Thanksgiving Thankful Thursday

I have participated in the "Thankful Thursday" meme for a long time now, but today I figured I would make my thankful list a special thankful "Thanksgiving" list today. I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, but I will limit my list to my top ten.

1. Life...that God has given me life for these past 41 years. After I turned 40 I feel like I have been more thankful for each day God blesses me with.

2. Health... I have lost two people that were close to me to cancer in the last month. I have been reminded to be thankful for each day that I am healthy.

3. My mother... Those close to me know that my mother has been so very critically ill over the last 3 years. She had 3 major surgeries, one of which was a quadruple by pass over the last 2 years. Doctors told her that she was only hours away from dying when she had a heart attack. God has given her over 2 years of life after her near death experience. She still has serious on-going health issues, but she is thanking God each day that He gives her life, and I am thankful too.

4. My husband... Over the last couple of months, I have really just appreciated what a gift I have in my husband. I have watched him allow God to work in his life and I have seen him grow and mature in his spiritual walk. He is a hard worker, a good father, and he is self-less when it comes to giving to his family. I love you Honey :)

5. My newest home-bible study group of women... Currently, I am leading a group of eight women through Jennie Allen's newest bible study "Stuck". I am so excited to see what God will and wants to do with the group of awesome sisters in Christ. I love all these women already :)

6. My boys... Parenting is super hard work, and the older my kids get I am finding out that things get even harder. However, they bring me much joy, laughter and love. God gave me these 3 boys, and He purposed that I would be their mom...what an unspeakable privilege and blessing.

7. Lord willing, I will be going to Florida with my family for Christmas. I have not seen my extended family for over a year. I can't wait to see them all.

8. My job... I absolutely love love love my job. I get to teach Pre-K kids and they are so precious, energetic and delightful. I love teaching, but I think the thing I like best about my job is working with 5 Christian women that encourage me and make me laugh my head off :)

9. My Fwend... I don't get to see her very often because she lives in New York. This year our lives have been busy and I have not got to talk with her as much as I normally have, but I know that she is always there for me. She is growing in her relationship with Jesus and it inspires me. I love you Fwend!!!

10. Jesus... I can't think of words great enough to express how thankful I am for Jesus. I know that in my daily life I often neglect and forget stop and thank Jesus for what He has done in my life. I am selfish and self absorbed, but Jesus always takes me back and reminds me of who I can be in Him. I think I am finally beginning to grasp that life is worth living because of Jesus, and that Heaven is worth going to not so much because it is Paradise, but because Jesus will be there. Jesus thank you for being patient with me and opening my eyes to Your truth. If You will it I will be blessed to discover who You are in the coming years. Thank you for giving Your life to me.

Thankful Thursday

I so enjoyed doing the "Thankful Thursday" meme a couple of weeks ago, so I am back again with my list of things I am thankful for this week.

1. I am thankful for the upcoming women's bible study that I will host in my home beginning next week. A handful of women will be joining me. (We will be doing Jennie Allen's bible study "Stuck")

2. I went to a bible conference at a small church about a week ago and I really feel like the Lord spoke to me about changes I need to make in my life. I was encouraged and challenged at the same time.

3. On the same note, I am thankful for the conference speakers that had such a love for God and His glory.

4. My hubby already raked half (30 bags) of leaves from our yard... less for me to help with :)

5. We will be getting carpet very soon. We had a flood in our basement during the summer and we have been without carpeting since.

6. McDonald's peppermint mochas :)

7. Lord willing, our family will be vacationing in Florida during Christmas. I can't wait to see my family.

8. My cousin, Chris... Her life is a testimony of loving Jesus...she inspires me.

Thanks for stopping by...what are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

Well today I am going to start back up with my "Thankful Thursday" meme. I sure have missed Thankful Thursdays and the fellowship of other "Thankful Thursday-ers" :) This year I wanted to write more at my blog as I feel like I have a lot to say, but not a lot of time. So "TT" will help me keep up with my goal.

I will keep it simple with a top ten list of things I am thankful for this week.

1. On a sad note, my husband lost his best friend to cancer this past week... one tiny thankful in this difficult situation was that my husband found an airline ticket for 127 dollars last minute. Originally the tickets were costing anywhere from 800 to 1300 dollars. We are thanking God that he provided a way financially for my husband to be with his best friend's family.

2. To continue on number 1 a bit. My hubby's friend was a believer, and even though many are grieving for him, we do not grieve as those with no hope... We are so sad to be without him, but we know he is with his Jesus. Our Jesus...

3. I realized today that the Lord has been so good to me when it has come to my physical health... I have not been really sick (doctor's care) for over 2 years. I am blessed to have my health.

4. I belong to a Gym and I like to actually workout at that gym :)

5. I have a job I love with coworkers I adore :)

6. I am thankful to be a part of 3 blogging for books programs in which I get to keep all the books and resources I review.

7. I am thankful that I finally purchased Ann Voskamp's book "one thousand gifts"...I just began it and already I know I am going to love it.

8. I am thankful that my boys are getting to attend AWANAS at a local church. I was involved in AWANAS when I was a child and the program is wonderful.

9. My youngest child is coming out of his shell... he is surprising me.

10. My middle child conquered a fear by completing a task that he wanted to quit on.

Ok, that is all for now. Feel free to tell me something you are thankful for this week. I would love to hear it. Blessings all...

What I Am Thankful For This Week...

I have been so, so, so busy this week. My kids are back in school, and I have been in my classroom preparing it for my new class of Preschoolers that will arrive on Sept 7th :) So one of the first things to be neglected is my bloggy... BUT so many good things have been happening that I need to write out a quick thankful list.

1. That my kids are back in school, and they are all doing so well (so far). Our family needed a regular routine to come back into our lives...school helps bring a routine to our family.

2. I am thankful to the Lord for the time He has provided to me so that I may have a regular uninterrupted "Quiet Time". I have about a block of 30 "free" minutes between the time I drop my kids off to school and the time I need to be at work. This past week I have felt spiritually revived because of this block of time. I am so thankful that the Lord has given me this gift...I have no excuse now not to have a time of prayer and Bible reading (not that I ever did)

3. I get to lead a few young women in a Small Group that has been meeting for about 8 months. These young women are some of the most wonderful, beautiful, spirited women I know. All of them are passionate about knowing Jesus more and more. I just adore them.

4. I am thankful that I get to play a small part in a new ministry that will be launched online soon...stay tuned for details. The women leading this ministry love Jesus, and they want others to know and love Him too.

5. I am thankful that my children are asking more and more questions about Jesus and what it means to have a relationship with Him.

6. I am thankful that my husband is spiritually leading our household, and that he is teaching our children about the ways of the Lord. Our boys adore Him...

7. I am thankful for the book of "James" in the Bible. I have been reading it this week, and I feel like God is opening my eyes to the many truths found in James.

8. I am thankful that when I sin, I can turn from it right away. I don't have to stay in sin. Through Christ I can overcome sin...even sin that has kept me in bondage for a very long time.

9. I am thankful for my job that will begin shortly. I get the privilege of teaching 2 classes this year, and I love-love-love the women I work with.

10. I am thankful that I had a warranty on my son's glasses that need to be replaced (I have less than a month before the warranty is up)... My son thought it was a good idea to leave his glasses on the floor while he wrestled with his brothers...too bad his brother pushed him down on top of his glasses :) But I get a new pair free :)

Well gotta go, I have about 14 people coming over in 2 hours and I still have to vacuum my floors :)

Blessings...

Thankful Thursday

I will jump right it :)

-We have had some issues arrive with our new house over the last week...We are doing a remodel, and we anticipated some, but not everything that has come our way. Today we hit a big one, but I am thankful that ultimately our lives (and house) are in the Lord's hands, and today did not take Him by surprise...

-I am thankful that the Lord is helping me to be strong for my husband as these "issues" arise...My personality lends itself to hysteria, and I feel the Lord is strengthening me to be strong for my husband.

-Even though these "issues" are costing us extra money and time that we had not anticipated, we are blessed to be finding them out now....which saves us money and is possibly saving us on the safety end of things.

-The Lord has sent us an awesome person to work with that has really saved us money and is giving us a lot of help and direction as how to deal with the "issues" :) He is a Christian as well...

-If you read my post several days ago, you would know that I am in a spiritual dry place, and have been for awhile, but I sense the tiniest bit of hope arising in my heart the last couple of days...I hope more fruit will come as I seek to find answers with the Lord about the state of my heart.

-I am going on vacation very soon to see my family!!!!! My mom, dad, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews :)

Well, I will end for now to keep it short, but I am so thankful that when you believe in Jesus you have HOPE, in what seems a Hope LESS world at times.

Thankful Thursday

I missed "TT" last Thursday :( But am back today :) -We just bought a new house, and are in the process of tearing out all the carpet and painting on all the walls...basically a remodel. Well, after tearing out the carpets and flooring my hubby discovered mold :( Initially my hubby and myself freaked out...which I do, but my hubby doesn't do...After several talks and refocusing with the Lord we moved forward... I am thankful to report that the mold issue was not a big one at all, and has already been cleaned by a company...the company said it wasn't the BAD kind of mold... Yippee!!-I don't think I said this yet on the blog, but my in-laws bought the house that we are currently living in, and they are not in a rush to move in...so we can take all the time we need while we are in the process of fixing up our new house :) What a praise...The very first couple to see our house wanted to buy it, but the financing didn't work out for them...Had it worked out, we would be in a pickle right now...we would have to move out and rent a place and store all our stuff while our new house is being worked on... We are so thankful how things turned out :)-All 3 of my kids had swimming lessons these past two weeks, and at least one of them, MOOSE knows how to swim...no more floatation devices for Moose..It does look quite strange to see an one hundred pound kid with floaties on :) -The Summer Reading Program at the Library this past month was FAB!!! You see this is my first attempt doing the Summer Reading Program because my boys were not quite ready to handle the Library with all of its rules...but maturity and the mama look has helped them tremendously!!! Well, I went on a little much today, so I will end here...If you get a chance come back tomorrow to participate in my "Know & Tell" meme... Blessings!!!

Thankful Thursday

Well, it is Thursday again and life is Good :) I have much to be thankful for every week, but this week I some wonderful things to share...

-First and the biggest thanks of the week is that we sold our house!!! Sold it in 14 days in an economy that is not so great... Praise be to God, and I pray that my family never takes for granted the blessings that the Lord has given us...we are amazed at how God works :)

-I said goodbye to my best friend yesterday...she got to stay with me for 4 days and we had such a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement. PS. Thanks for teaching me to play "Hand & Foot"...it could become my new obsession :)

-I am thankful that my boys and I are adjusting well with our new summer schedule :)

-I am thankful for this awesome sermon I heard on "suffering for Christ" by Francis Chan... It is yet another piece of the puzzle that God is using to teach me about the subject of suffering in a Christian's life.

-Last, I am thankful for the verse that states... "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:9-10)

Thankful Thursday

Hey "TT" community... I will get right to my list today...Hoping you are all having a good week :)

-First, my best friend is coming up to see me on Friday, and she gets to stay until Tuesday. This was a surprise Mother's Day gift from my hubby. A great gift!!!
-I am thankful for the AWI (A Woman Inspired) conference that I have been able to attend online this week. Tomorrow is the last day. I just love the idea of a conference online... Webinar :)
-We are in the process of selling our home, and we are doing it on our own. We have had some very positive responses...again we try to stay focused and remember that it is the Lord's timing of when our house will sell.
-Although not perfected (never will be :) my summer schedule with the kids at home is working out pretty nicely.
-I am thankful that our Church's VBS is coming up soon... I get to take a leadership role for the Pre-K children... Our church does such a great job with VBS, and I am glad to be a part of it...Ok, this year our Church is calling our VBS, VBX (Vacation Bible eXperience) :)

Today's list is short and sweet, but I know I always have something...many things to be thankful for weekly. Blessings

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am going to try to focus more on the gifts that are mine because of God...I have been in a bit of a depression, but I think that the sense of depression really is more of a spiritual battle in my soul.

-A quick mention that I am thankful for the new Travis Cottrell CD that I was able to purchase this week on a tight budget :) I feel, as many do that Travis has been given a gift from God to help others come into God's presence through worship and songs...
-My kids like the idea of doing summer "homework"...so far they are doing everything I ask with limited complaining :)

-I am thankful for the fact that I am able to see that there is not really anything that satisfies the deepest longing in my soul...if there was, I would be satisfied and not search for God.
-I am thankful for new mornings where you can have a fresh start after totally wasting the day before in sin and in the flesh.
-I am thankful for the encouragement of Christians that are deeply hurting, yet they reach out of their pain to connect to God, and in the process encourage those around them (Read my blog friend's (Bev) latest post)
-I am thankful for prayer and the Bible, although I have still not yet even come close to where I need to be with these disciplines... (which is probably a big part of my depression).
-I am thankful for the HOPE that we have in Christ...honestly, I don't even know if I could make it through this world if I didn't have a future Hope of being with Him.
-I am thankful that God understands me because lately I can't even figure out my own self.
-I am thankful for Truth...Jesus is Truth, and if I perservere with Him, I believe He will show me what is true and real in my life.

Thanks today for visiting, and may you find Hope and Truth in your life too...

Thankful Thursday

Well, I almost missed "TT" thinking it was Wednesday tomorrow... I am a little messed up with my dates because of the holiday on Monday :)

-First I am thankful that all of my children made it through another school year. All of them did so well this year. I was so nervous for my "Moose" this year...he transitioned to the Intermediate School (4th and 5th Grades)... He was loved so much by everyone (most) at his school last year, and transition can be hard for a child with Autism, but I can confidently say that Moose has already captured the hearts of many at his new school. I don't know this for sure, but I feel like God has given Moose favor in the public school system.
-Our current house is almost ready for us to put the "For Sale" sign up in the yard. I have been cleaning and dusting like a mad woman. I only have a few more rooms to touch up and then we are open for business :)
-I am thankful for the energy that God has given me the last few days... I don't know how I would have done all that cleaning without it.
-My husband and I have been married (Thursday) for 15 years today... That is a miracle and we are thankful for today!!!

Well as always I could list several more things, but I need to get to bed as I have to get up early time... I just had a nice cup of sleepy time tea, and I am hoping to get sleepy soon :) Blessings

Thankful Thursday

Well it is 10 PM and my bedtime, but as always I like to get my "TT" list out on Wednesday nights, so here it goes...

-First, we are in the process of buying and selling our home...we had our inspection on the house we are purchasing and for the most part everything looks good :)

-Our dryer finally kicked the bucket, and we are planning on buying a new one, but my hubby doesn't want to transport it twice (once to our house now, and once to the new house)...he is afraid it could get damaged, so he has agreed to take our clothes to the laundry mat and dry them until we move. Sweet hubby, and we have a nice little air conditioned laundry mat right near our house... It reminds us of early marriage days :)

-I am thankful for my best bud as she encouraged me today and challenged me to do something hard that I have been thinking about doing for a long time, but resisting it because it goes against what I want to do in my flesh. So today, I am taking a small/big step with this challenge.

-I watched a great kids movie today... "The Velveteen Rabbit". It is a newer version of the classic story directed by Michael Landon Jr. (Love Comes Softly movies). Although it is not a Christian movie per se, it is a moral movie with a few Christian messages thrown in. I was in tears several times during this movie, and my five year old, Terminator thought that was kind of strange... Poor child shouldn't try to figure out women at five years old :) (I recommend this movie to families if you are looking for a movie to watch with your kids... You can rent it at most video stores)

-The Lord strengthened me several times this week to accomplish tasks that must be done as we are getting ready to sell our house. I am so thankful to the Lord, as in my flesh I am lazy...

-There is probably much more to be thankful for, but I must hit the hay...BUT if you are interested in winning an Angela Thomas book, please see the post directly below this "TT" post. You can either leave a comment on the giveaway post or even here on the"TT" post...just make sure to mention you would like a chance to win the book.

Blessings, and Laurie Ann I still want to get back to answering a question you asked me about 3 weeks ago about prayer time with my husband... Maybe I will have time today :)

Thankful Thursday

Hey "TT" community... I can't believe it is Thursday already, but I have a good list of "thankfuls" today :)

-First, and I mentioned this last week (vaguely :), we bought a house. Well, we will close at the end of June. We will still be living in the same city, but after prayer we decided to put an offer on a house that will be a blessing to our growing family (no, not growing as in pregnant). This house also gives us a chance to cut down on our debt, and make another step toward our goal of being completely debt free one day. A little prayer request, we now have our house to sell... Things are already looking favorable for this request though.
-Second, my husband totally surprised me on Mother's Day by buying my Best Fwend a ticket to come see me in June. I was totally shocked and surprised. We have not seen each other in a long time, and this gift came at just the perfect time. Honey, this is the best gift you ever surprised me with :)
-Tomorrow is my last day of teaching my Pre-K class. It has been a wonderful year, and I will miss my little kiddos. My son, "Terminator" will be one of the kids graduating from the school that I teach at too.
- This might not seem like a thankful, but stick with it...I had a really trying time as a parent today with my child... Actually, our youngest has been going through a very defiant, trying stage lately, and my husband and I are really kind of lost as to what to do that will really, really help him. However, this is a thankful because my husband and I want to make sure we go to God in prayer on "Terminator's" behalf, and I believe that in and of itself, this will be a thing that will help us grow closer to God.
-I will end here today, but I am just thankful that I have God to come to when life gets hard. Lately, I have been struggling a bit spiritually, and I know that things will only get better if I pursue after God... Lord, forgive me for not valuing time with You, and putting things of the world above You....it effects me more than I realize...

Blessings today, and if you think about it would you lift a prayer on behalf of a blogging friend/siesta today... Her name is Bev, and she is a wonderful example of a Christ follower. She will be having surgery Thursday at 7am (Texas Time) for cancer. I know any prayers she receives will be a blessing to her and her family...

Thankful Thursday

(SORRY "TT" COMMUNITY... I wrote my post before I saw today's theme...thankful for your mom. I will have to write that post later :)

Hey "TT" community... I was able to get around to more of your blogs last week to say hello, and that was nice :) So onto my list as I need to take a shower before bed... I am in an allergy haze, and I need to wash off all the pollen and allergens :)

I am Thankful for...

-First, as mentioned on my last "TT" post I started praying again with my husband, and I think we are going on about 10 days of prayer together. That is a good start, as we have not done that consistently for over a year or more. I know this discipline is going to bear spiritual fruit in the future.

-I will be a bit vague here, but my husband took a step toward a big decision for our family (possibly in the future) this week. I feel I am already on board with this decision, but my husband is not quite there, and together we are praying for the Lord to lead us to what He wants for our family. (One day I hope to share more details)

-I had my evaluation at work this week...Even if I know I am going to do good, I get myself all in a tizzy. It went so well, and the evaluation was great.

-Again a little vague, but I hope to let you know about the details next week. After seeking the Lord in prayer my husband and I made a big decision this week. We will soon know the outcome...Again, I will share the details later about this decision.

-I am thankful for the posts at the Living Proof Ministries Blog this past week. Beth Moore's daughter, Melissa went to India on a Compassion Ministries trip and she wrote about her experiences while in India... After reading the posts this past week, my heart has been stirred. I don't know what will become of it, but I want to pray about it and see what happens. Click here to visit the blog, and then read the posts from about the last two weeks.

Well, a shower is calling my name... I don't think I will quite make my 10 PM bedtime tonight :)

Blessings

Thankful Thursday

My ten o'clock bedtime is right around the corner, so I will jump right into my list today too. -I am thankful that my husband and I recommitted ourselves two days ago to our prayer time together. The funny thing is what brought us to our commitment... We were having some major disagreements the last two days (some people may call that a fight :) We both have a growing relationship with the Lord independently, but in order for our marriage to survive and thrive we have to bring the Lord into the middle of our marriage... We are truly helpless without Him.-We may have an opportunity to decrease some debt...more to follow later...-Both of my older boys had Field Trips this week, and they arrived back home to me safe and sound... I always get nervous when they go off school property.-I am attending the First Place 4 Health program again, and I am so thankful for my friend "M" that has really been a strong accountability partner for me this time... We are truly helping each other through this journey... We both want freedom when we are done. OK, I could go on, but I do have several things to do tonight before I go to sleep. I am so sorry I have not been able to get around to all the wonderful ladies that comment on my "TT" post... You are all very encouraging... I hope to stop by and visit your blogs soon...

Thankful Thursday

I am on a new thing where I am trying to get in bed by 10PM, so I will jump right into today's list :)-I am thankful that my First Place 4 Health group started back up again. We have been on a small break and I felt like I started to slip into some old negative patterns when it comes to my food stronghold...The last quarter of FP4H I did lose about 12 pounds, but came away from the class realizing that I am still treating this program like one of the many diets I have done in my life. My goal for the next 12 weeks in FP4H is to go deeper with God, and really break this stronghold for good... I know I will never attain perfection when it comes to this addiction, but I can have freedom. -I am thankful that my Moose did an outstanding job at his recorder concert...He just keeps surprising me more and more :)-I am thankful for good friends that have been able to help us with babysitting our boys for FREE. FREE is good!!!-I am thankful that my husband continues to work at a job where the working environment is terrible... He tells me Christ is teaching him about being a servant... I need to learn that lesson too.-I am thankful for a good haircut I received this past week... I tried something new, and it worked out...-I am thankful for my best friend who keeps spurring me onto knowing Christ more by getting into his Word.-I am thankful that God continues to offer me chances to know Him, especially after the countless times I have ignored Him to pursue my own desires. OK, I must go now because it is 9:47 and I need to be in that bed by 10 :)By the way, if interested I am having a book giveaway click here to view the video post about it, and if interested just make sure to leave a comment on that particular post..
Blessings to all today...

Thankful Thursday

Hello "TT" community :) Once again it is Wednesday night and I want to get my "TT" post out because I won't have a chance to tomorrow. I am so tired, but I just love my "TT" :)

-First up, I am thankful that a local computer fix-it shop donated an old computer to my school for use in my class. The old one we had basically shut down, or I may have made it shut down :( My husband mentioned that companies may donate old computers as a tax write off, and the very first place and person we called donated a computer...I am so thankful for the owner's kindness... I really do need an operating computer in my Pre-K class :)

-I am thankful that my mother is still recovering from surgery... However, she has had a major attack with fear... I think the events of the last four months have finally set in for my mom. If you would pray for her still I would be so thankful.

-This one may sound funny, but this week I am so thankful the Lord filled me with energy to clean both of my bathrooms...my personal bath has been neglected for awhile, so I had a lot of extra scrubbing to do (I DISLIKE SOAP SCUM :) in my tub and on my floor (MY HUBBY USES TOO MUCH HAIRSPRAY :). I think I cleaned on and off again for about 3 hours in those two rooms. I can be so NOT motivated when it comes to cleaning, so when I get in the mood to clean I am so thankful.

-I am thankful my hubby found a dental plan for us that I can use with my actual dentist...So many times you have to use other dentists that are on the actual plan. I like keeping my own doctors if I can :)

-I am thankful to be back at work after having a week of Spring Break... I too am thankful that I only have about 6 weeks, and then I get to have Summer Break... (This thankful looks contradictory, huh?)

-I am thankful that we will get to go to Florida this summer for vacation... I wasn't sure with our finances and all. Again, this is important because all my extended family live in Florida, including my mom who I have not seen since November, and I left her just a day or two after her open-heart surgery.

Well, my eyes are getting heavy...it might be from the allergy medicine :)... So I will end here for today.

Blessings as you visit the "TT" community.

Thankful Thursday

-First up, I have to say my most thankful thing this week is that my mom's surgery went well, and she is now at home resting, or trying to rest. For those of you who don't know, she had surgery this week on one of the main arteries in her neck. It was extremely painful, but the doctor told her had she not had it she would have had a massive stroke very soon. There were several blood clots just waiting to break loose. Praise be to God!!!!
-Second a massive thanks to all the people that lifted up a prayer for my family. As I said in a prior post...you all were the hands and feet of Jesus to my family this week.
-I am thankful for the online Women's conference I have been able to participate in this week (see first button on sidebar). What a neat experience to have a conference online :) Tomorrow is the last day...you still have time to take advantage, just click button and get the details (you will be able to download previous sessions you missed).
-I am thankful for my bloggy friend Shelia...she wrote a post which I actually copied and pasted directly on my blog this week; "Confessions: Pet sins". Although I know I do not feel totally broken over my food addiction... I do feel different after reading Shelia's post and once again seeing how my sin cost Jesus his life... Thanks Shelia... (Feel free to read it...just a couple posts down)
-A good friend got back her test results this week, and the news was great. It appeared that something was seriously wrong with her, but the doctors found out they could treat her condition with medicine. Awesome...

Well, I am making my list short, but it definitely is a wonderful thankful list this week... Blessings All...

Thankful Thursday

This week's theme is "HE WORKS THINGS OUT!!!"

Hello "TT" community... Well, I will start with a little background information so my theme makes sense to you :)

This past Saturday after my husband and I got back home from our date (FYI: Our date was Grocery Shopping together...what does that say about us?) when we pulled into the garage I noticed a horrible smell...my hubby winced as he knew exactly what it was. His engine in his car had finally blown up and oil was all over our garage. I will try to make a long story short (my friends are probably laughing because this is so impossible for me :)... The engine that was in my hubby's car was made by a manufacturer that used parts of the engine that they should not have, and eventually anyone with this specific engine would end up having their engine blow. The company went out of business, so there was no way to get retribution. So now we were faced with either getting another whole engine or buying a car (used or new)...We prayed about this situation.

The same night a few hours later I noticed that our house was a little cold, so I checked the thermostat only to find out in a few minutes that our heater unit was broken. I think it was the ignite light or something like that. My hubby and I kind of laughed at the timing, but then resolved to pray about this situation too... That night I slept with my son's winter hat on :)

OK, now I will get to my Thankful list...

-The first thing is that I am so glad we have an "EMERGENCY FUND". Although I expect that no one likes to use his/her emergency fund, it is a blessing to have one. So we had money to repair the things that had broken down, and we didn't have to go into further debt.

-Another blessing was that we didn't even have to dip into the Emergency Fund to repair our heater...with a little penny pinching we paid to repair our heater with our regular income :)

-We were weighing out our options about what to do with my hubby's car... we even thought about buying a new car, but we didn't really want to have a car payment, as we have not had one in a very long time. We thought about buying a used car but that would almost empty our emergency fund, and we didn't want to take our E.F. so low. Our last option was to replace the engine in my hubby's car...which we thought would be around $3000.00.

A good friend told us about a guy that has dealt with her fairly when it comes to her car, so we called him. Although he could not help us, he referred us to another guy who was able to find an engine and install it for us for around $1300.00... AWESOME!!! God is so very good :)

-I can't share the details for personal reasons, but a prayer that we have prayed for awhile now was answered for our family... Even though I am not sharing the details...we are overwhelmed that the answer came this week with all these other answers to prayer :)

-Another blessing about this whole experience is how my husband and I handled this situation. First, my hubby was so calm and he remained in control even though I know he was panicking a bit. He prayed and trusted God for the outcome...

-For me, this situation was another situation in which I could tell that God has changed me... Let's just say in my younger days I was self absorbed and very selfish, and for the most part I would have just cared about how the situation effected me.

One thing that was brought up on Saturday was that if we had to spend all this money on the repairs it might mean my family could not go to Florida to see my extended family. We moved from Florida about 5 years ago, and I only get to see my family about 1-2 times a year...this is extremely important because my mom is not in good health, so to see her especially is important. At first I just thought no matter what we will still go to Florida, but later on that night I conceded to the fact that it might not happen if our funds get really low...That is a big praise because I wouldn't have thought that way before.

Also, in the past I would have complained about not having heat and I would probably have made my hubby call someone in the middle of the night to fix the heat. I didn't... I just bundled up, and covered the kids with extra blankets and told my husband that we would be fine. That was not how I would have acted in the past with my selfish attitude, so I give God praise that He has changed my heart... I still have far to go, but I praise God for the changes He has made so far...

OK, I think I have written enough for today... So I will stop here today. Blessings to All!!!!!!!

Thankful Thursday

Hey "TT" community... My post will be a little different today as I am going to point you to another one of my posts... I am so thankful that a movie like "The Cross" was made, and will be released in many theaters across the US on Friday, March 27th. I am thankful that there are men like Arthur Blessitt that represent what it means to follow Jesus in obedience. May God get the Glory through this movie.


Please either look down to yesterday's post (the one directly below this), or click here. Then watch the movie trailer and feel free to leave any comments you have about the trailer on this post.

I will get back to my normal "TT" posts next Thursday, but I thought it was important to get the information out about this movie. Blessings

Thankful Thursday

First, I just want to say that those of you who visit my blog on "TT" are so very nice and encouraging... I always feel sad if I can't get around to tell you hello and thank you. So, if I don't get to stop by your blogs, just know that I think of you all with kind thoughts :) So, I think I will stick with the theme thing again this week... A theme helps when you have a clouded mind, or like tonight an allergy headache :) My Husband... I am thankful that...-He does our grocery shopping and he actually enjoys buying the groceries. He too knows that he is better at sticking with our grocery budget, when I would be tempted to go over our budget.-He is good with budgeting and money management...I struggle with this a bit.-He tells our boys daily that he loves them.-He is big on family dinners and family movie nights on Friday.-He is high energy.-He is organized. That man can load a dishwasher with skill :)-He helps a lot with the housework, even after a long day at work.-He is intelligent.(The things I will now name have developed over time and growth in his relationship with Christ)-He told me that when it comes to important life decisions Jesus would always be the final authority...not us :) -He underlines Scripture like mad in his Bible when he is reading it. He is reading through the Bible in 3 years.-He said that he loves Jesus most in this world...then me and then the kids :)-He is transparent and authentic with others.-He falls, but repents and gets back up and starts new with our Jesus. -He loves me and serves me in many ways. I will stop here for today as my head is still aching, and I need to go to bed, but I wanted to tell you that God has done such a work in my husband and in our marriage that I can speak from experience when I say that any person or any marriage can change... Our God is Huge, and do not give up hope that things can be better... It may be a painful process, but in the end it will always be worth it!!! Blessings all, and I love you A.