Happy Thanksgiving

There is so much to thank God for...


386. A healthy family.


387. Great friends.


388. A cozy home.


389. Good times with family and friends.


390. Plenty of Bibles to go around and more.

391. An awesome church family.


392. A son, though far away, being cared for and loved on by others today. 


393. A Thanksgiving invitation.


394. The opportunity to homeschool my children.


395. The provision of curriculum.


396. The first year of college paid for with no loans. (Thank you, thank you Lord!)


397. Our pup who keeps us smiling.

399. Oil in the furnace, gas in the cars.


400. The cars that keep running.


401. And most of all, Salvation through faith in Jesus.


402. The Lord, our Good Shepherd who leads and guides us.


403. The Holy Spirit within us.


404. How God takes care of every detail of life for us.

"The LORD is God,

and he has made his light shine upon us.

With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession

up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks;

you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever."

~Psalm 118:27-29

Attitude of Gratitude 11/17/11

(Join in by visiting http://christianhomekeeper.org/blog/attitude-of-gratitude-november-17/  )

I am thankful today! For...


364. Coffee


365. Calls from great friends.


366. A Thanksgiving invitation.


367. Getting to homeschool my kids.


368. Getting to help with youth ministry.


369. Meeting with friends for Bible Study.


370. Music

371. The provision of yarn for knitting.


372. The school books on our shelf. 


373. Our health.


374. Furniture to sit on. :)


375. Worship Music. So often I come to church needing refreshment, encouragement or a better attitude. The worship gets my focus off myself and onto God where it should be. The refreshment, encouragement and better attitude quickly follows!


376. Those that encourage my husband and kids.


378. Christmas decorations waiting to go up.


379. The mild November weather this year.


380. More things to be thankful for than days in a year.

381. Our vehicles.


382. A great church for our college son.


383. My Bible.


384. Restful Saturdays.

Attitude of Gratitude 11/10/2011

352. I am thankful for the GORGEOUS weather we have had of late. I look up and I can't believe how blue the sky is. I step out and I can't believe how warm it feels!


353. I am thankful that we have gotten so much yard work done this week, leaves raked and sticks cleaned up and burned. 


354. I'm so thankful for my close friends and the times we get to spend together.


355. I'm thankful for my church family..."family" is the only word that fits. :)


356. I'm thankful for getting together with friends for Bible Study.


357. I am so thankful for God's provision in every area and especially that our son is able to go to college.


358. I'm thankful for The College at Southeastern, the undergrad school for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. What a great school!


359. I'm thankful for my husband and kids and the life God has given us here in Maine.


360. I'm thankful for my little compost bin. I am having an odd amount of fun using it! ;)


361. I'm thankful we were able to get our new dining room table fixed after an accidental nail polish removal spill.


362. I'm thankful the cars are running! 


363. I am thankful for God's love to me in saving me and preparing a place for me in heaven!


Here's a photo that represents a fun afternoon at a friends house. It's a yummy photo too! 

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17

Attitude of Gratitude

Sylvia from Christian Homekeeper has started an "Attitude of Gratitude" series for November and December. If you've never done Thankful Thursday or another weekly thankfulness list, this might be a good chance to try it out. You can add your blog address on her McLinky so that others can visit your blog and see your list. :) 


I am going to keep my numbering from my Thankful Thursday posts. :)
I am thankful for/because:
342. My son called me from college this morning. Just to hear his voice was such a blessing. I have been missing him extra this week. As a homeschooling mom, 13 weeks without seeing your son is a long haul!!


343. The weather has been gorgeous this week!! I love it!


344. My younger two kids have been raking this week. Little by little its getting done!


345. I got to have a "Girls Night Out" with a dear friend Tues. night. Steak bombs, the Bible, and great conversation with someone I love dearly is encouraging and refreshing.


346. I have plans to visit with another girlfriend next week. YAY!


347. My husband did the grocery shopping for me this morning. Thank God for a good man! I really dislike grocery shopping!


348. The busy pace of early fall is over and now there is more time for family nights, for knitting, for campfires, and other relaxing times.


349. Our Youth Group kids are a blessing...it's so great to hear their prayers and thoughts on the Bible, to go on outreaches with them. :)


350. We lost power during the snow storm over the weekend but I think we were restored very close to first this storm. 


351. My college son has chosen and church and starts membership classes on Sunday! Answered prayer...


"Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD."

Psalm 150

One last look at the flowers of fall...okay, cue winter. :) 

Thankful Thursday 10/27/11

I am thankful for ...

325. Getting to watch my son play soccer on a beautiful fall day.

326. Awesome kids at youth group and dedicated, loving youth leaders.

327. Church without Walls! On Sunday we met as a church, prayed, sang and then headed out in groups for different service projects in the community. It was so cool to see how much could be done when we all worked at the same time on the same day. FUN!!

328. Movie nights with the family. :) 

329. A wonderful relaxing afternoon with friends yesterday.

330. Being gifted with tickets for all of us to attend the symphony to see someone dear to us play piano. 

331. That my 14 year old son say he'd love to return to see the orchestra again.

332. Plenty of drivers for a youth event this Saturday! 

333. The luxury of getting to turn on heat when it's cold.

334. The beautiful foliage this season.

335. Waking up to notes from friends on Facebook.

336. Bible Study with girlfriends today.

337. That my annuals are still blooming having lasted all the way to October 27th!

338. For my new composter. I just love adding stuff to it and the hope of a better garden next year.

339. Great kids!

340. The awesome Bible College my son attends. So glad God led us to that one. 

341. An inexpensive flight to bring our son home for Christmas. 

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:21-23

Thankful Thursday 10/20/11

I am thankful today! :) Here's why:
312. I just love the colors of Autumn! I have to work extra hard to not over focus on the trees when I am driving! 
313. I am thankful to be getting to know the youth of my church better and to get to encourage them in their walk with God.
314. Last night we went to an awesome potluck at church and got to hear from a missionary to Nicaragua. God is using this man in amazing ways!! The fields are white and being harvested in Nicaragua!
315. When I arrived at the potluck, there were some of the boys from youth group there opening the door to us...what a blessing! Then they helped us clean up and set up for Youth Group that is tonight. What great kids!! :)

316. We've gotten through the bulk of our school work today and will have very little to do tomorrow.
317. Last spring I really wanted to balance our schooling better and make more time for outreach and service. I feel like we're doing that and it's awesome!
318. Oh, I am thankful for my girlfriends!! They point me to Jesus and help me to keep my sanity!
319. I am thankful for my husband and children. They are my heartbeat.
320. My oldest is at a great Bible College. I am so thankful the Administration does everything they can to encourage the students' walk with God and to also think of fun things to do to help them form friendships.

321. I am thankful for my sisters and mom. Family is a messy ordeal sometimes and it sure takes grit and determination to keep the ties in unity. But it worth it. 
322. I am so thankful to my God, who listens and answers my prayers. 
323. I am thankful to see my children walking in the Truth. 
324. God has provided us with a wonderful house! I do love it. 

"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1

Thankful Thursday 9/29/11

It's been far too long since I've observed "Thankful Thursday!"


I'm going to dive right in:


303. Beautiful fall weather. 
304. Seeing the beautiful foliage coming in.

305. Studying the Bible with great friends.
306. Getting to be involved in ministries and helping people.
307. Teaching my children.
308. My son coming home this Saturday for October break from school. :)

309. Family dinners and movie nights.
310. Getting to know the teens in my church through youth group.
311. Fun times with my church family (recent Harvest Party, Block Party, Park Outreach)

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe..." Hebrews 12:28

Thankful Thursday 7/21/11~Collecting Memorial Stones

My confidence rests in God and God alone. I trust in the Lord with all my heart. I do.


Yesterday I woke up at 4:30 a.m. with a sense of worry and fear. By 5 I realized sleep was a useless pursuit and I got up. Images of all that could go wrong as my son goes to college this fall ran through my head. Some things I thought about were realistic, some a little far fetched. 


"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7


Yesterday I spent time on my deck just reading my Bible and praying and then just breathing and listening to birds sing. I call it "deck therapy!!"

Today I am purposely recalling the Lord's faithfulness to me as a mother and to my son. I am remembering Alice, who when I was pregnant said to me, "Put that child in God's hands now and keep him there and life will go much better for you!" The fact is, my son has put HIMSELF in God's hands and he is there whether I recognize it or not (praise God)! And it is my CHOICE whether I dwell in the peace of that or not! Sometimes CHOOSING where to dwell is a lot more work than other times!!


I am thankful for:


282. A safe and uneventful pregnancy with my firstborn and a healthy delivery.


283. That time when he found a dead mouse intact and brought it to me that he didn't catch a disease! EW!


284. All the times he was sick and got better, all the times he was injured and healed well.


285. All the times he was out of my sight and came home safe. 


286. All the times he was put in the hands of another and was unharmed.


287. All the baseball games, basketball games, and soccer games that he was kept safe in.


288. That time when he jumped in the air in a soccer game and someone clipped his feet and he landed on his head and the sports trainer ran to the field thinking he wouldn't be able to walk but he got up...and had a concussion...but he got better.


289. All the endless car rides without incident, the airplane flights without crashing.


290. All the people God put in his life to love on him, to encourage him, to help him in his growing faith.


291. All the people God moved to pray for him over the years.


292. Last summer when we put him on a plane alone to the Detroit airport and a stranger picked him up and strangers had them stay in their home and strangers took care of him and he ministered with strangers and he came home safe and with great memories of great people who had become friends. How God helped him maneuver a big, confusing airport alone.


293. For cell phones that keep me connected to where he is and when he needs help.


294. For giving him a level head to make decisions.


295. For providing for him to go to college.


296. For confirming to him and us which college he should attend.


297. For  an older couple we know who lives near the college.


298. That we can go down to N.C. as a family and all see where he will live.


299. For school breaks about every 6 weeks so we can see him.


300. For email and Facebook that can help stay in touch with him (or show me he's alive *wink*). 


301. That God brought him this far and will continue to lead and shepherd him.


302. That God never slumbers or sleeps.


“He hath never failed thee yet.
Never will His love forget.
O fret not thyself nor let
Thy heart be troubled,
Neither let it be afraid.”

— Amy Carmichael

Thankful Thursday 7/14/2011

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18


270. I am thankful for birthday parties and fun times with friends. :) I had just the best "girl time" recently at a birthday party!


271. I am thankful my boys got to be in a parade in town with our church. I had one on a float with his guitar and one walking handing out water to thirsty folks watching, including Rachel and I.


272. I am thankful that Rachel and I met up with friends at the parade to enjoy it with.


273. So thankful my mom's flight came in smoothly on Saturday night.


274. I am thankful for the awesome summery weather we've been having.


275. So thankful to get to hear my husband preach this past Sunday. :) 


276. I am thankful that my kids love our church and for church family who love them dearly!


277. I'm thankful for the wonderful trip and safe return of friends visiting their children in Haiti while praying the kids can come home soon!


278. I am thankful for indoor appliances: dishwashers and A/C, clothes washers and dryers.


279. I am thankful for the simple joys of life that cost nothing: time with family and friends, lounging in a chair outside listening to birds sing, feeling the sun on my face, a fresh breeze when I am hot, the smell of freshly cut grass.


280. I am thankful that my children get along with each other so well. 


281. I am thankful for summer fresh fruits and vegetables.

Thankful Thursday 7/7/2011

257. I am so thankful for the ocean beaches. I love our rocky coastline, the way seaweed covers the rocks, the smells, the waves, the sound of the foam popping, the horizon, the sand, all of it! I step out of my car and I am immediately settled and peaceful. It's dependable and it's been there for me as long as I can remember. :) 


258. I am thankful for our "Staycation" . It was the best staycation that I can remember us having.


259. I am thankful for music. The other day we were coming home from the beach and all singing to the same songs, some worship, some fun. It felt good to be together and just singing. . .


260. I am thankful for family jokes. We have our own unique sense of humor and it's fun to laugh together.


261. I am thankful my son can attend college. We'll miss him like crazy but I know it's time and God has opened the opportunity and generously provided the funds for the first year. :) Wow! In my wildest dreams I did not picture such a provision. 


262. I am thankful for our crazy dog. He really is such a great dog, a born follower! He doesn't wander off, he doesn't chase other dogs. We can sit and relax outside with him knowing he'll stay with us. 


263. I am thankful my mom is coming for a 3 week visit, arriving on Saturday. She get a good break from Florida heat. 


264. I am thankful for a friendly dental hygienist. Actually all the people at my dentist are friendly. I really dislike being there but at least everyone is pleasant to be with! ;) 


265. I am thankful for friends. They have been a steady, dependable presence in my life. 


266. I am thankful for flowers, the ones that pepper my yard and the ones elsewhere that I love to photograph. On a bad day, a good look at beauty sure does cheer me up.


267. I am thankful that we are halfway done with rearranging the kids' media room. It'll be so much neater. 


268. I am thankful that my neighbor across the street seems to find all the quiet renters for his cottage! Amazing!


269. I am thankful to get to be involved with various ministries. I am thankful my husband will get to head up Youth Ministries. 


270. So thankful for God's Word. Amazing to have the very words of God written to me and for me!! 


"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 118:1

Thankful Thursday 6/16/11

"Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly." Psalm 111:1


241. I am thankful for summer! :)


242. I am thankful to be creating memories with my family daily.


243. I'm so thankful to have gotten to celebrate a sweet sixteen birthday of a girl I dearly love and all the friends that attended.


244. I am thankful for the burst of beautiful colors of the season: the various greens of trees, the gorgeous flowers, the seascapes...


245. I am so thankful for a hardworking husband. 

"Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever." Psalm 111:2-3


246. I am thankful for the blessing of being a stay-at-home mom, getting to spend each day with my kids.


247. I am thankful for this often messy house and that I get to take care of it. 


248. I am thankful to have gotten to go with the boys to play mini golf and with all my kids to the mall. 


249. I'm thankful for my fellowship group and the great discussions we have over the Bible.


250. I'm thankful for my little aches and pains that remind me that I am growing older and must cherish each day!

"He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever." Psalm 111:4-5


251. I'm thankful to have grown up in a wonderful Christian family and for the family I have now.


252. I'm always thankful for my church family, for our vibrant worship, for our messy ministry, for the chance of learning and loving together.


253. I am thankful that God never gives up on me, that God is slow to anger and abounding in love, for His grace and mercy to me.


254. I am thankful to live in a quiet neighborhood near a lake and pool, 10 minutes from church.


255. I am thankful that God has given me a future and a hope. 


256. I am thankful that though I miss my dad, especially on days like Father's Day, that I know I'll see him again in heaven someday.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise." Psalm 111:10

Thankfulness

I missed Thursday again...that's okay...I'll just be thankful on Friday too. :) There are so many needs around our country and around the world. So many are hurt by severe storms and other tragedies. For some we must pray and trust God to send the right people. For other tragedies, we ARE the right people and we need to go and do what God has called us to do. So, as I write out my blessings as a praise to God, it is not without recognizing those who are suffering here and around the world. 


I am reading through Ephesians today and was so struck by all of the spiritual blessings for those who turn to Jesus by faith. 


234. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Eph. 1: 3-6 So much to be thankful for...


235. I've been having fun getting veggies planted. I am so thankful to get to plant food we can eat. 

Here's my little tomatoes...

Bush cucumbers...

Garlic...

...and green bell peppers...It's a good start!


236. You'll notice marigolds around my veggies. Marigolds keep the consuming bugs away. How awesome that God gave us flowers that are beautiful AND protect our food!


237. Also thankful for the beauty of flowers and I've started filling my pots as well. 

Oh, bad picture...but you get the idea. I like to leave room for them to expand and grow as I fertilize...

238. I am doubly thankful that I got a lot of things done this week that I have been procrastinating! There's often stuff to be done that I don't particularly like to do. I always pray that God will help me find motivation for what I have procrastinated and then I seek to push through. It feels so good when I am done. Most of these things involved paperwork but it also included getting my dog shaved down for summer (which he hates of course).
Here he is before:

And after...

I love how he goes from pudgy dog with all the fur to tiny with no fur.


*Side note...speaking of paperwork...this is what it looks like when I get motivated to get it all done... I tend to do it all at once. I guess I should be thankful that:
239. My family is very patient with my ways!

I like everything where I can grab it...lol!


240. I am thankful for family times around the campfires, making smores while we talk and joke around. 

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." 1 Thess. 5:28

Thankful Thursday 5/26/11

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22


223. My son (Christian) finally got to see one of his favorite bands, "The Wrecking", and he got to go with close friends. He even got his shoes signed by the band. I guess we'll be keeping those shoes for awhile!! 

224. The weather is turning warm and it's time to put my flowers it!! I love looking out the window at glorious COLOR!!! Rachel and I often will go to a greenhouse just to take it those beautiful flowers. Bringing some home is JOY!

225. My birthday is next week and I can't think of a thing I really want. That really seems like a blessing in itself. I'm going to be 46 years old! 


226. My firstborn has graduated high school (I bet you knew that, I've only said it a million times...lol...).

227. I've been knitting up some cheerful, bright dishcloths. It might seem like a small thing, but I am thankful to have this little hobby and to be able to get the supplies. I love knitting because I can still be a part of the family conversations and still knit. And I love bright colors...

228. I am thankful my mom could come up for Tyler's graduation and for a nice visit.

229. I am so thankful for my friends, offline (IRL) and online. They make me feel so blessed!

229. I am thankful for family times, even when it's a simple night of popping popcorn on the stove and watching a movie. I am thankful for how we've always been able to laugh together!! Having older kids, I am savoring every minute. I understand how fast it goes by!!

230. I am thankful for the best little dog I've ever had. He has a really sweet personality and provides lots of silly entertainment.

231. I've been so enjoying our declutter. Our whole family seems ready to let go of past "stuff" and move forward! We're not done but we've sure got a real good start. 


232. I am quite excited about the sermon series at church right now. We're doing the book of Acts and I just think it's going to be an incredible launching pad for reaching bringing the hope of the gospel to our area. 


233. I am thankful for the beautiful area that I live in. :) 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9