Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for Thursdays.

Thursday is my day to catch up on my full time job of homemaker after my part time job of voice teacher.

This morning after getting the kids off to preschool I tackled laundry piles, cleaned up the kitchen, prepped tonight's dinner, made homemade turkey stock, planned two weeks of meals with a grocery list and coupons, and managed to make it to the gym for a 40 min. workout, all before picking up the kids.

While there are some days accomplishing these tasks at break neck speed would make my head spin, this morning was the contrary.

I felt truly grateful that I can serve my family by maintaining a peaceful home. I believe that our home is a sanctuary for our family and others to find refreshment, encouragement and rest - ultimately used for the glory of God.

I'm also thankful for the imported blueberries I purchased at Whole Foods yesterday. Even though they aren't in season the high antioxidant fruits made my day!

And, I'm thankful that my mom is doing well considering all things.

Thank you God!

"Therefore I will praise you, Lord among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name." 2 Samuel 22:50

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving.

I love the Thanksgiving holiday.

A set aside time to be with family and close friends. Time to reflect on life's blessings. Time to unwind.

For today's thankful reflection I'd like to share an excerpt written by my pastor, Bill Tibert.

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"Today, I’d like to focus on two more aspects of giving: Giving thanks and giving to those in need."

"Giving thanks is not really about thanking God for what we get—though that is certainly a good thing. Giving thanks begins with the recognition that everything about us—all that we are, all that we have, all that we are able to do—everything comes from God and really belongs to him. God is the Creator, “we are his workmanship”—his work of art (Ephesians 2.10). We have life because of him—“… he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things … in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17.25, 28); “The earth is the Lord’s and all that live in it” (Psalm 24.1)."

"When we start there, we are set free to give thanks to God in the midst of all things, regardless of the circumstances; regardless of what we have or don’t have; regardless of what we get or don’t get. This is what Paul is getting at in Philippians 4.11: “I have learned the secret of being content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty.” Earlier in his letter, he tells how we enter into that secret: by rejoicing in God, knowing that he is near, giving up worry, and making our requests to God in prayer with thanksgiving."

"This week we have the opportunity to join with people all across our nation in giving thanks. Some will be focused on giving thanks for what they have received, as ought we all. But I encourage you to give thanks and praise for God himself: that we live in the shadow of his wings and the hollow of his hand, that he is near, that he created us out of love for love, and that we have been invited into the realm of His Kingdom to carry out his plans and purposes in the world."

"Give thanks!"

"Give to those in need. Repeatedly throughout the Old and New Testaments, God reveals his bias on behalf of the needy: the poor, the marginalized, the disenfranchised, the outsider, and the stranger. And God wants us to give in a variety of ways to help those in need. Following is a selection of Scripture passages I encourage you to reflect on:"

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20.35

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” Proverbs 19.17

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ Matthew 25.35-40

“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” Proverbs 22.9

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6.2

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.” Matthew 10.8

“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth …’” Matthew 5.1-48

"One more verse that ties these two together—in 2 Corinthians 9.11 Paul says: “You will be enriched in every way for your generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us … and overflow with thanksgivings to God.” When we give generously, the floodgates of thanksgiving open up and overflow! What a great image and promise."

(thoughts by, Bill Tibert, Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church)
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May this be ever true in our lives in increasing ways.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thankful Thursday

Lately I've been reading a book titled 'Sabbath Keeping' with a group of women from church.

While there are some whom still observe a day of rest many do not. We have become a 24/7 culture.

I am challenged by this discipline.
I'm noticing that when I experience rhythms of rest that my heart turns toward God and the wonderful things that He has done.

The Psalmist encourages us to:

"Seek his presence continually. Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgements he has uttered." Psalm 105:4-5

I don't want to live life on auto-pilot.
I want to live a life remembering and appreciating who God is and the good things that He has done.

Today
I am grateful for beginnings and celebrations.
I am grateful that we are blessed with children and will celebrate their 3rd birthday this weekend.
I am grateful for the unusually high temperatures we have had this week.
I am grateful for scissors and the skilled hands of J to cut Caleb's many curls today. My, his hair grows fast!

09 Halloween

This year the tots were very excited about dressing up.

Caleb Jackson dressed up as a 'Fire Chief' aka 'Fireman'

He wore the costume for 4 days prior to Halloween.

Carissa Joy dressed up as 'Tinkerbell'

Fireman extinguishing Tink. Tink aghast.
Caleb thought he was 'big time' with his real fire extinguisher

Tink 'ding-ing' Fireman. I'm not sure what she's changing him in to but...her face is glowingOur first stop was our neighbors home - this is where the tots play while I'm teaching voice lessons
Our second stop was at the Peterson's home. Caleb and Carissa thought it was really funny to say 'Trick or Treat'. Given the reward there was no coaxing needed.
Carissa 'ding-ed' Uncle Brian (pictured above) and he turned in to a monkey! Brian was fairly believable (to a tot) and Carissa got a little scared and wouldn't turn him back. Poor Kim, she had to live with a monkey the rest of the evening!
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Our third stop was our church Harvest party. Complete with a bouncy house, toddler games and food, the kids had a blast!

Pumpkin Carving

Caleb and Carissa's preschool teacher 'Ms Vicki' gave them pumpkins at their 'Fall Party' on Thursday.

The tots were very excited about having their very own pumpkin and wanted to carve them asap. Daddy acted without hesitation. (He was probably more excited than the kids!)

After scraping out the insides the duo told daddy exactly how they wanted their pumpkin faces carved.

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Carissa's pumpkin was a happy pumpkin

and Caleb's pumpkin was a sad pumpkinIn line with Caleb's Fire Chief costume he was particularly interested in the 'fire' inside the pumpkins.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my body.

It is far from perfect.

Sometimes our life is so busy that our body is the last thing that we take care of. Do you ever intend to exercise and eat more whole foods but you find yourself saying tomorrow I will .....?

This morning while exercising on the treadmill I started thinking about the 'burden' of taking care of my body.

The truth is, my body is a gift from God.

Even though it doesn't look or act the way that I want it to, it is a gift and I have a daily choice to either serve it well or serve it poorly.

I believe that you cannot separate the body from the spirit. They work hand in hand - the physical side affects the spiritual and mental sides also.

I think that if I learn how to love the body that God gave me that I will be more diligent in taking care of it.

I'm not going to lie, it is hard work. But I'm hoping someday the 'burden' will transform in to a 'blessing'.

Today I am grateful for the gift of my body.

I am thankful that I am alive and well.

I am grateful that I can choose differently.

"I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed."

Psalm 16:9

Whatever Happened to Thankful Thursday?

If you've been a reader on this blog for awhile then you may have wondered whatever happened to the 'Thankful Thursday' posts.


The hiatus wasn't intentional but as the temperatures rose this past summer and we were having too much fun in the sun I wasn't taking the extra time to share my thankful musings.


As we approach Thanksgiving I desire to share my reflections about grateful living on a more regular basis.


There is no doubt that I continue to have a stirring in my spirit to grow in the area of gratitude. I feel this past year has prompted a greater awareness of how much I have to be grateful for.

And, as a good friend of mine says, "awareness brings change".


As my awareness sharpens I continue to desire a deeper sense of gratitude.

Having gratitude is a powerful choice. Through gratitude we open up a space to see God in each detail of our life. When we choose gratitude, we see the activity of God all around us and in turn recognize the good things that God has for us.

Today I am thankful for today. For the candle lit in the kitchen, the laughter of little people that filled the house, enjoying friends over a Thai dinner at home, horsey rides, snuggling our children, and a long nap.

I loved today.

I rejoice and thank God for what today was - a normal day - a day to embrace and receive God's little gifts that matter.

"O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever." Psalms 107:1

T-Ball

Baseball.It all started a few months ago when a good friend from church watched the tots when Jeff was out of the country. Her middle school aged son (a baseball star himself) set up a make-shift T-ball set in their backyard.

For Caleb it was love at first sight.

And since then Carissa has become pretty fond of it as well.

During our trip to AZ Jeff created the game of 'imaginary baseball' (video to come...) but in recent days we have turned the imaginary into reality...a new T-Ball set.

So, here is the new T-Ball set and Daddy coaching Caleb on how to hold the bat.the look of concentration...the look of determination...the look of a little girly girl with her first t-ball set...the look of a baseball bunny-love...and the look of Caleb and Carissa with their Daddy-O.According to Caleb and Carissa it doesn't get much better than this.

Good times.

The Very First Day of Preschool

The twins had their very first day of preschool August 18th.

Since we visited their teacher 'Ms. Vicki' in May they have been begging me to go to school.

When the big day arrived Caleb and Carissa were so excited that they got dressed and ready faster than speeding bullets - motivation rocks.

When Jeff and I brought them to their classroom it was not a typical scenario you might imagine on the very first day of preschool.
There were no tears, no screaming, no holding on to mom or dad's legs for dear life. Honestly they just wanted us to be on our merry way so that they could check out all of the cool stuff in Ms. Vicki's classroom.

Jeff had to leave for work but I hung around for a bit trying to snap at least one good picture and make sure all was ok. (Of course, I missed the pic of them hugging Ms. Vicki and I couldn't get them to stand still to save my life) But while they wanted me to leave so that they could enjoy their very first day of preschool on their own, part of me wanted to stay and cherish the beginning of nearly two decades of school.

My heart throbbed a bit as I thought about how quickly they have grown from itty-bitty wee ones in to miniature people. My eyes welled up with tears as I said a halfhearted goodbye (with enthusiasm) upon leaving.

When I picked them up they were so excited to tell me about their very first day with classmates Kylee and Nathan, their Bible story (Noah's Ark), snack time, the toys and the letter 'a'.

Caleb and Carissa rated the very first day of preschool an A+

Thankful Thursday

"HOORAY HOORAY for CINNAMON ROLLS!" That's exactly what my kidlets were saying over and over this morning. It was their own way of showing thankfulness for the ooey gooey sweet rolls that Papa bought at the altitude sweets bakery for breakfast.

As I mentioned in this post I have been trying to help my children be aware of things to be grateful for. So today in their excitement I urged them to recognize that they were indeed thankful. Thankful for the cinnamon rolls, and Papa.

So, Papa, THANK YOU.
Thank you for being an amazing dad, father-in-law and grandfather.
You are the best!

Ah, the simple pleasures of being a kid.

Thankful Thursday

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

1 Chronicles 16:8

Today I am thankful for:

• Sunshine, Spring flowers and the hint of Summer
• Hanging out with my friend Amy and making bread together while our kids played outside
• The anticipation of our Mexican dinner party tonight
• What God did in and through the Soul Care class, and its closure at year end

Thankful Thursday

Lately I've been thinking about what it means to raise children to have thankful little hearts. Many of today's children have little or no sense of what it means to be thankful. They are blessed with good health, a bed to sleep in, and too many 'things' which often fosters a sense of entitlement.

Our own actions are often mirrored by our children and it isn’t until we see ourselves in them, do we realize just how much we take for granted on a daily basis.

I desire for my practice of thankful living to be modeled to my little ones. But, modeling a grateful heart can look many different ways.

One way is to regularly practice voicing thanks around the dinner table or during bedtime prayers. "Today I am thankful for..."

Another way is to be thankful or appreciative of one's efforts. This can be as simple as saying "thank you" to your spouse for doing the dishes or voicing affirmation when your child uses good manners, or giving them a hug for doing something without being asked.

Modeling a thankful spirit is only one aspect of developing the virtue of gratefulness in children. For additional thoughts read this practical article: Raising Thankful Kids on christianitytoday.com.

I would also love to hear your thoughts on how to raise grateful children. To do so click on 'comments' at the bottom of this post and you can add your two cents.

Thankful Thursday

"I will extol the Lord at all times"

Psalm 34:1

My heart has much to be grateful for... but today I am most thankful for my mom visiting us in CO. It is a delight to spend time with her and I am taking many opportunities to love on her! The little ones are also glad that Nana is here. "Nana's the Best!"

Thankful Thursday

"Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord

and delight in his salvation."
Psalm 35:9

Yesterday during 'Soul Care' a young friend who is battling cancer said that she is thankful for her children's' laundry. She is not merely thankful for the laundry, but thankful for what the laundry symbolizes: the blessing of having children.

I'm guessing that her appreciation of even the littlest of things has grown immensely since her diagnosis and fight for her life.

IE Laundry.

I admit, I am not thankful for laundry.

So, my friends appreciation of it hit me between the eyes....especially because of the ever growing pile of laundry awaiting my attention.

This morning though as I was tackling the 'pile' I tried to do it with a more thankful attitude. An attitude of praise for my precious children, my healthy children, my active children, and my loving children.

I was also struck with gratitude for the health of Jeff and I.

As I try to live more intentionally with gratitude I hope that I will not take the littlest of things for granted.

Even laundry (or why I have so much of it).

Thankful Thursday

"For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Psalm 100:5

The Lord is in fact "good" and his faithfulness is never ceasing.

Today I am thankful for these recent blessings in my life:

• My mom's hospital stay is over and she is home. Her chemo treatment went well and she is busy attending bible studies, walking with friends and helping my brother pack boxes for their move across town.
• Last week our family had a getaway in the mountains. The time off from the 'norm' was a blessing to us. Be on the lookout for pictures soon to be posted.
• A $500.00 medical bill discarded. Yes, I put myself out on a limb. (thankfully I only hung there for a few minutes) I called and spoke with the Business Manager at the medical office and requested a discount on my outstanding bill. At first he granted me a 10% discount and then without argument or hesitation he waived then entire $500.00!
• Our fun-loving kiddos who bless us each and every day.

Thankful Thursday

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1

Today I am thankful for:

• A friend from church who watched my kids during a Dr.'s appointment this week
• Our taxes being done...whew!
• Board Games. I just received Ticket to Ride in the mail (a late birthday present). I'm so excited! Let me know if you want to come over and play.
• Spring Break. I've finished teaching for the week and now am officially on break. We are so in need of rest and some time away from the 'norm'.
• The hint of Spring. We've had a mild winter but I'm still looking forward to the warmer weather. I'm hoping April brings showers rather than snowstorms.

Today I'm not thankful that my close friend has lost a little one in a recent miscarriage. I am thankful however that God is sovereign and that He will use this hardship in unexpected ways.

If you'd like, I'd enjoy hearing what you are thankful for (or not thankful for). Click on the comments link to share your heart.

Thankful Thursday

As I paused to quiet my heart this morning I was inspired by this short passage in Sheila Walsh's devotional 'Gifts for Your Soul'. I hope it resonates with you also.

A Grateful Heart

"And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people." Matthew 14:19

"What a day!" said Peter.
"I can't believe how long this crowd stayed," Andrew added.

"They need to go home now. They're hungry, and I don't know about you, Andrew, but I am starving, and I've had enough of a crowd for one day. I'm going to tell Jesus to send them home."

Peter made his way through the vast crowd. Babies were crying. Children were chasing each other, jumping over unsuspecting adults. A few people had decided to take a nap on the hillside.

"Master, the people are hungry," Peter began. "I think you need to send them home now. I've had a look at their faces; they're exhausted. They need to eat."

"Then feed them, Peter," Jesus said. "Don't send them away."

Peter felt that old exasperation rise to the surface. This was such an impractical suggestion.

"We have five small loaves and two fish. Little fish," he said. "All we have is a boy's lunch, and you want us to feed this crowd?"

"Bring the food to me," Jesus answered.

Peter went back to where Andrew and the others were standing. "Is he going to send them away?" Andrew asked.

"No, he's not," Peter replied. "He wants us to feed them with a packed lunch."
"What?" Thomas exclaimed. "That's ridiculous."
"Just take the bread and fish to him," John said.

They all made their way through the people until they stood at Jesus' side.

"Here it is," said Peter, holding up a small parcel.

Jesus looked at the men and then lifted the tiny offering to heaven and said, "Thank you."


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That is so radical to me! Imagine yourself in this position. Thousands of people are hungry. They are looking to you to feed them, and all you have is a tuna sandwich.

At best, I can see myself on my face before God, begging him to do something.

Jesus doesn't do that.

He doesn't ask God to do anything. He just says, "Thank you."

To me that says that his complete and utter trust is in God. It would have made no difference if a fast-food restaurant had suddenly appeared on the hillside, Christ's trust was in God, not in what shape the miracle took.

How wonderful to live in and with such confident gratitude. Can you imagine what a relief it would be? I spend so much time worrying about how things are going to work out rather than just giving thanks.

Barry and I rent a home. Today we received a letter telling us that we have to vacate the house three weeks before the baby is due. I look again at the life of Christ and I lift my eyes to heaven and I say, "Thank you."

Maybe you have a need that seems overwhelming.
Try trusting God for his provision.
Try looking up and saying thank you.


Joyful, joyful we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
Praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day. Henry Van Dyke


Thank you, Lord, that you know our needs even before we speak a word. Help us to look to you with a grateful heart. Amen.

(excerpt from 'Gifts for Your Soul' by Sheila Walsh)

Thankful Thursday

"So thank God for his marvelous love,
for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.
For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness."
Psalm 107:8-9

My soul is hungry.

For this, I am thankful.

In our 'Soul Care' class at church yesterday we looked at the Spiritual Discipline of Examine - "the practice for discerning the voice and activity of God within the flow of the day. It is a vehicle that creates deeper awareness of God-given desires in one's life." (Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, Calhoun)

In our time of discussion we looked at Psalm 139.

In Psalm 139 the author David clearly expresses the soul's invitation to God to guide the self-examination process.

As I've spent time reflecting on the well-loved passage I feel deeply encouraged by the truths embedded within.

I am grateful for the reminder of God's astonishing love for me, and that He intimately knows me through and through.

Recognizing that God knows me completely makes me feel sorely exposed and at the same time compassionately sheltered knowing that the One who knows me perfectly loves me as I am.

This is a ringing affirmation that no matter where I find myself - in the heights of heaven, in the depths of the grace, or even in the depths of the sea, God's guiding and sustaining presence is a safe harbor for my soul.

I am blessed by these truths as they shed light on a dark area of my soul. As I wrestle with the truth and the ways that God desires to transform me I am thankful that I am not called to do it alone. Surely God leads me and holds me close to Him.

Thank you Father for the truths of your Word.

Thankful Thursday

"Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the people.

1 Chronicles 16:8

My heart is filled to the brim with appreciation for the stolen moments with my family recently. Each moment was special in its own way. Some happy, some sad, melancholy, and down right hilarious. It was good medicine for my soul.

My mom was given permission to fly on an airplane and come visit us. That in and of itself was a miracle while she under go's chemotherapy.

The lens in which I looked at our time together was different. It was a lens that didn't want to take anything for granted, a lens that appreciated things more deeply than prior to her diagnosis; a lens that is thankful for even the littlest of things.

I tried to savour each moment like it was gold - to hold on to the memories, to grip them tightly.

But then, in a moment of panic I felt Jesus tapping me on the shoulder and reminding me that ALL THINGS ARE HIS. And that while I can remember the good, I need to loosen my grip and hold my mom more loosely. I admit, this isn't easy and I'm still in process of what this particular lens looks like.

I am so grateful for our time together. Nana played with Caleb and Carissa non stop.She read them lots and lots of books.
And Nana also took us out for ice cream! Caleb and Carissa ordered 'strawberry'. Our deprived child Carissa told Nana "thank you so much" over and over.Yesterday my mom saw Dr. V and received a great report. She has responded favorably to her third round of chemotherapy and her counts are fabulous. I am so thankful for this encouraging news.

All I can say is Thank you, Thank you, Thank you God.