Thankful Thursday

On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for...

*Children who love each other, and for the most part get along together

*Hugs

*God's timing, and seeing God's hand move

*Resources to help someone in need

*Prayer

*The young prince's confidence and smile after running in the extra point

*The coaches that let him have the chance

*His teammates who encouraged him, and then celebrated with him...you guys are THE best!!

*Saturday morning snuggles with the youngest princess

*A movie worthy of our time, that the whole family can watch, and learn from

*Birthday party fun with a very special young man

*Medicine that makes a headache go away

*A teacher that gives multiple chances

*Time to clean

*An afternoon with time to help the young prince with his homework

*Dinner at home

*The humor of the youngest princess that keeps us all laughing

*The sweet understanding spirit of the oldest princess

*The friend who left surprise fall decorations

*Healthy children

*The noise when the house is full of busy people

*The calm that falls when all have gone to sleep

*Rest for the weary

*Friends who believe in standing up for what is right, and instilling values in the lives of their children. Even when it's really tough to do so.

*A small favor from a friend that was a blessing in the youngest princess' life

*A great time with an incredible group of Ignite teens

Thank You, Lord, for these blessings from this week, and for the many many more not mentioned here. Your love and care overwhelms me on a daily basis! You are an awesome God!

Thankful Thursday

This week, a few of the things I am thankful for include:

*Another year with our beautiful, precious oldest princess

*A great group of girls for her to be friends with

*Ingenuity

*The cheese dip at the Mexican restaurant

*A friend who understands

*Time to visit with a friend from college (her daughter's team played our daughter's team in volleyball)

*My favorite dinner

*Music on my iPad

*A chance to minister to our community

*Great times with a great group of kids at ignite

*Listening to the ignite teens lift their voices in worship

*The honesty, and innocence of the youngest princess

*A Netflix movie with the youngest princess

*A few minutes of uninterrupted time with the young prince

*For my Bible, and the freedom to read it whenever and wherever I please

*The great love, support, and help I receive from my wonderful husband

*A great group of students whom I love teaching

*Encouragemant, and blessings from a friend

For these things, and SO many more, I am thankful to God. He gives us so many blessings each day! Take a few minutes, and thank Him for the ways He has blessed you today.

Thankful...Saturday?

Yes, I have to do a thankful Saturday, because this morning, I have even more than usual to be thankful for.

I am thankful for friends who helped the young prince when he realized he didn't have all of his equipment. I am thankful for a coach who helped him get prepared when all of his equipment finally made it to him. I am thankful for the lessons on responsibility the young prince learned, and will continue to learn from this experience.

I am thankful for a safe trip to our away football game. I am thankful that each boy that was down on the field last night got up and walked back to the sidelines (and it seemed there were more than usual last night). I am thankful that our boys played hard and did great. I am thankful for God's timing, and the fact that halftime was over, and all of our children, cheerleaders, players, and fans were back on our side of the field.

I am thankful that there were just downed power lines, and that no one got hurt. I am thankful that we did not all witness a helicopter crash in front of our eyes. I am thankful for flashlight apps on telephones. I am thankful for the safety of the helicopter pilot. I am thankful for the mother that helped The youngest princess find me in the few minutes of confusion that followed the darkness. I am thankful for a group of students that conducted themselves wisely, and calmly (for the most part) followed directions. I am thankful for emergency responders, who quickly had the situation under control.

I am thankful for safety back to our cars. I am thankful that despite the fact that we heard there was a prison riot down the road at the prison, that is all we knew of it, and that it was in the opposite direction from where we needed to go in order to get home. I am thankful for the motion sickness medicine that helped me not to get sick on the way home. I am thankful for cell phones that allowed me to keep in touch with Marc through it all. I am thankful that Brooke and I were with friends. I am thankful, so very thankful, for a safe trip home after a totally crazy night.

I am thankful for the porch light, and the comfortable, safe feeling of pulling up in the driveway. I am thankful to have us all, and a few more, back together within the walls of our home. I am thankful for a good night's rest after it all. I am thankful that although it was a crazy night, that God protected and provided, because it all could have ended in an entirely different way.

And that is why I had to do a Thankful Saturday. Yes indeed. All of that thankfulness had to come out. It couldn't hold until Thursday.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalms 92:1-2 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

The Oldest Princess is How Old?!?

I can remember when I found out that we were expecting you. I remember being both thrilled and scared to death. I remember all the doctor's visits, and the classes...I remember that those nine months seemed like an eternity...

I remember seeing you for the very first time, and knowing a love that I had never known before. I remember watching everyone else see you for the first time, and fall in love just as I did.

I remember the days we spent, just you and I, while your daddy was at work at the church. We would read and sing and play. You were everything I had ever dreamed you would be and more.

I remember the day we dedicated you to the Lord, and asked for His guidance to help us raise you in ways that are pleasing to Him.

I remember you taking your first steps, and how you used to get such a thrill out of pulling books off of the bookshelf. I remember you laying with me in the afternoons to take your nap...our special together time, for the months that I was on bed rest while expecting your brother.

I remember you being a fantastic helper, and a wonderful big sister. You always watched out for your brother, and did your best to keep him in line.

I remember your first day of school, your first piano recital, and many school and church plays and programs. I remember soccer games, volleyball games, basketball games, and cheerleading competitions.

I remember the day you asked the Lord to be your personal savior, and the day your Daddy baptized you.

I remember telling you that you were going to be a big sister again, and how excited you were. I remember how again, you fit the role perfectly, and still do. You are an awesome big sister!

I remember special times we've had heart to heart talks...just you and I. I remember times we have laughed, and been silly. I remember times we have cried.

And even though I have all those memories, it is hard for me to wrap my heart and mind around the fact that you are 14! How in the world did I blink, and you become a young lady? Just yesterday I held you, and rocked you to sleep, and look at you now!

I thank God every day for giving you to me. You are precious to me, and I am so very, very proud of you. I love your heart. I love that you strive to please, and not just people, but especially the Lord. I love that you are independent, but not too much so. I love that you come to me and share things. I love that you have noticed guys, but you don't act inappropriately to make them notice you. I love that you ask my advice, and then take it. I love that you are respectful to adults. I love that you work hard, and that you always expect more from yourself. I love your sweet spirit. I love that you come to me and apologize when you know you have done wrong.

14...and so much ahead of you. Keep your focus on the Lord. Stay in His Word. Learn something new about Him every day. Do the things that please Him. Obey Him, and everything else will fall into place. Be who you are supposed to be, and where you are supposed to be, and God will honor your obedience with His wonderful plan for your life. And His plan is definitely the best plan.

So many memories, and precious times to look back on...and so many exciting adventures to look forward to. I wouldn't change a second of the past, and I look forward to every second of the future. I know that God has worked through you already, and I eagerly await to see how He will continue to use you in the future.

Happy Birthday to my precious oldest princess, who is a beautiful person both inside and out.
I love you forever and always!
Mom

Oh, and that #16 on her jersey up there?...that's the year she graduates.  If 14 years have flown by like a few days...that's like, tomorrow!!  Lord, please help me to cherish EVERY moment!!!

Thankful Thursday

Here it is again...seems like I posted last week's just yesterday! I love it though! Keeping these lists has given me a greater awareness of God's hand on all things in my life...things both big and small. And I love thanking Him for every bit of it! Here are just a few of the things that stood out from this week...

*A great friend who stepped in to help me out

*Wonderful friends who let me ride with them to the ball game

*Another win for our football team

*Fun times playing with my husband and kids in the yard on a beautiful day

*The littlest princess' piano playing debut

*A great group of students

*A slow, steady rain

*The glimpses of Christlikness I see in the lives of my children

*Getting to talk to my big brother

*A JV win

*A little princess with a big imagination

*The mercies of God that are new every morning

*A surprise lunch from a great friend

For these blessings, and SO many others, I am thankful to God.

Christian Cannibalism

The other day, I found myself in a very awkward position. I found myself in a group of people who were all angry with one person. And that person was a friend of mine. I was in the middle of a hornets nest that I didn't want to be in. I didn't join in, but I didn't speak up either. I wish, oh how I wish, that I had spoken up. I wish I had been brave enough to stand up for my friend who was not there. Like I said, I didn't contribute, but I didn't do anything to stop it either.

I heard a quote the other day, that has really been on my heart. It had to do with Christians being cannibals. And wow, was this a perfect example. I didn't eat the feast, but I sat at the table. I am angry, and sickened with myself for not standing up for what is right.

Did they have a right to be angry at my friend? Perhaps they did. I don't know the whole story (including both sides). I do know that no one is perfect, and that everyone has lapses in judgment sometimes, and that even includes those who were angry.

I also know my friend. Probably better than any one of the angry people. I know more about what is going on in the big picture than anyone else present. I know some of the frustrations my friend is facing right now. And more importantly, I know my friend's heart.

I walked away with a very heavy heart. They were very passionate, and the last thing I wanted to do was to make them angrier. But I also know that the Bible says that a soft answer turns away wrath. So as I've thought back on this incident, I've decided on what to do if I find myself in the same situation. I don't want to feast, or even sit at the table.

So, I will lovingly:
1. Ask the people that are upset if they have...
A. Prayed about the situation
B. Tried to put themselves in the other person's shoes
C. Calmly (not in anger) gone to the person to discuss the matter
D. If C didn't work, did they try to take a neutral party (not another angry person) to
discuss the matter with the person again

2. Tell the person that if they haven't done all of the above, that perhaps they should go that route. After all, wouldn't that be better than having your Christian brother or sister on a stick?

The angry people looked bad, because of their behavior. And they did nothing to solve their problems. If they had handled things in a Christlike manner, then they would have saved face, AND made steps to solve their problems.

I have been there. I have had Christian on a stick...but thankfully, my eyes and heart were opened, by a friend who spoke the truth in love to me. Lord, please give me the strength to be that friend that speaks the truth in love the next time such an opportunity arises. Please help us to stop being Christian Cannibals, and start handling things the way You would like us to, in love and truth.

Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Edifying...that means building one another up...not tearing them down.

Oh, I want to be a person who edifies others! I don't want to be a person who tears others down!! Don't you want to be the same?

And to my friend that I did not stand up for, I am sorry, and Lord willing, I will not let another chance to stand up for you pass me by again.

She Would Have Been 72

She would have been 72 today. I really thought that she would live forever...maybe because she was always larger than life in my eyes. There was nothing, and I mean nothing, that she couldn't do. She had only a high school education, but she was very resourceful. She was an extremely hard worker, and she kept an immaculate house. She would do anything she could to help anyone who needed it. She loved her Lord, her family, and her church, where she served in many capacities, and took each job very seriously.

But more than all of that, she was my Momma. She wasn't perfect. She had her faults. But she loved fiercely, and was driven by a strong desire to please others.

Some of my favorite memories of her are: playing jacks on the kitchen floor; sharing a bowl of popcorn, or boiled peanuts; playing hours and hours of board games; her helping the missionary wife who needed a place to do her laundry; her sitting on the couch and making fried cornbread (yes, at the same time - you just had to be there); racing against her to see who could find the next find-a-word word on the list; laughing together; the night Daddy asked her, "What did you say?" and we laughed for hours; sitting on the porch talking; the night she killed the mouse; her playing Gestures in Pensacola; the day the possum in the garage scared her silly; her sitting on Daddy's lap in my brother's living room; her watching the oldest princess clomp around in her red heels, and then giving them to her, because she knew the oldest princess loved them so much; her playing in the leaves the Thanksgiving after Daddy died; her dancing with Marc on the boardwalk in Kemah; the next Thanksgiving when my sister and I bought white corn meal instead of yellow for the dressing, and tried to hide it from her by using yellow food coloring (it would have worked, too, if we hadn't told our brother about it); the trouble she went to to make a special costume for the young prince not just once, but again after he outgrew the first one; watching her help my kids make biscuits; her making shirts out of bags for my kids; how she acted like a kid again picking back and forth with her brother; the littlest princess taking some of her first steps to her; her frying bacon for the young prince...and the list goes on...

She has been on my mind quite a bit lately. I guess with her birthday coming up, and my Sister-in-law having a pair of her earrings fixed for me. I dreamed about her last Saturday night, which I rarely do. And in my dream, she was so alive. I actually woke up and the realness of her absence made me grieve for her all over again. There are days when I ache with wanting to pick up the phone and tell her things, or ask her questions. Sometimes, no matter how old a girl is, she still needs her own Momma. There are just some things no one understands like your Mom.

Of course, I know that she is much better off now, than she was during her last days here on earth. And I would never in a million years wish her back for that reason alone. And though I don't like the timing of her death, and the days I've had to live without her, I am more thankful, and appreciative of the days I had with her. And like I said before, she wasn't perfect, but she helped me to be the person I am today. I am who I am largely because of both her strengths, and her weaknesses, through which I learned valuable lessons.

She's been in Heaven for three years, seven months and 14 days...and most days, I miss her, but I do okay...today though...I miss her with every fiber of my being.

If you've ever lost a loved one, I'm sure you will understand. If you still have your mother, take a minute or two, or ten, and let her know how much you love and appreciate her. Be specific, and thank the Lord for every day He gives you with those you love.

Thankful Thursday (Afternoon)

I love, love, love keeping my list throughout the week, reading back over it several times, and adding to it as Thursday approaches. It's been a busy week, and Thursday actually slipped up faster than normal, so I apologize for the later than usual posting. Here are a sampling of the things I am thankful for from this week.

*A super special lady to stand in as grandma for our littlest princess for Grandparents Day at school.

*A volleyball win!!

*The HUGE smile after the successful down ball

*A special talk with my favorite niece

*Making someone happy

*A football win!!

*Super fellowship and lots of laughs with friends

*An unexpected blessing

*A sleepy little princess

*Encouragement from an unexpected source

*One more hug from my mother (of course it was only in a dream, but it was very realistic, and I'm very thankful for it.)

*Several young people and young adults that I have talked to lately that truly have a heart for serving the Lord - So exciting to see!

*Beautiful weather

*Playing children

*Hummingbirds(lots of them)to feed

*The joy of watching the hummingbirds with the littlest princess

*The neighbor dog, that has decided to be friendly, instead of standing at the edge of the yard barking every time we are outside. Maybe she was just asking to come over and play :-)

*That the same dog is also friendly to our cats

*Taking pictures, and capturing moments

*Classroom parents that are supportive

*A full room each Wednesday night at Ignite

*A healthy family

*A precious marriage that is truly a gift from God that I treasure

*Friends that are not afraid to share struggles and encouragements

For these blessings, and SO many more...I am thankful to God!

I Can't Do It

Discouraged.

Have you ever been there? I'm sure if you are human, you have.

Something at the house breaks. The kids are going wild. Something at work is really frustrating. The car breaks down. An unexpected bill comes in. One thing after another goes wrong. And doesn't it seem like it happens ALL AT ONCE?

And I want to sit down and throw my hands up in the air and quit. Because I am doing my best to please the Lord, and serve Him with all my might. And then, while I'm down, along comes someone to "kick" me with a joking comment that hits me right in my heart.

And I find myself wondering if it is even worth it...

And then the Holy Spirit brings to mind...

1 Thessalonians 5:24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

And there it is. The ladder out of the deep hole of discouragement. If He calls you. He also will do it. If He called me, He doesn't expect perfection from me. He knows that everyone I come in contact with will not be awed by me. He made me after all, He knows me better than anyone else. That's the beauty in the ashes. I can't do it. It's obvious I can't. That's exactly why He called ME. So HE could do it. So He could get the honor and glory that belongs to Him in the first place.

And then I can smile again, and thank God for using me, inadequacies and all, to be a small part of His big plan, and to bring honor and glory to Him.

So, yes. It is worth it. It is definitely worth it. It is worth all that we face, in order to be used by Him, in order to help further the gospel in some way, and to grow to be more like Him.

If you are discouraged today, please remember that you don't have to do it. God will do it. Whew! Isn't that a load off of your back? And thank Him for choosing to use you.

1 Peter 5:7. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Thankful Thursday

Giving Thanks to the Lord for all He has done both great and small...here are just a few things that I am Thankful for this week...

*Learning that even my inadequacies are blessings, and can be used by God

*Folders with good grades

*Food to eat

*Children who are interested in learning

*A win for our football team

*Time with precious family members

*Good friends for my kids

*Missionaries that are a blessing in their faithfulness

*A friend that speaks the truth in love

*Children who are open to the leading of the Lord

*Time to actually wash, dry, fold and put away not just one, but several loads of laundry

*Yogurt

*Rain

*Awesome friends that help us out and take care of the young prince so he can go to football practice, and we can go to watch the oldest princess play volleyball

*Those who encourage my son

*The littlest princess falling asleep in my lap

*Compassion

*Being able to celebrate another year of life with the greatest man on earth

*Circumstances that help me to be more like my Savior, and cause me to depend on Him more and more

*The fact that when those circumstances come, He is MORE than sufficient

For these blessings, and MANY more...Thank you, Lord.

Thankful Thursday - With Help...

And here they are...some of the things you all are thankful for on Thankful Thursday :-)! But first, I am thankful for those of you who were willing to share your blessings with the rest of us. It truly has blessed my heart to read them...especially since some of them are things that I have had the privilege of praying for. I love you all! And thank you again for sharing!

*A husband that is blessed with the ability to fix things. My HE4 washer for example. Praise the Lord, no laundromat, no big repair bill, no having to purchase a new washer! -Pam T.

*A great start to our first year of homeschooling. Looking forward to spending more time with my daughter, learning along side her and watching her grow in her faith and her education. - Michelle

*The little things
*That God saves marriages. He knows just how to get people's attention in ways that matter in their marriage. - Pam H.

*The privilege to be a part of our school's first 6 man football team, and the chance to represent Him on the field and in the classroom. - The young prince

*Jesus
*The world we live on
*A brother and sister to play with, so I don't have to play by myself
*Mom and Dad
*The food we eat
*The house we live in
*The family we have
*The friends we have
*The clothes we wear - The littlest princess

*A job where I can openly share my faith and encourage and guide my students using the Word of God
*That I can appeal to their consciences because of the lessons they have been taught through scripture
*For the family of a sick child that is able to be together because of the Superintendant of Education who saw their need, and met it with grace and compassion - Christa

*God who is a forgiving savior
*A wonderful family
*My grandmother who is very strong and has an amazing will to live, and for the moments I am able to share with her that I will always treasure.
*My job, when so many are without one
*My health
*Even for the extra "fluff" on my body, because it means that I have plenty to eat :-) - Lisa

*My two precious, healthy grandchildren
*A great husband and children
*Amazing parents - Debra

*For specific answers to prayers
*That God is a God of provision, giving exactly what we need, when we need it.
*Thankful that He is the best friend I could ever have.
*For my salvation
*For a God who knows me and loves me anyway
*Thankful that He doesn't judge, and that He knows my heart
*Thankful that He does not judge, or hold my children accountable for circumstances in life in which they have no control
*For tribulations that shape us into who He wants us to be - Dawn

*For faithful prayers for my family that I could actually feel - Rachel

*That a parent of one of our teens was baptized Sunday
*That one of our teens was baptized Sunday
*Opportunities to serve
*A godly heritage
*Being the first to purchase tickets to the movie Courageous at the theater in our area
*Children who are concerned about their relationships with Christ -Marc

*Parents that come to most of my games and are there to support me
*Parents who are godly and encourage me to do right - The oldest princess

*For the right to express my faith and beliefs in school - James

*Purple toenails!
*"I Spy" with a little beauty
*Special talks with my blossoming beauty
*Tickle matches with my little men
*Spell check :-) - Jennifer

*That my children are teaching my grandchildren to be followers and not just fans of Jesus Christ - Paula

*Laundry - Mounds and mounds of it. My daily reminder of the great provision of my Lord. The money He provides to buy the clothes, water and electricity. Along with the beautiful family He has blessed me with...without whom, the mountainous task would not even appear -Julia

Awesome job everyone!! Now keep it up! Look for something each day that you can be thankful for. But don't stop at just being thankful...Praise the Lord for who He is and all He does!

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Join us for Thankful Thursdays!! Praising the Lord, and giving Him thanks on a regular basis will change your heart. Try it and see!