thanksgiving. . .

. . .is almost here!  Let it be in our hearts EVERY day!

. . .

177 - artwork by: little miss

178 - sunrise with dad

179 - relaxing morning on the pier 

180 - anxieties on their first trip to the atlantic

they think that looks like an AWFUL lot of water and sound

181 - fun with dad in the sand

  

 182 - hard-working students

 183 - watching big brother read to little sister 

184 - when asked to draw a picture of "you and your friends at the park"

little miss draws a family portrait - how wonderful to be considered friends

185 - autumn in the east 

186 - afternoon at the corn maze with friends



when hearts are heavy. . .

. . .it is good to "give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever." -Psalm 118:1

Our family has had a roller coaster for the past couple of months.  We had two dear girls visit us in August.  When they left we were getting all excited about visiting dear friends on the other side of the continent.  Two days before departure we found out we were expecting a baby.  WHAT!? some of you may say.  That is exactly what we were thinking.  Since it has been 10 years since we had a miscarriage and we have never been able to conceive since, I had pretty much decided that we never would.  So you can only imagine the disbelief.  We left on our trip with excitement building.  Can you imagine?  After 10 years. . .but it still seemed too soon to even believe.  I was so glad that we had plans for 10 days or so.  The midwife told me that I couldn't have an ultrasound to look for heartbeat until 8 weeks.  So after a WONDERFUL time of visiting with friends, we arrived home safe and sound.  How exciting to go to the hospital that day to see our little heartbeat.  Only there wasn't one.  Don't worry they said.  You just aren't as far along as we thought.  Only 6 weeks instead of 8.  That sounded like a stretch, but we wanted it to be true.  Oh, yeah!  You bet we did.  We prayed a lot.  They scheduled me to come back in for another ultrasound in 3 weeks.  Well I didn't make it that far.  Two weeks later, because of spotting I went in.  Still measured 6.  We were crushed.  There have been lots of whys.  LOTS of whys.  Why after 10 years did this happen?  The next day, we lost our baby.  So all of it has been so unreal.  Through it all, God has been with us.  I haven't always found it easy to say this.  I have wondered at times where He was, but He has constantly sent me signs that HE IS.  I haven't been so good and accepting as I wish I could, but healing is coming.  God is so good.  Counting my blessings now is so important.  Last Sunday we heard a message about how it is okay to ask why, but just don't get bogged down in it.  I think I had been guilty of getting bogged down in my whys.  What a good reminder.  We have SO MANY blessings. . .

...

166 - a new nephew

167 - kiddos and cousins

168 - summer sisters

169 - kiddos enjoying school lessons

170 - puppy love

171 - first visit to a cavern as a family

172 - saying good-bye to pups after finding homes for them

173 - visiting friends

174 - loosing teeth

175 - help with the dishes

176 - seeing God when my heart is breaking

Ephesians 5:20. . .

. . .Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

REALLY? Do I?

. . .

156 - beatiful feet. . .Isaiah 52:7 & Romans 10:15

157 - BIG brown eyes

158 - new babies

159 - work worn hands

160 - armour. . .Ephesians 6:11

161 - messages from family in far away lands

162 - airplanes

163 - Pilgrim's Progress

164 - patience

165 - making memories with extended families

. . .

Anger, acted exhibited by me, causes someone else to sin.

Gracias. . .

. . .por todos!

After a trip south, it is never hard to be thankful for "things".  The problem is that some of the "things" that are so easy for us to be thankful for can also give us a nauseous feeling when we start thinking about our abundance of "things" that we have that we don't need.  This makes us dig deeper and give thanks to God for all of our spiritual blessings.

. . . . .

146 - memory verses

147 - Bible translations in many languages

148 - letters from my dear husband

149 - empathy

150 - voices praising God in song

151 - believers sharing time in audible prayer

152 - requests for prayer that our relationship with God would be stronger

153 - the love of Jesus to bind hearts together

154 - sound minds to hear the TRUTH

155 - inspiring sermons to remind us of God's ways

. . . . .

Practicing His Presence = Spending Time in The Word

I want to always be reminded of this and have a true hunger for it.

For if our heart condemn us,

God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

- 1 John 3:20-21

---

Yesterday I was reminded of how much God loves me.  He loves me ALWAYS, whether I like it or not, spit in his face, ignore him, or whatever.  He still loves me.  No matter what I have done, he loves me.  No matter what I do he loves me.  Just like the father loved the prodigal son.  Even after the son insulted him by asking for his inheritance.  Even after he wasted it all.  Even after he ate pig slop.  The father never even acknowledged the fact that the son wanted to come back as a servant.  Instead he came back as the son.  PRAISE THE LORD!

136 - 11 years with the dearest man ever

137 - a boy that says he wishes he could have mommy forever

138 - a girl that says she want to be just like mommy

(i.e.  This food is good, when I am a mommy I will cook this for my baby.  I like your dress, will you make me one?  I want a cap like mommy.  Can I have a bun in my hair?  Looking in the mirror and proclaiming, I am going to be a mommy soon.  Can I wear slippers like mommy?  You're my favorite mommy.)

139 - cold wind that makes us huddle in tight hugs.

140 - a husband that plans a wonderful anniversary getaway

141 - 3D imax and outdoor market

 

142 - safe travels

 

143 - visiting friends from afar

 

144 - spontaneous creativity and paper whales

145 - God's grace & patience

---

 

For Balmy Sunshine. . .

for nourishing rain,

Dear Lord, for Thy goodness we thank Thee;

For food and Thy care, rich blessings we share,

The proof of Thy love and we thank Thee,

We thank Thee, O God.

Amen.

Some days the sun shines.  Some days the rain falls.  Some days it is warm.  Some days it is cold.

All days are from God.

I don't always appreciate the sorrows in life, but they are as much from God as the pleasures.  I would like the strength to be more thankful for the things that my flesh views as "bad".  I know that we are all tried by fire and that we become stronger.  I want to live that!

. . . . .

121 - goats that think they are dogs  (well, I guess that's what they think; they won't stay in the pen)

122 - winter's arrival and dreaming of snowflakes

123 - studying HOPE for Bible Study

124 - an empty stable awaiting. . .

125 - precious little one's counting the days till the BIRTH!!!

How sweet to retell the story of the PLAN OF SALVATION, and watch them grasp it piece by piece.

126 - a great aunt who said it made her day to read to littles. . .how we treasure these precious fleeting moments!!!

127 - hatching a praying mantis nest.  our CREATOR IS AWESOME!

128 - family nights of singing and kitchen help
THANK YOU JOE, ETHAN, & ELISA!
i don't feel like i could do without you

129 - a very excited sheep and angel

130 - a live lesson about the COMING OF THE CHRIST



131 - salty tears as I watch my littles play with these friends while i help their mama get ready to move to a far away land

132 - anticipation as we wait to visit their new home

133 - a brother who is turning 50!

134 - healing and peace coming to the hearts of friends as they deal with letting go of their baby boy that God needed for his bouquet

135 - trips to the mailbox in december

How we LOVE opening each new envelope from friends and family.  Sweet times to stop and pray for each and every one.

. . . . .