what we started

60 days of THANKSGIVING

{2011}

Right in the middle of October, when Halloween was looming and Thanksgiving was around the corner {and Christmas after that!}, I wanted to do something with my family that would take their minds off the candy and scary costumes  and put it on being thankful!

But I also did not want this Thankfulness to stop with "Turkey day!" I wanted something to keep THANKFULNESS in our hearts through the hustle and bustle that has begun!

So, I asked the Lord to guide my thoughts- for something we could do that could be VISIBLE to my children at all times and require no trip to the store!

I enjoy computer graphics [my children prefer crayons! as you can see] so I used a computer to make this grid, but you could just as easily draw it with ruler and marker. I already had these little crayon papers. so I made the box size accordingly. I put a few Bible verses about thankfulness and thanksgiving on it.

Every evening during our family devotions we talk about what we are thankful for. If we have been to church [thus making our night a little late], we pick one thing as a family. Otherwise, each of us say one thing we are thankful for. Occasionally we have repeats. but we try to combat them. Some days our hearts are turned by what happened that day. other times we just think of things like friends and church and toys.

It is taped to a shelf on our bookshelf in our living room. We all see it multiple times daily. and now that we are half way through... it adds a lot of color! {smiles}

We began October 25 and will end on December 25. My prayer is that my children, husband and I can ALL learn more about being thankful. having the Spirit of Thankfulness permeate our lives. all the way through to Christmas night! [and beyond!]

language

The best book is the Bible. It's words show us Jesus. It convicts and teaches and restores our soul. The more I read of it, the more I want to read.

Yet there are times I relish leisure. a fun story. a researched historical novel. a good mystery.

and other times, I like to study a subject. I enjoy finding out what influenced good men. what influenced the bad. how times changed-and why.

If God had not given us language, we could not read His Story. 

or have leisure reading. 

or be able to learn of the past 

[without the aid of a human teacher]. 

I enjoy a good conversation. sharing burdens and triumphs. reminding others of His love through the circumstances. finding out how God has blessed. sharing with others of His love through Jesus' death.

So today, I am thankful for language. 

the ability to read. 

write. 

speak. 

to communicate.

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

Tomorrow, I will share what we have done as a family during this Thanksgiving season. and how we are carrying it through until Christmas!

when things go wrong

I thank God for His hand in my life. 

Not everything that occurs in this world is THE will of God [there is always the sin factor], but nothing happens without His knowledge. And He CAN work EVERY situation for my good.

And I am so thankful.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: 

for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: 

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us 

with groanings which cannot be uttered.   

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth 

what is the mind of the Spirit, 

because he maketh intercession for the saints 

according to the will of God. 

And we know that all things 

work together for good 

to them that love God, 

to them who are the called 

according to his purpose. 

Romans 8:26-28

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

something modern

Today, I am thankful for my refrigerator. 

If it were not for the ability to consistently keep foods cold, we could not have leftovers! and I would have to cook today. I love cooking, but after yesterday I am very thankful to be able to simply reheat foods!

A refrigerator also allows me to buy certain foods in larger quantities at a time than if we did not have one. I am thankful we do not have to stop by the market every single day to gather certain things needed for our supper that day.

Also, I am planning to can some apple sauce today-since I do not have to cook! YEAH.

a goodly heritage

The Lord has blessed me above even comprehension. I was not born into a Christian home, but my parents were saved when I was young. Their salvation led to my own at a young age. And my earliest vivid memories are from being at church. in Sunday School. 

I attended a Christian School or was homeschooled my entire life. I even graduated from Bible College. 

My parents sheltered me from so much of the world. They knew the heartache that the world brings and wanted better for my brother and me.

There were those who did not agree with my parent's parenting. and there were times I did not understand either. But looking back as an adult, I realize they always did what was best for me.

We had fun. went to the coast. went hiking. played in the park. rode bikes around our neighborhood. washed the car with Daddy. had picnics. 

And! I learned how to clean a house [though you would not always know it from walking into mine!]. I learned how to plan meals and cook. I learned how to be giving and hospitable. I learned to sew and to love making things for my family. and loved ones.

I learned of God. His Word. I learned to sing. for Him. I love music. I love to sing. And I am so glad that I know songs that honor Him. that I know Bible verses that bring comfort and encouragement. that I know the right way to live. This does not mean I always live right. There is a difference between knowing and doing. but I am glad I KNOW. There are those who were not taught!

Now that I am grown and have a full family of my own, I am thankful that my children have grandparents that pray for them. love them. shower them with encouragement and gifts. I am thankful my parents share with us. I am glad that they want the best for me [still] and my family. 

I am so thankful that I married the man my parents approved of! If there was one piece of advice I could give any unmarried girl, no matter her age, it would be: Do NOT marry a man your parents are not comfortable with. cannot give their blessing to. I have yet to meet a lady who did marry outside her parent's blessing that did not regret it. 

God was smiling on this citified-country-girl {or am I a countrified-city-girl?} the day He gave me to my parents. He knew what my life needed for me to find Him and learn how to follow Him. Thank you, Lord, for my parents.

I love you, Mom and Dad!

I would not trade your love and care 

for my pick of all the bigger houses in the world! 

 ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Goodly Heritage {lyrics}

1 I may not have riches 

as some others may

  But I have a mother 

who knows how to pray

  And maybe there's some things 

I missed in my youth

  But I have a father 

who stands for the truth

Chorus:

  I have a goodly heritage

I'm blessed with things you can't see

  I have a goodly heritage

And that is worth far more to me

2 And if in the future, 

my parents pass on,

  To dwell in that City 

we've come to call Home

  They may not leave me 

the goods of this world

  But I have accepted 

their God and His Word

Chorus:

  I have a goodly heritage

I'm blessed with things you can't see

  I have a goodly heritage

And that is worth far more to me.

I have everything, all that I need

All that I need, treasures unseen,

And that is worth far more to me. 

a cheesy smile

I love when my kids give those cheesy grins for pictures. They know they are cute!

My youngest daughter has the cheesiest smile of all my girlies. and I love it!

She loves her big sisters.

She is so cute when she whispers, trying to be quiet while her baby brother sleeps.

She wants to help and be just as big as Kyria. or Anya.

She loves to sing. 

   and look at books. [and make stacks everywhere]

   and color. [and leave the crayons out]

   and pretend play.

   and kiss Mommy. randomly.

   and kiss Corban. alot!

Mikalah Elisabeth

her name means:  Who is like My God? My God is Abundance!

I pray that she truly learns and knows just how Big our God is! He is Abundance. and there is NO god like Him.

She is my own personal wind-storm. and I thank God for her!

the little teacher

My 7 yo daughter, Kyria [pronounced like Syria], enjoys reading to her younger sisters [ages 3 & 4]. 

She plays school with them on the weekend and teaches them letters and numbers.

She tries to make them understand how to add.

She explains the intricacies of organizing toys and stacking pillows.

She loves order and enjoys setting things 'just so' -like setting the table for supper or stacking the silverware in the proper slots. putting clothes away in her drawers.

She loves to sing and often makes up her own songs about God and serving Him and loving Him. She loves Bible verse songs. and Patch the Pirate.

Kyria Esther

her name means the noble or elect [Christian] lady. shining light, star

She has excepted Christ. My prayer is that she learn to truly follow Christ with her life. She always wants to have tracts to hand out and her heart is soft and sweet towards those who are obviously not saved.

I thank God for making her my first-born.

support

Today I am embarking on an endeavor that seems a little overwhelming to me [and which I will blog about only as the Lord leads]. but I have family and friends who are sure I can accomplish my goals and are praying and supporting me. I even have a friend who is going to join me.

I thank God that sometimes He wraps His invisible arms around me in the figure of a human. and tells me He loves me in the form of another's encouraging words or embracing arms.  

How has God shown His love to you?

[beyond salvation]

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

I will not be posting tomorrow.

fellowship

During the school year my church has a ladies meeting one evening a month [we take a break through the summer months].

We read missionary letters. which can help us pray better for them.

We have a project. This month was Thanksgiving baskets for the older members of our church. We also have projects such as making goodie bags for the bus children and gift bags for the missionaries scheduled to come through during the year.

We have a devotion given by a different sweet lady each month. 

This month we were challenged to really and truly deny ourselves for the cause of Christ. 

I am thankful for this sweet time of fellowship. It is refreshing and rejuvenating. both emotionally and spiritually.

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

adding joy. counting blessings

I have added several ponderings to my list:

appreciating the ordinary

Please visit and add your own [in a comment].

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

the ham

and NO. 

I don't mean pig meat. {smiles}

This little girl is my 'ham-it-up' lady. Each of my girlies loves to have her picture taken, though we need to work a bit on natural smiling when taking posed photos! But this one. she takes the cake.

Anya Ruth. 

her name means a graceful [filled] or gracious friend. 

My prayer is that she learn to be so.

She makes me smile. every. day. And I thank God for sending her into our family!

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

arms wrapped round

I love hugs. 

My husband's arms bring security. and love. that sense of belonging.

A friend's hug can bring heart-warmth.

The ones that come from the little bodies that call me Mom are just plain beautiful.

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

old friends

It is wonderful to meet new people and find fellowship with believers wherever you may be, but there is something very special about certain friendships that simply stand the test of time. no matter the miles.

Today, I am thankful for 'old' friends. From those friendships forged in gradeschool that have remained thus for over 25 years to the ones with a little less age created in college. 

**My friends, we are now scattered across the globe. but my life is richer and more beautiful for having known you. and to still be able to say-yes, that is my friend!-I am thankful.**

Thank you, Lord, for bringing some 'old' friends across our path. You always know what I need.

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

sunshine

Today I am thankful for beautiful sunshine.

The way it pours through a glass pane and just fills the room. with LIGHT. I can see the faces of my precious babies. I can view the smile of my Man.

The way it filters through autumn colors on the trees. or naked branches reaching for it's warmth.

In the spring it will warm the soil and awaken life.

Just bathing my face in it for a few minutes each day can give me a vitamin essential to my well-being! How good God is.

taken at the parade yesterday

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

the sacrifice of a soldier

This is a day dedicated to those who have fought for our freedoms:   

Thank you. 

is not enough.

The sacrifices of a soldier [and his family] are worthy of more than just a day of remembrance. 

But today. we will remember.

And today, we will be thankful.

a house called home

Some days I get discouraged over the size of our house. I think, Lord, there are smaller families with larger homes than we have! I suppose this is an odd way to begin a thankfulness post. But, sometimes becoming thankful begins with being unthankful. and REALIZING it!

Today, I am thankful for our house.
because it IS OUR HOME.

We love each other and have fun together. here. [and there are so many people who have merely a fraction of the space we have.]

We have painted walls and decorated and organized. Many days it may look like a strong wind blew through. but they have names! {smiles} 

We have a roof that does not leak. 

We have walls with no holes where there should not be. 

We have doors that close and lock. We have glass panes in our windows. 

Every single child has her/his own bed. Hubby and I have a queen sized bed! We each have [at least] 2 blankets with which we can cover ourselves. 

We have a kitchen table. We have a pantry area-that is often full and rarely empty.

We have couches and lamps and dressers and STUFF to put in them. We have a working washer and dryer.

We have a HOME that is BIG because WE ARE TOGETHER. 

[and it will seem even bigger after we have another de-cluttering weekend. {smiles}]

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

and then head over to AMother'sHeritage

to get inspiration for making your bedroom a HAVEN! 

foriegn missionaries

This week our church has had our Faith Promise Missions Conference. It began Sunday and will end this evening. We do things a little differently than I have seen in other churches, but I really like it! Monday through Wednesday the Missionaries each have a room of their own in our high school building and you can choose which Missionary to visit each evening.  It is fun to be in small groups with the Missionaries.

Today, I am thankful for foreign missionaries [all Christians are to be missionaries right where we are!]. My husband grew up on a foreign field. His parents are still faithfully serving the Lord in Japan. They have been there nearly 35 years! 

I have friends all over the world. sharing the Gospel with people of many languages and cultures.

THANK YOU for your faithfulness to our Lord. 

My family and I appreciate you!

 Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

season changing

I am thankful for cooler weather. 

While most of my family enjoys the heat. to the point of loving July & August here in the deep south, I could live where it is never over 70 degrees and be happy as a lark. 

I only dislike the snow when I am not prepared to be dressed for it [when there is snow on the ground less than 1 week total out of 3-4 months of winter, we do not have an excess of snow-accessories. mostly because we have no room for storing for them the other 51 weeks of the year {heeehe}].

But, still. I love cooler weather. Autum is my favorite. I love the spring flowers and the spirit of new life that permeates. 

But fall, those colors are spectacular!

And usually, the temperatures are 

JUST PERFECT!

 Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

my sweet buddy-man

I love my kids! Today I am especially thankful for my sweet, happy baby boy! He has adjusted to the 'time-change' beautifully, soothing himself until the right time for me to get him up [though I did get him a few minutes early by the clock].

He only complains when hungry or soiled. and loves to see his momma's face. He gets extra excited to see his daddy.

He has the most infectious smile and when he's happy, his whole body gets into it.

I love you, my sweet buddy-man!

edited to add:

Corban Malachi. 

his name means the messenger dedicated to God.

I do not know what he will do as his job when he grows up, but my prayer is that he always proclaim God. no matter his livelihood.

 Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

updated to add.... TODAY I'M ONE [June 13, 2012]

recording 1,000 gifts

Today I am spending with family.

Please feel free to visit:

APPRECIATING THE ORDINARY 

the page where I have begun the journey of recording my own 1,000 gifts. 

I will not be posting tomorrow.

Have a BLESSED weekend!

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 
for the Thankful Challenge link-up!