Thirty Days of Thanksgiving.... Day 23

Today I am thankful for my boss. I have worked for Rick for nearly 12 total years. He has been a truly great boss and yes, friend. There have been times that he really has gone above and beyond what a typical boss would do. We may not always agree on some things, but  truly  I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to work for him.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving.... Day 22

Today I am thankful for my husbands parents! Richard & Sue have been such a blessing to me. I am so thankful that they opened their arms to me when Eric and I married. Their love and support is something I will always treasure. And my love and respect for them simply goes beyond measure. Thank you Richard & Sue for not only giving me the best husband, but for making me truly feel a part of such a wonderful family.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day21

Today I am thankful for laughter! It refreshes a person like nothing else can. It envelopes the brain like no other emotion, it releases chemicals in your body that helps you to relax, to reduce stress,  and it promotes better health. What a great gift from above! 

 In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
Khalil Gibran

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 20

I am so thankful for quiet mornings. Let's face it... a family of 6 with 2 pets, a full time job (where my name gets called about 4 thousand times a day for this or that), and well, just life that gets busy, sometimes overbooked and FULL..... can lead to a great need for cherished quiet moments. I find those moments in the early morning hours before the rest of my household get up for the day (with the exception of the cat). I get my Bible reading/study done, have time to check my email, facebook, and of course I have started back here blogging once more! Mornings are my 'me' time. The rest of the house is still in slumber and I find my day goes so much better if my day starts out with some quiet moments. Thank You, Lord, for my quiet mornings.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 19

Mia making presents in Russia

Today I am thankful for my Mia. She is my opinionated, talkative, height-deprived (thought of  new words for it ..lol), hard working, ever loving, sassy, beautiful as the day is long, child. For her beauty is not just skin deep, but flows from her very spirit. I have seen her give all that she has and mourn that she could give no more, watched her gladly minister to others even while she was in need, and I have seen her faith grow leaps and bounds while going through trials. She is a whiz in the kitchen and out on the soccer field, can out work most of the young men her age, and is always ready for the next adventure! I am so thankful for you my precious daughter!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 18

I know this is gonna sound odd, but here goes..... today I am thankful for all the needs/pain/shortcomings in my life.... for with all my needs met, all my pain taken away and all my shortcomings suddenly gone, then I would have no need for the grace of God through Christ. Now, I can experience what God wants from His children, an ever looking towards Him to supply what it is we need whether it is a physical need, an emotional need or a spiritual need. I am thankful today to know that my needs, whatever they are .... can be met by the One who holds the world in His hands.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Days 16 & 17

I am so thankful that my family can bake loaves and loaves of bread (day 16) and be thankful to share them with those around us!(day 17)  Great last 2 days!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 15

Today I am thankful for our youngest son, Jed. His great sense of adventure, his questing spirit, and his loving heart are so wonderful to see. And when I look closely, its easy enough to spot.... a glimpse of the man we are raising.... but for now I am happy to just have him as my little boy!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 14

Today I am thankful for friends. Those people God puts in our lives to push us when we need pushing, that share in joys, sorrows, accomplishments, failures.... and are always there to laugh with us and at us when we fall down the front steps. Thank you each and every one of my friends for being a part of my life.... whether we see each other day to day or just get to catch up from time to time. I love you all!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 13

I am thankful for my country.




There is no place like the Republic of the United States of America!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving.... Day 12

I am thankful for days I get to spend home with my family. Now that I am a full time employee, I really do treasure the days I get to stay home, spending time with my family, and getting those things done I find important ...... or just having a lazy day!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 11

Our Veterans. This country was built on voluntary service and sacrifice of so many... and even today that tradition still stands true. I cannot think of a better way to honor our Veterans than for us to teach our children the value of our freedom by teaching them that the freedom we all cherish is not something that is without price.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 10

Today I am thankful for my oldest son, Travis. I am so proud of the man he is becoming. His sense of humor , his hard work, and his compassion make up just part of who this complex young man is. He is such a wonderful big brother to his sisters (even if the girls won't admit it...lol) and his younger brother, ever trying to take care of them and watching out for them. Watching his faith grow has been such a blessing, and I have seen over and over the heart of a servant in him as he takes on the "thankless jobs" that often go unnoticed. He is more comfortable in work boots and overalls than anything else and rather be outside than in - most days, he loves to work with his hands and is fast becoming a popular odd job man. And he is my long haired, scruffy bearded, precious to his momma country boy.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 9

Today I am thankful for my mom.... I find it hard sometimes to express in words what you mean to me, for there is so much that I want to say. So, feeling a bit poetic I will come up with a few lines .....

Mom, your life and your love are ever before me,
guiding me by example of who I should be.

You helped to shape my dreams, and from you I learned about hope-
you even taught me how to tie knots at the end of my rope.

Your strength has taught me when to stand tall, when to
bend in the wind, and in prayer my knees should humbly fall.

Your grace, your kindness and especially your love,
have all mapped the way to Heaven above.

Now that I am a mother, I hear my words echo your voice -
Since your shining example is the one of my choice.

an original .... just for you mom!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 8

Today I am thankful for my daughter, Amaris. She is always so quick to give out hugs and "I Love You's" to make a day brighter. She is my baby girl - so full of emotion... as the tides of the vast ocean. She has grown so beautifully these 14 years, I often have to fight those mommy tears.... of pain, of pride and fears and love. But I am always thankful for you, my precious gift from above.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving.... Day 7

I am thankful for my dad. To this day he influences me.... even after 10 years without him. His  character, his integrity, his honesty, his hard work and most of all his love... love for life, for us and for mom, and his love for God, have had such an impact on me. I am so very thankful to have been so blessed with such a wonderful dad.



Missing him each and every day......

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 6

Today I am thankful for Bible Class. Whether I am sitting as a student or studying to teach I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn more from God's Word. Each time I open the pages of the Bible I find some truth that is everlasting. Every page, every passage, every verse helps to remind us that God is in control. I don't know about anyone else but that makes me very thankful indeed!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 5

I am thankful for all the people in my life.... some are there to encourage me, be a comfort, be a friend, and  some to grind away my rough edges... but all are in my life because God has put them here. Thank You, God, for putting the people I need in my life.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 4

Today (and everyday) I am thankful for my husband! He is truly my gift from God. My steadfast, lifelong mate. Ever loving me, always protecting me, with him I know my heart is secure. He is my best friend, my lover, my debater... he is my soul's partner on our journey in this life.... and I am so grateful and thankful he chose me for a wife.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 3

 Today I am thankful for work, not just my job (of which I am thankful for!) but for the whole concept of work. God gave us work as a blessing. Think about it, even in the Garden, Adam worked ... and he enjoyed his work there. It was a blessing, something to occupy his days and something to contemplate in the evenings. Sin is what has made work a toil. When we understand this and truly look at work in this perspective then we can say, yes, I am undoubtedly thankful for work to fill my days.

 
Work is not man's punishment. It is his reward and his strength and his pleasure.
George Sand

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving....Day 2

I am so thankful for time...God gives us time to work, time to rest, time to pray, time to visit, time to play...  He also gave us time to heal, time to mourn, time to rejoice, time to learn, time to grow.    God gives us time to use wisely, and He gives it out evenly, each of us receive  24 hours a day....  I know I don't always use my time as wisely as I should but,     

   I am thankful for the time God has given to me!



Time to learn to be a better servant for Him!
 

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" --William A. Ward

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving....

I want to get back into the routine of posting daily again. And I thought that this month would be a great opportunity to do so. How easy it is to post a quick post on something I am thankful for each day! So here goes....


Day 1:
I am thankful for the little things in life. Hot water ( love those hot showers).. indoor plumbing.... headed out the back door is not my favorite way to visit the toilet (and yes, I have had to do that before.... I am a country girl after all) ..... blankets ( nothing like a blanket on a cool night).... blue jeans (the most comfortable of all clothes).

Happy Birthday....

... to me! Sitting back and reflecting on my life. God has been so good to me. When I strayed ~ He opened His arms in forgiveness, When I have hurt ~ He held me close, When I was distraught ~ He sheltered me under His wing... When I am in need ~ He is there right on time. Joy overflows in my soul for He has blessed me richly and has been exceedingly good to me.

Precious Thoughts from Friends

Okay, so you know those people you choose as family - those friends that are sometimes even closer than your blood - who you know God put in your life to help you in your walk with Him, help you get through this life ..... sometimes they endear themselves to you in ways that are most precious. Something they do, something they say gives you reason to thank the Lord once more that they are in your life. .... my dear, sister- friend over at As Simply As We Can has done just that with her precious post about my oldest son.....

New Pet in the house...

Okay, I did it.... I made the decision to get a cat without first talking it over with Eric (he was sleeping at the time).....Now, we had been talking about getting a cat, even the specifics like, how old, what kind, etc..... but I made the decision last night to get a specific cat... today. I hope it works out for us. I will post a picture of her later.

Hello October!

I  love the month of October, now before anyone says.... well your were born in October, I don't believe that that fact has as much importance to me as most would think.... my birthday could be in April and I still would love the month of October just the same. There is just something about this time of year, the changing of the season, the view of the constellations, the crispness in the air,the time of harvesting and  the knowledge that the winter is approaching .... but it is even more than that.... something I cannot explain. Perhaps a lost memory, a forgotten moment that has forever put October close to my heart.... whatever it is I am glad it is here.

 October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again.
Hal Borland

Okay, accountability!

 Today is the 30ith day since my commitment to read the Bible by the end of the year. This morning I finished through Judges chapter 7. I did miss a few days this month... and I don't read in order on Sundays ( I do other Bible studies and readings on Sundays) but I feel as if my priorities are becoming more in line with what God wants from me. Please help me pray that God will show me more ways He wants me to be used in His service.

what a fav song!

I just love this song! Thinking of how God holds us in His hands can make any day turn around!

Well done is better than well said....

I have a confession to make. I have been letting my Bible reading slip in the last year or so. I just really felt like my time was not my own.... in saying that.... I have committed to reading the Bible entirely before the end of the year. I am trying to follow the 90 day reading schedule. So far I have made it to Lev chapter 14 in the last couple of weeks. I am determined that I will accomplish this !!!

Recommited

Goodness, it has been a very long time since I have posted. The days seem to have just slipped by and I feel as if I have just been watching life pass me by these last few months. I have no one to blame but myself. I know that even though a large part of my day is spent at the pharmacy,  I also have wasted time that I have been given. I am determined that it will stop. I want to be more purposeful in my days. So, I am taking charge of my time, my schedule, and my life and giving it once again into the hands of God so that He can use me better.

My son, the world traveler...

Travis, our oldest, is headed back to Russia for a trip to help our good friend Erik to finish up his work in Russia. After 5 years the work they have started will now stand the test of losing its missionaries. I pray that this small group will continue to grow in faith and in number.

Travis feels quite honored to have this opportunity to go again to visit and encourage the wonderful people he met while he and his sister visited this past year. He and Erik leave this next Monday and will return mid-Feb. Please keep them both in your prayers, not only for a safe journey, but for this small church to continue what has been started.