1000 Gifts and Counting

1140. Read aloud time....seeing how Addi is getting into our routine, calling all the kids to come, sitting in "my chair" ready to listen

1141. Kisses from Katie.....and tears from Charli.......they usually come together, when I'm reading aloud I always end up all choked up and the kids just look at me and shake their heads.
1142. Jake's testimony in church yesterday. What a blessing to hear, knowing the growing never stops:)

1143. Getting to go out to my favorite restaurant and have Bravo's Pasta Yandalino!!! I was so happy.
1144. Hearing Sara's testimony in church yesterday too and how the Holy Spirit uses it to remind me that I am being used to grow people there, when lately I've been full of doubts.
1145. Unexpected hugs
1146. Hanging out with Bakers, it has been sooo long!
1147. Faithful friends who meet on Saturday mornings to love and disciple one another
1148. Email stating reimbursement period has ended for insurance claim, whew!
1149. Isaiah's heart that honors me as a mother in so many ways....now if he'd just be a cuddled too:)
1150. Hearing Maddie and Addi goof off together, cuter than anything and Addi loves her almost as much as me:)
1151. Surprise spa treatment and flowers from Rachelle and Scott.....the love behind the gift meant more than anything

1152. Relaxing time away with just our family at Great Wolf Lodge
1153.  Seeing 6 young men, growing together and growing in the Lord together, voices raised (I'm sure a bit of laughter as well), but praising His Holy name....brings smiles to my dear friend's face and mine as we watch them at BSF

1000 Gifts and Counting

1126. Hearing Nate's voice speaking the Word out loud...soaking it in and cherishing the moment, only to laugh out loud when he ends with, "What?? I don't get this!"
1127. Watching and hearing chickadees and nuthatches after I found some extra birdseed in the garage
1128. Yummy Venison Stew recipe given to my friend, Amy B....now I have another use for all the venison burger we have

1129. Feeling of a burden being lifted as one last painting job is done to complete the Home insurance claim....there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
1130. Paul Davis Restoration, Sunshine Bettelton and Farmers Insurance
1131. Wonderful night studying God's Word. Makes me wanna shout, GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!
1132. Free of baseball and soccer, allowing us to be home, had a family dinner, then sat together in living room, reading and doing our own things... So thankful
1133. So thankful for a Saturday cleaning family! Some day, my daughters-in-laws are gonna love me because their husbands will know how to sweep, mop, dust from top to bottom. Thankful for clean home and willing children.

1134. Thankful for family that came out to celebrate with us the official opening of our new church building and Dansville Christian Youth Center. Also thankful for seeing Allie this am and having her sit with our family! Thankful for time to bless God's name with song and friends! Thankful for warm house, good food, family, laughter and Hobbit riddles:)
1135. Thankful for joy on Maddie's face because she finally proved to her dad that she can consistently pull her bow, so he took her hunting. She was stoked! Also thankful for beautiful fall day, walking down Crocus trail to pick Allie up from the bus stop and her chatter the whole way back:)
1136. Thankful for kids on the mend, old trampoline that we bought do many years ago for $50 from the Hummels and have had to have it redeem three times because the kids love it so much, the lion flip that Ben showcased for me and made me laugh as he posed like Alex the Lion:)
1137. Thankful for co-op and friends we've made there. Also thankful for buddies down the road, the Dysarts. God has truly blessed us over the years with so many wonderful homeschooling families to learn and laugh and grow with.
1138. Thankful for Saturdays where we don't have sporting things to take us away all day....Saturday cleaning done, nap taken, games played, and time with good friends
1139. Thankful today for God's work within my kids....I can see his fingerprints all over them and it makes me wanna dance and give Him all the glory. Today as I led worship at our church, looked out and saw Maddie-belle lost in her own moment with her creator, eyes closed, hands lifted to honor Him, not caring what others would think of her but totally focused on HIM! Jake thanking me after worship for pushing him to take his eyes off self and give and serve for The Lord and for not giving up on him when he is being difficult. Zeke's heart to be faithful to God in the details, the little things if life...guarding his tongue in all matters, being kind to those that are ignored or avoided and teaching us all to speak in love. Benny's teasing, laughter and kindness when someone "needs a hug". He is the one to give it. Nater....today ready to apologize on his own, without me having to preach it to him after he lost it with his sister.

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

1. 
   
   

   Struggling with yesterday's thankfulness....It's not because I don't see anything good....there are lots of things like watching Maddie and Ben and Ted prepare to go hunting together in the wee hours of the morning, having time to get some things completed and marked off my To Do list, time in Gods Word and how it sets my heart aflame and in awe.... I had these things I was so excited to share with pictures and word....

   BUT yesterday also had something happen that left me and our family feeling sick, angry, betrayed, confused and hurt. And as I watch my children struggle with these feelings, as do I, the Holy Spirit asks, "Will you be thankful in this? Will you be thankful for betrayal, for how evil has touched your children?" And as a believer and lover of Christ, how do I choose to respond?
   
   By will and out of love and devotion for the One who went through worse for me, I choose to respond with a resounding YES! I'm thankful this morning for the betrayal because in this situation I have an opportunity to open my children's eyes to what God is doing in it. He is growing each one of us to be more like Him, to love when others don't love, to forgive when others don't forgive, to let go of the things of this world that don't matter, for the things NOT of this world that do! Thank for Lord for bringing that person into our lives, who unknowingly was used by You and who would open our eyes and hearts up more and more to YOU.
   
   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
   16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

A Prayer for Election Day

By:
SCOTTY SMITH
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. Rev. 11:15-17
Dear Lord Jesus, it won’t be long before we will stand and sing Handel’s magnificent rendition of the grand affirmation of this text: “And He shall reign forever and ever, King of kings! and Lord of lords! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” It’s hard to believe Advent season is upon us. And yet we don’t really need to wait. Election Day is a perfect day to rise to our feet, or fall to our faces, and worship God with peace-filled and joy-laden hearts.
Lord Jesus, you are the King of kings and Lord of lords. Your reign has already begun and your reign is coming in fullness. Not a breath will be taken from our lungs, nor a day taken from our lifespan, apart from your decree. No premier or president, emperor or autocrat, dictator or potentate is a threat to you, or necessary to your purposes.
Demons tremble at your name and stars sing your praise; fierce hurricanes become gentle zephyrs, and placid lakes become roaring oceans at your bidding. Lame legs walk, deaf ears hear, mute mouths shout at your command. Loved ones are taken to heaven and sufficient grace is given, all in keeping with your purposes, timing and glory. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of our Lord.
On this Election Day, we bow to you and cast our votes. The brokenness in our country, hearts and world leads us to cry out, “How long, Oh, Lord? How long before you return, Lord Jesus, and finish making all things new?” Until that Day, we will seek to “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Pet. 2:7). We will seek to live as good citizens of two kingdoms—the city of man and the City of God. We will seek to adorn the gospel and serve you faith-fully, wherever you place us in the community and culture.
Whatever the results of this Presidential election, (as well as the many, many other offices which will be decided today), we affirm with renewed confidence and in-this-moment gratitude, that you, Lord Jesus, are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Hallelujah, what a Savior; Hallelujah, what a salvation. And you shall reign for ever and ever! So very Amen we pray, in your loving and triumphant name.