Today, it is the Marine Corps Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Marine Corps!
In honor of this festive occasion, I am thankful for this amazing country we live in. Even a bad day in America, is a great day, for many nations. WE are blessed for the freedoms we have and have fought to maintain.
I am also thankful for all those who have served our nation to keep us protected and free. I am thankful for their families who sacrifice their loved one for us.
Thank you..
Today I am thankful for my husband.
He is truly the greatest blessing the Lord has given me.
Jason leads our home, he spends time in the Word, he sacrifices for our family, he provides and protects.
And…..he is my #1 fan. He supports the heck out of me.
I am so thankful for the million ways he loves us, but more importantly how he loves Jesus.
I am one lucky girl….
I can’t believe it is already day 8. I am loving thinking about the things that I have to be thankful for. I don’t think I take a lot for granted, but it is great to be reminded, in a very tangible way, that nothing I have is from my own effort, it is truly a gift from the Lord. He alone gives, He alone takes away.
Today, I am thankful for my trip to Africa. I think I look at what I have very differently now. I am reminded that all that matters is Jesus. Knowing Him, making Him known.
I have been burdened for a while now that my children to do not have a clue about what it means to be in want. Their needs are met daily, heck even the majority of their wants are met in some shape or form, eventually. And that makes me a little sad. I have seen children who know what it is to WANT. Not to want a toy or a certain show, but to want food to eat, medicine to heal, a book to read, someone to teach them to read.
They know what it is to WANT out of their NEED.
And that makes me very sad.
In our family we try to be a yes home and leave no to the really important things. I have said no a lot more in the last 5 months due to our addition- to friends, to family, to our children. Now that my girls are older, they understand delayed gratification more and there a few things they have had to wait for, to long for, to realize they are not getting.
But I feel the burden, the conviction that if they never understand what it means to be in want for something simple…..will they ever understand what it means to want Jesus more than life, than breath, than comfort, than stability, than anything?
Will they ever feel desperate for Him
My prayer is that they will. And I am seeking, asking that God would help me, as their mom, to help them see….life is not about you.
It is about Christ.
Alone.
Today, I am thankful for Africa. The journey that was hard, difficult, outside of my comfort zone, and completely, utterly, life opening. It changed me and I can’t see things in my own corner of the world anymore.
And for that, I am blessed.
I am thankful for my friends.
I am forever changed by these women who encourage me, listen to me, challenge me, hurt for me and celebrate with me.
I value those friendships that have sustained time, distance, ups, downs, children, moves and hurts.
Thanks for walking with me….pointing me to Jesus……and doing life with me.
You know who you are…..
“Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!” Psalm 105:1-3
I am thankful for God’s Word.
I am thankful that it is always new and fresh, yet a complete source of comfort and security.
I am thankful that it challenges and changes me.
It is always right, always on time, always just what I need.
What about you?
(this was the verse in our daily devotional today)
Today I am thankful for the small things that make life easier, funner, more joyful, and that make me smile. Some of those things include the tight neck hugs from Bradley, when Jason turns around from leaving to come and kiss me good-bye, when Parker tells me that out of all the mommies in the world, God gave her the best one, when Emery grins big and those dimples show. Also, Sonic happy hour goes a long way, as well…
What about you? What are you thankful for today?
My friends Jenn and Kim have inspired me to actually share what I am thankful for this month, instead of letting the month go by without thinking about it! Some may be specific and some may be general. I encourage you to take the time to think and share what you are thankful for!
I may be a day behind but I am not going to let that stop me!
1. On Sunday, our church launched a campaign called The Sending Church. The vision is to raise money to send over 30 missionaries, to launch 6 campuses in 4 countries, in order to reach 1.4 billion people with the Love and Salvation of Jesus. I am so thankful that God called us to this place almost 6 years ago. He has used this church to stretch us, refine us, challenge us and inspire us to see beyond our four walls for the cause of Christ.
2. I am thankful that through unforseen events, I got to spend the day in Knoxville with Bradley. I have relaxed, spent the day with Luann, and even took a nap. Also, for a husband who stepped in to fill by mommy duties for the afternoon and evening!
My prayer is that throughout this month, we may all take time to stop, think about how God has blessed us and call out praises to His name!
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”
Luke 1:46-47
Let me just say that building, renovation, or adding on to your home, IS NOT FOR SISSIES.
It is hard, exhausting, stressful, all consuming, expensive, and at times, just plain ugly. It takes a lot of ugly to make something beautiful…..construction wise.
I don’t like a lot of clutter and mess, but I can deal with it when there is an end goal. Jason and I both are at the point of just being plain ol’ tired and ready for this to be done. He has worked his tail off, is known on a first name basis by most employees at Lowe’s, has made hundreds of phone calls, spent all of his spare time working in the addition and has managed the budget. I am so thankful for him and his commitment to our family. Many would have caved before now! Although it is hard for me to admit, which has issues in and of itself, there are parts of our home and yard, that look AWFUL. There is no getting around it, it just looks a mess. For me, it is not so much as I am concerned what people think about it, although there is a touch of middle school girl, lingering in my mind, as much as it just leaves me feeling unsettled and not able to rest. We are at the point where there is ALWAYS something to be done which leaves for little down time. I have not watched tv in months, it feels like, and evenings spent just hanging out have been few and far between. But, we knew that this would be part of it, to get our home the way we want it. And this his just
phase 1…..
Living in the mess, has been such a great reminder of how Christ takes the ugly, the chaotic, the muddy and REDEEMS. I can testify that he takes the ugly, the broken and works at it, exposing the mess and begins the process of making it new again. , but in the end, what was once ugly, shines precious and refined, purified because of the choice to walk His path because…
He alone makes beauty from ashes.
even though the path is rocky and uneven…
it is muddy and slow….
it is full of twists and turns,
some places are harder to navigate and walk through…
but in the end, the result is worth every ounce of effort it took to become more like Christ…
There is healing, there is hope and there is BEAUTY…to display for His splendor!
So through the journey, I am reminded that even in the imperfect…. there is beauty. It is a beauty that comes from watching a man love, lead and care for his family, by SHOWING what it means to work hard. It is the wonder of family surrounding us and showing us their affection through sweat and blood and time spent to make our house a home. It is our friends, who have been understanding and have placed no expectations on us during this season of life. It is in the men who have entered our home, who have used their craft, and have been respectful, patient, helpful, full of knowledge and willing to go the extra mile with us. We are reminded that we are blessed…..
Isaiah 61 (and Jesus’ first words in his ministry…)
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
