Thankful for my daughter Faith Day 9

    My daughter Faith is 10 years old and has brought so much joy to Paul and I.  She has always been a busy girl.  Content with any kind of plaything, imaginative, athletic, sociable, and easy to get along with.  She makes friends easily.  She is sensitive to others moods and loves hugs, back scratches and foot rubs. I  certainly could go on and on about her! 
     Today we were especially blessed by watching her in her second play.  She played the Mad Hatter in the after school program play Dorothy meets Alice in Wonderland!  We ordered her costume on Friday and it hadn't arrived yet.  Faith was getting very worried.  However, it came today just in time.  They have been practicing for this play twice a week for 2 months.  She loved the idea of it but had many anxious evenings worrying and wondering if she was brave enough to perform.  She had many lines to memorize.  I helped her practice and was thrilled that she could remember them so well.  I coached her to speak loudly and encouraged her by telling her that she would bring so much joy to the people in the audience by being her funny, silly self.  Many nights we prayed for God to give her confidence to do the job well!
     I guess it worked because she wasn't nervous; she was excited about her costume arriving on time and she brought so much joy to me, Paul and the audience.  It was thrilling to see her acting confident and to hear the praise of other parents and friends!

    

Some of her lines:       Alice:  Excuse me, must you speak in rhyme? 

 Mad Hatter.  "All the time.  That's my speciality - riddles, reasons and rhymes. 

I also do jokes for special occasions. 

 I work hard at being a bard.  My card."

"I'm so mad I could tear a tomtit to tatters."

"I really need some tea.

  Even when I'm not mad, I need some tea. 

 But I'm always mad,

so I would always need some tea anyway, wouldn't I 

That's a riddle.  My special-tea!

"It's not part of my contract. 

 I do rhymes, reasons, riddles, occasional jokes and tea.

  That's it for me."

"He can join my tea party. 

That'll keep him awake. 

 Every time he starts to doze,

I'll pour tea upon his nose."



And she spoke  all with a British accent.  She was adorable and clever and I guess I'll stop bragging now!

Anyway, so thankful for this special daughter of mine as I am so thankful for each of my children and their unique personalities!

 

"Behold children are a heritage from the Lord. 

The fruit of the womb is a reward. 

 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

so are the children of ones youth. 

 Happy is the man who has a quiver full of them,

 they shall not be ashamed. 

 Psalm 127:3-5

I certainly am blessed and happy because of my children.



 



Thankful for my Lord Day 8

     Today, I am thankful that the Lord has chosen me to be his daughter.  That He has my name engraved on His hand.

He says in Isaiah ~ "Yet I will not forget you.

See, I have inscribed you on the palms of MY hands."

 

 That He has forgiven me and clothed me with righteousness.  That I can come to Him with all of my needs, big and small.  With all of my thankfulness.  With all of my worries and concerns.  And especially that I can intercede for my loved ones, by placing their needs in your hands Lord.
To be held by YOU, by YOUR hands is all that I could ask for.  Thank You Heavenly Father!
Love your daughter, Janet

Thankful for America and the right to Vote Day 7

     Today I am thankful for so many things.  This exercise is wonderful because God has commanded us to give thanks in all things. I have only to look around me and see what I have been blessed with.  I read once that ~ "A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most complete prayer!"  How true this is. So this is a continuous prayer of thanks to you Lord.
     Today, I was able to go downtown to vote in the election. This is a right and a privilege.   I am so very proud to be an American, the daughter of a Marine who served and still serves our country faithfully.  I am also the mother of a son who serves in the Air National Guard!  He joined at the age of 17 and has grown up to be a responsible, strong, capable man!  For this I am proud and thankful!
    

"Be joyful always, pray continually. 

 Give thanks in all circumstances. 

 For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 

 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Thankful for our Home Day 6

     Enjoying the day off today.  The kids are at school.  Paul is at work.  I enjoy the quiet morning when I can have time to do my devotions and spend time in prayer.  Putter around, putting things in  place and cleaning my newly remodeled kitchen.  It is cozy and warm with the pellet stove going while outside it is spitting snow.  Maybe I'll change the curtains, rearrange photos, do some scrapbooking.  Plan dinner, exercise or maybe bake something.  The day is mine and I so enjoy making this house a home for my family.

Thankful for my cozy home!

Thankful for a beautiful run on a fall afternoon Day 5

     A very busy weekend.  Driving to Massachusetts and attending Aunt Adelines wake and funeral.  Saturday afternoon, I was so grateful to have a little down time.   I spent a while running and soaking up the sun on a beautiful fall afternoon.   Just running down the back roads of Middleboro brings me back to so many memories.   The smells of Fall, the pine trees, the Fall decorations all bringing me to another time and place.  How far I have come to a new life in Vermont.  Grateful for the time and experiences in both places and wondering where the Lord will lead me next.  I was reminded of this verse.

"For I know the plans I have for you,

 plans to prosper you not to harm you,

 plans to give you a hope and a future." 

Jeremiah 29:11

 

So whether I am here in Vermont or there in Mass, God is directing my path so I do not worry!  Although I do get curious....

Thankful for Time With Family Day 4

     Today I am thankful for this ride to Massachusetts with my sister and my Mom.  Although we are traveling down to a funeral for my Aunt Adeline who just passed, I am still happy to be spending time together. We spent the drive listening to talk radio;  Rush Limbaugh and Dennis Miller.  Current issues of Hurricane Sandy and the upcoming election between Obama and Romney.  Laughing at Rush's precise imitations of Bill Clinton and their witty, cutting humor!  We stopped at Burger King and laughed our heads off as we attempted to get drinks from a new fangled soda machine, discussed Mama's optometry appointment and talked to a paper cup.  (you had to be there)
      Anticipating which family members would be at the wake and trying to remember who is married to who so we didn't make any mistakes.  Yes, it is hard to say goodbye to a loved one but it is in gathering together that we can reminisce and make the time easier for all.
     We had a safe ride to Mass and I am thankful for that too.  We got to see cousins, Aunts, Uncles and friends we haven't seen in so long.  We caught up and laughed and hugged!
    Seeing everyone also gives me insight into each ones lives.  Now I can intercede and pray for those in my family who need you Jesus!  Blessings and new beginnings to those in the Pearce family who have lost their Mom, Adeline.  May you be doing a mighty work there Lord!

THANKFUL FOR FAMILY

Thankful that my husband can fix things Day 3

     So Paul and I went to pick up my "fixed car" from the shop on Wednesday.  However, it wasn't quite fixed.  The car wouldn't go into gear and would only start while in neutral.  It's a long story but somehow we got it home with many stops and starts.  Me driving and he following behind in his Hyandui.  The awesome part about it is that Paul is so unbelievable patient while he troubleshoots, fixes and attends to me.  He explains how to do everything and tries his best to stay positive.  We had to stop and buy transmission fluid, test drive and continue on our journey.  I am so thankful thant through the pain in the neck process, he makes it so much more bearable.  
     So this morning when I was driving to work and had more trouble, he was the first person I called and of course, he had the answers and the help I needed.  Too long of a story but I guess I am thankful when things break cuz then I can admire Paul's ability to fix it!

Thankful for Mama and Daddy ~Day 2

  

  I am so thankful for my parents.   I am 47 years old and still, my Daddy is my Daddy and my Mama is my Mama.  Always there for me, always consistent in the way they treat others, always giving their best and being true to themselves and their values.  Family first, Patriotic, American through and through, lover of a good laugh, sarcastic, tough, smart, voracious reader and so strong are just a few words to describe my Daddy.  Gentle, funny, strong, good cook, reader, sewer, faithful to God and family, silly, funny, capable and joyful are only a few of Mama's qualities. Daddy is 85 and Mama 82 and thankfully they are in pretty good health.  In July they celebrated their 62 years anniversary!

    Here is a poem that my niece Kelly St Cyr wrote describing a Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa's Barn

 

Cars pile up

Outside the old converted barn in Franklin, Vermont

For Sunday dinner at Gramma's

The gas stove ticks, and we know it won't be long.

Gramma is reheating dinner for probably the third time today.

There are three generations here, so we eat in shifts

The littlest ones play on the linoleum with yard sale specials,

plastic ponies and cars, The Little People collection, and a barbie if they're lucky.

Banter is thick with Boston accents among adult siblings

Perched on mismatched stools and benches around the old pine table

covered with holiday placemats and

enough sets of salt and pepper shakers for each of us to have our own.

Salivating carnivores with shiny chins and forkless fingers

grab roast beef, ham and all the fixings.

We're parched until our plates are clean

and glasses of milk and homemade pies (5 to choose from) are granted.

Clean up lasts for hours

I've never seen my gramma sit

or eat a whole meal - she says she'll heave.

She sends us home with leftovers

stored in styrofoam meat trays and cakes

with frosting smeared to the saran wrap.

Not before reminding us to zip our jackets and cover our ears

or we'll get the flu, and to be there at 11 am

next Sunday.

For dinner

 

 

     I have always loved this poem that Kelly wrote because every word brings to mind the feelings and emotions of HOME.   Mom and Dad continue to live and love family in all ways.  They teach us values and the true meaning of family.  In honor of them and for all they do, I love you Mama.  I love you Daddy!

Janet :)

 

My Daddy

 

 

 

Thankful for the Moon

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,  The moon and the stars, which you have ordained,  What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man, that you visit him?  For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned him with glory and honor."  Psalm 8: 3-5

 

     I would like to blog 365 days of Thankfulness starting today.  This will take real discipline.  Some may be long and some may be short but I will make the effort.  Today I am so thankful for being home and safe.  Considering the fact that most of the Eastern seaboard has been hit by the huge storm, Hurricane Sandy.  So much devastation in so many places.  I am in complete awe by how calm it is here in Northern Vermont.  The temperature is 60 degrees and my windows are open.  Thank you God!
    Saturday night, we were home.  Ann visited from Massachusetts and Sue and Dan also came over.  I made stuffed shells and chicken parmesan!  Then we all went outside and had a bonfire.  It felt like a summer night!   About 60 degrees, calm, almost balmy out!  We had so many laughs and a beautiful almost full moon!

 Probably our last bonfire of the season!

 

So very thankful for my children, my husband,  my sisters who are also my best friends and the beautiful Vermont night!!

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Smugglers Notch Retreat 2012

     How do I even begin to describe this years Church of the Rock Retreat?  I have gone to this retreat two other times.  I haven't gone for three years but this year I really felt God calling me to go.  I spent a lot of time in prayer for the leaders of the retreat and for God to speak each person going and to me in a special way.

     He kept giving me the word EXPECTATION!  So I was really expecting HIM to do a mighty work there.  He also continued to give me the words eyes to see and ears to hear.  I read about Elijah in Chapter 19 of 1 Kings,  verses 11 - 12.  "Then He said, Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord,"  And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice."  He also brought me to the verse,   Isaiah 30:20-21  Here he says  "And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner any more,  But your eyes shall see your teachers.  Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it,"   Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left."  
      So I knew I should expect God to speak to us at the retreat on the Mountain!!  I also knew that I should use my eyes to see and my ears to hear.  And now as I look at these verse in hindsight I see how very prophetic they are!!  God's word spoke loud and clear in the old testament and it speaks loud and clear today!
We just need to be in the word enough to hear it!
     I often hope for what others receive at the retreats.  I see others receive the gift of tongues and the gift of the holy spirit.  I always figure it is for them but this year I said why not me Lord?  I continued to cry out to Him in prayer before the retreat.  Please Father, show me yourself and give me what I need to hear!  Take away my doubts!!
    I suppose I could write all day about my hopes, fears, doubts and expectations but I really want to share what God blessed me with on this weekend retreat on His Mountain!  On Saturday, I went to the aqua aerobics and watched my sisters being baptized.  I felt really good and wanted to enjoy more exercise and the sunshiny day so I took a jog and wound up at the base of the ski slope looking up.  I knew there was a class on the holy spirit at 4:30.  If I take a hike I might miss the class but the day was too beautiful and I could not resist the challenge of hiking up.  If I hadn't hiked I would have missed what God had for me.


     So up I went!  Pausing every so often to look back at the beautiful view and then onward and upward to the top!  (well almost to the top)  I finally came over a little rise and heard some scuffling sounds.  I paused and was startled to come upon a creature in front of me.  Wow~I think that is a porcupine!  How cool.  I have never seen one before.  I watched him clumsily waddle away from me.  He wasn't in much of a hurry but I just stopped and watched him.  When I started moving again, he heard me and his back quills went up.  I thought they would shoot out but I guess they don't do that.  I didn't want to take any chances.  So, on he went and on I went to the top thinking it was neat to see a porcupine but not that it was anything with meaning.

     That night at the retreat, I so loved hearing Helen Minerelli, speak the word and teach us so many things. One thing she said though was that God is a gold digger and he will cut a shaft to my heart to reach the gold.  He will remove every hindrance if I am willing and will let the holy spirit come in.  Phillipians 2:13 says that "for it is God who works in me both to will and to do for His good pleasure."   Only He can bring me to a place of new levels but I have to be obedient to let Him do His work in me.  Helen said that He would give me the grace, the power and the willingness to do it.  Wow.  So much more that she taught that will take too long to go into.
     She posted a picture of a man wearing his armour.  The helmet, the shield, the whole armor of God.  This was a visionary picture of her son.  He was holding Satan over his head as if to throw him!  The picture stuck in my head, it was so powerful.
        After Helen spoke, it was time for prayer.   Once again as in years past, I saw many people receive the holy spirit in such a powerful way but felt as if I would never receive it.  I went back to our condo and tried not to worry about it and to just trust in the Lord.
     I went to bed around midnight and woke at 5:30 am.  I was wide awake.  I started to think about all the things I heard and saw with my eyes and ears this weekend.  I thought about the porcupine and God said to me, Janet you are the porcupine.  Huh?  What?  Me?  And then it was all so very clear.  I am that porcupine!  I am around people all the time, but I don't get too close and then I scuttle off to my safe burrow at home.   It's easier that way.   Then I put up my defensive quills and won't allow anyone to get near enough to hurt me.  God said Janet you need to get rid of those quills and replace them with my mighty armor.   I will never receive what He has for me unless I am obedient in this.  I was so excited to know that  I was receiving a word from the Lord.  He did not forget me this weekend.  He knows exactly what to say and do for my heart.  He knows me so intimately that the gift He gave was the gift of a porcupine on a mountain.!  The gift of His word that speaks to me so dearly!  The gift of pictures on the screen that tugged at my heart.   Who am I to question, how and what He gifts me with?  I am just so grateful to be the Daughter of an Almighty King who is gentle and kind and teaching me what He wants next from me.    
     Heavenly Father, remove my quills and replace them with your strength.  Remove my defenses and let me be a lover of people and allow YOU to protect me from the fiery darts of the devil!  This is my prayer in Jesus name,  Amen!
     Ephesians 6:10  "Finally, my sisters, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against wiles of the devil.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God!!" 
     So much has He given to me and to you my sisters at Church of the Rock!  "So let us be obedient to our God so that He will do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen."  Ephesians 3:20
     PS  When I got home from the retreat, I found this book on my kitchen table.  Just more confirmation from my Heavenly Father!
It made me giggle.