Thankful Thursday

With Sunday being Mother's Day. I want to say how thankful I am for my Mother.
When I was younger I could always count on Mom being home when I walked though the door after school. To me that feeling meant more than if she would be out spending money on me. My mom taught me many valuable lessons some I learned and others well I just wasn't blessed with that talent. When I was getting married my Mom gave me one bit of advice that I still follow 95% of the time. When you get up get dressed right away and when your husband comes home from work greet him without complain about your day. Remember he leaves the home every day for work and if you are not getting dress and you greet him unhappily he will be more tempted to complain about you and may look else where.

My mom always shows her concern for us and our family. This week she has done two things that touched my heart. The first being I called to see how she was doing (I keep checking on her since Dad died) she didn't want to talk about herself she wanted to know how Ryan was because my Hubby told her Saturday I went up to help out since he wasn't feeling well. The second thing she did was bake me a birthday cake. See my birthday was back in March when Dad was in the hospital and she just didn't have time to bake me a cake. She had time yesterday so she baked me a cake.

I am so very Thankful for the Mother God has given me.

Thankful Thursday

Ephesians 1:1-14 says it best what I am thankful for today. I don't have to add any thoughts. Just praise and thank my Lord and Savior.

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. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

Thankful Thursday

NO That is the word I'm thankful for. Yes I'm thankful for the word "NO" and I learned how to use it. With God's help I learned what my main priorities are and learned when I need to say "No I can't right now." "No, I'm sorry I don't have time to add that to my schedule." Don't get me wrong I do say Yes too. I just learned I need to know what my time allows and what God is asking of me at the time. I also don't give reasons to why I say no that will give people control to try to reason why I should say yes without knowing my whole life at the time.

Right now I need to leave time to help with my father so when asked if I would help on the kitchen team at church I could say NO. Ok my friends are saying that is an easy one for me to say no to, but if asked if I would be asked work on any other committee that would take time and prep right now I know I need to say no.

I also can say no to my children. I can do it with out feeling guilty. Yes my children are no longer teens but even when they were. That is when I did two important bible studies. Sorry I don't remember the authors but the titles were "Beating Business" and "It's Ok To Say No."

I want to thank God for giving me the control to say No. I know with God when I am walking closely with Him saying No will never be wrong.

Thankful Thursday

I'm so Thankful I'm a pillar. We are doing a bible study by a gal at our Church Sally Hall , entitled What's A Woman To Do. She really got me to thing about the following verse.

Psalm 144:12
Let our sons in their youth be as grown- up plants, and our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace.

Here is the meaning she give for pillar: place of prominence, support, occupies a central or responsible position. Attend, defend, give stability, to join.

So here are some of my thoughts.

So often we want to be the palace and have all the nice things that go along with it but not the constance work.

But when you get right down to it I think I would rather be the pillar. I like to be the support, to have the strength it take to get though the good and bad days. To be out in the weather and remain strong. However even a pillar will show wear and needs to be taken care of . God is that care. When we feel weak and beaten by our storms we need to remember God is doing the maintenance work on us and we will remain in a position of prominence in His eyes. He placed each of us in a central location that needs our stability, strength and support.

Thankful Thursday

It is Thursday right? My days all seem to run together.

I am thankful for the talent God gives people.

Yesterday at Sight and Sound we saw a wonderful performance of Daniel and The Lion's Den. Those actors and actresses used the talent God gave them to Glorify Him. They made sure the audience knew God gets the glory for their abilities.

I'm thankful for Hospice. Dad started having hospice come to the house while he is at home. The gal Francine who came today was wonderful with him and Mom and I. She made sure Dad understood what was going on then spoke with Mom. When she was done she spoke with me so I could understand too. I am thankful God gives these talents out so it can be easier on family during this time.

I also have to say I'm thankful Deb (my friend) is cooking dinner tonight. When I'm stressed like this it is nice to have a break. I didn't have to ask her she just knew and offered. Deb knows I don't like to cook so when God tells her I need a meal she steps right up to the offer. She loves to cook.

Thank you God for the talents you give each of us.

Thankful Thursday

Well I'm thankful I finished all our taxes this week. That includes doing the college kid's taxes. I am very thankful I also finished their FAFSA. This is why I haven't been on the my blog much this week. Doing FAFSA was a headache. But I am so thankful for my friend Donna who not only could answer some questions but she kept email me so I wouldn't kill my computer. You see when I did my daughters it kept telling me to enter parents name. I did and I could see it clearly but for some reason the system didn't. Then I saved the info. and you guessed it when I opened it up it was gone. I had to start all over again.

I'm thankful our government pays for my children's education. Hubby and I so far didn't have to pay anything toward their education. They are both currently in their second year. They both do extremely well too.

So I'm thankful that all over with for yet another year.

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful I don't have to handle my daily life on my own. God is there to take my hand and walk with me. It once again a reminder of my verse for this year.
Psalm 139:7-10
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

God is holding my hand. I am one who always grabbed a hand for security. I feel safe when my hand in someone hands. Lately I visualize my hand with God's hand covering mine.

I am thankful God is walking with me.
The stress of Dad in the hospital and all his problems are starting to get to me. Today we found out our dearest friend was admitted to the hospital last night. Hubby is over sitting by his bed now. There are a few issues with one of our children saying their are not sure they believe in God right now.

It is one of those days when as a women I just feel like crying. Yet I know God is there taking care of it all so I need to give Him the praise and glory.

Thank you Lord my Comforter and Protector.

Thankful Thursday

Can anyone guess what I'm thankful for? Not hard to figure out is it?

I'm thankful for my new grandson. Stephen Ryan (will go by Ryan) was born Feb. 5th at 1:12 PM. He weigh in at 6lbs 14oz and 19 3/4 inches. Every one is healthy and we are all happy.
God blessed our family with such a beautiful little guy.

Thank you for all your well wishes.

(Edited to correct the day. Thank you Mark. I can count on you.)

Thankful Thursday

This week I want to say how thankful I am for the women ministry at my church. You can tell Sharon, Eileen and Kathy spend time praying about each direction and decision that comes before the women. They have gifted teachers leading bible studies. People you can tell God has called to teach, not just women who volunteer to teach. The two bible studies I have been apart of are studies we needed at the time. God lead them to choosing what to study.

They started a mentoring program. They want to follow Titus direction for women. I know lots of prayer has gone into that also. They prayed about who should fills lead positions down to who God wanted them to pair together as mentor/mentee.

I haven't talk as much with Eileen and Kathy as I have Sharon but I'm sure this holds true from them. They give a lot of their time to the women's ministry. Sometime more than what their family feels they should. I know Sharon gives her heart too! She cares about each women and woman's needs.

I want to thank you Lord for these fine Godly women.

Thankful Thursday

First off I am thankful for our friends Mark and Donna. They really get me thinking about things some times. I'm thankful I could be praying for Mark's dad heart bi-pass yesterday. I could pray for Mark yesterday too. I will continue to pray for Mark's dad salvation.

Second but very important. I am thankful for my salvation. My life was and is a life with sin. I don't live a perfect life by no means. God knows this and yet loves me so much more than I can even begin to comprehend. God decided early no the penalty for sin is death. You can read about "The Fall" in Genesis 3. But God decided something even more powerful. He will send His son, Jesus to be my redeemer. Jesus came to earth and took my sins with Him to the cross. Now I can have life eternal with God. I am so thankful that God has blessed me in this way.

I still need to daily ask forgive for my sins because God awakens me to sins I need to overcome. I have all the power I need to overcome every sin. The power is in Jesus. Thank you, my Lord.

Thankful Thursday

This may sound odd to those who have never been to my home but I am so very thankful that this week our HUGE female box elder tree was cut down. As soon as the weather starts warming up in April these bugs come out and keep coming straight through Sept. at least. We would send $150 to spray every other month it seems. This year we heard a mixture of water and laundry soap will kill the bugs. We would have to spray several times a day and were killing hundreds of bugs a day. They were all over the place. And they lay their eggs on every thing. I couldn't hang wash out, I love that. The kids can't play outdoors and the bug would get in the house too. So we made the decision in Sept. to have the tree cut down. They came yesterday and finished today. I have a few pictures to give you an idea on the size of this tree. The base is 4 feet wide.

The before picture

Bob (my cousin) in the tree

Progress

It is gone

Stack of wood

Log size compared to our dog

I am just so thankful we can sit outside and even entertain outside when the weather warms this year. I am so happy.

Thankful Thursday

Today I want to say I am thankful for prayer. I hope that doesn't sound odd. I don't mean people who have prayed for me. Yes I'm thankful for them too. I am thankful we can pray any where, any time, any way.
I have had some of my best prayer times soaking in a bubble bath. (more than you wanted to know, I bet.)
I pray walking, driving, singing, shouting and weeping.
I pray in a crowd, alone, with love ones.
I am not ashamed to be seen or heard praying. I will respect those who don't want to hear or see me pray but I can still pray around them quietly.
I pray for family, friends, churches, businesses, government people, unborn, and unknown people.
I have a grandmother friend who was surprised when I told her to start praying for her grand children's spouses. She said they are a little young for that, I said no way.
I pray for two very special little boys who are in a bad situation. I traced their hand print in one of my many prayer books. This way I can lay my hand on their hand print when I pray for them.
God doesn't care I'm not a gifted speaker. I can write my prayers and God doesn't care about type O's. If I don't know what to pray the Holy Spirit prays for me. I am so Blessed that I can pray.
I can honor God, confess my sins, give God glory, thank Him and ask for help.
We have a wonderful Lord.

Enjoy your prayer time.

Thankful Thursday

Once again I am thankful for my Hubby. I could write all my thankful Thursdays about him. I have no doubt God made our match as a life time partnership.

Our 20 yr. daughter has been sick and last night I think was the worst. She has the 3 day stomach virus the Doctor said today. She has had it for 4 days now and is dehydrated. Anyway last night hubby was up with her most of the time she was up. Hubby was off today so that was nice. He has a wonderful gift to comforting the children when ever they were sick. I would just get sick right along with them.

I'm also thankful for my Thursday ladies bible study. We are working our way though the bible chapter by chapter. Each week each lady takes a chapter and does an in dept study on it. Then when we get together again we share what we learned. We are all responsible to read all the chapters. I am learning so much. The old testament is filled with symbols.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for this time of year. We celebrate Christ and celebrate with family who are not yet believers. Combining the two is just wonderful and hopeful the family members will see the light.

We went to a wonderful Christmas Eve service at church. I was filled with music and God's word. We arrived early and are so glad we did. There was standing room only and some people sat on the floor just out side the door to the sanctuary. We sat with friends we see often and had a fun time waiting for the service to start. When we came home we found the cats and dog teamed up to eat a whole plate of cookies. There is evidence leading to the cats tossed the cookies down to the dog to eat.

Christmas morning in our home has never started started early. Even when the children were little we would wake them up sometime after 8:00AM to open gifts. Now they are told them must be up by 10:00 AM to open gifts. It was a hard wait for me this year. I spent lots of time in thought and bought gifts that I knew they would love. I gave my hubby a gift to "drive nascar". He was so excited to receive this gift.

My parents came over for dinner. Dad gave us a health scare just as we sat down to eat but it passed in about 5 minutes.

Then came a wonderful surprise for me right after my parents left. My daughter and son-in-law showed up for a surprise visit. They took the time to drive down and surprise me. I was so happy to see them and very surprised. We spent time playing games.

Later hubby and I went out to my parents house to make sure dad was still doing OK. He is, and say he is not sure what happen.

I am so thankful for the family we can share Christ with and I pray they come to know my Lord every day.

Thankful Thursday.

Today I am thankful for my wonderful talent hubby who will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow. I am also Thankful he completed out bathroom before the Christmas week. Hubby did all the work himself isn't he wonderful. Here are a few pictures of his work.

Hubby clean our new mirror

The new window Hubby did

Floor work was in progress

The finished room. Thank you Hubby

Hubby, I wish you a Happy Birthday and Love you dearly.

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for the snow and ice storm we are having. OK some of you are thinking are you crazy. No I am thankful.

I'm enjoying this day so very much. I finished most of my Christmas shopping on the Internet and by making a phone call. I only have one person to shop for yet. Then I spent time finishing my cookie baking. I am also at the same time watching Christmas Movies on Life Time TV.

But the best time was the time I spent with God this morning. I spent extra time praying for my children. You see my son is driving home from college in this ice storm. Rather than let my mind wonder what could go wrong I prayed for his future and relationship with God. Then I thought I could spent extra time praying for each of my family members.

I am so thankful for days like today when it seems like the world is standing still. I love the times I get to spent extra time looking into God's word. I like to look in to His word rather than read it. When you read it that is all you do but when you look in to His word you are see what God has for you to learn.

So I"m thanking God for weather outside.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for my husband. John is my thoughts in many ways. I think about him often during the day. I'm thankful for cells phones so I can call and talk with him when ever I need to hear his voice. John also lets me be who I need to be. He OK with me going out at nights with girls from church or family members. He also will let me know when he would rather I stay home and I honor that and stay home. I think that is why he is willing to let me be who I want to be.

He is my thoughts when I'm not thinking right. He will tell me lovingly to think about something if I'm not seeing things clearly. If I still don't get it he will say you are wrong. I am so thankful he stands by me when I know I am doing or saying the right things.

He is my thoughts when I am upset and can't speak. When I don't know what words to says he knows what they are. I love when to hear it. I can say "Yes that is how I feel."

This even though was a joy to write it was hard too. Someone I love very much feels I have a wrong view of something. I was wondering am I losing it! I talked with John and he supports me 100% and gave me the encouragement to stay focus on who I am and how I believe.

I'm thankful for this person I love too. I agree this person has feelings they feel are correct too and that is OK. I wouldn't change a thing about this person because I love the person just as they are.

I am so thankful for John and love him greatly. God gave me the best mate in the world for me.

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday and I need it more than anyone reading this probably. I am having an emotional day. You all know those days if you are female. I know I have a few guys reading this so if you understand your wife you know what kind of day I am having.

So I am thankful I am female. Just think God decided Adam needed a helpmate so we were created. We are helpers and that is so true of most women. We sure can do lots of activities and we know a great of information.

I'm thankful for being a woman. I have not been pregnant for almost 21 years now but isn't it awesome we get to bond with the baby first. We are their safe haven.

I'm thankful for having the women's in stint. We seem to have a sixth sense about thing.

I'm thankful for Ladies Bible Studies. Some men go to men's studies but not many in our area. Women have the need for friends. We enjoy doing things together like studying God's word.

I also think we get the nicer clothes.

So as I have my emotional day I'm thankful I am a female.

Thankful Thursday

The Word Mercy has been coming to my mind a great deal lately so I'm sure God wants me to study this wordd Mercy. That is just what I started to do. For this reason today I am saying Thank You Lord for Your mercy.

What is mercy? It is compassion or act of kindness shown toward an enemy or person who doesn't respond positively. That sure is us. We may not think of ourselves as God's enemy but we sure don't respond positively toward God all the time. First off we are sinners and it is though God's compassion and act of Kindness (His death on the cross) that is saving us from death. God showed His mercy toward us even though he knew in advance we as humans can't be fully be obedient to Him all the time. If we could we would be perfect and I know I'm far from perfect. I feel unworthy of God's mercy but I am greatful He has shown me Mercy.

Isaiah 30:18
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

Exodus 33:19
And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

God I am so greatful for you mercy. Reveal to me in the coming days more of what you want me to know about your mercy as I study this word. Thank you

Thankful Thursday

So I am writing my Thankful Thursday on Wednesday as read this you will understand why.

I'm thankful for God's timing and plans. I had no idea what this week was going to hold but I sure thought I did.

I start out thinking I was going back to my Nanny job this week. When I called the family they said they didn't need me this week. I am concerned I may not be needed next week or at all. The lady who filled in for me charges a lot less then I do.

Then today things started happen. Our dog Kaci who is the Queen of the house had an injury and had to be taken for emergency vet care. That was a high bill I thought, God what is going on. Then tonight my father had a small heart attack. He has had at least 2 every year for the past 8 years. He is afraid to be alone. Tomorrow my mother needs to go for a mammogram early in the morning. I will go sit with my father. I fell God is pushing me to tell my dad the gospel message. Dad usually says
I don't want to hear that stuff. I feel God is telling me to tell him even if he say that to me tomorrow.

So I am thankful I am not working this week. I mumbled and complained but I should know better God's plans and timing are not mine. God's is better. Thank you my precious Lord.

So tomorrow morning I will have a talk with my father. I'll let you know how it goes.

Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.