"Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD! May the LORD bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth." Psalm 134
Another week's provision has come our way, just in the nick of time. For this I am most thankful. The timing is Yours, Lord. It keeps us looking to You to be our Sustainer.
The rain is coming down today. Rain is a gift from You.
Thank You for my 3 healthy children sleeping upstairs. I appreciate their different abilities and their devotion to their family. Thank You! I do not take for granted the gift of being a mother.
I am grateful for my faithful, hard-working husband who loves me. Another wonderful gift from You.
I appreciate the freedom to homeschool and to worship You that comes from living in a country like America.
Good morning! It's a beautiful, crisp, cool morning here. Makes me truly thankful! Here is my offering of worship to You, Lord...
Thank You for providing all that I needed this week. Not that You have ever failed us in the past, no. It's just that some weeks take more trust when money seems slow to come, by my worldly standards. So I thank You, Lord, for an easier week.
I thank You, Lord, for the lower humidity and good sleeping weather. Summer is fast on its way and I know this brings more humidity and heat. I thank You for a little respite.
Thank You for new beginnings. Our new flock group starts this Sunday. Lord, I ask You to bless our little group's efforts to please You and bring just the right family to make our group complete. I pray for the rest of our old group. They need Your help too, Bless them and bring families to their midst who will be an encouragement to them. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be in a flock group for these past 5+ years.
I thank You for my in-laws. Thank You for my mother-in-law's willingness to drive down each week and make memories with the kids. Thank You for a goofy brother-in-law who loves his niece and nephews. Bless our family time this evening. Help us to show them Your love. They need You and I am not sure they know it.
Thank You for VBS, which is going to start in a few weeks. Please change my heart and help me to put aside my fleshly desires of ease. I want to serve You with a happy heart.
Jun. 12, 2008~ Thankful Thursday & Garden Update Link ~
"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whetther thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16
This verse speaks to my heart today. I am thankful for creation. That 's my whole list today! Here is a photo that illustrates God's glory...
This is my absolute favorite flower. And I have waited almost a year to learn what color it would be, as I bought it after it had bloomed for half the price. Just today, as I wrote my garden journal update, I wrote that I thought it would be a deep orange-red. Now, if it had been that color, I would have thought it was nearly just as wonderful. But, the Lord knew what color it was and He also knew that this is my favorite color! Thank you Lord! To see my garden journal update, go here. I am so thankful for this little plot of green. Giving God all the glory...
Here it is, Thursday again. Wow, the weeks fly by, don't they?
"You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word. You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes. The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces."
Psalm 119:65-72
Thank You for Your Word, LORD. I love Your Word. The above verse is from my readings this week. I especially loved these verses this week.
Thank You for a loving, supportive family. They are helping me make the changes I need to make in order to be healthier.
Thank You for my friends. They truly are gifts from You and enrich my life. I've had a couple sweet times of fellowship this past week. (Hey Amy, I threw away my slice of cheesecake. No one here needed to eat it, if you know what I mean. )
I am thankful that I can go to the grocery store. I need to work on my attitude about this chore. I need to be more thankful for Your provision.
Thank You for the rain. I know the dry days of summer will be here soon. I thank you for the life-giving rain You sent this week. My garden is growing! (Be sure to check out my nature journal to see the updates, if you are interested.)
Thank You for air-conditioning. This week has been so muggy because of the rain. It helps my allergies to have the air on.
Please have a wonderful weekend and thank you for stopping by.
"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness
and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17 (NIV)
Thinking back on this past week there is so much worthy of praise. The first thing that comes to my mind is the wonderful family time we had Saturday through Monday. Thank you, Lord for the chance to play, serve and work together as a family.
Last night's BBQ is fresh on my mind and so I thank you, Lord for the chance to be part of that special fellowship group this past year. We are seeking Your wisdom about continuing in the fall. My heart says, "Yes! I love these saints and don't want to leave them!" And my practical side says, "Are you crazy? Aren't you busy enough?"
Thank you for summer vacation!!! For the first time ever, we are taking a true vacation from our studies. No workbooks! I want to just be their mom for awhile. I know a lot of people do lessons through the summer so that they don't loose ground. I used to always think that was best. But this year I feel led to take a complete rest . And I have faith that the learning that does go on this summer will be deeper and richer than a hastily finished workbook page.
I am thankful that Subway apologized to homeschoolers for excluding us in their contest. However great that victory was, there is greater danger in the courts of America in CA and DC. I pray that people will make their concerns known to the really influential people, not just sandwich makers.
I am thankful for the chance to minister to a sweet friend today as I watch her 16 month old daughter while she gets ready for her garage sale this weekend.
Thanks for taking the time to praise the Lord with me for the many blessings in my life this past week. Have a great Thursday.
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done." 1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV
This has been a truly blessed week!
Praising the Lord for improving health. We all still have coughs, but for the most part, we are doing OK. This bug is a hanger oner!
Praises that my grandma has been home for a week and is doing pretty well. The only issue right now is that they forget to eat. They have plenty of food, but just forget to eat. Not sure what to do about that. I am going to talk to them about Meals on Wheels.
Grace's yearly physical went well and we love our new doctor. Actually, we love his entire family. They were one of the blessings that came out of our going to a different church last summer and fall. (Amy, I count you as a dear friend and special blessing from God!)
This weekend is a real 3 day weekend, something that has not happened in a very long time. I am thankful for this opportunity to have some quality family time. We will be busy, but at least we will be together.
Tomorrow is the last official day of school. We made it! All 180 days accounted for! That is a praise!
My dear husband gave me a precious gift last evening for which I am grateful. He allowed me to stay home and rest when we had plans to go to church to help with an outreach event. He knew that I really needed some time alone, something a homeschool mom doesn't get very often.
I am thankful for being home one more week with my family.
"With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save him from those who condemn his soul to death."
Psalm 109:30-31 ESV
I am praising God in the midst of the throng for...
Restored health. I am almost back to normal after my cold. Allergy season will prevent a complete recovery. I long for Heaven where there will be no more need for Claritin or Muscinex. But it does look like I will have to take Trevor in for his 3 week long cough, so I am also thankful for good doctors when we need them.
My grandma is home. I do not know for how long, but she is home and I am thankful. She has some doctor's appointments scheduled for next week to see why she is so dizzy. Homehealth is also going to come out and assess her needs.
For the love of the saints. I am surrounded by faithful, loving friends. Let me be a conduit of Your love to them, LORD.
My sweet family. They surprised and spoiled me for Mother's Day.
My old bread maker. It keeps on going, helping me bake good bread for my family. Thank you, LORD.
Tents in which to do our lessons.
An old camera that keeps on going. I try not to covet cameras, but I'd really like one that is able to take macro photos. This is a materialistic desire that is so foolish right now. I confess this as so.
My mom. I've said it before. She is my hero.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thankful list.
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2: 6-7
Good morning! There is so much to be thankful for today. I hope this inspires you to take a moment and give Him thanks today.
I am thankful that it looks as if I will be able to kick this bug without a trip to the doctor. This is a huge praise. Thank you, Lord, for Zicam, Airborne, and Muscinex!
I am thankful for last night's discussion of Psalm 23 and how the Lord is our Shepherd and all that means. Jerry did a fantastic job of fleshing that out using examples from the rest of Scripture.
I am thankful for the rain. The ground was starting to get cracks like last summer when it was so dry. I like wet Mays. Plus, this will help us get our lessons done, this last month of school.
I am thankful for another chance to go see my grandma in the nursing home this week. The kids and I are excited to bring her a little joy today.
I am thankful for my hard working husband who picked up the slack this week when I was dragging. Thanks to him, the laundry is caught up and in good shape.
I am thankful to have a little time with my husband tonight when the kids are at Karate. We are going to Starbucks with our Sonlight catalog! (Whohoo!)
I am thankful that others count me worthy to be their friend.
Now, get out there and make the most of your day for Him!
17Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls, 18(AH) yet I will rejoice in the LORD; (AI) I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19GOD, the Lord, is my strength; (AJ) he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me(AK) tread on my(AL) high places.
Habakkuk 3: 17-19
I am thankful that the above verse is true. Our situation doesn't change the fact that Jesus is Supreme and is just in doing what pleases Him. We don't make Jesus Supreme. He is.
I am thankful for my mother. What an example she is to me of love and compassion towards her dear parents who need and rely on her so much. She has stepped up to the plate and is giving it her all. I pray that I can do the same for her one day.
I am thankful for the chance to use my gifts in the service of Jesus. I was running away from my gifts, not wanting them, wanting a different gift! How silly I was. I have finally submitted my will and am embracing my gifts as gifts and not a curse! (Maybe I will explain that one day.)
Even though I do not agree with the Economic Stimulus checks, I am thankful that one is on it's way to me. I am so thankful. Thank you! (Now I wish we had more kids.
I am thankful that this school year is about over. We are ready for a break.
I am thankful that the weather is going to get back into the 70's soon. That means more time to work on the flower beds. I have some dreams cooking.
Thanks for taking the time to read my list. I pray that you have a wonderful day.
Thankful for another week at home with my family. Not something I take for granted these days.
Thankful for warm, sunny weather. Yesterday my 10 year old said that he is forgetting what it feels like to go outside and be cold. Yes!
I am thankful for new mercies. I just wish I did not need them every day!
I am thankful that my grandma, who has been in the hospital this week, gets 3 weeks of rehab to help her get stronger. We're going to visit her (Thursday) today. If you think of her, pray that she will not be discouraged being away from Grandpa for so long. Pray for my mom to have strength to help them through this.
Waking up to a lot of talk about the 5.2 earthquake that shook the area this morning. Made me want to write my thankful list without delay.
Thank you, Lord, that no one was hurt this morning. The last quake I remember happening here was when I was a youngster in 1987. That one was a 5.0 earthquake. This morning I woke up to the bed shaking and the windows rattling like a strong gust of wind coming through. My first words this morning to Jeff were, "What was that?"
Thank you, Lord, for the time Jeff and I had last night cleaning out the Sunday School closet. The work is nearly finished. It was a pleasant time working together. I am so grateful that we have a ministry together. It is our hope that our whole family will work together next year in First Grade Sunday School.
Thank you, Lord, for my new keyboard. There just happened to be a brand new one at the bakery that was not needed. (Thanks Mom!) The on-screen keyboard was just too slow! But, I was thankful that I could at least use something to reach the outside world from my computer!
And finally, thank you, Lord, for the weekend coming. My dear husband has two days off in a row, no wedding cakes, no taxes, no anything! So, we are going to get the garden ready!
Also, I am not planning to do a Show & Tell today, but will post pictures of the garden boxes soon.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you for...
the rain holding off until we were ready to leave today. Conner Prairie was wonderful again. I guess that is another praise! What a blessing to go and participate in living history.
Thank you for tax season coming to an end next Tuesday.
Thank you for the rain.
Thank you for allergy medicine. The more I am outside, the more I suffer at night mostly with coughing and then waking up. I am hoping by taking something today it will be better.
Thank you for my silly cat who likes to sit in the front window and chatter at the squirrel.
Thank you for simple pleasures like hanging out with my family.
I am thankful for a mostly dry weather week. It has been cooler than what is normal for this time of year, but at least it has been dry so we could be outside more. It feels odd to be all bundled up the end of March. The temperatures are not really that cold, it just feels colder with the clouds and wind. (Rain is on the way and I am thankful for that too. )
I am thankful for a restful beginning to our week. We were so worn out on Monday. It was a blessing to be able to take our time with our lessons and not having to go anywhere.
I am thankful for my carpet cleaner. That old thing keeps chugging along. With the mud in the backyard and forgetful children who track it in, I am so blessed to have it. It no longer holds cleaning fluid, but I can spray the cleaning solution and my old faithful will suck up all the dirt and squirts out hot water.
I am thankful for our sunroom, which has been shut off all winter. Just being out there when we did some of our lessons today made it seem more like a treat. It broke up the routine of the day enough to make our lessons an enjoyable time. UPDATE: Here is a picture for Mary. This was taken after we moved in. This is how I want it to look at the end of school when we put away our shelves of books. They will move to the garage for the summer so that we can enjoy the sunroom more. This room was used as storage over the winter. It was a great place to stash things!
Right now it looks like this.... I promise it will look like the above picture as soon as school is finished.
I am thankful for our basketball goal. It was here when we moved in last April. (Can you believe it has been a year next month?) My oldest boy (10) loves spending hours outside shooting hoops. Today he was able to join in with some similar age neighbor boys, which was fun for him.
As usual, there is so much to be thankful for. Tops on my list is this...
Look what my mom made for me using Paint Shop Pro! Thank you, Mom. I love you, too! And I am very proud of all that you can do graphically! Don't you think this keeps our brains young?
I am thankful for all the extended family visits of late. What a blessing that is especially for my kids who need their grandparents, great grandparents and other family. I know that not everyone is blessed in this way, so I try to be especially grateful.
I am thankful for my mostly good health this past week and the chance to slow down when I needed it. My dear husband is walking around with some sort of virus and no opportunity to rest. Many friends are sick as well. I know being well is a gift.
I am thankful for good friends who pray for me.
I am thankful for the free graphics people make and share so that I can use them to create.
I am (still) thankful for the unique birds that visit my feeder. Just today, a Common Flicker stopped by for a nibble. Makes my heart soar when a new friend drops by.
And let me not forget to thank the Lord for the gift of springtime!
Each week, as I sit here and ponder what to share, I think about God's goodness to my family even in the midst of life's trifles, as my dear husband likes to call them. I think it is a worthy exercise, one I look forward to each week.
I am thankful for another week with my precious family. Thank you, Lord for that gift.
I am thankful for the gift of extended family who can come and visit. Thank you that they are well and they could enjoy their grandkids.
I am thankful that winter is almost out of here, only 7 days left!
I am thankful for the sun room once again. Finally, we are able to use it . I love sitting in there at the craft table, listening to the birds sing.
I am thankful for the Lord's provision this week.
I am thankful for my daughter's heart. I see beauty there in glimpses. For instance, last night she went to bed weeping for the Jewish people who died in the holocaust.
May you have a blessed week.
"Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (AMP)
I am thankful for modern forecasting of the weather. Monday I was able to plan our day so that I did not go to get groceries after school when it was 45 and wet, instead going in the morning when it was 60 and dry. Simple things make me thankful!
I am so thankful that I did not have to go anywhere in the winter weather we had on Tuesday! Which leads to the next thing I am thankful for...
I am so thankful that my dear husband had a newer vehicle to drive home in Tuesday night's icy weather. We are so blessed to have this 4 wheel drive miracle! (A total gift from God!)
I am so thankful for my children. I can't believe that I have been a mother now for 10 years! Time is flying by. I need to be more purposeful with the time I have left with them.
I am thankful that we could spoil the birthday boy this week with a family party on Sunday and taking him to Chuck E. Cheese on Wednesday. I was reminded that he won't always want to go to Chuck E. Cheese! (Really? )
And lastly, I am thankful that my husband desires to be a godly man and is concerned with doing the right thing. I know this is not true of everyone's husband and I am praying for those that I am aware of.
And here are some pictures from last night for the grandparents who read this blog...
First, here is the birthday boy making his Pizzatron 3000 cookie (It's a Club Penguin game he likes.) Fudge, sprinkles and marshmallows on a peanutbutter cookie!
This week has flown by. It started out a little rocky with lingering health issues, vehicle issues, too much running around issues! But we persevered and here we are; it is Thursday again.
I am thankful...
that my parents got home safely from their travels this week.
that we all seem to be feeling better.
that my husband loves me.
that our old beat up truck sold on ebay in one day.
that God uses people in our lives to bless our socks off!
that I have this little blog to express myself, receive encouragement, and bless others when I am able.
that my 6 year old son is able to go to see his surgeon today for his yearly exam at the best children's hospital in the state and that we do not have to worry because God is in control of this and more. Say a little prayer that his xray looks OK to her. The pediatrician was not able to determine if it was normal. All is well! He got a clean bill of health!! PTL!
for the sweet brothers and sisters in Christ at CBC and their understanding our need to go back to our old church. I pray they know how much we value them and want to honor those relationships.
for the opportunity to worship with my church family this Sunday after 8 months of separation!
that we will celebrate my son's 10th birthday as a family this Sunday. I can't believe I've been a mother for 10 years now! I have a double digit child!
May you have a wonderful and thankful Thursday. Thanks for reading my list.
I am thankful that I have a mom who loves me and tries hard to be a fantastic grandmother. I appreciate our time together Monday. I am also thankful that she forgives me when I get grumpy .
I am thankful for my Bunko friends and that my husband was home Tuesday night so that I could enjoy an evening of fellowship with some old friends. I have not been in 2 months, so this was especially sweet.
I am thankful that although my kids are still sick, they are not down and out with fevers or throwing up. And of course, I am exceedingly thankful that I am not sick.
I am thankful for the birds that visit my feeders. What a joy it is to watch them, identify them, learn their behaviors. What a blessing it is to have trees around the house to attract so many different birds.
I am thankful that on a snowy morning I do not have to leave my precious warm home! (Wednesday) I am also thankful that I had a new snow shovel to use on our LONG driveway.
I am so thankful that I was able to attend small group this week! The kids were well enough to go to their church activities, so I could go to mine. What a blessing it is to wrestle Scripture with Saints.
I am thankful for my dear husband who wanted to do Starbucks with me on the way to small group. We only had a few moments to enjoy our warm drinks, but just having a little time alone was very refreshing.
I am thankful for my sweet daughter who made me this Valentine last week.
I could go on and on. I have so much to be thankful for.
I have so many things for which to thank the Lord this week.
I am thankful that my scratchy throat and stuffy nose went away quickly! I am so thankful that Grace is up running around today as well. I will keep her home from Karate tonight, so she doesn't overdo.
I am so thankful and I praise God for sweet Jane! She has blessed me beyond belief! Thank you Jane! We so appreciate your generosity to our family! How can I ever repay you?
I am thankful for a talkative 9 year old son who likes to go on and on while I am trying to write a blog post. I really am thankful. I know one day I will blog in peace.
I am thankful for Legos. Yes, those little plastic bricks hurt when you step on them and they are everywhere, but in the cold of winter there is nothing better for passing an afternoon! We have finally hit the Lego stage in full glory. Here is what Trevor built today by himself!
I am thankful for my crock pot. Yes, that may seem odd, but it is true! I've used it so much this week that it actually made my thankful list. (Dad, I still think you need a bigger one!)
I am thankful for the many ways God sends encouragement to me: cards from thoughtful friends (thanks Amy), kind comments, generous hearted souls, and so many other ways.
Good day to you! Today is Thursday and the day I usually try to jot down some things for which I am especially thankful. In no particular order...
I am thankful that peak tax season has come and gone. Jeff will be working 3 less hours this coming week! Three hours does not seem like a lot, but it means an extra evening at home with us. Things will get busy again near the tax deadline, so we will be sure to enjoy this calm before the next storm.
I am thankful that Trevor did not seem to have side effects from his shots this week. His well child visit went great too. What a blessing. It could have been so different.
I am thankful for my library! We discovered Sim Aquarium yesterday. What fun to have an aquarium that doesn't need to be cleaned! And we watched them set up a live camera that will allow us to watch the library's gerbils from our computer at home. Now we have virtual pets that we don't have to clean up after, too!
I am thankful for the chance to have some church friends over for dinner this week. It was crazy with all 7 kids, but I think it went well and they had fun. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to bless my new friend. (Amy, I am sorry I didn't get to say hello last night.)
I am thankful that we have been healthy since before Christmas. I know that is not the case with many of you and I feel your pain. I want to publicly thank the Lord for this blessing.
I am thankful for the time we got to spend with my mom this past Monday. (You are so dear to us, Mom!)
I am thankful that I am learning to say no when I need to. It is hard for me, but I really have to make sure that the interests of my family come first. Very hard.
May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of His Holy Spirit. (from Romans 15:13)
Hello. My name is Jenn and I am striving to be a servant of Jesus Christ. I am a wife of 13 years to my best friend and a stay at home mom of 3 wonderful home educated children ages 10, 8, 6 here in beautiful Central Indiana. Titus 2:5 says to older women that we are to teach younger women "to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." This blog is my way of encouraging others to be Busy At Home.
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My Grandma Lucille
Look what my mom made for me using Paint Shop Pro! Thank you, Mom. I love you, too! And I am very proud of all that you can do graphically! Don't you think this keeps our brains young? 
Fudge, sprinkles and marshmallows on a peanutbutter cookie!
