365 Days of Blessings, Day 105
1. God answered my prayers yesterday, sent me encouragement, and took the burden I had right out of my hands. Wow!
2. A timely phone call from a friend yesterday, giving me encouragement, and letting me know that the confrontation I feared is not mine to deal with alone.
3. Relief.
4. Getting a few more home-school books in the mail! I think sometimes it would be more fun to get them in segments throughout the year instead of all at once.
5. Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter has some great insight and writing challenges for young writers. I'm using it as one resource for the writing class I'll start teaching this Monday at the homeschool cooperative.
6. Reading logs! My daughters didn't realize how much they were reading until we started to keep a record.
7. Writing journals where ideas, quotes, prompts, challenges, stories, poetry, fun words, and real life happenings all mix together in the pages . . . a wonderful recipe for imagination.
8. Saturday!
9. My youngest daughter's wisdom when waking up with a nightmare . . . "I just try to forget it and think of something else, so it doesn't bother me anymore. Usually it works." Of course, she comes and snuggles with us too, and we pray for her.
10. With plenty to do, and an active imagination, I have no fear of ever being bored.
11. A fun writing prompt like: Design a playground. Draw it. Describe it. Try to use all five senses. (This can start some pretty fantastical writing with kids - and young at heart people like me)
12. Today my neice Jessica's birthday. She has been a huge blessing in my life since the day that I met her, and especially since the first time she threw her arms around me in a hug. Happy Birthday Jessica!!!
13. Knowing that we have heroes in our country, heroes like the ones who sacrificed themselves for others' sake on 9/11, walking into to burning buildings, changing the direction of a plane flown by terrorists. Through their example, we know that every day people can be heroes too.
14. Biblical names like Zechariah, which means "The Lord Remembers."
Scripture Blessings:
"This is what the Lord says: 'I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.'
This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.'"
Zechariah 8:3-5
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
365 Days of Blessings - Blessed Blog Award, and Day 104
The Blessed Blog Award is back!!!
I had planned to give out the Blessed Blog Award at least once a week, but I admit I have fallen behind on my commitment to giving the award. There are so many candidates with so many wonderful, blessed blogs that it becomes hard to choose. Plus, I admit, my life has been busy lately.
If you receive this award, know that you have blessed my writing and my life by inspiring me with your words, and your insights. Please feel free to pass it on.
This week, this award goes to Jill Kemerer for inspiring me three days a week with her wonderful posts. Jill's "One Goal" Friday posts have been a huge blessing for me. Thank you Jill!!!
365 Days of Blessings, Day 104
1. God works through reluctant heroines like Esther.
2. In the midst of prayer, worry, and planning, I felt God had the Sunday School meeting in His capable hands last night.
3. Knowing God is with me as a storm looms on the horizon.
4. Knowing that God can give me courage to deal with with possible confrontations.
5. God's word is true, and right, and helpful in times of trouble.
6. Trusting God's timing.
7. Having a prayer warrior mom.
8. A calm husband who supports and encourages me.
9. My dad's hugs.
10. Fresh air.
11. Finishing three days of home-schooling, keeping good notes on our efforts, and feeling successful at the end of each of those days. We have many days ahead of us, but this part of my life looks like smooth sailing right now.
12. Only 5 days until my next publication! (a poem in an online magazine)
Scripture Blessings:
"Praise the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is
good;
his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of
the Lord
or fully declare his name?
Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.
Remember me, O Lord, when you
show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save
them,
that I may enjoy the prosperity of your
chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your
nation
and join your inheritance in giving
praise."
Psalm 106:1-5
"Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only ot put them in a purse with holes in it." Haggai 1:5-6
"'But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the Lord. 'Be strong, O Josuha son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the Lord, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the Lord Almighty. 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains in you. Do not fear.'" Haggai 2:4-5
Thursday, September 9, 2010
365 Days of Blessings - Day 103
365 Days of Blessings, Day 103
1. God created laughter.
2. Big, rolling, belly laughs in the morning.
3. My husband's wonderful, ironic sense of humor.
4. The sound of my parent's laughter. When taken to a comedic movie, they are the loudest laughers in the theatre.
5. The sound of my father-in-law's laughter when he's tickled by all six of his grandchildren at the same time.
6. My mother-in-law's dainty laugh.
7. My daughters' peals of laughter. I love that sound.
8. The funny look of our Beagle when he rolls around on the rug scratching his back.
9. The smile of our Rhodesian ridgeback - all teeth and hard wagging tail.
10. Our cat at play, tearing around the house at top speed.
Scripture Blessings:
"God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him." 1 John 4:16
And what do you know? Dictionary.com's word for the day is jubilee. Check it out:
Jubilee
1. God created laughter.
2. Big, rolling, belly laughs in the morning.
3. My husband's wonderful, ironic sense of humor.
4. The sound of my parent's laughter. When taken to a comedic movie, they are the loudest laughers in the theatre.
5. The sound of my father-in-law's laughter when he's tickled by all six of his grandchildren at the same time.
6. My mother-in-law's dainty laugh.
7. My daughters' peals of laughter. I love that sound.
8. The funny look of our Beagle when he rolls around on the rug scratching his back.
9. The smile of our Rhodesian ridgeback - all teeth and hard wagging tail.
10. Our cat at play, tearing around the house at top speed.
Scripture Blessings:
"God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him." 1 John 4:16
And what do you know? Dictionary.com's word for the day is jubilee. Check it out:
Jubilee
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
365 Days of Blessings - Day 102
365 Days of Blessings, Day 102
1. The Lord is good, truly, amazingly good.
2. Amazed by the healing ability of my own body, I walked a 1/4 mile this morning just two days after straining my knee water skiing. Ice, stretching, (self)massage and a measured amount of rest are wonderful healers.
3. My mom is going to teach art to my kids this year for homeschooling!!! We talked over our ideas this morning, and she went off with plans forming. She might not be able to teach them all year, but she is going to start tomorrow . . . with either origami or drawing. She had a drawing book in her hands, and plans to look at another one, so I think we'll be starting with that, every Friday at 11a.m.
4. A phone conversation for an hour with a friend this morning! I needed that! Plus, talking on the phone for an hour is an amazing feat for me . . . I have a phone phobia, which is like saying I live in a cave in today's phone-frenzied times.
5. The heat is on . . . I must not be the only cold one in the house . . . because my husband turned it on. The cold rain is coming down, but it's ok when we can be warm and dry.
6. Prayers for people in need of shelter. I think God answers them . . . with us, through us, and sometimes in spite of us.
7. A new homeless shelter is being built in Tacoma for families with kids. I wish we didn't have a need for homeless shelters in our country, but I am glad we take care of those in need.
8. Food banks. For a very short time in my childhood my family received food from a food bank, and I am thankful that I can give to them now.
9. Watching fun, heart-warming movies like BOLT with my family. Who doesn't love a funny hamster, a cat with attitude, and a dog with superhero issues?
10. The first day of homeschooling is done.
11. Four wonderful, encouraging women made my night last night at the homeschool co-operative teacher's meeting.
12. Reading poetry.
Scripture Blessings:
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
James 4:8
1. The Lord is good, truly, amazingly good.
2. Amazed by the healing ability of my own body, I walked a 1/4 mile this morning just two days after straining my knee water skiing. Ice, stretching, (self)massage and a measured amount of rest are wonderful healers.
3. My mom is going to teach art to my kids this year for homeschooling!!! We talked over our ideas this morning, and she went off with plans forming. She might not be able to teach them all year, but she is going to start tomorrow . . . with either origami or drawing. She had a drawing book in her hands, and plans to look at another one, so I think we'll be starting with that, every Friday at 11a.m.
4. A phone conversation for an hour with a friend this morning! I needed that! Plus, talking on the phone for an hour is an amazing feat for me . . . I have a phone phobia, which is like saying I live in a cave in today's phone-frenzied times.
5. The heat is on . . . I must not be the only cold one in the house . . . because my husband turned it on. The cold rain is coming down, but it's ok when we can be warm and dry.
6. Prayers for people in need of shelter. I think God answers them . . . with us, through us, and sometimes in spite of us.
7. A new homeless shelter is being built in Tacoma for families with kids. I wish we didn't have a need for homeless shelters in our country, but I am glad we take care of those in need.
8. Food banks. For a very short time in my childhood my family received food from a food bank, and I am thankful that I can give to them now.
9. Watching fun, heart-warming movies like BOLT with my family. Who doesn't love a funny hamster, a cat with attitude, and a dog with superhero issues?
10. The first day of homeschooling is done.
11. Four wonderful, encouraging women made my night last night at the homeschool co-operative teacher's meeting.
12. Reading poetry.
Scripture Blessings:
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
James 4:8
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
365 Days of Blessings - Day 101
365 Days of Blessings, Day 101
1. The Lord provides.
2. This post marks the 101 days of counting blessings, and keeping track on-line with these posts. I am so thankful for this project, even if there have been moments that it has been a struggle for me to write them. It seemed so simple when I started it, and it is simple. I just simply need to be thankful . . . instead of grouchy, and quick to complain.
3. Every little bit of thankfulness counts.
4. I feel changed by thankfulness.
5. When I find myself complaining, I often stop and think, "whoa, do I really want to do this?"
6. When I stop complaining, and start thanking . . . other people around me do the same. We pull each other out of the mire of discontented thinking.
7. Or, on the reverse of number 6, when I start complaining, sometimes people around me say, "hey, what about that counting blessings-thankfulness thing? You know we can be thankful for . . . " - and they point me in the right direction.
8. Thankfulness changes relationships for the better.
9. Thankfulness draws me closer to God.
10. I want to live my life with a thankful heart, and I feel like I'm closer to reaching that goal now more than ever before.
Extra Blessings:
1. My mom-in-law's birthday was yesterday! She is a wonderful woman of strength, perseverence, and faithfulness. I am so thankful that she is in my life! Happy Birthday Mary!!!
2. I water-skied yesterday for the first time in 12 years!
3. Ice is a blessing on a sore knee joint.
Writing Blessings: Check out the September Table of Contents at Every Day Poets
Scripture Blessings:
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields like empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights."
Habakkuk 3:17-19
My life is so blessed! Our country is so blessed with fruitfulness! And yet, do we rejoice in the Lord? Do I?
I am thankful, Lord, and I will rejoice! Amen!
1. The Lord provides.
2. This post marks the 101 days of counting blessings, and keeping track on-line with these posts. I am so thankful for this project, even if there have been moments that it has been a struggle for me to write them. It seemed so simple when I started it, and it is simple. I just simply need to be thankful . . . instead of grouchy, and quick to complain.
3. Every little bit of thankfulness counts.
4. I feel changed by thankfulness.
5. When I find myself complaining, I often stop and think, "whoa, do I really want to do this?"
6. When I stop complaining, and start thanking . . . other people around me do the same. We pull each other out of the mire of discontented thinking.
7. Or, on the reverse of number 6, when I start complaining, sometimes people around me say, "hey, what about that counting blessings-thankfulness thing? You know we can be thankful for . . . " - and they point me in the right direction.
8. Thankfulness changes relationships for the better.
9. Thankfulness draws me closer to God.
10. I want to live my life with a thankful heart, and I feel like I'm closer to reaching that goal now more than ever before.
Extra Blessings:
1. My mom-in-law's birthday was yesterday! She is a wonderful woman of strength, perseverence, and faithfulness. I am so thankful that she is in my life! Happy Birthday Mary!!!
2. I water-skied yesterday for the first time in 12 years!
3. Ice is a blessing on a sore knee joint.
Writing Blessings: Check out the September Table of Contents at Every Day Poets
Scripture Blessings:
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields like empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights."
Habakkuk 3:17-19
My life is so blessed! Our country is so blessed with fruitfulness! And yet, do we rejoice in the Lord? Do I?
I am thankful, Lord, and I will rejoice! Amen!
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