THANKFUL THURSDAY

1) I am thankful that my son is beginning a work internships next week. He's doing so well in his job training program and realizing some successes! He is beginning to feel really good about himself.

2) I am thankful for my job. It is challenging at times, but I thoroughly enjoy it and know that I am making a positive difference for my employer and the children our agency serves.

3) I am thankful for my husband. He is the hardest working man I know--and the most faith-filled.

4) I am thankful for the gift of grace. I am often awe-struck that God sent His Son to die on a cross for such as me. Incredible. Amazing. Incomprehensible.

5) I am thankful for my friends-"old" and new. I am richly blessed to have loyal, loving and genuine Christian friends in my life.

What are you thankful for today? Stop by Sonya's blog, Truth 4 The Journey, to find out how to share your gratitude and see what others are thanking God for today.

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

I'm joining Sonya at Truth for the Journey again this week for Thankful Thursday.

1. I am thankful for renewed friendships. A writing buddy attended our monthly writer's group meeting and she and I and two other women who were in a critique group together several years ago committed to get together and reacquaint ourselves with each other.

2. I am thankful for the healing God is doing in my life. This winter has been a time growth and comfort, reassurance and insight vs. my usual Seasonal Affective Disorder.

3. I have been blessed with several opportunities to minister to other women either through my writing or through offering support and encouragement in person.

4. I am thankful that some opportunities I thought I would have did not come to fruition. The next month will be less stressful and I can reorder my priorities and activities.

5. I am so thankful for a God who continues to bless me, uplift me, instruct me and love me!

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. [2 Samuel 22:4 RSV]

Fabulous Friday!

Yes, it really was a rather fabulous day overall! This morning I worked with the twins and their sister to make Christmas gifts for their parents. Yep, I really did - even at 2, 2 and 4 they did a beautiful job! I'm not going to say what it was in case mom reads this, though:-) Then we watched a couple of Christmas shows (Dora and Go, Diego, Go--or Go, go, go as the boys call it!).

At some point today the Spirit inspired me about the character I will portray when I go the nursing home on December 28th. As a Certified Lay Speaker I volunteer at area assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and sometimes fill the pulpit at area churches if needed. The last time I visited Elmcroft, where I will be on the 28th I gave a short sermon and then portrayed the Samaritan Woman at the Well. I had taken a Storytelling course as part of my Lay Speaker certification training earlier in the year and I was quite excited to have a chance to put what I had learned into practice.

The residents enjoyed the storytelling and asked me to come back, so when I go in a couple of weeks, I'll give a brief intro to the story and then get into character. I've given the details at Godly Graffiti, if you're interested.

(CHRISTMAS 2007)
Tonight my son put up our Christmas tree. I know it's late -- really late for us -- but it's done and I'm really enjoying putting on the decorations. Last year I used the bows and ribbon from my daughter's wedding on the tree. They added such a beautiful touch and have decided to do it again this year. I've got them on and have added all 21 angels from the Hallmark collection we started for our son when he was born.

We don't have my daughter's on the tree this year because we packed them up last year for her and her husband to use. They don't have a big enough tree this year, and they've been and will continue to be on the road, so the ornaments are in a box waiting for them. We've got plenty of others though, and each one has a story behind it. We are so grateful our daughter and son-in-law (and our grand dogs) will be with us for Christmas though.


It's been a very odd year for us and very challenging at times. We feel blessed though that we have been able to work, to keep our home, that our children are doing well and making a future for themselves and for the countless friends and loved ones in our lives.

We are looking forward to our annual Christmas Eve Open House. It has become a tradition for many neighbors and friends of all ages to stop by our home on Christmas Eve. Our holiday would not be complete without the hugs, laughter, good food and good company we enjoy each year.

Well, I've almost got my second wind, so I may go add a few more ornaments to the tree. We're really scaling back this year, but my husband was off today and he did put the candles in the windows. I'll hang stockings, but I don't think we'll display the nutcracker collection or the Santas this year. We're going with understated and low stress as our theme:-) I kind of like it!

I Guess An "Old Dog" Can Learn Some New Tricks!

I know that some of you who know me well will be in utter shock when I tell you this: I actually used html and other computer "stuff" to create a blank journal for sale on the website lulu.com!

For those who don't know me well, the humorous part of this announcement is that I can't even handle using the remote control for the television except for the "on/off" function! We have so many options with cable t.v., etc., that I inevitably hit the wrong button, much to the exasperation of my family!

What is so amazing to me is not only that I was able to produce a product that looks exactly as I envisioned it, create a "storefront"/"website" where people can go to buy it on line and then add links back to the storefront from my website and my blog all by myself, but I did it on a day I was not originally scheduled off. I received a bonus day off and so I used it to accomplish this goal.

Perhaps you don't see God in all of this, but I know He has been at work arranging and rearranging circumstances for me in response to my ardent prayer that He take over all the how's and the when's of everything I believe He wants me to do to spread the Good News. A week ago, I couldn't imagine how I would possibly have time to sleep because it seemed my days would be so full and busy! Finally, on Sunday, I asked God to give me some kind of sign, that I could not mistake or doubt, about whether or not I was on the right track in the goals I have set.

This is part of an email message I received from a friend on Monday morning:

GOD WANTED ME TO TELL YOU, It shall be well with you this coming year. No matter how much your enemies try this year, they will not succeed. You have been destined to make it and you shall surely achieve all your goals this year. For the remainder of 2008 and all of 2009, all your agonies will be diverted and victory and prosperity will be incoming in abundance.
Today God has confirmed the end of your sufferings, sorrows and pain because HE that sits on the throne has remembered you. He has taken away the hardships and given you JOY. He will never let you down. I knocked at heaven's door this morning, God asked me. My child! What can I do for you? And I said, "Father, please protect and bless the person reading this message".

Apparently this prayer began with Mother Theresa and has been circulating for several decades. Needless to say, I have been praying that all it promises is so. I have no doubt that it will be through the power of Christ and the prayers I lift as well as the prayers of my friends and family.

I want you to know that I pray this for each of you every day as well. I wish you JOY in your journey.