Thankful... Day Eleven

Today, I am thankful for all the veterans who have served in our nation's armed forces.  You are owed a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. 

 

To my own family members... "Thank you!" Dad and Grandad!

 

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for?  Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

 

 

Thankful... Days 7 and 8

Yesterday and today I am thankful for RAIN.  While it hasn't been enough to even begin to remedy the severe drought we're experiencing here in Central Texas, just the cloudy, dark days and the occasional rain drops splashing against my windows was enough to refresh these parched Texans and renew our hope for more.

More... please, Lord!

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for?  Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful... Day Six

I am so thankful for worship music.  I almost always have a song "stuck" in my head.  It's not unusual for me to fall asleep with a song running through my mind and wake up the next morning with that same song still playing. God speaks to me through these songs of worship and praise.

Our ladies' Bible study group is currently doing Beth Moore's study "Here and Now, There and Then" on the book of Revelation.  Throughout this study I have often had Chris Tomlin's song "I Will Rise" pulsing through me as I've read the apostle John's words as he recorded the images and visions from God.  It's been the perfect sound track to this study!

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for?  Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful - Days Four and Five

Well.

Three days into a 30-day commitment and I've already failed. So, to make up for it, I'll tell two things I'm thankful for.

First, I'm thankful for quiet days at home.  Yesterday was one of those days. Now, by quiet I don't mean that I sat around and listened to the hum of the appliances. It was still a busy day.  But, it was a busy day in the quiet solitude of my home. After a hectic few days away from the house, I'm always reminded that this social gal still craves the solitude of my own home to relax and recharge. 

Second, I am thankful for our community's school district.  Each year, Bud and I prayerfully reconsider schooling options for our children.  So far, we believe that we are in God's will in sending Kat to our local public school.  Is it perfect? Not by any means - no school is.  But it's a great district filled with administrators, faculty and parents who care about education and work hard to provide the best possible for our students.  Beyond the classroom, we are blessed to be in a district that is able to provide exceptional opportunities for the students to participate in sports and the arts.  I was especially reminded of my thankfulness as I watched Kat dance in our district-wide dance recital today.

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for?  Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful... Day Three

Today, I am thankful for my friends.  God has blessed my life with Christ-like women of faith who encourage and build me up in my walk.

I am thankful for forever friends. The ones who have history with me. They knew me then. They know me now. And still they love me.

I am thankful for praying friends. The ones who will diligently pray until I say stop. Ones who will pray even when I don't know to ask them to do so.

I am thankful for faithful friends. The ones who show up during the hard times and ask to help.  And the ones who do without even asking.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? (Proverbs 20:6, NLT)

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.  (Proverbs 27:9, NLT)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.  (Proverbs 27:17, NLT)



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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for? Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful... Day Two

I went to Sam's Club this morning.  It was one of those "big" trips as it seemed like we were out of everything from necessities to the extras.  Since I had no other commitments this morning, it was an enjoyable trip and I took my time wandering up and down every single aisle as I filled my cart with all the items on my list. (And then some.)

The cart was so full that it was difficult to steer as I approached the check out lanes.  Even more so as I pushed it uphill toward my vehicle at the back of the parking lot. (Can someone please tell me why parking lots are always uphill when you're pushing a heavy cart?)  Loading the items into my vehicle and then into the kitchen at home took an extra long time due to the "haul" and the fact that I had forgotten to take my bags with me. Finally, all was in the house and I closed up the garage and headed back into the kitchen. 

It was at that moment that it hit me.

The almost overwhelming amount of food and... well, stuff.

I don't say that to brag.  It was a humbling moment that turned into gratitude and thankfulness. 

Thankfulness that I live in a country where the bounty is plentiful. Thankfulness that in a tough economy Bud has a job and salary that allows me to purchase all our needs. (And then some.) Thankfulness that I am able to bring them home to a lovely home. Thankfulness that I am able to prepare tasty, healthy meals for Bud, Burrito and Kat.

Indeed, I am blessed... and thankful!

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for? Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

11-1-11... Thankful... Day One

11-1-11.

Seems like the date would dictate a profound blog post, doesn't it? Too bad I'm fresh out of profound right now!  Maybe by the time 11-11-11 rolls around I'll think of something.

There is something about the date, however, that immediately makes me think forward to Thanksgiving. And the planning. And the list making. (And, oh! my! goodness! Christmas is not far behind.)

It's easy to lose sight of what the day is about. Not to mention that we are called to be thankful every day... not just the one day set aside on our calendar.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.

And always be thankful.  (Colossians 3:15, NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  (I Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

So, I am committing to posting daily for the month of November. Just one thing a day for which I am thankful.

Here goes...

Day one...

I am thankful for Kat.

I am thankful that she loves Jesus and others. I am thankful that she can make me laugh like no other especially with her spot on imitations of others. I am thankful that she rarely gives in to peer pressure despite the loneliness of being different. I am thankful that she sings in the shower - and has ever since she was old enough to shower without assistance.  I am thankful for the little glimpses I get of the woman she is becoming. I am thankful that she will still let me comfort her.

I am very thankful that she passed her driving test with a 100% score and can drive herself to school now. Or to the store when I need something.



The new driver.

Thankful Thursday

 Today, I am thankful for... (in no particular order!)

• The possibility of cooler weather next week. (Hey, when it's been over 100 degrees for 76 days, a forecast in the 90's sounds good!)
• Air conditioning. ('Nough said.)
• Bible verses that jump right out and say, "Hey, Dawn... this was written just for you!"
• A silent house.
• The anticipation of a not silent house.
• Purring cats.
• Women who love to study God's Word with me.
• A husband who loves me and calls me from work just to see what I'm doing.
• High school football. (Of course, that's because I get to see Kat cheering.  You can admit it... I know some of you go to football games for the band and cheerleaders, too!)
• My kids. (They are incredible people! And I am not biased. I'm not.)
• Pineapple-Lime-Coconut Drinks. With lots of ice.

Tell me... what are you thankful for today?

"And let the peace that comes from Christ

rule in your hearts.

For as members of one body you are called

to live in peace.

And always be thankful."

Colossians 3:15

I still do...

I, Dawn, take you Bud, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness.

Happy 20th Anniversary, Bud - I love you more today than I could have ever imagined twenty years ago. XO

30 years and counting!

Exactly 30 years ago on this day, we met.

I'll apologize to you romantics right now... because I'm not talking about my Prince Charming.

Nope... I'm talking about my best friend, Stephanie. I've told you about her before and bored many of you to tears with stories of our adventures. Indulge me on this special day and let me tell you again about our story.

Stephanie and I met on the first day of 9th grade. We rode the same bus and were the two "new kids" in a very, very small private school, which meant "blending in" was not possible. Maybe we became friends out of that desperate situation. (Hey, it was high school and we were girls - that makes it a desperate situation!) Or, maybe it was because we just truly liked each other. Either way, I believe God intended for the paths of our lives to cross and we've been best friends ever since.

Together we've been through high school, college, boyfriends, break ups, engagements and weddings, trying to have babies, having babies, raising families... and all the highs and lows of life. We know each other intimately and love each other deeply. We started using the acronym "YBFA&F" (Your Best Friend Always & Forever) somewhere along the way and still use it even now to close letters and emails. It's even been engraved on jewelry. Apparently our hearts beat on the same frequency as it is uncanny how many times we'll be thinking of the other, only to have the phone ring and hear a voice on the other end of the line saying, "Hey, you - you've been on my mind!"

Today, I am celebrating my BFA&F and thanking God for the very special blessing of our friendship. I love you, Steph!

In honor of today, tell me about your best girl friend. Who is she? How did you meet? How long have you been friends?

It rained today...

Thank you, Lord...

"I know the greatness of the Lord—
that our Lord is greater than any other god.

The Lord does whatever pleases him
throughout all heaven and earth,
and on the seas and in their depths.

He causes the clouds to rise over the whole earth.
He sends the lightning with the rain
and releases the wind from his storehouses."

(Psalm 135:5-7 NLT)

How to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Count on God instead of yourself.

(Author Unknown)

Thank you!

On this day, I am thankful for...

• My favorite son and his sense of humor. I love that Burrito's humor sneaks up on me when I least expect it. (See the post below this one.)


• The beautiful, blue Texas sky... and for the (slight) possibility of desperately needed rain this afternoon.


• The joy of kind neighbors - just thinking of them makes me smile!


• Little glimpses into the future as I watch Kat "mother" some of the younger neighbor children.


• The blessing of teens who don't mind to be "seen" with their parents.
  
  
• The sound of Max purring. For his fluffy, soft fur and his sweet companionship when I'm home alone.


• The anticipation of a date with Bud this Saturday evening.


• Friends. I've been blessed with very special people in my life!

This day, I am thankful for...

The blessing of children.



Their lives fill our home with laughter and fun and give purpose to my mother's heart.



For Burrito and Kat's amazing, willing obedience in household chores this week - it has lightened my load.



Safe travels for people we love.



The joy of having Brownie in our home for almost two weeks.



A faithful husband who works hard - often without recognition he so deserves.



A mother-in-law who spends all her vacation time with us when she could be anywhere in the world.



The blessing of sunshine following the blessing of rain.



The need to be busy in my home today and for the beautiful home that You have provided for us to enjoy.



The anticipation of a family vacation at our favorite place. Nine full days of being together.



For the mercy and grace I've received undeserved. Time and again.



For the blessing of music You've been placing in my mind and heart the past few weeks. Show me the meaning.

"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful." Colossians 3:15