Thankful Thursday

For The Beauty Of The Earth

For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

(177.  I am grateful the heavens declare the glory of God…)

For the beauty of each hour Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

(178.  I am grateful for the beauty that surrounds us…)

For the joy of human love,  Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

 
(179.  I am grateful for the time to spend with family and friends…)

For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

(180.  I am grateful for God’s free gift of grace…)

For Thyself, best Gift Divine, To the world so freely given, 
For that great, great love of Thine, Peace on earth and joy in heaven.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

 (181.  I am grateful for the great, amazing love of God!)

(Hymn by Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864)

Family Visits

This past weekend was pretty busy.  It was a good weekend!  Saturday we had two early morning baseball games.  We came home and worked in the yard a bit before darling daughter and dear son-in-love arrived home for a quick visit.  It was a 7 hour drive for them – one way. 

We played games, watched a movie and Tim Hawkins (who is a pretty funny Christian comedian), and generally stayed up way too late.  Sunday we explored a local science museum that was featuring an exhibit of Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings that have been built into mini-models.  

Sunday afternoon eldest children packed up and took the 7 hour journey back to their new home.  The time passed too quickly – yet it was so fun to all be together. 

 

“You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.”  ~Desmond Tutu

Scripture Only Sunday

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Luke 8:15

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for…
176. My gold-hearted mom. During our anniversary remembrances she celebrated another birthday – for which I am grateful! It is great to have a mom who is still so young and willing to go with us on our adventures.

Here she is hiking with us on HER birthday.

Then she went with us on our anniversary beach celebration with the children.

I am grateful and honored to be able to say my mom is also my friend.
Father – thank you for the blessing of a loving mom. For her example of caring and compassion. Father God, give her wisdom and peace as she prepares for a new adventure – go before her and with her as she travels.
In Jesus,
(For anyone who reads this, please take time to pray for my mom as she travels out of the country in May on a mission venture with a local group. Thank you!)

Daily Prayer

Life

Busy running here and there
Live my life with loads of care
Wake up early, stay up late
Too much worry on my plate

Take a moment, slow it down
Look for God’s eternal crown
Seek His kingdom, make it first
From stilled heart let praises burst

May I daily look to Him
So that I can give to them
Burdens laid at His feet
Life’s story becomes a treat

Follow Jesus, bear my cross
Live with God’s Word as boss
Oh what joy can be found
Walking on life’s Holy ground

--Nancy Kourmoulis

Scripture Only Sunday

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere, I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of the wicked.  Psalm 89:10

Thankful Thursday – Dog Found

I am thankful for:
173. The fact that after setting out many “Lost Dog” posters someone called and had found our dog. She was …over the hill and through the woods… but safe and found.
174. Caleb’s team played better this week. They have not won any games. But Caleb had two hits.
175. Lucas’s team is undefeated. Lucas hit a double and scored twice in his game. He also made the last out when the catcher threw the ball to second (Lucas was on second) and he tagged the opponent out.
Father – thank you for your faithfulness and goodness. Thank you for being with us daily, for your mercies which are new every morning. Thank you that you teach us through winning and losing. Give us the wisdom to grow in both circumstances.
In Jesus…

Running Away

There were some pretty strong storms that came through our state Sunday evening.  Knowing our Lady girl is extremely terrified of storms I asked one of the boys to bring her in.  He brought her up and put her on the screened  porch.  When we got up Monday morning she had broken through the screen and run away.  The morning was spent making posters and going up and down the streets looking for our runaway dog.

Yet this got me to pondering why she feels the need to run away when she is not inside our basement when it is storming.  She was perfectly safe on the porch.  But the storm was too much for her sensitive nature and she chose to run instead.  This is where my pondering took a turn…do I do the same thing in the midst of storms that come into my life?

Do I run looking for a safer place to hide than the one God has provided for me?  Do I think I can avoid the storm if I run away? 

“Look not at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feed them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?”  Matthew 6:26

If God cares for every need of the birds of the air, He will surely take care of me.  Just as I am committed to caring for that scared dog – God in His mercy has given His own Son as proof that He will care for me.  The power of the resurrection declares that He is able to keep me safe no matter what storm comes into my life.  

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.”  Matthew 7:24-25

 

 

Father – give me grace to trust you in the midst of the storms that come into my life.  Teach me to stand still and know that You are God.  Help me not to run away in search of my own way or try to conquer the storm in my strength.  Let me hear Your words and give me wisdom to practice what I hear.  Then show me how to rest in the firm foundation You have provided.

In Jesus…

Scripture Only Sunday

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples; ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”  So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them.”  Matthew 28:5-9a

REJOICE…THE SAVIOR LIVES!

Wrapping Up

Thank you all for taking this journey with me. This past week has been a relaxing, fun week. Spending time away from cell phone access, internet access, just family and adventure was such a blessing. Here are a few photos of our adventure...

Make a Smilebox photobook

25 Years and Counting - 2009

Now we have come full circle, back to where we began. Twenty-five years ago today we became husband and wife. It’s hard to believe how quickly the years have come and gone.

“I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.” --Unknown

This quote pretty much sums up how I feel. No matter the pain or joy of the past, the challenges of the moment, or the uncertainty of the future I know:

1) First and foremost, if God is for us, who can be against us? And He is for us. We can face the future hopeful and with courage because He will be our guide.

2) I can rest, be confident, and secure in the love of an amazing man. A man God planned and created just for me.

3) Families can stick together. We still have a lot of child-raising years and I trust God with them every one. I am grateful for support from husband and gold-hearted mom.

“This is my wish for you:
Comfort on difficult days,
smiles when sadness intrudes,
rainbows to follow the clouds, 
laughter to kiss your lips,
sunsets to warm your heart,
hugs when spirits sag,
beauty for your eyes to see,
friendships to brighten your being,
faith so that you can believe,
confidence for when you doubt,
courage to know yourself,
patience to accept the truth,
Love to complete your life.”
----Unknown

I am grateful for: 173)  Twenty-five wonderful years with my Precious husband!     Now…on to the next 25!

2008 – Times Continue to Change

In April – the 24th year we are married – Precious husband breaks his leg training for swift water rescue – two days before we are scheduled for a trip to Orlando, FL.  A trip that has been planned and paid for months ago.  However, he is a courageous man and we take off in the plane just as planned.

Because of past trips with three oldest children we decide to take three youngest children only on this trip.  Three oldest children graciously understand – even though it is disappointing.  May and the roses are blooming as is Darling daughter and now Dear son-in-love.   The wedding was beautiful as was the bride.  The day after the wedding they load up and move out of state to where Dear son-in-love is still attending college.                                     In June thanks to Precious husband’s hard work we are finally able for me to become a stay-at-home mom again.  Everyone cheers – PRAISE GOD!!  Only God could have timed that where I would have freedom in early July to spend two weeks at the hospital with Gold-hearted mom after faithful father has his third heart-attack and a major stroke and departs to be with our Father in heaven.                                     

The highs and lows of one single year.  At the end of this year, after much discussion with Gold-hearted mom it is decided it would be best for all if we move into her house.  So we pack our backs and load the truck to move to the home of my ancestors.  Actually our children are the fifth generation to live in this old house.  The house we lived in when Darling daughter was so little, laying in bed reading with my Grandmother who is also with the Lord.  How the years have flown by.

2007 – Moving On

A year of change, the 23rd year of our marriage. Several setbacks we undertook cause me to have to go back to work in January of this year. We move again. Three youngest children go to the local public school while two eldest sons finish the school year at home. By fall things are starting to settle into a routine and all five schooling children are in public school.

Needless to say lots of things have changed around this place. With mom at work children have to pitch in and help each other and mom/dad more. Darling daughter is working for a local ob/gyn office and by Christmas is engaged and planning a spring wedding.

I am so grateful for Precious husband and family at this time. Husband is a source of encouragement and stability. He takes so many things off my shoulders and just handles things. Gold-hearted mom and faithful father are a source of security during this time, as they have always been.

Milestone Year - (2006)

2006 – The 22nd year of our marriage and Dear daughter is graduating from high school.  She has worked hard to graduate early.  She has also meet a boy.  Unfortunately he moved in the fall to his college town to begin his college years.  Precious husband takes dear daughter to visit him during his fall break.

    There are some difficult struggles during this year.  Times of testing abound.   But God is faithful through them all.   I will leave it at that since I am remembering the good times.  However, the bad days have to be acknowledged, even if not focused on. 

A Little Late…(2005)

Okay, 2004 was our 20th wedding anniversary.  Yet we didn’t really celebrate until 2005.  We were able to take a trip to Lake Tahoe, just the two of us.  We also went to Sacramento, CA to visit friends.  This was an amazing venture. 

We also took the kids to a local water park this year.  Amazing how quickly they are growing. This is the last season all four boys are able to play baseball.  After the age of 13 city ball ends as most boys go on to play school ball.  Hard to believe Challenge son has been playing ball since he was 5.

Dear daughter turns sweet 16 this year and now is a licensed driver.  She is an amazing young woman holding down two jobs for several months after she turns 16 before deciding on the one which she will have for a while.  She also volunteers at the local zoo as she has been doing since she was 14.  

Muffins

I had to drop this story in the middle of my anniversary reminiscing because it makes me smile!  So today I am feeling really yucky.  Like I think I will school from bed today – that yucky.   One of my wonderful sons – fun son, age 12 -  decides he will provide breakfast for us since I was teaching him to make homemade muffins two days ago.

These are the muffins we made together two days ago.

He mixes the ingredients, bakes the muffins, all is going well. Then the test, the first bite, and he realizes something is different about these muffins.

Cornmeal muffins baked by son alone

Well, if you look closely at the containers we store food stuff in you will notice one clearly labeled cornmeal, another popcorn, and another is not labeled (this one stores the all-purpose flour). Which do you think he chose? You got it, the cornmeal container. So this morning we had blueberry cornmeal muffins for breakfast. They tasted great! Not exactly what he was hoping for but I thought it was wonderful. I needed the help and the smile this morning.

Storage containers

Helpful kids - you've gotta love 'em!

2004

If I remember correctly we move again this year.  Into another house built by Precious husband.  Here we are taking a break – took a drive several hours to Atlanta to enjoy Six Flags over Georgia. 

I try to remember the years – it seems that Precious husband’s mother came and lived with us for about six months this year.  She is such a good help – never sits still long. 

We also brought home our Lady girl – golden retriever this year.  She was 8 weeks old at the time.

Year 19 - (2003)

“We plan our lives according to a dream that came to us in our childhood, and we find that life alters our plans. And yet, at the end, from a rare height, we also see that our dream was our fate. It's just that providence had other ideas as to how we would get there. Destiny plans a different route, or turns the dream around, as if it were a riddle, and fulfills the dream in ways we couldn't have expected.”  Ben Okri

I don’t think we ever really planned on having six children – we discussed four or five.  But God knows what we need.  Through my Precious husband and the children God has blessed us with, the dreams of my life have been fulfilled.  My dream – to be a wife and mother.  I did not include in that dream schooling them, yet it has been good for our family.  It allows us time to be together, grow together.  We are not held to time restraints.  Of course my children would say the drawback is - “Mom turns everything into school.”  I love learning, not just from books, but from the world around us as well.  Looking at nature and the history of the places we visit.  These are the things I am gleaning from schooling our children.