The Greatest Thanksgiving Lesson

The greatest Thanksgiving lesson I've ever learned was this:

Being thankful is a big thing this time of year. And don't misunderstand me, I'm thankful for many things! E.g. 8 days until we get a Christmas tree, 5 days until I see one of my best friends after a long time apart, 39 days till Christmas, 31 days till we've been engaged for a year, and of course, 198 days until...the wedding!! So as you can see, there so much I'm thankful for. But, being thankful inside doesn't show it. 

Actions speak louder than words. Thanksgiving is giving thanks. Giving is an action. This next week leading up to Thanksgiving, I challenge you to show it outwardly to those around you. Tell someone you're thankful for them. Do something unexpected for someone else. Blessings abound, so bless others.

March Musings - Day 7

Sometimes it's too easy to look at the clouds ahead, the stop signs, the red lights, and just feel discouraged. It's hard to keep going when everything seems against you!

That's when you take time to stop, and look back on what God has done for you. <3

Don't get discouraged by the darkness ahead, travel in faith knowing God has you. He will see you through it to end! Count the many things He has done, and thank Him for it! There is a purpose for everything, and if you keep going, He rewards the faithful.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Hebrews 10:23

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfect of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:1-2

(I also highly encourage you to read Hebrews 11!)

Don't give up, weary traveler! God is with you!

Hats for the Holidays! Day 19

A fur-trimmed hat with a sparkly broach! Tis a beautiful hat, and perfect for the holidays!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and ironically, I havent been posting my Beautiful Blessings, although I will pick it up again soon. God has been using this month in a special way for me, so I will be sharing it with you withing a few days! And after I do that, I will probably resume my Beautiful Blessings! Though I must say, Im quite thankful for encouraging friends today. Well, encouraging friends, and encouraging friends. It goes both ways! :~)

Being Thankful No Matter What

My head hurts.

My reading glasses are bugging me.

My head hurts for the umpteenth time.

The slightest noise from the kids sounds like a tuba in my face.

Its kinda gloomy out.

I am tired.

And snappy.

I post things Im thankful for every day. 

Each blessing is a gift from God.

Sometimes its easy to say what Im thankful for when I have an amazing day.

But on days like this it is hard.

Especially when youre dealing with wet affectionate cats who decided to go out and play in the rain.

Or when the kids are playing together, and show you with great loud excitement, the worlds theyve created in their Polly Pocket Land.

And then you remember:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

{1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV}

I remember the other day, when I was walking from the library, I thought of everything wrong at the moment. 

Yet God reminded me of Philippains 4:11-13.

It was a timely reminder to be content, appreciative, grateful, and thankful for all God has done.

So back to the beginning of my post.

 My head hurts, yet I have medicine to take to help and heal it.

My reading glasses are bugging me, yet I can adjust them a little and read properly with them.

My head hurts for the umpteenth time, yet I have a warm cup of coffee to drink to help soothe it.

The slightest noise from the kids sounds like a tuba in my face, yet they arent arguing and they are keeping themselves contentedly entertained with their Polly Pockets.

Its kinda gloomy out, yet its finally raining and we need the rain desperately.

I am tired, yet I can rest on the porch with my blanket and coffee.

And snappy, yet I can choose to be gentler with my remarks.

God has blessed me, and you, and all of us for that matter!

We need to choose to be thankful, no matter what!

Beautiful Blessings - 7/11/15

Today's beautiful blessings:

~ Seeing the beautiful bright colors of wildflowers along the road.
~ Gathering to thank God for the life of a man who was a man after God's own heart.
~ Singing together to joyously sing a hymn acapella.
~ Seeing people I havent seen in years.
~ Giggling in the grass with a girl-friend.

Blog Neglect = Rambling Post

I stop doing a series and poof! I disappear from the face of the blogosphere. I'd start another series but I havent decided what yet ;~) I could bring back one of my old ones but I'm still not 100% yet so I'm not sure how consistant I'd be. Hmm....

I can always do one of those thinking, feeling, and so on posts! :~D

So without further ado!

Right now I'm...

...enjoying a spot of tea on the sunroom porch!

...wearing my fantabulous new apron which I'm madly in love with!

...happy because my hair is super curly today....gotta love humidity!

...looking forward to some delicious homemade bread with dinner tonight!

...gazing at the beautiful blue sky,

...and watching the wind blowthrough the trees!

...listening to the birds twitter, 

...a plane fly high overhead, 

...and the delightful sound of keyboard keys clacking!

...feeling the cool air from the overhead fan!

...thinking about how my friends are doing,

...and praying for them!

...marveling at how big my sisters are getting!

...thanking God for Lil' G's cast for her arm!

...reminiscing about going to CYIA camp for 4 years in a row!

...being absolutely silly with my friend(s)!

...seeing birds flit about,

...along with a few butterflies!

...hoping the lovely weather lasts all of today!

...remembering I forgot to take my vitamins! (oops! lol!)

...taking my vitamins!

...laughing at this rather random blog post!

...wiggling my feet,

...and tootsies!

...wishing I felt up to reading!

...wondering who is going to read this allllll the way to end!! lol!!!

(a random post needs a random picture lol! this is a couple months old but hey! it works, right???? lol!!)

So voila!! My life in a nutshell! XD

Pneumonia and why I'm thankful for it!

Nearly 2 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Pneumonia is not fun, in case you want to know. You're exhausted, your lungs ache, and you just feel blah! Today I actually feel like I'm getting better. It's rather nice I must say, and while I could talk about my pneumonia, I'd rather talk about some things I find amazing and I'm so thankful for!

First of all, people who have been praying for me! So many of my friends, my family, my parents' friends and people from Church have been praying for me! To know that people care that much about you is truly amazing. For all of you who have been praying, thank you. It means so much to me!

Secondly, my friends have been a big source of encouragement! From quick "how are you?", to long emails full of alliterations, to listening to my ceaseless chatter, or even coming over for a visit, it's been so encouraging! I'm so thankful for their encouraging words, verses they've shared and just giving me something to laugh about! (Even though laughing really hurt for a while....  ;~)They've been such a blessing to me! Thank you, my dear friends, for everything you've done!

Thirdly, my family, specifically my parents. They've let me get in extra naps when I've needed them. They've given me space to just sit quietly to rest. They've gone out on snowy nasty days to get my medicine, and freezing-cold days take me to the doctor's. They have done so much for me. Thank you Mom and Dad!!

This pneumonia has been a test of my patience. I've wanted to do things, go out to the library/post office, help around the house, etc., but I've been unable to. Instead it's given me a chance to sit, and study my Bible. It's given me a chance to spend time in prayer and pray for others. I've even been able to encourage others which is hard to do when one is busy. I'm very thankful for this time of quietness. God is so good!

(Two little munchkins hopped on my lap while I was resting one day. They were cold from playing outside and ready for some delicious hot chocolate!!)