Labels: Thankful Thursday

Labels: cool story, prayer

We began the early morning with a soft gentle rain. It was a great time to cozy up and enjoy a cup of coffee as I was listening to the sound of the rain with a thankful heart. It's so good for the garden and the crops in the fields.

The rain increased and our two dogs desperately needed to go outside to go potty. My hubby encouraged me to find the umbrella. Couldn't find it. Tried a plastic bag. Didn't work. Came back in to get my coat that has a hood. My hair, that I had just finished curling, was already getting wet and stringy. Oh well.

Got the dogs out, one at a time. They both came back inside looking like I had just given them a bath - without the pretty smelling soap! Drenched... from formally floppy ears that were sticking to their little heads down to their soaked little paws! There's a certain fragrance that accompanies a wet dog! I don't think is someone bottled it that it would be a top seller.

My piano tuner is coming in a few moments to tune our piano. That's what piano tuners do, right? So then I guess I'll again be able to play like Liberace....or at least think that I do! It's all in the ears of the beholder.

Enjoy your day. Hopefully you're drinking in the goodness of the Lord with a thankful heart! A good cup of coffee helps too.

Blessings,

Labels: A day in the Life

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,
and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalm 107:31

We recently returned from our vacation in Minnesota. We've gone to the same place for quite a few years. This is what we see from our cabin as we sit on our deck.

What a great place to have conversations with Jesus!

The family was all there except our youngest son who had other responsibilities.

It was such a great joy to sit on the deck in the early morning and have our oldest grandchild, Gracie, greet us with a loud "Hi Nana, Hi Papa" and a smile that covered her whole face. Then came our son or daughter-in-love carrying their little Jackson who is 7 months old. He would bring us buckets of smiles. Soon following, our little Sam who is 2, comes holding mommy or daddy's hand up the steps. And Nana and Papa are surrounded by part of our Godly inheritance....grandchildren!

My heart is full of the blessings of the Lord.

Have an amazing day!

Labels: blessings

John Jalsevac (August 1, 2009)
Also says he is grateful that his mother's story has helped women choose not to have an abortion.

Last week Florida Gator's Quarterback Tim Tebow's photo may have graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, the same magazine that is best known for its annual "swimsuit issue," but the contrast between the two cover stories couldn't have been more glaring.

At 21 years of age and graced with boyish good looks, Tebow is one of the most talked about rising stars of the NCAA; but the football superstar literally left reporters speechless last week when he answered a question during a press conference about whether or not he is saving himself for marriage.

"Yes I am," said Tebow briefly, who then indicated he was ready for the next question. However, in the video of the press conference, a reporter is heard stumbling over his words in the background as he tries to ask a follow-up question. Tebow then laughs, obviously reacting to the reactions of the reporters in the room.

"I think y'all were stunned by that," he says. "Y'all can't even ask a question. Wow. I mean, I was ready for that question. I don't think y'all were."

It wasn't the only controversial remark that Tebow made that day. In response to another question about whether or not people may be tired of the volume of coverage devoted to the young football star, Tebow, a devout Christian, said that the level of exposure he receives is a mixed blessing. However, he said, he looks at the positive side that, thanks to his fame, he has been able to share his Christian faith with so many people.

In addition, the football star told the reporters that he believes that the publicity given to his mother's story has helped other women choose not to abort their unborn children. Tebow's mother, who serves as a Christian missionary together with her husband, was pressured to abort Tebow following a life-threatening infection she suffered while pregnant with him. Doctors pressured her to abort her son to save her own life, but she ultimately resisted the pressure and both mother and child survived the birth.

"There has been a lot of people that have been encouraged not to have an abortion because they heard the story of my mom, or they have been encouraged because they have heard me give my faith on TV or in a report or something," said Tebow.

"You know what, although there has been a backlash, oh, well. You know what, I'll deal with it if I have to. It's not a big deal to me because of the kids and people that have been encouraged by the stories we have tried to tell and by the life that I've tried to live."

Growing up Tebow would often help his parents with their Christian mission work in the Philippines. He was homeschooled by his mother, who instilled in her children strong Christian values.

Tebow was the first homeschooled athlete to be nominated for the Heisman Trophy. "That's really cool," he said at the time. "A lot of times people have this stereotype of homeschoolers as not very athletic—it's like, go win a spelling bee or something like that—it's an honor for me to be the first one to do that."

Watch the exchange between Tebow and reporters by clicking on the link provided.

Source: LifeSiteNews.com

Blessings on your weekend.

Labels: cool story

Last Christmas, our kids gave us a gift of time - doing whatever we wanted them to do around the house or in the yard for a full day. I was actually expecting a new grill for their dad....but somehow that got put to the side.

So Mike and I are thinking of all the things that we could have the kids do for us. Thinking...thinking...thinking...

Then Spring comes and brings us new revelation!!

It was an "Aha" moment.

We are brilliant! We decided we would have the family lay out fresh wood chips around the house and on our garden...which is massive. And since they complain about the most awesome paint job in the basement that was on the cutting edge of decorating in the early 90's, we would have them paint the basement. This was no small task. The main room is about 14 x 33 ft. and the stairway and the hallway too.

We found a day that would work for everyone. They came ready to work and be a blessing to us. People are astounded when we tell them what our kids wanted to do for us.

Here's some pics from the day....














So there ya go. We're blessed!! The basement is gorgeous. The garden is beautiful. Mike took me outside early the next morning, with coffee in hand, to sit and enjoy the labor of our family.

Blessings on your day.

Labels: blessings, family

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me
John 10:27

I'm so thankful that God gives us ears to hear His voice. I believe that He's speaking to us more than what we actually hear. Maybe it's because as we know with our own children, we have "selected" hearing. Do we have the same "selected" hearing with our Father God?

What do we do when God speaks very clearly about calling up a neighbor that doesn't know Him and ask them out for coffee? I ponder on that - over analyze those words - and come to the conclusion that it was just my own thought. Well, I can tell you this....I wouldn't have a thought like that on my own. It's Jesus in me that speaks to my heart in such a way.

I'm so thankful that God covers me in His grace and so tenderly speaks to me again. I'm continually learning to hear and obey....right now.

I'm so thankful for my little granddaughter that had her ballet dance recital. She was so incredibly cute of course! As she's standing on stage after her dance, she spotted her fan club of our family, and as the other little girls trotted off, our little Gracie stood there grinning at us! It made a memory for sure!!

I'm so thankful for the celebration of Memorial Day last Monday. It was a precious time of honoring those that have fought for our freedoms in this country.

For more thankful hearts, visit Lynn.

Blessings!!

Labels: Thankful Thursday