A Week of Thankfulness

I really was trying that first week... and then I slacked off and now I need to catch up on a whole week's worth of posts.

Nov 7-- Thankful for Faraday

My little puppy last fall has turned into a great big Giant puppy this fall.

Most evenings it is just the two of us relaxing, taking walks much to the chagrin of the not as nice dogs next door, playing fetch indoors and out.  We lost both of our previous pooches last year and I am so thankful we were able to get Faraday to help keep me company this last year.  His first year had a lot of excitement, eating a month's worth of medication, moving twice, and making friends wherever he goes.  

1 Samuel 25:16
In fact, day and night they were like a wall of protection to us and the sheep.

November 8

Thankful for Josh.

He tops my thankfulness list daily.  He has been my best friend for over 11 years and my husband more than 6.  He works so hard to provide nice things for us and I truly appreciate it daily.  I also appreciate the time we get to spend together, working on things for the house, going camping or traveling, playing games, hosting our annual Halloween bash.  I prayed to God for my husband and he has blessed me so completely.

The other day when setting up our Thanksgiving mantle I was searching for a picture for a new frame.  I went through the wedding album and found this one which I just love.  It's not the one in the frame now but it did bring a smile to my face.

Romans 12:10
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Election Day Thankfulness

Here's a picture of me today with my I voted today sticker.  I am so thankful that I was able to put forth my opinions on who should be the next president of our nation, governor of my state, superintendent of education in Indiana, and Senator from Indiana.  I am also very thankful for the thousands of people nation-wide who worked the polls and helped people to exercise their right to vote.  I was lucky to be able to walk right in, show my ID, and go straight to a voting machine this afternoon.  While I was there one of the ladies checking ID mentioned that she had been there since 5am.  That makes for a very long day.  I am so thankful for her and other volunteers who helped to make this and every past election a pretty "painless" process.


Proverbs 22:29
Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.

Bonus thought for the day:  I am so Glad Jesus is my king no matter what happens in the election today.

Thankful for my parents and siblings.

Today, and everyday, I am thankful for my siblings and parents.  I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters and a mom and a dad.  I love each of them.  I get together regularly with them.  I am so proud of who we have all turned out to be.  I pray that I can provide my children with as much love and good guidance as my parents gave all of us.  I think we are kind of like rocks in a stream.  We bump against each other and wear off those rough parts so that the world gets to see the shiny smoothness.  We are each others' greatest fans and I wouldn't have it any other way.  This picture idea I got from Pinterest.  My mom free cut the letters and then my sister set it up (she's the awesome photographer and her label thingy is on the picture).  I love it!  Don't you?

Psalm 105:8
He always stands by his covenant— the commitment he made to a thousand generations.

Thankful for Orphan Sunday

Today was Orphan Sunday around the world.  Unfortunately our church didn't have anything special for Orphan Sunday, but I still think it is so important and I am so thankful for it.  I think it serves a purpose because God has called us as Christians to support the widow and the orphan.  This won't mean through adoption for most families.  However, if God has placed this call upon your heart and then you go to church and hear/learn more about it it might be that nudge you need in order to follow God's plans for your life and your family.  I know that God had placed adoption in my heart long before we started the process.  I know that the process has been way too long by my estimates and will be just exactly the right amount of time in God's, but I also think that without exposure to adoption in my life (I nannied for a family with 3 beautiful, wonderful boys fro Guatemala), I might not yet be following God's will.  Adoption is hard and scary, especially for people with no history of interactions with adoption, perhaps through Orphan Sunday God can help people to overcome their fears and take that first step that completes their families.  Praise God for such an opportunity.

James 1:27
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. 

Ps.... Once I actually move my church membership and this adoption thing finally works out, I do plan to bring up Orphan Sunday to my church :)

Thankful for my treadmill

  Today I am thankful for my treadmill, it looks something like this only without the weights.  We bought it several years ago in loo of another gym membership that we wouldn't get enough use out of.  In its life with us it has had seasons of use and seasons of unuse (although never has it been a clothes rack).  Right now it is back in use.  I used it to prepare for the last 5k I ran and today since it is cold, wet, and yucky outside I am gonna lace up the sneakers and head down to the basement to show a little love to the treadmill and my body.

Proverbs 4:12
When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.

Thankful for my small group.

Kinda a rough last two days at work, but small group was tonight and it was nice sitting and talking with people and digging into the Word.  Last year Josh and I started looking for a new church and one of my criteria were small groups to get involved in.  It's taken awhile but now I am in a small group and I really feel like it is a gift from God to me to help me along my journey.  Thank you Jesus for fellowship with believers.

Acts 2:42
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer.

November Thankfulness

I'm going to try to write each day in November at least posting what I'm thankful for.

To start the month, I am so so thankful this year for our new house!

God has truly blessed us.

Psalm 101:2
I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.