Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful today for our God who is our Provider. What a wonderful God we have... who cares for lilies of the field and the birds of the air.. and so much more for His children... us. Economic troubles may come and go, but we have our security in Him, not in this world.

I am so thankful for our God who is my Savior. What a wonderful God we have... who gave His all, even until His life... for His bride. We are ransomed, dressed in His white robes, and loved beyond measure. I fail all too often... and by my own worth am in filthy rags. But my Savior redeemed me.

I am so thankful for our God who is my Abba Father. He is loves me, guides me, disciplines me, and teaches me how to love my children and those around me because of His great love. He is my Abba Father who I can run to when I need Him. He has told me that I can come boldly before His throne of grace, approaching Him with all my needs, wants, fears, and feelings. He is always there for me.

I am so thankful for our God the Creator. I look around God's beautiful world and can not help to praise my God. I am in awe of the diversity and beauty and power of His work. And I am so thankful for the Creator God who knit together my children... such wonderful wonderful blessings to me.

I am so thankful for my God, my King. As I look to the flawed and human leaders of this world, it brings me great comfort to know who is the King of Kings. He rules over all. He is on the eternal Heavenly throne.

I am so thankful for my God, my Shepherd. I am His willing lamb. He gives me quiet green pastures to lie down in. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He comforts me with His staff and protects me. He guides me into His perfect ways, into righteousness. He knows me and I know His voice. And I will follow Him all the days of my life. His goodness and mercy will be mine all the days of my life.

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Thankful Thursday ~ JOY

I haven't posted in the last couple of weeks.. even though I had so much to be thankful for. My blog focused on the garbage of politics and the world, and although I believe that stuff is important, I forgot to look for blessings. In this time of national and worldwide need and scarcity, my family has all we need. We are well fed, warm, and dry. The Lord God is our ever present provider. But that is just the beginning.

Without consciously doing so, I am sad to say I did not see all the blessings the Lord was pouring out on us. As I have woken up and "counted my blessings" perhaps the one thing I am most aware of this week is how thankful I am for JOY.

My husband is forever a source of joy. First, he is a hoot. He gives puppet shows to the kids that he comes up with off the cuff, telling delightfully funny stories with porcupines and rhinos and all sorts of silliness. Second, he is a source of quiet joy. Compliments flow easily and sincerely from his lips. Those who spend time with him share good talks and a willing ear. And a general sense of optimism is another of the blessings he often gives to those around him.

My children have inherited that sense of spontaneous silliness and the ability to grab joy. Laughter is a very common sound in my household. Don't get me wrong we have our squabbles and bickering and moods... but the general feeling in this house is JOY. Children are wonderful at experiencing it. Sometimes adults forget... but looking to our children helps me reconnect to a sense of fun.

God also promises us joy. He is our source of joy. A joy we can have in all circumstances because no matter the circumstance, He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is forever our redeemer and Savior. His joy is deep and quiet and real.

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Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for forgiveness, for new days, and new beginnings.

Yesterday, was one of those days that just did not go right. We homeschool, and my son was having one of those days too. He was stalling and whining and ugh. I was testy and crabby and ugh. Too much negativity all around. By the end of the school day I was yelling and he was alternately fighting back or on the verge of tears. And yup... no super mom award for me.

But after dinner... after I ate too much and my son not enough... in the quiet that followed... I heard God's promptings. And I went to my son and we talked. I asked forgiveness for yelling. My son asked forgiveness also. And we hugged for a long long time. And we talked about our day. And how no matter what mistakes we make we will always love each other. And we talked about forgiveness.

And today is a new day. And we have fresh start. We have a God who taught us how to love, unconditionally and how to forgive. And this morning I can think of few more wonderful lessons.

And when my kids awake, in 30 minutes, they are both going to get huge hugs and a very heartfelt, "I love you." I am one blessed momma and we are 3 very blessed children of God.

UPDATE: We had a wonderful morning. No whining, no stalling, all school done by lunch. And now we are having a fun family afternoon. Another great reason to praise the Lord!

We are having our Thankful Thursday at Lori's today. Come join us.
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Thankful Thursday

This week is a week for looking backwards in thanks... and looking forward in thankful hope.

I would like to take this time to say my thanks to former President Bush for his service to this country. He lead us through a dangerous time and we have not had a terrorist attack since Sept. 11, 2001. Back then, I don't think anyone thought we would go this long in safety. So I want to thank our former President and praise our Heavenly Father for His care and protection, and for giving us a leader for these perilous times. You can send him your own thanks from this post.

President Bush was so strong in his support of the troops. I share his feelings on this subject and I am so thankful for the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make so that we can live in safety and in freedom.
I am thankful for President Bush's unflinching stand on abortion. Just this last Sunday we celebrated the National Sanctity of Human Life day. This annual proclamation by Bush was always inspirational... as was the response in hundreds of churches and in communities around the nation. Each year he sent a message to the March for Life also. Since we will have no pro-life message from a President this year, you can be inspired by reading one of Pres. Bush's messages here (just scroll down to the second half of the post.)

Speaking of which, today, in Washington DC and around the nation, there are hundreds of thousands of people who are standing up for human life in the March for Life. I am so very thankful for each person who is making this a priority. And thankful that God has laid this on so many hearts. And that so many have answered the call to speak for those who have no voice.

I am thankful that I have been given this life.. that my mother chose to have me, and my sister. Life is such a precious gift. And I am so thankful for my own children, my greatest blessings.

As we look forward to our new president's administration, I am reminded of the potential of each life. This ad was played during the inauguration. It is worth a look. Life... a great gift... Life~ Imagine the Potential.


And it is because I trust our Heavenly Father, and believe in the potential for Pres. Obama to be used for greatness, that I remain thankful and hopeful as I look ahead. Racism is no longer the issue it once was. This election clearly shows that. And as we go forward, I will lift our new president up in prayer. I will be praying that God give Pres. Obama clear guidance and wisdom and good counsel.. and pray that his eyes be fixed upon the Lord as he leads this great country. And I will thank the Lord for the work He will do in the years to come.

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Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for the gift of time with family. As my husband is a teacher, he has had Wednesday and Thursday off from school this week for snow days and the brutal cold. This has given us extra time together... a gift I treasure.

In this brutal cold I am ever so thankful for the blessings of His care... that we have food and heat and provisions in this deep winter cold. We are able therefore to just snuggle in and enjoy.

I am thankful for the reminder of us being washed white as snow. The world around is covered in a blanket of glistening pure white. All the mud, and dead stuff, and ugly stuff is all covered and so beautiful. The hard edges are smoothed over. And everything is new and clean and almost blindingly white.

And I praise God that this is the gift He gives us. He makes us new. He wraps us in His robes of righteousness. We are washed white as snow.... beautiful, beautiful pure white snow.


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Thankful Thursday ~ Life Abundant

"I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

Isn't that wonderful??? What a glorious gift!

This week I am thankful for all God has given me. So rich are my blessings. This year I have made the decision to put reading God's Word first each day. I put the Bible in a Year links in my sidebar and it is the first thing I do each morning. And this is a rich blessing. God speaks so clearly to me right where I am in at least a few sections of each reading. It is a good way to start the day, with my Lord, getting to know Him, to rest in Him, and learn what He has for me each day.

I am also thankful for my prayer time with my children. I have changed things up a bit. Instead of just having them pray in turn I am doing some more guided praying. For example Monday we prayed first going around in praise of God. This was such a sweet thing with children. Then we prayed in thanksgiving. Then in supplication for someone else. And finally asking something for themselves. Their prayers were so much deeper than I have generally seen from them. I think that starting out with them praising God is a good thing. It is a beautiful gift to pray with my children.

Another blessing this week is that I am back on track with working on losing weight and getting in shape. I have a very long way to go. But in the 18th months since miscarrying and then injuring my foot, I have been down and gained all I lost before then and then some. I have a long way to go, but God is so awesome. He has been with me each step. He has surrounded me with support. And I am doing very well. It feels good to be taking a step to bring these areas of my life into line with what God wants for me and to repent of my sins in these areas. He is such a merciful God.

Each of these steps... spending more time in God's Word, praying more deeply with my children, and living my life in a healthy way to God's glory... are all ways that God is giving me to live life abundantly in Him and for Him.

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Thankful Thursday ~ A Reflection on 2008

I am so thankful for the blessings that God has poured out upon me throughout 2008. It has not always been an easy year but it has been a wonderful year full of many joys, love, and lessons learned.

The first thing I will list has effected me greatly... although it has been very very difficult. Last year, I fell on the ice and messed up my foot badly, and it was repaired with a bunch of metal in my foot. Through that experience God has taught me so much. First, that I have much to be thankful for... walking is a great blessing. One becomes very aware of this fact when unable to walk for months. Second, that I have a wonderful family. My husband and children did so much when I was simply unable to. I have a new and deeper appreciation for each of them. Third, I have learned that it is ok to be on the receiving end of help. This was hard for me. And finally, it has helped me learn to trust God and praise Him in all things. He has carried me through and I am thrilled to report that I can walk quite well now.

I am thankful for my friends and my family. Through moves and difficulties they have never left me feeling abandoned or alone. I have been so blessed by family and friends that words can not express my gratitude.

I miscarried in 2007.. the baby would have been due at the start of this year. At Christmas, the thought assailed me that we should have been celebrating this Christmas will a little one in the house... but that was not in God's plan and I was drawn into a greater sense of appreciation for the children I do have. And although it is still difficult to think on this great loss, I also have come to appreciate the blessings that my family is to me. Why is it that we so often need to face loss to truly appreciate what we have?

Happy New Years! Read about others' New Years thankfulness and join in at Thankful Thursday.

Thankful Thursday ~ Christmas

This week for Thankful Thursday we were asked to share a memory from childhood Christmases. My family did not really celebrate the meaning of Christmas and it was largely a secular and stressful holiday, even so there are many memories of joy. One of the memories from my childhood was the making of pirags. Pirags are a traditional Latvian pastry baked with onion and bacon inside. They are delicious but a lot of work. Somehow the work did not seem like work though. My Omi (grandmother) was Latvian and she lived with us... and she was such a blessing. She had such gentle love. And making pirags with her felt like Christmas to me. Our family would gather at the kitchen counter and make the pirags for hours. We would play Christmas music, the tree was lit, and there was always much laughter. And afterward, the delicious pirags to eat.

Today I celebrate a Christmas that in many ways is very different from what I had growing up. We try to always look to Christ. One thing I continued was the making of pirags with my children. Earlier this month in an attempt to simplify Christmas, I asked the kids what things meant the most to them. Pirags was a top answer for both children. It made me so glad. And yesterday our family sat around the kitchen table forming the dough and filling them with the bacon mixture. Just as during my childhood, Christmas carols were playing. There was much laughter. And soon the smell of baking pirags tantalized us.. and when the first batch came out of the oven we struggled to wait until they would not burn our mouths to taste the first bite. Then we joyfully went back to making the rest. Christmas wouldn't seem like Christmas here without this traditional food.

Merry Christmas to all my friends at Thankful Thursday!

Count Your Blessings on Thankful Thursday(Day 19)

Over the last weeks I have done several clips from Christmas movies... and this one suits so well today. What a joy to be reminded in a Hollywood movie, White Christmas, to count our blessings. That is what we do on Thankful Thursdays!

It is an exercise encouraged by Thankful Thursdays, but I find it an extra blessing at this time of year. When we look to Jesus, we can not help but be thankful. What are you thankful for today?

Blessings for which I am so thankful:
~ Christmas Carols ~ their joyful songs stir my heart, often telling of our Christ, even more a blessing when sung with my family.
~ Christmas Trees ~ Two lovely trees in our house. A large one decorated in white lights, and an eclectic mix of shiny beautiful balls and the treasured ones made by my children and other friends and family. And a small one called the children's tree covered in chocolate ornaments, candy canes, and brightly colored blinking lights. They bring such beauty to our house, all the more treasured because they are here for such a short time.
~ Christmas Cookies ~ yum. The smells and tastes of Christmas are so much of our traditions. Forming and tasting and decorating cookies is a fabulous part of the season.
~ Pirags ~ These traditional Latvian baked pastries are filled with bacon and onion. They take a lot of time and effort to make, but they are worth every bit when you take just one bite. Also the work becomes play when shared with children. Passing on family traditions is a wonderful gift to my kids and to me.
~Vacation ~ With hubby a teacher, and me a stay-at-home homeschooling mom, work stops for a 2 week period. We can focus on family and faith and friends. This is an awesome blessing.
~ The Nativity ~ An ever present reminder of the reason for this whole celebration. Setting it up is always one of the first things we do, and it is a joy. Focusing time during each day on the coming Christ makes it a rich holiday with deep JOY.
~ My Savior ~ Jesus is the most precious gift of all. None of this would be possible without Him.

Thankful Thursday

As we look to the greatest gift of all, the baby within the manger... this week we have in our household also been celebrating the births of two very dear members of my family, my husband and my son. So this week, I truly have much to be thankful for.

Heavenly Father,

I praise you for your Love, which came to down from Heaven as a gift for all.

I praise you for your Glory, which manifested itself on Earth in the humble manger.

I praise you for your Holiness, that calls us to holiness.

I praise you for your Light, that you lead the way out of darkness.

I praise you for your Sacrifice, the gift of Redemption, offered freely on the cross.

And Lord, I praise you for the blessings you pour out so freely on my life..
~my husband who protects, and comforts, and provides; who leads, loves, and serves
~and my children, who so richly bless me with the gift of unconditional love, laughter, hugs, and joy.

Through the love of my family I can begin to taste the glories of your love.

Thank you, Lord.

Advent Devotion - Thankful for a Gift beyond Measure (Day 5)

Each week I participate in Thankful Thursday, a meme that has brought me great blessings, as I have found that the very act of being thankful to God is a gift to me. This holiday week provided so many opportunities for a grateful heart... good and plentiful food, time with family, for laughter and a snowball fight. And yet with Christmas approaching I am reminded of the greatest gift of all.

Thanks be to God for His unspeakable Gift--
indescribable
inestimable
incomparable
inexpressible
precious beyond words.
--Lois Lebar

The Gift given us by God in the form of Christ is so awesome and so amazing that I share the poet's difficulty... no words can begin to express my gratitude for such wondrous love.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
– John 3:16


Joy Williams, Here with Us

Thankful Thursday- The Gift at Gethsemane

Today, I am focusing on my Lord God, to whom I owe everything.

I am thankful that God Almighty would create the universe, the world, and everything and everyone in it, including me. As beautiful as the world is... as diverse, colorful, majestic, and delicate,... I am in His image and His beloved.

I am thankful that although I am a sinner and worthy of condemnation, I am loved, and forgiven. Free. And I am even more thankful for that gift because of what it entailed. My Savior left the glories of Heaven to take on human form and be born. He spent His years teaching and healing so that I may have a shepherd to follow.

I am thankful because of the choice He made in the garden. The words of His prayer reflect in small part what He must have experienced that day. Jesus said, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." And it must have been. Being human as well as God meant He knew the reality of what was coming... but how his flesh must have rebelled against the coming pain and torture and death. How his heart must have been breaking as He knew those He loved and laid down His life for would be the ones to mock, torture, and kill Him. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." And yet...

The words of His prayer continued in a way that causes my heart to take pause, "Abba, Father," He said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." He cried out to His Daddy... who is now, thanks to Christ, my Daddy too... the Heavenly Father. He cried out while overwhelmed with sorrow asking to be pardoned in His humanity.... but in the same breath following His Father in perfect obedience. Christ did not step away from His death because of His love for me.

And in so doing taught me yet another lesson... how to pray. Not my Will, Father, but what You Will. Even in hard times. Even when I want something so badly. Or want to be spared something. Not my Will. His.

Jesus then willingly went forth for ME. In perfect ageement, God chose salvation for ME, even at such high cost. My shepherd became the perfect sacrificial lamb... so that I did not have to face that punishment.

Praise be to the Good Shepherd who lays His life down for His lamb! Me. I never cease to be in awe of this gift. It makes all earthly blessings which God pours upon me pale. It causes me, when I think on it, to shake in awe... to look to the Shepherd and want to follow Him, all the days of my life.

Thankful Thursday -

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

Truly, I have so much to be thankful for. I am a blessed lamb. I have a wonderful Savior. He cares for me in times of joy and sorrow. He is my everpresent help. He is my comfort and my strength. As in this picture, He has carried me when I was no longer able to walk, guided me when I could not see the way, and loved me through it all.

I am so thankful because I have a lovely family. Words really can not express the joys I experience with my family, my loving husband and precious children.

I am so thankful for my country. And I am in constant prayer for her. She is facing hard times in the days ahead.

And I am so VERY thankful for our service men and women. So many have laid down their lives for the freedoms I hold dear. Many others have risked their lives for those very causes. And today, there are brave young men and women still serving. All active duty and retired military need our support and love and prayers. We owe them so much.

Thankful Thursday

I wasn't sure how easy it would be to sing praises on this day, but I find there are always many reasons to praise our Heavenly Father. This week is no different.

I am so thankful that:
-I am married to my husband. This week we celebrated our 18th anniversary. We began dating when I was just 18 years old.... so we have been together for over half our lives. This is a blessing beyond measure. My hubby is creative and caring, fun and funny. He is such an encourager. His mind is always going... and I love that.

-I have my two children. My children wanted to help with the election and they were great workers. They cared passionately. My daughter cried over the election, but both kids were still optimistic and love our country. They are interested in knowing about our country and our government. This is not just a boring school subject to them. They care and so they learn.

-I have my God on the throne. Ok... yeah... maybe things did not go the way I wanted with the election... but knowing who reigns eternally makes it all good. He is forever with us. Forever in control. And it is His Will that will be done.

-I am thankful for America. In this great land, people from all backgrounds and all circumstances have the opportunity to succeed. The American dream is alive and well. Both of my parents are immigrants and came to this country with almost nothing... but they have built a great life for themselves. They have always taught me to appreciate the opportunities and freedoms of this great country.

Thankful Thursday- Blessings from Heaven

Each week, when I write these Thankful Thursday posts, I am amazed anew at the blessings God has lavished upon me. Who am I to deserve God's love? Who am I that I am called His beloved?

After a week focusing, here on my blog, on the issue of life, I find myself so grateful. I am thankful for life. I am thankful that God created me, and that my mother did not abort me, even though I was not an expected blessing. In the light of this week, I find this a poignant and real gift.

I am thankful too for my new life, my everlasting life, in Christ. I did not meet Christ in a personal way until my mid-twenties. Oh what a sweet moment. If that had been my only powerful encounter it would have been amazing... but our God does not stay distant. I am so thankful for His presence and His touch and His love, the love that lead Him to the cross to die, so that I might TRULY LIVE.

I am thankful for my husband and our children. As I have read the statistics on abortion and seen so many heartbreaking photos, I have been touched so deeply with a realization of the blessing of my children. My beautiful children. My fearfully and wonderfully made children. No words can express my thankfulness for these two enormous blessings.

But, I have so many little things to be thankful for. The small daily blessings that we so easily take for granted. The hug of my son in the morning when he wakes. I am well aware that at 10 these days may soon end, or grow more rare. The excitement my daughter feels when reading a good book.. so much that it drives her to pace and sometimes leap around. The gift of understanding from my husband... and his unconditional love and support. Even when I mess up dinner, like last night, when he then says to our kids, you are just spoiled by your mother's incredible cooking. If I listed all the blessings of a single day, I would fill this blog. Isn't that cool?

With the election coming up, it is so easy to get wound up. Yet, through blogging and through the reading of blogs, I am daily reminded that there are many who are praying for our nation, many who are speaking boldly God's truth, and who remind me that no matter the outcome, God is in control. So I don't need to be. And that is truly worth giving God praise.

Thankful Thursday- Blessed Beyond Measure

I am thankful because today I was able to go hiking with my children. Last February I fell on ice and messed up my foot badly... but thanks to modern medicine, screws and pins, and God's mercies, I can walk. Today I went on my first hike on uneven ground since that happened.

I am thankful because God has given me two wonderful children who have lovingly waited for their slow gimpy mom and who rejoiced with me being able to walk with them.

I am thankful because God gave us this beautiful world to live in... and colors it so spectacularly each autumn, and then gave us eyes to see so that we may share in the experience. The beauty of the world speaks volumes about our Creator.

I am thankful because my children love God's world as much as I do. And I am thankful that I get to share this experience with them... through a child's eyes I experience things anew.

I am thankful because my children enjoy each other... and that they are curious and playful and live life so fully. And because my children love freely.. and I get to experience love in a new way with my children by loving and being loved in a way I could not have conceived before.