take time to read my book.

I’m thankful for writing in general.  As I indicated in the introduction to the book, I haven’t always enjoyed writing, but it has become a part of me through the book, through my blog, and through the writing community I have joined in the past several years.  I’m thankful for the opportunity to stretch and express myself in ways I would not typically explore.

I’m thankful for the hope this book project represents for future personal writing dreams.

What is one thing you would put on your thankful list this year?  Why?

Thanksgiving 2014 – Guatemala

Our family Thanksgiving tradition includes tracing our hand prints onto a white tablecloth.  In each of our fingers, we write down something for which we are thankful.  This week, I’ll take time to share something I’ll be writing on the tablecloth this year.  I’m hoping you’ll contribute to the conversation by leaving something for which you are thankful for each day.

Here is the first thing I’ll be writing down this year:

Guatemala

This one word captures a lot of my focus this year (again).  I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve in the village of Xenacoj for the third summer in a row.  It’s not just about building houses or traveling to someplace far away.  It’s about building relationships.  It’s about transforming lives in Guatemala, in the United States, and in our own home.  And it’s definitely about having a mission mindset.

This year, I’m thankful for Betty, Marcos, Wendy, Fernando, Jose, Rosita, and El Abuelo.  We may have helped their family by building a house for them, but they deeply impacted our family.  This is the same for Angela and her family.  These two families touched us in ways that words cannot fully describe.

This year, I’m thankful for German, Suzie, and their family.  They hosted us in Xenacoj, and they made sure we felt welcome.  Because of German’s family, we know we will always have a home in Xenacoj.

This year, I’m thankful for Dave Sgro of Go! Ministries.  Dave demonstrated a man after God’s heart.  He is a man whose heart breaks for the things that break the heart of God.  Our family came home inspired thanks to Dave’s honest sharing throughout our time in Xenacoj.

This year, I’m thankful for the generosity of those here in the United States who helped to make this trip possible.  It’s takes a team to pull of this kind of trip, and many of you were part of this trip through your donations and prayers.

This year, I’m thankful for the folks from Liberty University Medical School.  They were part of our experience at the end of our trip this year.  They came scouting possible locations for medical students to serve and learn.  They showed our family the power of vision.  In the coming year, they will have the opportunity to provide medical support to communities in Guatemala who will benefit in a major way.  On top of this, we met some great lifetime friends through a couple of days together.

I could go on and on.  Guatemala once again left a huge impression on me this year!

What is one thing you would put on your thankful list this year?  Why?

5 Ways To Enhance Your Thanksgiving Celebration

Do you want to make this Thanksgiving special?

November is the month for thanksgiving thanks to the holiday happening next week.  While I’d love to see thanksgiving be better represented the rest of the year, I confess that our family probably concentrates more on giving thanks during this month than the other months in the year.

If you want to make kick up your Thanksgiving celebration an extra notch this year, I have a few ideas for you.  Here is a list of several ways to enhance your Thanksgiving experience.

1. Run or walk at a Turkey Trot.  A few years ago, I did the Thanksgiving Marathon in NYC which might be considered a little overboard by many.  Why not get out and run or walk a community 5K?  Many towns across the country have started their own Turkey Trot.  My wife and kids have run one in Latrobe, PA several times.  The races are always fun, and it makes the turkey taste so much better later that day.  This year, we’re planning something a little different.  If the weather works out, we are planning to meet at the bicycle shop in our town for a community bike ride on our nearby trail.  It’s more like a Turkey Trail Ride as opposed to a Turkey Trot, but I think it will be just the way to get us ready for the Thanksgiving festivities.
2. Invite someone over for dinner.  My guess is that you live near someone who is missing out on family.  They are lonely, and they may not have to means to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal.  Why not invite them over to your house?  Usually, there are more than enough leftovers to go around after the Thanksgiving feast, and we can always put an extra chair around the table.  This year, we are looking forward to hosting another family for Thanksgiving.  It will be fun to spend time together over the Thanksgiving meal.
3. Go out and serve.  There are hundreds of opportunities around your community.  The church in my hometown of Mt. Holly, NJ used to hold a Community Thanksgiving Day meal where our family served a couple of times.  This was a great way for my parents to demonstrate that Thanksgiving was so much more than turkey and football.  We had the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.  Why not find a place to serve with your family this Thanksgiving season?  (If you’re in the Perkiomen Valley area, consider joining our H.O.P.E. group.  We gather together twice a month to serve others in our community.  You can find out more about the group by going to our Facebook page (HOPEontheway).
4. Start a Thanksgiving tradition.  For nearly fifteen ten years, our family has been using the same tablecloth for our Thanksgiving dinner.  The tablecloth is white.  Each year, those in attendance trace their hand onto the tablecloth using different colored fabric markers.  Then in each of the five fingers, we write down something for which we’re thankful along with our name and the year.  The tablecloth is now filled with names of grandparents who are no longer with us and with years of thanksgiving.  As we look at the table each year, we have opportunity to reflect on how God has blessed us even through years of challenge.  Why not start a new tradition this year in your home?  Go buy a tablecloth and some fabric markers today!
5. Make it Thank You Thursday every week.  Matt McWilliams is a friend of mine from the blogging community.  A couple of years ago, Matt wrote about starting a Thank You Thursday Revolution.  In his post, he encouraged readers to write a handwritten Thank You note each Thursday.  Since his post, I’ve been writing a note every week to put into the mailbox of a co-worker.  It’s been remarkable to see the reaction.  We don’t need to be thankful one Thursday of the year.  Why not join the Thank You Thursday Revolution today?  It will change your world and the world of those around you!

This is a start!

What other ideas can you add to the list?  How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?  How can do you plan to transform your holiday?

Ice Breaker – Thanksgiving Feast

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you survived your turkey coma.  I hope you had a great day of Thanksgiving yesterday.  Did you have a Thanksgiving feast?  Most of us (at least in America) chowed down on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and other assorted culinary delights.  Before you forget, this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker is inspired by the Thanksgiving feast.

Question:  What is your favorite food from your Thanksgiving feast?

My Answer:  Stuffing. Some people call it dressing.  It goes great with mashed potatoes, gravy, and turkey.  And stuffing is usually made a little different by each person.  More recently, I discovered there are many different varieties of stuffing.  For example, last Christmas, I made a corn bread, chorizo, and corn stuffing.  It was absolutely delicious.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep STRETCHING!

Also don’t forget to sign up for the weekly Stretched newsletter.  Check out this post to find out how to sign up.

Thank You – #28

Thank You No. 28

Today, I’m thankful for family and food.

I’ll be enjoying both today as we celebrate Thanksgiving at Leanne’s folks.

Why are you thankful today?

Don’t forget to sign up for the weekly Stretched newsletter.  Check out this post to find out how to sign up.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

May today provide an opportunity to spend time with family, to eat some great food, and to reflect on our blessings.

How are you celebrating Thanksgiving today?

Thank You – #26

Thank You No. 26

Today, I’m thankful for vacation.

I’m taking the next few days off to celebrate Thanksgiving and to be with family.  As I wrote about a couple of weeks ago (Pause), it’s important to take a break from time to time.  I’m looking forward to a break.

Why are you thankful today?

Don’t forget to sign up for the weekly Stretched newsletter.  Check out this post to find out how to sign up.

6 Ways To Make Your Thanksgiving Holiday Extra Special

November has been designated as the month for thanksgiving due to the holiday that falls towards the end of the month.  While I’d love to see thanksgiving be better represented the rest of the year, I can also tell you that our family probably concentrates more on giving thanks during this month than other months in the year.  You probably noticed that I have also added a separate post each day so far this month to express my thanks for someone or something.

Today, I want to give you some ideas for enhancing your Thanksgiving experience this year.  Don’t wait until the last minute to implement these ideas.  Start today to make your Thanksgiving extra special this year!

6 Ways To Make Your Thanksgiving Holiday Special

1. Run or walk at a Turkey Trot.  A couple of years ago, I did the Thanksgiving Marathon in NYC which might be considered a little overboard.  Why not get out and run or walk a community 5K?  Many towns across the country have started their own Turkey Trot.  My wife and kids have run one in Latrobe, PA several times.  The races are always fun, and it makes the turkey taste so much better later that day.
2. Invite someone over for dinner.  My guess is that you live near someone who is missing out on family.  They are lonely, and they may not have to means to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal.  Why not invite them over to your house?  Usually, there are more than enough leftovers to go around after the Thanksgiving feast, and we can always put an extra chair around the table.
3. Go out and serve.  There are hundreds of opportunities around your community.  The church in my hometown used to hold a Community Thanksgiving Day meal where our family served a couple of times.  This was a great way for my parents to demonstrate that Thanksgiving was so much more than turkey and football.  We had the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.  Why not find a place to serve with your family this Thanksgiving season?  (If you’re in the Perkiomen Valley area, consider joining our H.O.P.E. group.  We gather together twice a month to serve others in our community.)
4. Change up the menu.  If you are like me, you like everything the same way every year – turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, etc.  For some though, this may sound boring.  Why not change things up on your Thanksgiving menu?  My brother made beef tenderloin several years ago when we visited their family for Thanksgiving.  Maybe you should try Chinese food or fish or something more exotic.  Whatever it is, use this time to eat together with family and friends and to be thankful.  I knew menu could be the catalyst for new memories.  I still remember the year we deep-fried our turkey.  It was different, and it was something we will always remember.
5. Start a Thanksgiving tradition.  For over ten years, our family has been using the same tablecloth for our Thanksgiving dinner.  The tablecloth is white.  Each year, those in attendance trace their hand onto the tablecloth using different colored fabric markers.  Then in each of the five fingers, we write down something for which we’re thankful along with our name and the year.  The tablecloth is now filled with names of grandparents who are no longer with us and with years of thanksgiving.  As we look at the table each year, it gives us to reflect on how God has blessed us even through years of challenge.  Why not start a new tradition this year in your home?  Go buy a tablecloth and some fabric markers today!
6. Make it Thank You Thursday every week.  Matt McWilliams is a friend of mine from the blogging community.  Last year, Matt wrote about starting a Thank You Thursday Revolution.  In his post, he encouraged readers to write a handwritten Thank You note each Thursday.  Since his post, I’ve been writing a note (or several notes) every week to put into the mailbox of a co-worker.  It’s been remarkable to see the reaction.  We don’t need to be thankful one Thursday of the year.  Why not join the Thank You Thursday Revolution today?  It will change your world and the world of those around you!

This is a start!  What other ideas can you add to the list?  How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?  How can do you plan to transform your holiday?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From The Stolpe Family

How are you spending your Thanksgiving Day?

Ice Breaker – Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving

Each week on The Stretched Blog, we ask an ice breaker question.  The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community.  I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments.  While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

This week’s question is inspired by a Thanksgiving tradition in our house.  Each year, we put a tablecloth on the Thanksgiving table.  Each person in attendance traces their hand-print onto the tablecloth.  Then they write down five things for which they are thankful – one for each finger.  Over the years, our tablecloth has filled up with hand-prints of many sizes and shapes.  There are hand-prints for loved ones who have passed away.  Each hand-print represents a year of thanksgiving.  We’ve almost filled up our first tablecloth as we’ve been doing this for over ten years.  I’m looking forward to reading your responses to today’s Thanksgiving Ice Breaker!

Question:  Name 5 things for which you are thankful this year.

My Answer:  (1) I’m thankful for my trip to Xenacoj, Guatemala this summer.  This trip was a major leap of faith for me.  Through the trip, I saw God provide and I experienced major stretching as I interacted with the teenagers on the trip and with the people of Xenacoj.  This was certainly a milestone experience for me.

(2)  I’m thankful for the blogging community.  I continue to stretch as I participate in this community as both a writer and a reader.  I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

(3)  I’m thankful for my job.  I’m an operations manager for a company that designs and installs building automation systems.  Besides the technology, I love the people I work with every day, and I appreciate the opportunities I have to help people in their own career journeys.

(4)  I’m thankful for my kids.  Wow!  They keep growing, and they keep amazing me with their talents and with their thoughtfulness.  In many respects, they teach me every day about the importance of putting others first.  They teach me patience.  And they teach me to aim for the stars.

(5)  I’m thankful for my wife.  This is last but clearly not least.  Leanne is my treasure.  I appreciate the opportunities we have to work towards goals.  I appreciate the insights she brings into my sometimes thick skull.  I admire her heart for others – her servant’s heart.  I’m blown away by her beauty.  And I’m inspired by her example of encouragement that she brings to our marriage, to our family, and to all of her relationships.  I am blessed.

There you have it – my answer.  Now, it’s your turn.  Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment.  I look forward to reading your response!