Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Day 13 - Thankful for Friends




















I like to think of friends as being the icing on life's cake and sunshine on a cloudy day.  Its not the quantity but the quality that matters.  Since moving to Ohio we have been blessed with a few great friends.  The fun times we've shared has helped to heal our hurting hearts.  Couples can make it in the world alone but it sure makes the journey easier with a good friends.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Day 12 - Roof over my head









Today I am thankful for the little Cap Cod that we call home.  I've seen pictures of the havoc Tornadoes, Tsunamis, & Hurricanes have done.  Especially recently of what Hurricane Sandy brought to the eastern shore.  My little house might be a humble abode compared to some, but it feels like an unworthy mansion when so many people have lost theirs.

There's a roof up above me, I've a good place to sleep.
There's food on my table, and shoes on my feet.
You gave me Your love, Lord, and a fine family.
Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me.

2. I know I'm not wealthy and these clothes are not new,
I don't have much money, but Lord, I have You,
And to me You're all that matters tho' the world may not see.
Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Day 7 - Thankful for Peace


On this cold, November morning I am thankful for peace.  Last night I joined millions of fellow Americans by tuning into a news source and listening to hear what our election results were to be.  As an American that is exciting and patriotic!!  It was fun to sit and read what my friends on FB were saying.  There is something about voting that just makes you feel connected with fellow citizens. 

As a Christian, my world view is different.  I have watched nothing but deterioration take place in my America.  We are in a day when there is no definite black and white, everything is gray.  Even in much of the church world.  Sadly, I watched America throw herself over the precipice of darkness and evil.  She was given a chance yesterday to choose right from wrong. Example:  abortion, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, drugs... I can't even begin to fathom the grief of God over a nation that once stood firm for truth and what is right.

The stock market has already fallen. Israel is feeling isolated, life is no longer sacred or safe, people are wanting to "run for the hills".  Yes, I do have some fear but it is not for me. But for my children and the rest of my family who are not ready.  Today I am looking ever before to Philippians 4:7 - "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Day 6 - My Sweet Daughter

What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice: And everything nice,. That's what little girls are made of.

Yes, I can count and yes, I do know I missed day 5.  Day 5 was packed full of living so thus we shall move right along to what today is and that is 6. :)

Today, I am thankful for the curly head tot that I have the privilege of calling daughter.  Having been an only girl all my life, Katie Rose holds a special place in this mommy's heart.  It is an amazing experience to watch a mirror image of me toddling around the house.  I love watching her reach for Daddy, and wrap her arms around his neck, and hug him tight.  I love watching her tussle with brothers and giggling all the while.  I love to hear the funny noise she makes when she wants to show me something.  I love seeing her grab 1 of her dolls and give it bear hugs.  I love that she can pick up a truck and push it across the floor or pick up a toy gun and wave it around. :)  I love that she is mine and Reuben's.  Our Katie Rose is daily reminder that God is love and that in His timing our prayers DO get answered.





Sunday, November 4, 2012

Day 4 - My Boys

If you are very old at all you know that our lives are forever changing. Most people prefer a daily routine and it hardly ever varies.  But even with the most organized, mundane person change comes.  Whether it be going back to college, a promotion at work, or even something as silly as getting gray hair :)  Big change came for me in the form of 3 little people, whom I call my boys - Ryan, Lucas, & Samuel.  So today I am thankful for these 3 rascals that God has entrusted into Reuben's & my care.

They are 100% boy!!  The picture above describes them to a T. Fishing, hunting, & fighting are what makes them tick.  Rough housing and making a mess is their #1 game.  They never seem to rest until their room is an up-side down wreck.  So if you ever come to call and the look in my eye is but afar, have no fear, for all I'm doing is surviving :) :)

Thank you Lord for the 3 boys you have given to keep me ever humble.  Cause without them I'd probably not realize how much in need I am of you!!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Day 3 - My Heavenly Father


















13 years ago this month I made a decision that drastically changed the course of my life.  Kneeling beside my bed I accepted the gift of salvation. I had reached a point where I knew that without forgiveness of sins and a clear conscience, life would not be worth living.  Did life become nothing but roses?  No, but a life that is free from guilt and condemnation and having personal a relationship with God makes for a sweet sweet journey.

Today I am thankful for a merciful God who was faithful to my sinful, rebellious heart.  He honored the prayers of my mom and dad who prayed for me.  I probably seemed like a hopeless case to the human eye, but from God's point of view I was everything He desired.  And that is because God is love!!

Of Jesus’ love that sought me, when I was lost in sin;
Of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again;
Of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea,
And higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.
  • Refrain:
    Sweeter as the years go by,
    Sweeter as the years go by,
    Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
    Sweeter as the years go by.  --Leila N. Morries 1912



Friday, November 2, 2012

Day 2 of Thanksgiving - My Parents




The "older" couple in this picture are some of my favorite people.  They are the ones I call Dad & Mom.  They are the ones that God entrusted in to raise me and my 3 brothers.  Today, I am thankful for them.  Since becoming a parent, my respect and appreciation for them has grown.  It makes me sad sometimes that as kids we don't appreciate them as much then.  How much easier we could have made their lives.

My parents gave me a heritage that not every person is blessed with, and that heritage is a Biblical worldview. They taught me about God and placed me in environments that furthered their own teaching.  They instilled in us kids the things that are important in light of eternity. Some would look on and scoff thinking that is too sheltered.  I can honestly say a sheltered life never hurt anyone.  But rather it better prepares us for our real life that is to come which is outside this world, Heaven.

My parents are hard workers and they didn't just keep it to themselves.  They passed their work ethic on to their kids.  And my brothers would say more so to them than me. LOL  My dad's #1 rule in the house was always work first play last.  When not in school I spent my days feeding animals, watering and weeding the gardens, mowing grass, helping mom with the canning, washing the supper dishes, vacuuming, dusting, ironing, and after I had my drivers license I did a lot of the grocery shopping, banking, and other errands.  I cleaned dad's houses and went with mom to pick out kitchens, lights, tile, & carpet for dad's houses. They gave us kid's the training/tools we would need to make it on our own in life.

Dad loved us kids which made him tough on us. When we got our feelings hurt he listened, and then told us to let it run off like water on a duck's back.  At the time, those words were never what we wanted to hear.  But looking back they were to our benefit.  He is a self, employed business man. He served his country via the Navy.  He has worked hard all his adult life to provide for his family and to give us a lifestyle that is only possible here in America.

Mom was/is one of my hero's in the Christian faith.  If I can be half the Christian lady she is I might accomplish something good in this world.  You won't find her on the front page of Christianity Today or even within it's pages for that matter.  But she is on the cover of my life's book.  It was because of her faithfulness that I am who I am today.  Too many parents look at their kids through rose tinted glasses.  Their kids never do anything wrong.  And when the kid does slip up the parents turn their head away because they don't want to accept that their offspring blew it.  Not my mom and I am so thankful!!  While racing through my teenage years at full speed with a heart of rebellion, it was my mom who stopped me in my tracks. She looked me in the eye one day and told me that I was being rebellious and quoted "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."  I Samuel 15:23a
Talk about a wake up call.  It was the very thing I needed.  

Thank you mom and dad for raising me the way you did, I'd pick you to do it again if given the choice.  You gave me a good child-hood. One that I look back on with fond memories!!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

November - A month of Thanksgiving

Unless you never updated your wall calendar this year, you don't need me to tell you what day and month this is :)  Except for "Black Friday"  and if you are a PA resident the 1st day of deer season, November and it's day of Thanksgiving is a "forgotten" holiday.  We seem to go from Halloween the day that kids scream give me give me for candy to Christmas where kids holler give me give me for toys. The narcissism can almost  make me lose my mind.

I have decided to join some of my facebook friends who post each day of the month something they are thankful for.  Because I can get wordy :) I decided to blog my thanks and then share to FB.  So here goes!!

November 1, 2012

My very first thankfulness is for my husband.  Yep I'm going to get mushy. ;)  Reuben to many of you is "trouble", an ornery guy who likes to have fun.  Which usually involves picking on people.  But to me, Reuben is my one and only best friend.  No he's not perfect.  He's made me down right mad a few times.  But for me he is perfect.  All my life, I had a Reuben size hole in my heart, at 6'3" that's a big hole. :) When I met him 12.5 years ago he slipped right in so perfectly. There was no guessing, no twisting and turning like a tricky puzzle piece.

My love and admiration for him goes beyond the tall, handsome guy I fell in love with at first sight.  He is my source of sanity from the craziness of life.  He is my source of strength and solidarity in a shifting world.  Those days when I feel extremely melancholy he slips his arms around me, holds me tight, and tells me how I am his world.  He don't get mad when I flub up supper, or forget to fold and put his underwear away. :)

He works hard to provide for his family so I can stay-at-home and raise our kids.  Quite often he cooks Saturday breakfast and Sunday's lunch so I can have a break.  He's a good chef!!  He's not been "too above" household jobs like laundry, dishes, and vacuuming when I've been sick or need a hand when company is coming.

He is the one that makes me laugh, think, sometime cry, and have helped me be a better person.  He strives to be sensitive to my emotions and needs.  He has never been demanding.  But rather gentle and makes me feel like a lady.  After 10 years of being married, he still opens my car door :)  He is the one on Sunday who combs the boy's hair, ties shoes, and gets all the kids into the van.

I couldn't have asked for a better life companion then my Reuben.  God was definitely smiling on me the day he brought the two of us together.  Those memories are some of my favorite and I hope that when Alzheimer comes I take those memories with me.  I'm glad it's not over, and when Friday rolls around my handsome trucker will be back home.  But in between then memories of phone calls & text messages will be made :)

I love you Reuben Romain!!  And I am VERY Thankful for you.  Doubly so on November 22 when it is your real birthday and not the fake ones you have made up through the year :) :)



















Taken 12 years ago :) Boy were we young!!


















Being "Trouble" :)



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