Today, on this side of the world anyway, is the first day of spring. We celebrated by visiting Jayden and Mariah’s school to be a part of their fun walk fundraiser. Besides the walk, there was lots of food, a jumping castle, coloring contests, swimming. . .and more food. The kids have been looking forward to this day for almost two weeks, and thankfully the weather cooperated. It’s actually been rather cold lately, so the sunshine was a welcome sight!
The new season also reminded me of all that I have to be thankful for. Because we don’t have television, I recently subscribed to the New York Times headlines through my email. Between the news, daily prayer requests I receive, and the struggles I see around me every day, it’s easy for me to get depressed about life and to forget why I’m here.
This inspired me to make a list of what I’m thankful for. And to each of you, if you’d like, take five minutes over your weekend and send me a comment with some ways God has blessed you recently and why you are thankful. For those of you who receive my posts directly to your box, you can click on the title and it will send you to the web page if you are online where you can leave a comment.
I’d LOVE to hear about what you’re thankful for in your life and rejoice with you!
Here’s a few of mine:
1. My family
2. My mom is flying me home for three weeks later this month to spend time with her and my sister’s family, as well as to allow me to attend a writer’s conference. (see you soon mom!)
3. Our cell group is growing
4. Winter is over
Anyone else?
Blessings,
Lisa
"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:18
1) Such a wonderful and talented wife of 16 years (where will the next 16 take us? I still have a few surprises up my sleeve).
ReplyDelete2) Three wonderful children that bless my life and in whom I am very proud. I can’t wait to see how each of you impact this world to make it a better place.
3) To live and work in one of the most incredible places on earth.
4) For parents who have loved me unconditionally and who have supported me in so many ways. Thanks for taking the news that we were moving 3 of your grandkids half way around the world so well!
5) Friends, friends and more friends. I count myself so blessed to have so many good friends all over the world.
Scott, your husband
1) Such a wonderful and talented wife of 16 years (where will the next 16 take us? I still have a few surprises up my sleeve).
ReplyDelete2) Three wonderful children that bless my life and in whom I am very proud. I can’t wait to see how each of you impact this world to make it a better place.
3) To live and work in one of the most incredible places on earth.
4) For parents who have loved me unconditionally and who have supported me in so many ways. Thanks for taking the news that we were moving 3 of your grandkids half way around the world so well!
5) Friends, friends and more friends. I count myself so blessed to have so many good friends all over the world.
Scott, your husband
I'm thankful for that photo of azaleas! Can't grow them too well around here, but I used to have them in my yard, back in the South.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for a new grandson. Mother and baby (and dad!) are doing fine, praise the Lord.
I am Thankful for:
ReplyDeleteJerry's heart surgery 6 months ago which enabled him to LIVE. His doctors were the type to PRAY with me before and after the surgery. It worked! We have been blessed with more days together. He is my life, my love ~ HE is my entire life blessing of all times - married for 44 years & 3 months. First date, first kiss, first!
For two great daughters, Donna & Cheryl, whom I dearly love ~ and for their love for us. For family - for grandchildren. For jobs, for education, for not fearing for our life in our land. For the Marines and for other Service People of the USA & their sacrifices. For being able to Worship our Faith without fear of death, or worse.
For the man of Africa that is in the USA building wheel chairs for people of his country - so that they can get off the ground - his name is EMMANUEL. Appropriate! http://www.emmanuelsgift.com/ http://www.freewheelchairmission.org/travellog-ghana.html
For our Marine grandson "Mac" being sent to Okinawa for two years, rather than Iraq.
For our trees turning fall colors ~ for the lil' mice that eat the bird seed/corn in the yard/and horrors of all horrors, sometimes they get into the house! ~ for our old, fat tomcat LoverBoy-a stray I saved from death!, now spoiled to death! ~ for the geese/ducks that are flying and honking out our windows ~ to see the trees lean with the wind....to SEE. To HEAR the wind & the birds~ or Jerry calling my name ~ to get a telephone call ~ to be able to be in contact with YOUR mom after so many years of not knowing WHERE she was! For the reason of genealogy ~ and LOVE. Without LOVE there is absolutely nothing! Just as Jesus told us!!!
For being crippled (back spinal degeneration & two failed back surgeries) so that I can SEE other's suffering & understand their pain. So that I understand the way that the Lord works....showing us to have compassion for others that they will be able to know that there are others who are worse off than they. To understand that someday I, and others, will be totally WHOLE in body and spirit. To KNOW that heaven is coming...to have the Holy Spirit working in our lives & not fear WHERE we will go as far as heaven/hell. To know that there is a reason, a season, a meaning to our lives that will become totally clear in Heaven. To KNOW that I will be able to finally hold (never got to) our granddaughter that died in 1984 - her name was Brandy & she died of SIDS at 3 months old.
To have YOU and your family in a Country to tell of Jesus and His life so that others may know him ~ and LIVE forever.
My list could fill the entire pages of a huge book. For angels that help us in times of trouble, for they are ALWAYS there around us. For the Holy Spirit praying for us during times we cannot get it right....for ALL things that the Lord knows.
With much LOVE,
Alene