Thankful for Prayer Day 27

     I continue to be thankful for how God speaks to me in his word.  Even when I only have time for a little bit of Bible reading, I usally am blessed by some verse that I never noticed before.  I know that I can commune with my Lord all day long.  As I go about my day I can offer up prayers of praise and thanks when I see something beautiful.  The other day as I was driving home from work the sky was so clear!  It was getting close to sun down and the full moon was already out.  The sky had various shades of blue, pink and purple and the moon hung there above the mountains.  I marveled at what I get to look at in this amazing state of Vermont.
     I can also be a light for Him as I take care of my patients, converse with them and try to make them comfortable.  I can also offer up intercessory prayers for my friends and family.  As I go through my day and think of different people, I can just say, Lord be with my friend, touch them, strengthen them or heal them.  Prayer doesn't have to be anything formal.  It just has to be from the heart.  He hears me wherever I am at and whatever I am doing.  So thankful for my close relationship to God!

Thankful for my healthy body Day 26

     I was really trying to do a blog a day for 365 days of thankfulness and now I am behind.  The stuff of life gets in the way I guess.  But I am determined to catch up!  Today I am thankful for my healthy strong body.  I have always enjoyed exercising, running, biking and walking.  I love the high I get when I work out and the overall sense of well being.  Having suffered from anxiety and depression for many years I find that exercise really helps so much to relieve that feeling.  Running was my passion but now I find it much more difficult on my joints.  I try to rotate with running , walking swimming in the summer and the ever famous insanity tapes with Shaun T. which have actually strengthened me more than anything else.  It helped me while I was training for the Spartan Race that I did with my family in August!  That has been my biggest challenge and I hope to do it again next year!

Thank you Lord for my healthy body which

 allows me to run and walk and take care of so many things. 

 I am grateful for this and hope to bring you joy! 

Thankful for Forgiveness Day 25

   I am so thankful for the forgiveness that my Savior has shown to me.  Jesus has called me to be his daughter.  All I have to do is come to Him in prayer and confess my sins, admit I need Him and believe that He died on the cross to save me.  That is it!    I prayed this prayer  as a child.  I may have strayed or got angry at God and made mistakes but it never changes His love for me. I still get to spend eternity with Him.  One thing I know is that this forgiveness is real and that He will never leave me or forsake me. 

      This topic  is huge but I just wanted to share something I learned in my church Bible study group on Tuesday.  We looked up this verse about revenge or retaliation when someone has does something to hurt us.  When this happens we usually want to get back at the person and make them hurt as much as we do but that is not what the Bible teaches us to do.  You may have heard this verse before and I think it is very clear!

Romans12:17-21

 "Repay no one evil for evil. 

 Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peacably with all men.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves,

but rather give place to wrath for it is written

"Vengenance is mine, I will repay", says the Lord.

(and now the hard part)

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him.

If he is thirsty, give him a drink.

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.

Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good."

     The part that I learned was that when we pray for our enemies and are nice to them  (feed them and give them drinks) we are pouring blessings on them.  The part about the coals which I thought meant that they would be punished is not that at all.  God wants us to be kind to our enemies and in doing so we may have a part in bringing a change about in them.  The coals actually were a good thing back in the days of Jesus.  When people traveled long distances they would carry coals with them so that when it got cold at night they could easily start a fire.  Having coals meant warmth and a way to cook food.  It was a great thing!

     So even though the selfish part of me thought of only vengenance, God is looking at the bigger picture.  That if I can be light and kindness to even my enemies, they will feel the love of Jesus through me and may come to know Him someday also!  So as hard as it is to forgive the ones who have wronged me, I try very hard to do so.  Sometimes I have to ask God to help me.  Sometimes, I have to place this person before the Lord over and over again.  Eventually He will bring it about.  It takes time.  It isn't easy but it is something He has been teaching me this year.  I trust Him to bring good out of even these difficult situations. 
This song by Matthew West called Forgiveness really speaks to me

 





Thankful for this Blog Day 24

     The more I write, the more I want to lately.  I am sure that not everyone wants to read every blog I write but it is good exercise for my mind, fingers and heart.   I was looking through some strangers blogs this morning.  There are so many people who have a story to share and beautiful ministries and families to share.  If I can use this platform to bless my family with encouraging words and pictures and to share the Word of God then it is a wonderful thing.  So I am thankful for this site to store my precious family memories and to share with my family.  All I ask is that "the words of my mouth ( and my writing) be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer!"  Psalm 19:14

Thankful for God's Revelations Day 23

     I am always amazed at how God speaks to me in His word.  How I will be reading in one part of the Bible one morning and then the Pastor speaks to me from the same chapter at Sundays sermon.  Even the other day, I was in line to get a Red box movie and the lady behind me had a Snow White and her Henchman movie which she offered to me.  She also had a Dopey tattoo.  (that's another story)   The funny part was that the next day at church, my pastor's sermon title was ~"Whistle while you work!" with a picture of the seven dwarfs!  Coincidence?  I think not.  It has all become familiar to me as God's voice.  If you are careful, and thoughtful enough, you will pick up on His Voice, if you pay attention! 
     So when I sat in church Sunday and saw the picture of the 7 Dwarfs on the screen, my ears immediately perked up because I knew that what Pastor Roland had to say was relevant to my circumstances.  I listened carefully to the message and for what He had for me in it!  There was a lot to the message but the part I took for me was that God has placed me in my job situation for a reason.  I am with these coworkers and patients to be His light to them.  To do the work that He has already planned for me a long time ago.  That lately, I have looked online to see other jobs within the hospital but was I really done with the work He has for me here?  The answer to myself was, probably not.  When He is ready for me to move on, He will make it very clear to me.  As God said to Pastor when he had prayed about leaving St Albans years ago ~Is everyone in St Albans saved yet?  Is the work done there yet?  And Pastor Roland realized very quickly that his work was not done yet.  I might think I want to go elsewhere, but deep down I know that it is not the time. 
     You see, that morning before going to church I read in Jeremiah, these verses which had jumped out at me for some reason.  "If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up."  Work has been difficult for me lately but I think God is teaching me something during this time.  He goes on to say,  "Do not be afraid (of the King of Babylon), of whom you are afraid, do not be afraid of him, says the Lord for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand.  And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land."
       I have definitely had a situation at work that makes me uncomfortable and even somewhat fearful at times but I know He will work it all out for good.  I just have to be patient and obedient in the process.  I have to work at my job with all my heart as working for the Lord, not for man because it is the Lord Jesus Christ I am serving. 
     This is only a small example of how God speaks to my heart.  I just try to keep my mind and ears open to Him and to read His word everyday so that I don't miss what He has to say!

Thankful for Grover Day 22

    

     Who wouldn't be thankful for this little face? 

 I am thankful for how much joy this dog brings to my daughter Faith,

who plays with him endlessly.  And I am always thankful for how Grover

 lets me know if someone is coming even if his bark drives me crazy!

Always so Thankful for my Family Day 21

     I am a few days behind on my writing but this week was Thanksgiving and I worked 4 days!  So between getting the house ready for the holiday, cooking and working I didn't blog as much.  But I am so thankful that I do have a huge family that all contributed to the meal.  Our day was amazing.  Gathering together in our kitchen that looked like a mini restaurant on Thanksgiving day was sweet. 
Almost all of us got to sit down at the same time save three of us who waited for a chair.  The children ran in and out of the house because it was such a mild, sunny day.  Ebby sat happily in her high chair for about an hour!  Freddy found a new friend in Brody!  Leah, Nolan and Jake got to catch up on news about old high school friends. Aunty Sue recorded much with her camera!  everyone exclaimed and pigged out over Allyn's amazing chocolate, peanut butter confection.   I enjoyed seeing everyone interacting and playing fisher price with the little ones.  After everyone left we enjoyed watching Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation movie some football and a cheesy Hallmark movie!  Just a plain old good day!

                                             Of course the pictures tell a thousand words!

 

                                                       A happy baby at the end of the night!

Thankful for my niece Kristy Day 20

     I am so thankful for my niece Kristy.  She was one that I babysat for as a teenager.  Now she is my friend.  Although we are far apart in age we seem to get closer as the years go on. It has been a joy to see her grow up, go to high shcool, college and get married.   Now that she has children of her own, Brady and Colby, it is my joy and pleasure to see her in the role of Mama!  And what a great Mom she is.  Now we have so much more in common.  Mama's share that special something only we know best!  And that is the complete, utter love of our children!
     I am glad I have been there with her as she raised Brady and while she was pregnant with Colby.  I even got to be in the delivery room when Colby was born!  That was pretty special!  When Brady was a baby, she always pumped milk for him because he wouldn't nurse.  I could not believe the dedication and love that it took for her to do that for a year!  She spends so much time with their boys and it shows.  They are polite, funny, talkative and so very smart!  Brady is 5 and can already read!  She plays games with them, reads, does crafts with them and is ever so patient!  Truly one of the best Mamas I know!  It is my joy to spend time watching her parent and love her family.  She is always thinking of others!  Gave my daughter Holly an amazing baby shower.  She thoughtfully made me copies workout tapes to use to train for the spartan race!  She makes amazing photo books for her Dad every Christmas.   She makes time for everyone in the family and her friends and is always thinking of ways to bless others.  She is something special.  And once again, I could continue on but will keep this short and sweet.  She is a special lady and so very loved by all of us and especially her Aunty Janet!

Thankful for the chance to make Thanksgiving Dinner at my house Day 19

     Mama and Daddy always have the Thanksgiving dinner at their house.  For the last 22 years or so it has been at the barn.  It is always wonderful.  Things are getting harder for Mama now.  She is completely "with it" but physically she has had to slow down quite a bit.  I offered to cook dinner for the holiday this year.  Of course she said no!  But then a few days later, she surprised me.  She said she talked to Dad about it and he agreed to come to my house this year!  So for the first time, I get to cook!  Of course Mama is still bringing the pies ~apple, pumpkin and chocolate cream!  I will cook the turkey and stuffing and gravy and Sue will bring the vegetables!  It will be a team effort!!  The house will be very crowded.  We'll all have to eat in the kitchen because there is no dining room.  But it will be cozy and fun!  And hopefully my Mom can rest.  After all she has made Thanksgiving Dinner for the last 64 years or so! 

Thankful for my church Day 18

     Thankful for the church I go to.  Church of the Rock is in St Albans, Vermont.  It is where Paul and I have been going since Faith was born in 2001!  So grateful for every smiling face in there.  For Pastor Roland Ludlam who is blessed with the gift of teaching the word.  Who makes us laugh and instills the word of God in us and teaches us how to apply it to our lives!
     I love the music best of all!  To hear all the different members of the assembly praise God with their voices and instruments so blesses me!  It is ever changing!  I am also so thankful that it has been a place for my children to learn about you Lord.  In a fun and exciting way.  Can not even do it justice with my words.  But so very thankful you have brought us to that place.
     In case you want to hear a sample of our wonderful pastor, you can find it at this link. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jSpr8Oej3s&feature=share

Thankful for the Cutlass Day 17

 


  I drove home this afternoon and saw Paul out front showing his 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass to a prospective buyer.  I couldn't help but be reminded of all the fun times we have had in that car!  We are trying to get rid of a few bills so we thought we would try to sell this "toy" of ours.  When we bought it a few years ago we were online looking for a reliable car for me to drive.  We saw this one and I kept saying I liked it, I wanted it.  Paul drove to Newport to check it out and sent me a two word text - "Oh Baby!"  I knew he liked it and it was in great shape.  So when we bought it, I told him I didn't really want to drive it.  I wanted him to have it.  This muscle car had his name written all over it!

     So he brought it to some car shows and kept it looking spiffy!  The funnest part of all though was just taking it for rides to get an ice cream or go out for dinner!  Fun to hear him rev it up!   And best of all when he would leave somewhere, burning the tires and making incredibly smelly smoke shows!  I would crack up laughing and so would Faith and Audrey!  He left some places with so much smoke we could barely see!  Once when we left his sister Ambers birthday party, she scooped up a softball sized piece of rubber from the tire marks he left in the street!  It is probably not the best environmentally friendly thing to do but boy, do the guys love it!  Many thumbs up and appreciative smiles for the old cutlass!
     Even if we do it sell it to keep up with the bills in this economy, we still have a ton of memories from it and there will be other cars!