Thankful Thursday

As my prayers continue to go up for the people who have suffered in the storms this week - some just 20 miles from my home - I am most thankful for God's hand of protection on my family and friends. As I said in yesterday's post, I have family and friends living in Atkins who were not even touched by the storms. I am also thankful for everyone who is making an effort to help those in need. I am touched by the outpouring of donations of money, time and supplies by so many people especially my good friends at the Clinton Sonic. It's sad that it takes a disaster to bring people together, but I am so glad that we do come together when something like this happens.

For more Thankful Thursday check out Sting My Heart.

Thankful

• I am thankful that we made it through another January.
• I am thankful that we had no damage from the wind storms that blew through on Tuesday.
• I am thankful for good friends that showed up to help Brian repair the roof damage at the church.
• I am thankful that Stephen's bought with the stomach bug was short-lived.
• I am thankful for the weather man being wrong about the weather yesterday. I really don't like sleet and ice.
• I am thankful for electricity, running water, a warm dry house, and a million other things that I take for granted on a daily basis.

Check out more at Sting My Heart.

Thankful Thursday

The theme this week over at Sting My Heart is hope. I am truly thankful for the hope we have in Christ. Without Him all hope is lost.

I am thankful for my health as well as that of my family. We often take our health for granted, complaining about minor aches and pains, but there are many others much worse off than we are. I have several people on my personal prayer list right now who are struggling with health issues - some severe. It is hard to know how to pray sometimes. Of course we always have hope they they will be healed, but the truth is if they know Christ we know they will be healed. We may not see that healing here, but even if they pass on from this life, they will be healed and free from all ailments when they get to heaven.

I'll leave you with a list of names of people who need your prayers and just ask that you lift them and their families up. Bobby, Steve, Pat, Granny Price,Crystal, and Rosa. If you have someone close to you that you would like to request prayer for, I encourage you to leave a comment.

Thankful Thursday

It's been a while since I took part in Thankful Thursday, so here goes:

I am thankful for Gods unending grace that covers all of my transgressions when I take them to him.

I am thankful for the grace extended by those I love when I fail them.

I am thankful for friends and fellowship.

I am thankful for the new women's Bible study that started at church this week. I have so much to learn and there are some wonderful mentors in the group.

I am thankful that God puts the people we need for encouragement, accountability and fellowship in our lives.

I am thankful for those of you who read this blog. I am always amazed to see visitors from all parts of the world, visitors who return, and even a few who visit several times a day. You are all a blessing to me. I am especially thankful when you leave a comment - hint, hint.

For more Thankful Thursday and a sure blessing, visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

What I am Thankful for...

This is my Thankful Thursday post for the week...check out others at Laurel Wreath's site.

Thankful Thursday

There are so many things to be thankful for - here are just a few of mine:

• my sweet and faithful husband
• that I am finally almost over being sick
• next week is Thanksgiving and I am thankful that I will get to spend some time with all of my family - so many people don't have that opportunity
• I am off work 3 days next week
• Brian and I have finally been able to plan a day off together - just us, no kids
• the good Halloween candy is finally gone
• we found a temp for while Mel is on maternity leave
• tax class is almost over
• Skylar got her certificate for knowing all of the books of the Bible
• Stephen has stepped up his reading and is so close to his goal for AR points

For more Thankfulness head over to God is in control - NOT ME. I promise there are much more inspiring list there.

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday already? And on top of that it's November. Where did the time go?





This week I want to say how thankful I am that Skylar is feeling better. I am thankful that the doctor was able to see her on such short notice Monday, even insisting that we bring her Monday at 5:30 rather than waiting until Tuesday.

I am thankful for fall weather. It is finally starting to feel like summer might really be over. Soon the leaves will start to change and then fall. I know God is about to paint a beautiful picture for us all to enjoy.

I am thankful for the time off of work I had last week. It was nice to have a couple of days off with nothing planned. My favorite part was going to the library - I know I am such a nerd, but I really love to read, and God has led me to some really great books lately. I just finished the third book of the Yada Yada Prayer Group series. I really love these books so far. I can see bits of myself and my friends in several of the characters, and as I see them grow, I am often moved to tears, knowing that God has worked some of the same miracles in our lives.

I am thankful that God's word reminded me that His word never returns void. I made the decision Sunday to stop teaching in children's church. My patience and nerves had run out for dealing with behavioral problems. I had hoped to get an immediate sense of peace over the decision, but it didn't come until later when God led me to read Isaiah 55 - specifically verse 11. While it felt like everything I tried to teach in that class fell on deaf ears, God assures me that as long as I taught His word, someday something will come of it. And while that assurance hasn't led me to rethink the decision to quit teaching the class, it has given me a peace in knowing that everything I have done in there was not in vain. And with the closing of one door, God will open another. I don't yet know what God will lead me to do, but He has something planned for me.

And I almost forgot - I am very thankful that I made the last payment on my van last week and received the title in the mail this week. One less bill to pay.

For more Thankful Thursday, check out God is in Control...NOT ME.

Thankful Thursday

• I am sooooo thankful for a God that still heals, even when our faith gets weak.
• I am thankful for a good report at Stephen's parent-teacher conference this week. Knowing that he is excelling in school and that he behaves well there - even when he doesn't at home - makes my heart smile.
• I am thankful for Skylar feeling better today - she had a fever last night but it was gone this morning.
• I am thankful for Skylar's teacher. Skylar is learning so much at preschool. She continues to amaze us with all of the things she remembers. Just this morning she informed me that Little Rock is our capital and Mike Beebe is our governor. More importantly she knows that the Bible is the inspired word of God, as well as many other facts about the Bible.

For more thankfulness head over to God is in Control...NOT ME! , where Crystal is guest hosting Thankful Thursday for the next few weeks.

Thankful Thursday - Better Late than Never

Ok, I am a day late, but Thankful Friday just doesn't have the same ring to it.

I am thankful for the Encouraging Word I get from KLOVE each morning in my inbox. Today it reminded me that as long as I build my life on Him my faith will grow, and then I won't be able to stop being thankful.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your
faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with
thankfulness. Colossians 2:7, NLT

I am thankful for the conviction I felt at the altar Wednesday night. It is time for me to get back in shape...

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto
all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to
come. 1 Timothy 4:8

...I have let myself get slack in my Bible reading and just like when we stop exercising our bodies, we get out of shape, when we stop exercising in God's word, we easily slip back into old habits...mine are negativity, sarcasm, and being withdrawn from those around me.

I am thankful for friends that will hold me accountable in my reading and improving my attitude as well as for helping me to recognize the Spirit's conviction. God has really put some special people in my life and I am thankful He sent them my way.

Check out more Thankful Thursday...on Friday... at Sting My Heart.

I gotta add this after reading Heather's comment I went reading her blog and it led me to this article she wrote about pessimism. God is really good you know! That article spoke right to my heart.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

• My children getting to enjoy their grandparents. I don't tell them enough how much I appreciate them being involved in the lives of our kids. And though they get to enjoy the grand kids a little too much at times, I hope they are thankful they are involved in the kids' lives as well.
• What Skylar is learning in preschool. She comes home everyday telling us something new. Sunday morning she just started spouting out the books of the Old Testament. She is absorbing so much.
• Stephen's outgoing personality. He has never met a stranger and goes out of his way to talk to everyone. This fact was driven home this week when he was selected to be an ambassador at school. For the rest of the semester, he has been chosen to help out any new students that transfer into his school by showing them around and just being a friend while they get adjusted.
• God's amazing ability to completely transform someone into a whole new creature -
  
  

  Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are
  passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2Cr 5:17

• My loving hubby who survived another birthday.
• Tomorrow is Friday.
• A weekend weather forecast looks wonderful. I look forward to spending some time outdoors observing some of the many miracles of God's creation. I hope to take the kids to the park and get some pictures while we are out.
• My friends who can always seem to make me laugh.

For more inspiring Thankful Thursday posts head over to Sting My Heart.

And a little update on the birthday present dilemma - the kids got Brian a couple of Christian tshirts at CBO. He acted a little surprised to get something, and he couldn't get mad at me since the kids bought them - right!?!

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday once again and I count it a blessing to share what I am thankful for this week:

• That God is faithful to forgive - especially when people aren't able to do the same.


• The much needed rain we have had this week. It has been wonderful.


• Christian writers such as Jan Karon, Stephanie Grace Whitson, Karen Kingsbury, and many others who have touched my heart with their writing.
• Christian friends who keep me accountable, as well as listen when I just need to talk.
• My sweet husband, who I feel closer to now than ever before.
• Healthy children who are growing everyday - both physically and spiritually.
• The many comments I receive here at my blog. It amazes me that people I have never met will leave such encouraging words - especially when I know there are family and friends who read that never leave a comment.

I know when I read the other posts at Sting My Heart I will think of many other things I should have listed - so go on over and check out everyone's lists.

Thankful Thursday

There are so many things that I am thankful for this week. I am truly blessed.

• In light of many things currently going on in the lives of so many couples that I know, today I am most thankful for my marriage. While Brian and I are by no means the perfect couple, we are a team. Not too long ago, I felt that we weren't as united as we should be. We talked it over. We prayed about it. Now as I look around us, I can see that we are closer than ever, and we never were that far apart. I see relationships all around us crumbling. The devil has moved right in and driven a wedge between people that are supposed to stand by each other no matter what. It is painful to watch, and I can't imagine how painful it must be for those involved. I pray often for those that have been deceived. I pray that they will realize what they are losing before it is too late, and that the wounds will be healed. I also pray that Brian and I will continue to grow closer not only to each other, but to God as well.
• I am thankful for my nephew JD's desire to go to church.
• I am thankful for Skylar being such a big girl at the dentist yesterday.
• I am thankful for Stephen's reading abilities, and his desire to do well in school.
• I am thankful for the new Casting Crowns cd. Several of the songs have really spoken to me personally.
• I am thankful that the Lord has blessed Brian and me with jobs that allow us to provide for our kids.
• I am thankful for God's ability to not only forgive, but to forget. As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.Micah 7:19
• I am thankful that the Spirit still convicts me daily.

So what are you thankful for? I challenge each of you reading to count your blessings. You don't have to share them, but believe me when I say that sharing these here each week has been a blessing to me. When I sit and think about all of the things that I have to be thankful for my heart overflows with gratitude to God for his provision. Check out Sting My Heart for more inspirational posts, and if you do decide to write about what you are thankful for be sure to let me know - I would love to read it.

Thankful Thursday

It's been a few weeks since I participated in Thankful Thursday. Trust me it's not that I haven't been thankful...just busy.

I am thankful for:

• A Heavenly Father that loves me no matter what.


• A loving husband who loves me no matter what.


• Two beautiful, smart kids that love me even when I have to discipline them.


• A church family that loves everyone enough to comfort when they need comforted, encourage when they need encouragement, and even confront when they need confronted.


• Casting Crowns new cd that comes out next Tuesday - I can't wait to hear more of it.


• Great seats for the Casting Crowns concert in October and a great group of friends to go with.


• Skylar's new preschool. She is already learning a lot and she loves it.

For more Thankful Thursday participants or to participate go to Sting My Heart!

Thankful Thursday

I missed posting last week but for sure wanted to express my thankfulness today.

• I am very thankful that tonight is the last night of VBS.
• I am thankful for the blessings I have received this week at VBS - even though it is a lot of hard work, there is really no feeling like seeing young children rejoicing in the Lord.
• I am thankful that as of tomorrow at 11 am I will be off work for the next 9 days.
• I am thankful that I am back in my comfort zone with my weight.
• I am thankful for my new Wednesday and Friday babysitter. The kids really love spending time with their "Aunt" Regennia. She is really good with them, going above the call of duty by bathing them and getting them ready for VBS.
• I am thankful that the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful family, a wonderful church, and a wonderful workplace. I am truly blessed in every part of my life.

Laurel is hosting Thankful Thursday today...Go run see her and get in on the Gratitude! :)

Thankful Thursday

I almost skipped this today, but I felt convicted to forge ahead even though I really didn't "feel like" being thankful today. I know that I should always give thanks, especially at those times when I feel the least like doing it. When I start to count my blessings, I realize just how good God is to me and inevitably it lifts my spirits.

• I am thankful for 13 years of marriage to a wonderful man who not only loves me and our children very much, even when we don't deserve it, but he loves Christ as well.
• I am thankful that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that I may have everlasting life - even though I don't deserve it.
• I am thankful once again for every time that I hear the words "I love you" from my family.
• I am thankful for my Christian friends who love Christ and me enough to offer words of encouragement when God puts it on their hearts.
• I am thankful for soldiers who love their country enough to fight for my freedom.

For a real blessing and more thankful Thursday lists visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Thankful Thursday

I am trying something new this week. In my recent blog surfing I have come across a bunch of wonderful blogs. One of them hosts a weekly meme called Thankful Thursday. I know I don't tell God often enough just how grateful I am for all of His blessings, so I am going to try to participate weekly in this meme.

Today I would just like to say how thankful I am for:

• My children's health. So often I hear about some child that is afflicted with some horrible disease, and is suffering because of it. I don't know if I could bear seeing one of my children suffer.
• The opportunity God gives me to start each day fresh with Him. To know that God wipes the slate clean each time I confess my sin to Him is something to truly be grateful for.
• My prayer warrior friends. I have been blessed with several close friends that really know how to pray without ceasing. I know that all I have to do is ask and they will immediately go to God in prayer about any situation in my life. To know that they are praying for me even when I don't ask is an even greater blessing.
• A family that's not afraid to say "I love you." Each time one of my kids voluntarily tells me that they love me, my heart swells (even when they are doing it to get out of trouble). I still love to hear Brian tell me that he loves me. It is a blessing to know you are loved. I know I need to work harder about telling my parents, sister, and in-laws that I love them. I know they know that I love them, but just as hearing those words blesses me, I imagine it would be a blessing for them to hear it from me.

OK - that wasn't so hard.