Learning to live for HIS glory

It's Thanksgiving! A wonderful day for giving thanks. :) Since I'm road tripping with my husband today, I asked him to join me in writing this, So we'all trade off praises. He's starting. We're thankful for: C: Road tripping with my sweetheart. A: a beautiful sunshiney day! C:A reliable car A: Family to visit C: (& etc) The Giver of every good gift. Our big and varied country. Narnia. Clouds. Thanksgiving. God's grace. Prayer. Faith. Lillian Trasher. Audio books. Wonderful wife. A husband who teaches me things. 75 mph speed limits. Seat belts. Sweet text messages. Kisses and Hugs. (Amen!) Wide open spaces. 70 degree weather. A good, good Father. Yummy stuffing. Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. God's provision Goofiness. Paid holidays. God's Word. Reading the one year Bible together. Hope. Most of all we're thankful for a God who's chosen us as His own, Loved us with an everlasting love, Sent His Son ...

(If you haven't read the beginning of the story, it starts here:  Our Love Story (Part 1) Distance relationships have interesting dynamics. Like that one time we didn't see each other for a month and a half, And I began to wonder if this was real?   But it was, and is, And the next time we saw each other was sweeter because of it. I remember the first time Carl told me he loved me.   It was the weekend I first met his family, They're huge. (9 siblings compared to 3...plus all the kiddos...and they weren't even all there!) But despite being overwhelmed, I was also warmly welcomed,  And driving away, I remember him telling me, You fit in well. We were hiking later that weekend, Before I headed home. And at the top of a ridge, Where he had prayed about dating me, He handed me some Black-eyed Susan's, And said, "I love you." Three simple, yet not simple words, And I couldn't say them back. Yet. But he told me I didn...

It's another beautiful fall day outside.  Hardly feels like November! But I'll open my windows wide,  Soak in the fresh air, And enjoy the sunshine as long as I can. Today, I praise God for: Tea. Sunshine. Himself-- The Master Storyteller, Extravagant Lover, Merciful Savior, Wonderful Counselor, Almighty Father, Coming King, Righteous Judge, Great and Mighty God. Grace. Mercy. Words of life. Water. Picnics. Nieces and nephews. Absence of lines. Good reports. Loads lifted. Prayers prayed. Pictures. Mail. Sunrise and Sunset... Each and every day. A world that is held together in perfect order. Music. Excitement over new things learned. Connections at the park. Leaves falling. Life everlasting. True joy. Next week is Thanksgiving... A day we set aside to give thanks. But really, it's a habit worth cultivating each and every day. And there's not a better time of year to consider it... W...

It's a beautiful fall day, And although in the midst of life's craziness,  I missed posting last week, My God is still incredibly gracious, And today I'm praising Him for: Life. Joy. Hope. My husband. Good connections with others. Flowers. Carnations, specifically. Art. Beautiful scenery. Lovely fall weather. Christ's love. My seat with Him in the heavenly places. Grace upon grace. Sunshine. Heat in our house. Water. Nice doctors and nurses. Puzzles. Words. Writing. Books. Blankets. Cozy sweaters. Opportunities to invest in young lives. Sweet friends. My house. A sink that works. Pictures. Care packages. God's sovereignty, His righteousness, His holiness, His justice, His mercy, His love... The fact that the God I serve is the perfect blend of character traits.   He is perfection. (So I don't have to be) Thank You, Lord!

October's last of these posts for another year... Today I praise God from whom all blessings flow for: Tea. The joys of teaching. A student who is a baker.  Opportunities to share music and Christ. Conversation. Passions. The blessing of doing what I love. Health. His provision. Prayer--my passport to the throne room of the Most High God. Worship. Nieces and nephews. Brothers and sisters (including in-laws). New (to me) books. Christ's love. My Intercessor. Paul's example of praying for others. My crockpot. Fresh air. Birds singing. Walks around the neighborhood. Applesauce in my freezer. Mail. Life. Breathe. Love.

Transitioning your heart’s center of gravity from one place to another Isn’t always easy. Regardless though, there are things to praise Jesus for: Flowers. Fall. Crisp air. Leaves to crunch underfoot. Good books. Strength for today. Grace. God’s Word. The invitation we have to draw near the throne of grace. Prayer. Friends. Words of care. Hugs. My husband. Cleansing tears. Knitting needles and yarn. Sunshine. Mail. Laughter. Rain. The surprise of a hickory nut tree in my front yard. Life. Gospel. Truth. Selah hymns. Joy. Water. Christ. (Due to computer issues, although I wrote this Thursday, I'm posting it today.)

October is whisking itself away too fast, And before we know it another year will be gone. And so these paused minutes of counting my blessings, Are that much more precious... Precious, for the way they seal time,  And seal joy in time... But enough philosophizing for now ;) Today I praise Jesus for: Music. Cool fall days. New connections. Excited students. Dishes washed. Soup on the stove. Good deals. Pictures. Flowers. Rest. Nieces and nephews. Candles. Stories told, And stories yet to be told. Leaves changing color. Colossians 3:1-3. Pen and paper. Art. Lace curtains. Cozy blankets. My coming King. Mornings.