Gifts 104-109

Thankful for :

104~ reminder at a visit to a friend's church on Sunday...the pastor said that psychologists had found that it was impossible to feel depression while feeling thankfulness. Remind me, Holy Spirit, to be thankful!

105~ being a witness to the baptism of about 30 people of all shapes, sizes and ages, among loud cheers...just beautiful!

106~ brand new pack of pretty cards...I want to write more personal "old-fashioned" letters to family & friends.

107~ "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe...sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow!"

108~ that we live in an age where there is a plethora of books that help me teach the Gospel to my children (some "Bookshelf" reviews are coming soon!)

109~ Hearing Irene say in the morning "Where's my good morning hug?"

Gifts 94-103

So many things to be thankful for, that I can only scratch the surface...

94~ new jobs, new homes, new starts for friends!

95~ meeting with the elders of my church, who let me spill my guts and still did not look at me like I was crazy. Thank you, God, for men who are still willing to serve the church and all of the crazy people in it.

96~ half-price root beer floats on Tuesday night...stopped and had some with the kiddos for no reason at all.

97~ a few minutes of total stillness, silence and solitude in the sanctuary. (I stopped in to drop something off and it was so peaceful I had to sit a minute).

98~ the good friends that God has put in my children's lives. Praying for one good friend her age for Irene right now.

99~ Matthew's successful 13th birthday party, complete with some of those good friends.

100~ a visit to the dentist that didn't turn out as bad as I dreamed last night, and people were actually friendly!

101~ maybe one of the last visits to the pool with friends for the season, and their good conversation. (Thank you Jess and Jess !)

102~ a morning out with Irene, who went to the dentist with me before we wandered around Target for a while.

103~ Classical Conversations starting tomorrow, looking forward to a new year of homeschooling!!

Gifts 86-93

86~ the sound of the dryer running...doing work while I am not.

87~ the cooler temperatures today that made it feel like fall may still be coming after all.

88~ provision, just in time.

89~ actually making progress in small bits, getting my paperwork monster organized. Thanks to Jessica, I'm setting up a very handy notebook that she calls an HMG (not sure what that stands for) but I call a TLILMMBMTWHN ("Too Late, I've Lost My Mind, But Maybe This Will Help" Notebook)

90~ my snug little home.

91~ outrageously big and weird looking moths that we keep seeing everywhere, and keep getting a good laugh from. (It does not take much to entertain this crew.) Has anyone else seen strange looking moth / butterflies around? They look normal at first until you look closer and see their bodies are built like a Mack truck. Crazy. And funny when you're bored.

92~ my sweet daughter-in-law who sends me pictures of the cutest baby in the world to brighten up my day! Love you, Abby!

93~ answers to prayers. Including the answers that are still on the way. I can't wait to see what you'll do, God!

Gifts 76-85

76~ Abbie beginning her prayer with "God, You are my Father"... I don't know; something about hearing your child say those words makes a parent more thankful than really anything else I can think of.

77~ A day in the sunshine. (An impromptu "let's go do something" remark led to my first day out in the sunshine in at least a week.) Watched the kids splash and play at Indian Springs state park and was overwhelmed once again with the recognition of all that I have.

78~ Remembering tonight that 21 years ago tomorrow I was a 17 year old girl, holding my first baby boy in my arms. I was completely oblivious to how the world worked, and how life would toss us around. I could not have imagined what the Lord had in store for my life or his, but I am so thankful that He knows all of our yesterdays and tomorrows. Happy Birthday, Mick !

79~ so fun watching Irene going wild for scrapbooking...I am happy one of us has time to do it!!

80~ a church meeting this weekend that reaffirmed to me how important it is that we BE the church. How important it is that the Gospel is the artery running through anything else we do.

81~ Electricity on ! (The power was out when we came home from Indian Springs).

82~ It needs saying again...can't be said enough. Friends. Who help you through the bad days. Friends that God sends, that love Him so much that they want to serve Him by loving me...it is so humbling.

83~ sisters who color pictures and mail them to your kids :) Thank you, Karen.

84~ my old quilt from Grandma Moore that is the coziest ever to curl up beneath, and remind me of when I was curled up beneath the very same one when I was 10, at her house.

85~ "To know and follow hard after You, To grow as Your disciple in Your truth. The world is empty pale and poor, Compared to knowing You my Lord, Lead me on, and I will run after You."

Gifts 69-75

I need to thank God today, in everything give thanks...

69~ For friends who are literally the hands and feet of Jesus in their kindness and ministering to me.

70~ That my children are homeschooled...this for many reasons but specifically, how they were there (they were just THERE) to snuggle with me today.

71~ for Abbie and Irene telling me that Rachel gathered them all together while I was gone to pray for me.

72~ for my hubby doing almost all of the laundry today (which is quite a feat!)

73~ background chatter of happy voices playing superheroes (Irene: "Help, help !" Abbie: "What's that? Do I hear someone in need of help???" with their beachtowel capes on.)

74~ The words of a hymn stumbled upon today, by Mathew Smith:

All Must Be Well


Through the love of God our Savior, All will be well
Free and changeless is His favor, All is well
Precious is the blood that healed us
Perfect is the grace that sealed us
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us
All must be well

Though we pass through tribulation, All will be well
Ours is such a full salvation, All is well
Happy still in God confiding
Fruitful if in Christ abiding
Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding
All must be well

We expect a bright tomorrow; All will be well
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, All is well
On our Father's love relying
Jesus every need supplying
Yes in living or in dying
All must be well

75~ For my Rachel...you do so much for me! I love you!!