Learning to live for HIS glory

Hello all! It's Thursday,  The week we celebrate Christmas (albeit after the fact), And a wonderful time for giving thanks! So today I'm praising God for: Sunshiny skies, Time with family, Good food, Laughter, Tears, Providing all we need, Lights, The Light of the World, A babe in the manger, The humble King. Music, Games, Hiking, Sunsets over the back field, Good prices, Friends, Mom, Papa, The 32 years of their marriage, Abby, Adam, Carl, Mrs. Brown, Memories made, Hope of heaven, Joy, Grace, The gospel, Fruit and vegetables, Water, Pictures, Abundant life.

It's another Thursday, friends, And tomorrow I leave to go see my family! It's a very exciting week, But in the midst of all the packing, baking, wrapping, and laundry, I want to pause to give thanks to my GREAT God. He has given me so much,  And tops the list with Himself.  So today, I praise Him for: A body that moves. Water. All of creation declaring His praise. Warm covers. Socks. Evergreen branches. Cut out snowflakes. Color. Skype time with family. Roadtrips. A car that runs well. Prayer. The TRUTH of His word, A sure foundation  On which to build my life. Needles and yarn. Pretty packages. Friends--new and old. Paintings. Music. New experiences. (Like trying sushi). Life. Emmanuel-- The reason for this season of celebration!

Today's another Thursday, And again I'm counting my blessings. :) I praise Jesus today for these things: Time. Music. (And opportunities to teach it). Snowflakes. People. New students. Your Word. Grace. Mercy. Faith. Gospel. Opportunities to share. Eternal life. Being Emmanuel. Mary's song. A warm home. Blankets and sweaters. Health. Doctors. Joy. Spices. Water. Baking with friends...near and far. Hope. Yarn projects. Family. Nights at home. Books. Christmas movies. Lessons learned as a child: Like how to cook, sew, and knit. New friends. Food. Christmas cards. Hot drinks.

He stands like a rock at the kitchen sink. "I love you, Allison Kate." It's one of those days,  I'm grouchy, and rather disgusted with myself for it. "You shouldn't love me right now." I say,  Turning to walk away. Why do we do that? Walk away from love that sees us at our worst, And chooses to stay? To pursue... To embrace. Why do we condemn ourselves? I'm convinced I've learned more about God's love through marriage than anywhere else. Through this refining fire, Carl chooses to love me... Even when I don't love myself. And as minutes go by, That love wins me over. And even though I start the evening feeling like picking a fight with someone, Those feelings don't stay. Does it take time? Yes. But I'm beginning to understand more how we love because He first loved us. He loved us and stayed, Stayed in our yucky moments. (Cause we all have them) Stayed when we fought a...

Snow graces the ground today, Well....there's at least a little of it left. And it's another day in which I have the opportunity, To praise God for His many blessings. He is WORTHY. Thank You, my Lord and King for, Snow. Getting to watch it fall, As we sang Christmas carols last night. Joy. Emmanuel. That You are NEAR. Your grace in choosing me as Your daughter. Christmastime. Needles and yarn. Piano students- Old and new. Books. Cozy evenings with my sweetie. A house to keep me warm. Groceries. Everlasting life. Poinsettias. Mom. Little ones,  And time to invest in them. Paper snowflakes. Libraries. Hot soup. Chocolate. Health. Friends and family. My sister surviving finals week. Sleep! :) Phones.

It's a chilly December Thursday... Hard to believe Thanksgiving is already a week gone, And Christmas is barely three and a half weeks around the corner.  Today is a good day, Because God is a good God. And I praise Him today for: Piano students. Writer's who paint the heart and soul, The privilege of calling some of them friends, (Kate Packer, Katie Joy Nellis). Evergreen branches adorning our home, Tromping through the woods to cut them. Nativity, Emmanuel. Red and Green. My sweet husband, And how he speaks truth into my life. Facetime. My brother. Sleep and rest. Dishes washed, Food cooked, Heat that works, Really all the every day things I forget to praise You for, Lord. Thank You for, Grace. Peace. Joy. Hope... Thanks bunches for hope, A sure hope, A hope with a secure foundation. A hope that enters within the veil. A hope that rests in Your coming kingdom. Answered prayer. Amen.