Friday, November 30, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving "Catch Up"

Day 13 - Guess I missed this one... but I am thankful for the heritage of Godly women in my family. Thankful that I was taught about Jesus and His love for me very early. I saw my grandmother, great aunt, and my mom live a life of faith and strength. Such a blessing to my life.

Day 14 - Today I am thankful that God gifted me with strength. Sometimes my strength has hindered certain relationships, however, without this inner strength God has given, I would not have been able to walk through some of the things life has brought. I am not ashamed that I am strong, it is a great heritage from the women in my lineage... they were strong women, especially when they "had to be". Strength is a beautiful gift given by God.

Day 15 and 16 - I am thankful for my children. All seven of them.... they have taught me, mercy, grace, patience, unconditional love, how to pray the prayers that reach heaven, and the list goes on. I love them all so very much. Time is fleeting and they are all growing up and leaving home, one by one... hope they know how much I love them. Most of all, how much their FATHER in heaven loves them!!!

 Day 17 - Thankful for God's moving in my children's life. Just listened to my sweet Caden sing City On Our Knees for the kids talent on their final night of kids LifeGroup. Oh my... sang the whole song with soundtrack, perfect! He is 11, but has a sweet voice and I just know God has great plans for him!

Day 18 - So incredibly thankful for my church family. LifeChurch is my home and my family. Never have I been in a church, where there was such a desire for God in the staff, such a sense of unity and love within the body.... I know there is no perfect church.... but mine is pretty close...

Day 19 - I am thankful for the love of a great husband. We have (and still are) walking through life together, both good and bad, knowing that together with God who gave us each other, we can overcome anything. Regardless of what we face, I know that he is always there, and loves me more than I deserve. There is nothing in this world, more wonderful than knowing you are loved so very much, unconditionally, for a lifetime.

Day 20 - I am thankful for the colors of the fall leaves, for the chill in the night air, for the excitement it brings. For the sounds of creation and the beauty of the masterpiece God has painted all over the mountains around me.

Day 21 - I am thankful for the privileged of knowing and loving so many amazing people, I call my family. I'm thankful for great aunts and uncles and the stories they tell, parents and grandparents who still believe family is most important, and time spent with cousins who not only love the Lord, but are just fun to be with!

Days in between - I was in NON CYBER LAND - enjoying my family!  

Day 26 -   Another Day of Thanksgiving - well I have missed a few days, especially while we were tucked away for Thanksgiving weekend at Heritage Acres. I have so much to be thankful for! I have an amazing husband, who I love so very much, seven awesome children, each with their own gifting's, without these seven, life would never be the same! I have parents who love me and continue to give to my family in so man ways. I have a job that I enjoy, a church who loves my family, and welcomes my friends, and for that I am so blessed! The list goes on and on.......... and for it all, I am so thankful!!!

Day 27 - So very thankful for HOPE. Knowing that I have a hope in the future, a hope in the present.... brings such PEACE. God holds every moment, every breath in His hand, and learning to rest in that knowledge, brings freedom in every part of my life.

Day 28 - Thankful for my son, who serves with the US Army, and for his family.  And that today they welcomed my second grandchild.  

Day 30 - There are not sufficient words to express my Thanks and Gratitude to the God, for all that He has done for me and my family. I am blessed in so many ways... When you put your eyes on Jesus, and realize that what we have here on earth is only going to fade away, and realize that all our true treasures are to come... it changes your perspective. I'd love to say... I never worry or stress.
.. that I never waiver in my faith, but I do... I'm just very thankful that God loves me, holds my every moment, and provides for me all that I need. I am blessed with a amazing husband who loves me, children that God has graciously allowed me to be a "mom" to, family that continues to support and love me daily, a wonderful church and church family, and friends - real friends, who care and share life with me. Everyday is a day of Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 12, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving


I am thankful, that for whatever I lack, HE is enough. HE gives me strength, when I can not find it within myself. HE is my peace, in the midst of any storm. HE is the Great I Am....
 I AM - THE WAY
I AM - THE TRUTH
I AM - LIFE
I AM - YOUR PEACE
I AM - YOUR PROVIDER
I AM - YOUR SHELTER
I AM - YOUR SALVATION
I AM - YOUR FOOD
I AM - NEW WINE
I AM - YOUR REST
I AM -  YOUR FATHER, YOUR DADDY
I AM - YOUR HEALER
I AM - ALL THAT YOU NEED, EVER MOMENT, OF EVERY DAY, FOREVER.   

Sunday, November 11, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving


Today I am thankful for the blood of Jesus, that washes over me.  It cleansed my sin and has given me freedom!  That same blood heals, restores, mends and so much more.  I am so unworthy, and the blood has covered so much in my life... but OH THE BLOOD of JESUS it covers me!!!

Love this song............. so beautifully expresses my thanks... listen!  (You may need to shut down the side bar music or open in another page.)


Saturday, November 10, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving


Our life was greatly changed when my husband lost his job a few months ago.

I truly believe God knows our entire path, before we ever even walk it......... because just a few days before he lost his job, I was offered a part time job at our church learning center. At that point I was not really looking at taking it, because I have been a stay at home and homeschooling mom for 15 years. 

Little did I know God was already working something out for our good ahead of the storm!  OH He is so good!!! 

The very day that my husband lost his job, he met me in one of the pastor's offices.  How my plans were changed (notice there, my plans)....   I took the job.

I must say, it has been a day at a time challenge, to learn a new schedule, work with the kids and school, and all the other things I do.  But I am blessed... because it is providing income to help my family.  God's blessings has poured abundantly through this job, and I am forever thankful!!!




Friday, November 9, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving


I am thankful for my home. 

My home will never be "magazine" perfect.  At least for now, it is cluttered with kids belongings, homeschool materials, books, books, and more books, and just random things that make our house a home.

It is never as clean as I want it to be.  I would love new carpet, and new curtains, and the list goes on... but my house is a home.  It has provided shelter to the seven children I have, and my husband and I for many years now.... it is becoming a little more empty almost yearly now. 

My married children still call it home, and I am thankful for that.  I hope it is always home.  It is where our memories were made.  Their memories of Christmas, and Easter, and fun and silliness, of tragedy and of peace.  We have walked through every storm imaginable, and God has always been there with us.

Someday, my home may be clean and organized.  It may be neat and tidy.  But it will be so quiet, because those days will mean my children have left the "nest" for homes of their own.  I'm not ready for those days at all!  But wherever they are................may our home be a haven and a refuge and a place to come back too.


Thursday, November 8, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving


Today, I am thankful for Nyquil and Chloraseptic and all things made by medicinal companies.  Every fall, I get sick... and I hate being sick.  Doesn't matter what I do, when the seasons here in Alabama go from cold to hot to hot to cold all within the same 24 hours.... I will be sick with all the croupy cruddy!

I am thankful for the knowledge Doctor's have been given to create things that help people.  I know God is the Great Physician, I believe He has complete ability to heal.  I have seen His healing, I have felt His healing.  I am so thankful for that!

I also believe God has given people knowledge to help themselves, and that is why I see a doctor and get my meds.  I am thankful for doctor's and hospital's, nurses and more.  These people have given life to my children when they were born, taken care of my family when cancer has ravaged, and so much more in my life already.

Thank you God for all these things, especially for Your giftings to people and knowledge that can only come from You.  And most importantly that You are the Great Physician, and hold the ability to heal all diseases.  I know You are my healer!

30 Days of Thanksgiving



I am very thankful for the community of homeschooling families.  I am so blessed by the families I have met, and the ones that I have built relationships with over the past 13 years of educating my children.  

I am so thankful for those who are "like minded" in family and faith, we sharpen each other.  And they understand so much of what I go through as a wife, mom, teacher, and Jesus follower.

I am especially grateful for a state and a country (at least for now) that is supportive of homeschooling and educating our own children.  I pray daily for those at HSLDA who are fighting for our freedoms and rights.  And for all those who paved the way for what we have now.

I am blessed to be a homeschool mom, for all of my children to have been taught about not just the basics, but also about God and His Word.  I have been thrilled to spend every day (well for the most part) of their lives with me, at home, or at least together.  



Tuesday, November 6, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving


I am thankful that I know and serve the ONE TRUE GOD and that HE holds my future in HIS HANDS.  There is nothing like knowing that when the day closes, My God holds me in His Arms.

Love this song... it gives me such peace...


Monday, November 5, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving


I am thankful for the struggles. I am thankful for the times where I am at the end of my rope only to find Jesus is there too. I am thankful for what God has and is teaching me about depending on Him alone... that He truly has everything under control, even when I can not see it. Learning to see the gift in the struggles.

Read this quote today, and it is perfect for my day's thanks:  

What you think you can’t handle —
         might actually be God handing you a gift.


Sunday, November 4, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving


In the same way, teach the older women to lead a holy life. They must not tell lies about others. They must not let wine control them. Instead, they must teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children.  Titus 2:3,4

For a very long time in my life, I did not have many women in my life.  I had (have) a great mom and I was blessed to have a Godly and wonderful grandmother, but for the most part that was it.

I had a few friends over the years, but although they were good friends, what I had always wanted were women who would not only be fun to hang out with and enjoy, but also to share a spiritual bond with.

But within the past 2 years, God has brought some amazing and Godly women into my life.  I am thankful that although we have a good time and a lot of fun together, we are knitted together much deeper, in our faith.  I am blessed that they take the time to encourage me and lift me up when I need it.  That they share their life with me and that I can share mine with them.  I am thankful for those ladies who can teach me and stretch me.  I am also thankful for those who can chasten me when I need it.

I love how God gives us the desires of our hearts.  And knowing that I was in need of "sisters" He gave me some great ones!!!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving


She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.

                                Prov 31: 17&18


I am so thankful that God has gifted me with talent and ability to do many things.  

I am thankful for the skills I have already, and for those that I am working to refine.  The abilities God has blessed me with has always provided me with jobs. They have given me the ability to be a good homemaker. 

With the gifts and talents that God has enabled me with, I have been able to serve His Kingdom and His people.  I am able to offer things to my church, and those who are in leadership that helps and encourages others in the work of the Lord.

I am thankful that God has given me strength and power.  That I am the kind of woman that can just pull herself up by the "boot straps" and keep going, even when there seems to be no way.  This was lived in front of me by my grandmother, and my mother.  I want my girls to know that being a strong woman is a good thing, and it is a feminine thing too. 

God enables me to be strong and have courage to walk on.  I am so thankful for all He has seen fit to give to me!  My prayer is that when my time on this earth is done, I can say to God, I have nothing left, I gave it all away! 

Friday, November 2, 2012

30 Days of Thanksgiving


The free gift of God’s grace makes all of us right with him. 
Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free.  Romans 3:24

 I am so thankful for God's great grace to me.  He has extended grace to me so many times, even when I was so totally undeserving.  

I am thankful that God allows us to come back to Him, and be forgiven, and that He never stops loving us.  I am so thankful for where I am in my life right now, and how God is moving and changing me.  But there are days, when I regret so much wasted time.  I wish I could go back and change so many things, and make better choices.

Yes, I am in awe of how much He loves me and how much grace has covered my life.

I am thankful for His grace!



Thursday, November 1, 2012

November - 30 Days of Thanksgiving!


I am so excited that it is November.  Although I am thankful every day, I love to make this month stand out from the rest!!!  This year, I have made the kids journals, and they will be doing it with me.  Thanksgiving ties with Christmas for being my favorite holiday.

Join me for a month of THANKFULNESS!!!

I am thankful for a God who's love never fails, never gives up, and never runs out on me.  He is a good Dad and His love is beyond all comprehension!

I will never fully understand the total expanse of how much He loves me, but I am learning more and more every day.  When I became a parent, I began to understand God's love more than ever.  And as I see my children grow and learn more about God, I am praying that they grasp His vast love earlier than ever.

Sharing the song that I'm worshiping with today............ enjoy!!!