I'm Thankful

Today I woke up in such a grateful mood. How can you not be so thankful for everything we have in this life with all that is going on in our crazy world?

Each morning when I wake up I grab my "Keep Calm and Pray On" journal and I write a short .. or sometimes long... prayer before I start my day. Today this post is coming straight from my prayer journal...so here comes some realness:

November 27

Today is my fathers birthday and yesterday was Thanksgiving..so today my cup is overflowing with gratefulness and all I can possibly pull out of my soul today to pray is "I'm Thankful"

Without you Lord none of this life would be possible. All of my blessing that I do not deserve come from you and your sacrifice. I'm humbled and grateful. I have spent time recently reflecting on how wonderful my life truly is. During this time people start making wish lists for Santa and telling family what they would like for Christmas and I'm just over here humbled by what I already have. 

I'm so thankful for the parents you chose for me. I"m thankful for the time we have spent together as a family. I'm thankful for the hard times we have went through. I'm thankful I got to spend so much time with Colton when he was a baby. I'm thankful for a great brother and a wonderful uncle to my children. I'm thankful for all our family friends and family that I don't really even know. I'm thankful for me and my dad's close relationship. I'm thankful for having a great bond with my brother. I'm thankful that my mom enjoys being a wonderful grandma to my kids. I'm thankful she takes the opportunity to teach my daughter lady things like cooking and sewing when I fail at showing her those types of things. I'm thankful for my past relationships with old boyfriends which make me appreciate the relationship I have now with Gregg. I'm thankful you guided my path and my decisions that led me to Gregg. I'm thankful that Gregg was interested in this simple country girl. I'm thankful for his protection, love and security in our family. I'm thankful you chose me to be his help mate for the rest of our lives. I'm thankful he is the father of my children. I'm thankful for our job, our house, our vehicles, our way of life. I"m thankful that you have allowed me to experience two wonderful pregnancies that brought me two beautifully healthy children. I'm thankful that you see fit to make me a mother. I'm thankful for my blurry busy days and two annoying dogs. I'm thankful for every day that I wake up in a dream and realize that this is my reality. I'm thankful. I'm thankful that you given all this to me, Lord. I'm thankful for your love, mercy and grace. 

I'm Thankful. 

You have let me experience the joys of life and the exquisite pleasures of Your own eternal presence. Psalms 16:11 

There is so much to be thankful for.. Just because Thanksgiving is over with now .. let's not forget what all we have to be thankful for.

Colossians Bible Study Day 1

I'm super excited to get started with the Good Morning Girls on reading Colossians!!

I love picking a part of the Bible and just digging in.

I was reading Job and was so inspired. I wondered if I had gone through what all he did..if I would have had the same faith as he did.

Now let's dig into Colossians..this is a book in the Bible that I actually haven't spent alot of time in..so I am ready!
I have started a Facebook group for this study and had quite a few friend ask to join..Yay! If you come along and find this interesting...please feel free to message me or leave me a comment and I will add you to our group!!

The study will start today. We will take just a few verses and a few minutes out of your day to spend time with God. Just one on one time with God. I have to admit sometimes I find myself to busy to sit and spend time with God.
Seriously?
To busy for God?

How could someone ever say that? But I do. I have an inhome preschool, dishes, laundry, bills, papers that need organized....etc.

But this is a way to have people that love you hold you accountable ...because we all know that you can not grow a relationship without time spent with each other.

I will be using the SOAP method....which is what the Good Morning Girls are using. I also have never used this method..so we will see how it works for me. You use whatever method you like. I am a writer. I have to write things down. If you just want to read and reflect. Do that. All I ask is that you come back here or to our facebook group and let us know you read the passage. And maybe how you plan to apply it to your life and what observations you had.

Today we are reading Colossians 1:1-4
S...Scripture.....
I have gotten myself a notebook and written down my passage for the day...
which do you know is in the Bible? I didn't know that. See..already learning something.

Jeremiah 30:2 "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.

O...Observation....
A few things that jumped out at me from this passage is the word apostle.
Apostle means messenger.
Aren't we all messengers? Even if we don't have profound words..all we need is "Jesus Loves You" Maybe somebody needs to hear just that today.
by the will of God
that phrase just brings joy to my heart. Life is so much easier knowing that you are in the will of God. If you have prayed before making a decision and have seen God's answer for you..not matter what it is you can have no fear if it is in the will of God. He has it under control!
holy and faithful brothers in Christ
brothers in Christ. I have been going through a time where family doesn't seem much like family...or my definition of family anyway. I am thankful that we have brothers and sisters in Christ ... we are family.
we always thank God ..when we pray for you
How SWEET!! What a compliment! I thanked God for you today! I pray for people all the time. I pray for their souls..their situations...God's healing and direction in their lives...but I have to say that I have never prayed for thankfulness for them..just them...as a person..living on God's earth.
Hmmmm ...first day of reading..first passage of reading...and already an insight and a AHA moment!
Yay!

A..Application
I have already mentioned a few above..but I plan on being more of a messenger in God's will. Even if it is a simple "Jesus Loves You" ....maybe a card to say "I'm thinking of you"....
I am a mother, wife, sister, teacher and friend by the will of God..and I plan on doing those jobs that God has given me to the BEST of my ability! and yes...that means laundry! ugh!
When I pray for someone..for their situation ...I want to remember to thank God for THEM...for making them..putting them in my path to give me the opportunity to pray for them and watch God's miracles.

P...Pray...

There is the SOAP method!! Not bad! I like it!

I am already feeling so inspired and so fulfilling by just reading four little verses!! Who would have thought that FOUR verses could make you think so much!

I don’t know what God will do personally in your life but I do know that if we come to his word faithfully we are going to be filled with living water…we will LIVE WELL!!

He will speak to you personally. About your life..your dark areas..your soul..your trials…along with mine..and I am excited!!

Come to his word with expectancy!!

No doubt we will gain spiritual wisdom and understanding...and who knows what else God has in store!

I do hope that you will join us and discuss what you got out of these four verses.
Here is the link to our Facebook Group..I will gladly add you!
 

Be Thankful on Paper

Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner...the very smart and talented Rachel from No 17 Cherry Tree Lane is hosting a challenge called Be Thankful On Paper.

I love the concept!

Every Wednesday in the month of November...write (on paper...yes...a good old fashion letter...mailed and everything..with a stamp) a letter to someone to tell them that YOU are thankful for THEM!

It will make you smile...it will make them smile...it is just an all around good challenge!! I encourage you to come and play along!

Rachel has a linky set up on her blog ...so feel free to join in anytime...

This week...the first letter i wanted to write was to my husband.

I didn't mail it...but I drove over to his work and slipped it in his truck so when he went on his lunch break ...he was suprised by it!

In the letter I told him how my life would not be the same if he weren't in it. It would be majorly different. Everything we have we worked together to get..and I am very proud of where we live...everything we have and who we are!

He was suprised by it..and called me to tell me that it was one of the best things I had given him (besides our daughter).
Sometimes it doesn't take hundreds of dollars to give  special gift....
a good old written letter does wonders for one's soul!

Thankful on Paper

Last year for Thanksgiving I made these.....

They were a hit..everyone filled in the blanks with something they were thankful for! My mother in law kept them..and told me to do them again this year to see how our lives change from year to year. Feel free to steal the idea..it's a good one!

But this year..i plan on going one extra mile...

with Thankful on Paper.

I initially found this over At No.17 Cherry Tree Lane so I will take a excerpt from her blog on how this all works.

*The 4 Wednesdays (beginning on Nov 3rd), leading up to Thanksgiving, I'm going to write one person and tell them I am thankful for them and why. I will send it to them them that day (or drop it off at their house) and hopefully express to them how much I care for them and how grateful I am that they are in my life. I would love you to do the same.

*The 4 Thursdays (beginning on Nov 4th), leading up to Thanksgiving, I will write a simple blog post about who I wrote to and why. On those Thursdays, I would love for you to join me and write a post. I will link to each of your blogs on that Thursday so that others can visit your site and be inspired. (I am potentially going to do a LINKY, but might just do it myself as well, not sure). If the person is someone you would like to keep private, that is also fine. You can opt out that week or write a general post keeping it private, but sharing some sentiment of Thankfulness.


*It's as easy as that!

Not that hard..right?

I won't be doing a linky...unless I get a request too..i am just going to link up at Cherry Tree...I would love to see who you write to though!!

I know how much I cherish when my mom or someone finds something of my grandma's that she had written..I love seeing her writing..knowing that she sat down to take the time to write that. It is priceless...so whoever you pick to write you..will cherish it!

I know it has been said a million times..that we have so much social media out here now...that we forget to actually "talk" to people...to take people to lunch...to go out for drinks...remember ice cream socials?

now it is all texting or emails...

so take some time this Thanksgiving to tell the ones that you cherish that you love them..you are thankful for them..they will feel blessed..you will feel blessed..and maybe..just maybe..it could be one step into making this world a little better place!! :)

Multitude Monday

Holy Experience by Ann Voksamp is one of the most timeless...peaceful...and simple blogs i have read in a long time!
i love it!
She gives such inspiring words ...comforting words...words that make you stop what your doing and take a good look into your own house...

today she did just that to me..

having a two year old isn't easy...for anyone..
everytime i tell anyone i have a two year old..the response is always "Oh..I remember those days"...or something similar.

I know exactly what they are talking about...but Ann encourages you today in her blog post to take those "oh" moments and thank God for them!

Some pretty precious moments happen during those 3am feedings when it is just you and baby...no tv..no radio..no computer...just a soft light...a singing momma..and a cooing baby!

how precious! what a precious gift...gift!...that God has chosen you to have!

For my multitude Monday i want to start off with thanking God for:
those quiet times with Lyla
the exciting firsts of everything
a comfy rocking chair that we still use today to rock to sleep and sing
a soft lamp light
nature sounds
antique shops for mother and daughter bonding time
moms and dads (even stepdads)
working men that love
lavendar
wood floors to hear the pitter patter of little feet

Simplify

I just wanted to post this really quick...eventhough I don't get many comments so I don't think anyone really reads this blog...but just in case...I wanted to say a big big big thank you to Joshua Becker.

Over at New Nostalgia ...Amy is having a give a way for the Ebook "Simplify" ..it is all about becoming a rational minimalist. Not the stark concrete walls with no carpet flooring...but just not cluttered...that is the rational part!! hee hee!!!

Well I have heard Amy over there talking about this book and how much she loves it...so when I seen she was having the give away I put in every entry I could to win it! Then had my fingers crossed!!! ;)

I was checking my email one day ..clicking the delete button going through all the junk I get now a days for some reason...and came across an email from Joshua Becker...that says my comments over at New Nostalgia caught his eye and he is giving me a complimentary copy of the Ebook "Simplify"

WHAT................ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? HOW EXCITING!!!!
*jumping up and down singing*

WOO HOO!!!

So needless to say I quickly downloaded it and can't wait to get started reading it!!! and putting it into practice!!

So thank you thank you thank you to Joshua Becker!! That was so kind of you and I greatly appreciate it!

From the Back Cover Of The Book "Simply." by Joshua Becker:
Since choosing to simplify his life two years ago, Joshua has encouraged hundreds of thousand of others around the world to pursue minimalism in their life through his blog: www.becomingminimalist.com. As one of today's leading proponents of "rational minimalism," joshua presents 7 principles that will help guide the reader into a practice of simplicity that works for their unique, individual lifestyle. You will enjoy his unique blend of illustrative stories, theoretical principle, and practical application. After all, if this typical family of four living in the suburbs can simplify their life, so can you!

If you are interested in this book...which I highly reccommend.....you can go to this website for a book review.

And here is Joshua's site Becoming Minimalist...not only a great Ebook...but a great blog with wonderful information!!

Have a great day!

I need to encourage my husband.

So I have been reading and studying on what a wife's duties are and what I should be doing.

Gregg and I have been having some communication problems...with added stress...calls for a no good situation and here lately we have not been happy.
And I know that all of this is not all Gregg's fault because I have seen with my own eyes that when I am having a bad day and I take it out of him...it breaks him. It breaks his spirit..his confindence..and he ends up having a bad day ..which again..does not = a good marriage.

So from here on out I am making a conscious decision to encourage my husband...to edify him...to lift him up and thank him and appreciate him for being him!!!
I do love him..with all my heart! He is a great man and a wonderful father. He would do anything he could for his family. He takes care of us and provides for us...and even works over time to so that we can plan big family trips! He is what I have dreamed of...and I need to remember that.
Sometimes when day to day stuff occurs and minor details get in the way ...I forget to step back and realize that I am living my dream...I have a great husband and a great daughter...two dogs...our own house...a fenced yard...what more could I want...(well a new car would be nice) but anyway....I have a LOT to be thankful for and I don't want to take any of this for granted...

My last FINAL!!

Tonight is my last night of college at CASC!! I will take my last final and never step foot back on that campus! I am so happy that I am done! for a while.........I am going to go back and get my Bachelors Degree but not a CASC since they are only a 2 year school. It has been a great and tiring time in my life..but I have to say I know that all this hard work is going to pay off. I have to be completely and utterly gracious and thankful to my mom and step dad for watching my daughter through this whole journey because if hadn't been for them I would have never been able to finish school. Woo hoo..off to study!!