Thankful Thursday

It's Thankful Thursday. I am counting some of my many blessings over the past week. I hope you are as well!

*Another win for our football team

*A chance to see my second favorite team play, if only for a little while

*A stay at home Saturday

*Goodbyes that mean our friends are that much closer to the mission field

*Unexpected opportunities

*Hearing not one, not two, but three precious souls sing from their hearts to the Lord

*Being able to help out my friend, and make the littlest princess' night, at the same time

*That I GET to go to the dentist, when I don't HAVE to go, especially when others around the world do not have that luxury

*No cavities

*A fun day with the family and friends

*Dinner at the dinner table

*Plans that didn't look like they were going to work out...worked out after all

*Watching tv with the young prince

*Fall clothes and decorations

*A date with my handsome prince

*A delicious dinner

*A POWERFUL movie that I know will change lives

*Great friends who watched our children, and made our date possible

*Time at home to get things done

*Sharing our bounty of blessings with others

*Visitors at church and Ignite teens

*A tenderhearted child who loves and considers others

*The trust that comes with the sharing of a prayer request

*A child that entertains us with her antics

*An appointment I've been waiting on

*Peace, when My spirit is anxious

*Mercy, when I don't deserve it

*Grace, when I most need it

These are the things, plus many more for which I am thankful for this week. I am constantly amazed by how God works in both the big and little details in our lives. I love looking back and seeing how all the pieces fit together perfectly. God is so good!

October Baby

I have just seen a really powerful movie called October Baby. It is about a girl who was supposed to be aborted, but lives. It is a story of hope, and belonging, and forgiveness. It is a top quality movie with great acting, and a touching storyline. It deals with the mature issue of abortion, so I would not take young children, but otherwise it is a clean movie...no curse words etc. It has a wonderful mix of humor and drama. I laughed and cried throughout the whole movie.

I feel like this movie will minister to women all over the United States that have had abortions. I also feel like it will minister to the nurses and doctors that perform abortions. So, if you know anyone who falls into either of those categories, please make plans to have them join you in seeing this movie when it comes out in the spring. If you are interested in learning some of the behind the scenes info, or in watching the trailer, please go to www.octoberbabymovie.net

Oh, and some of it was filmed in Alabama...so you local folks will recognize some of the places :-)! There is also a special limited release October 28th, so if you live in or near the Montgomery area, I highly recommend that you see it if you can.

Please support this awesome movie. I can't wait to see how God uses it to touch and change lives!

Review of Pattern of Wounds by J. Mark Bertrand

Pattern of Wounds is a murder mystery novel by J. Mark Bertrand. The main character is Houston homicide detective Rowland March. March is investigating a murder that his instincts tell him is a copy cat murder to a case he has already solved. A kink is thrown into his theory however when a Harris County detective tries to prove that this murder is the latest in a string of serial killer murders.

The characters are well developed, especially the main characters. They face true to life problems and issues. The plot kept me guessing, and surprised me to the very end.

I wish I had known that this was the second Rowland March book series so that I could have read them in order. I felt several times that I was missing some information by not having read the first book in the series. I was drawn to the book because I love mysteries, and because the book is set in Houston, my hometown. It was neat to be able to read about familiar places in a fiction genre. I did not like that he stereo typed the Harris County detective to look like a country hick. I also felt that at times things were covered in a little too much detail.

Overall, if you like mysteries, you will most likely enjoy this book. I would suggest that you read the first book in the series before you read this one.

I was given a free copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers for the express purposes of writing this review. The opinions expressed above are completely my own. I was in no way pressured to give a favorable review.

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!!!