Thanksgiving is just around the corner...

and I'm afraid that means Christmas is just down the block! Yikes! I love this time of year and this year is especially wonderful since I'm at home with my girls. I have thouroughly enjoyed being able to sleep late in the mornings and snuggle with them in our big chair and watch cartoons. SJ and I even made a cake yesterday. Fun, fun, fun! We will be heading to my folks on Tuesday of next week to spend Thanksgiving with them. We will also try to catch up with some of our friends in Madison if time permits. Also, SJ and I along with my mom will be heading to see the Nutcracker in a few weeks. We are so excited!
I'm going to attempt to get down the Christmas decorations tomorrow while the girls are at MMO and do my "house" decorating and then get our tree next weekend. I'm hoping to also paint the dining room this weekend....it's a small dining room so it shouldn't be too hard. CDP is thrilled to help me too! Really, he is!

Anyway, I'm thankful for Thanksgiving....the relaxing time before the hustle and bustle of Christmas. My daughter is already aware of this special time of year. Last night, in an effort to really connect with her I asked SJ what she was thankful for....she replied,"my mommy and my family and my little brother."..........hummmm?? I explained to her that she didn't have a little brother and her reply was, "Well, aren't you going to have one?" I replied, "you'll have to ask God to give us one." Her answer? "I already did, last night........." What can I say? Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Playing Catch Up...

I won't be able to catch up for all the days I've missed during the 30 day Thanksgiving Challenge. However, today I am thankful for wounds that God has healed in His time. I found a journal from back in 2003 and in it I asked God for children. I have several friends who have this same story but each somehow different. God in His infinite wisdom answered. He answered in His time and in His perfect way. How could I ask for anything more?

What prompts us to think that God is somehow compelled to answer our prayers in the way we seem appropriate? I had a dear friend ask me this morning if I thought people really understood the Holiness of God. I'm quite sure I don't comprehend the Holiness of God. And I have a feeling I'm not alone. I can't fathom how a Holy God could love a worthless vessel like me. I am thankful for the MERCY of God. James 2:13 says "because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! Did you get that? Mercy triumphs over judgment......WOW! Am I showing mercy daily to my children? Do I extend mercy to my spouse? Do I show mercy to the cashier at the grocery? How about mercy to the driver who cuts me off on the highway?

I know the answer.......He is the answer! God help me to show mercy! Nite!

Music....

it communicates so much. God was genius when He created music. I'm thankful for Music. It brings me into sweet communion with my Creator and helps me to reflect upon His greatness. It can drown out all the negative bitterness in the world around us. Music brings joy, sadness, peace, love, resolve...I could go on and on. This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for Music. More tomorrow....

UH OH....

There are a few drawbacks with this thing called blogging. First, it gets addictive...and consumes much of your time...and secondly, it causes you to leave your children unattended and then things like this happen......

My SJP has such a tender heart. As I recovered from the initial shock, I gathered my emotions and sent her to her room. I then proceeded to explain why it's not a good idea to cut your own hair....."you only cut paper, you NEVER cut your hair"...."always obey your mommy".....thru her tears and wailing I heard this question...."Do you forgive me?" Oh, how it cut me to the core! I was so upset with her and yet I felt so bad having to ground her from well, scissors of course and also her beloved Cartoons....missing The Backyardigans nearly sent her reeling! (Three days with no cartoons and no scissors or craft projects for several days is pretty tough for her.)

I felt like we had been spared a really "bad hair day" since we could hardly tell where she began her snipping.......then we checked out the kitchen sink! We now know SJP has a conscience......there it lay...in a heap....the OTHER hand full of hair! OUCH! I had already punished her and given her the once over....I couldn't do it again....how it hurt to then notice just how much she had cut. I remembered her piercing question, "Do you forgive me?" It rang out loud and clear. How like God with us, His children! Although He never "overlooks" our transgressions, and even though the consequences may remain...He has FOREVER forgotten all our sin! Hallelujah, What a Saviour!

So, I guess I learned my lesson...no more blogging until they are in bed!

Great Week/end...

We had a fabulous time this weekend visiting with my parents and our friends, The Hall's, in Atlanta. Dad and CDP attended a conference while the girls shopped visited with each other. MK is such a cutie. She looks so much like her daddy...sorry KSH! MK really took to my Dad too...she called him Yei Yei and acted as if she'd known him all her life. I'm usually pretty good at making agendas and planning trips but this time I made a few mistakes...My mom told me I had fallen down on my job! Sorry...I'll do better next time. All in all we got to enjoy some time together just catching up with each other and just being together. Our visit with the Hall's was especially nice. I hate to admit it but they looked like they felt so at home there in C'Ville. Not that I want them to be miserable but if they didn't feel so at home they might eventually move back close to MS! I miss them a lot. However, God has such great things in store for them..I can't wait to see how He fills their lives with His blessings. They have a lovely home that I know will be filled with great memories.
Even though we've not see each other in a couple of months, it felt like we'd only been apart for a week or so. That's how good friends are. I was reminded of this on the spa trip last month with my buddies from RBC. Even though we had not seen each other in several months, we were able to pick right back up where we left off. Friends understand the pressures of life and how easy it is to get swept away with life. It's nice to know you can just pick up where you left off.
So, as I reflect on the upcoming Thanksgiving season, and to fulfill my 30 day Thanksgiving countdown, let me catch up....

1. I'm thankful for true friendship....it's a gift from God and is solely based on His love.
2. I'm thankful for the freedom of speech.....I can blog about the Grace of God all day long!
3. I'm thankful for Salvation through Jesus Christ and his work on the Cross...His blood covers a multitude of sins.
4. I'm thankful for Sunday's....a day of rest. God intended for us to rest....I plan to do that tomorrow!

I feared I might run out of things to be thanful for, however, I find I'm having a hard time finding a stopping point.....God is good...All the time!

Mom and Dad...

I'm thankful for my parents who love me and who have passed down a legacy of honesty and faithfulness. I'm a hardworker.....my Dad instilled in me to do the job to the best of my ability and to do it immediately. I don't like confrontation...my Mom taught me to be a peacemaker. I'm a giver and love to be hospitable....my Dad loves to be around people and likes to fellowship with friends and family. I'm passionate about teaching God's word and finding jewels of truth from his Word...my Mom does too....she is so compelling when she teaches...truly a gift from God.

There are many more but I don't have the time or the space to list them all. I'm just thankful for 2 Godly parents who love Jesus and love me and have given so much of themselves to me. I love you Mom and Dad!

Truth...Trust...

I'm thankful for Truth, God's Word, The Bible, Scripture.....whichever you prefer to use, I'm thankful that God chose to preserve His Word for me. How perfect that the God of the universe who created me and planned my life, gave to me the way to understand His Heart. CDP preached from James Chapter 1 tonight. James says that we are to count it all joy when we suffer or are tested...and in the suffering understand that there is nothing to hinder God from giving to his children. However, OUR lack of faith can hinder Him from Giving to us...

I believe nothing takes God by surprise. He knows what will happen on November 4th. He has it all under control. I choose to trust Him. I will pray....and I will trust!