You're Invited to Join in on the Blessings Blogfest, May 31st. Just one post, just one day! Just 10 blessings! Come share and spread the blessings you've been given! Just one click on the button on the right will take you to the sign up page. Thanks!
Today I'm giving thanks for:
1. Getting a payment link for a poem in my inbox. That's a nice piece of e-mail to open first in the morning!
2. Watching my daughters compete in tap just one last time for the competition season. They did great!
3. My daughters received a "third place gold" in their age group, in tap. Yay! (Although this award sounds bigger than it is really . . . we were still excited!)
4. Just being backstage, seeing all these dancers get ready to perform. They are so excited, nervous, and confidant all at the same time.
5. Running into friends at a nearby health food store and restaurant.
6. Going to see a matinee movie.
7. Watching Captian Jack Sparrow in his usual high jinks.
8. The Mermaid and the Priest almost stole the movie from Jack, and I would have liked to know more about both of them. That part of the movie set my imagination adrift, and I had a hard time focusing on the "main" plot, but I like movies that let me imagine.
9. 111 followers - wow. I feel humbled.
10. The Lord is always watching over each of us, in every circumstance, and we are saved from the painful trials of this momentary place (earth) when we turn to him for comfort.
Scripture Blessings:
"We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses." Hebrews 4:15 NKJV
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
365 Days of Blessings, Day 355
Blessings that I'm giving thanks for today:
1. A second day of full blast sunshine with blue skies.
2. My kids playing outside for long periods of time.
3. My husband having an extra day off from work - Or at least from his desk job.
4. My husband fixed the lawn mower, cleaned up part of the yard, and fixed the older car so it doesn't make that shrill grinding noise.
5. My kids and I finished our lessons, even though the sunlight was tempting.
6. We are counting down our days to the end of our main homeschool lesson days. Just 18 days left, or 14 actual days not including the trip day, the two test days, and the field day. Wow.
7. Tomorrow is my daughters' last dance competition of the season. They have to be up, costumed (with scary makeup), and at the competition by 8:10 a.m. - tomorrow will be an interesting morning.
8. I finished the Shakespeare grades, the letters for the students' families and their certificates of completion and got them all in the mail today. For some reason, getting to the post office or even a mail stop is challenging for me, so I'm proud of myself when I remember to stop there on a round of errands.
9. Putting money in the bank, and getting the groceries into the fridge.
10. My kids made dinner, reminiscing about their favorite restaurant in Hilo, Big Island, Hawai'i. We had burger rice bowls with fresh onions and hot sauce. I had a quinoa bowl with the burger, onion and hot sauce. Yum!
11. Having a discussion about Genesis, the Fall, and whether or not all people until Noah were vegetarians . . . an interesting discussion based on Biblical scriptures and conjecture. But hey, I would rather be discussing the Bible than say . . . the news.
12. God is awesome!!!
Scripture Blessings:
"Build yourself up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." Jude 1:20-21 ESV
1. A second day of full blast sunshine with blue skies.
2. My kids playing outside for long periods of time.
3. My husband having an extra day off from work - Or at least from his desk job.
4. My husband fixed the lawn mower, cleaned up part of the yard, and fixed the older car so it doesn't make that shrill grinding noise.
5. My kids and I finished our lessons, even though the sunlight was tempting.
6. We are counting down our days to the end of our main homeschool lesson days. Just 18 days left, or 14 actual days not including the trip day, the two test days, and the field day. Wow.
7. Tomorrow is my daughters' last dance competition of the season. They have to be up, costumed (with scary makeup), and at the competition by 8:10 a.m. - tomorrow will be an interesting morning.
8. I finished the Shakespeare grades, the letters for the students' families and their certificates of completion and got them all in the mail today. For some reason, getting to the post office or even a mail stop is challenging for me, so I'm proud of myself when I remember to stop there on a round of errands.
9. Putting money in the bank, and getting the groceries into the fridge.
10. My kids made dinner, reminiscing about their favorite restaurant in Hilo, Big Island, Hawai'i. We had burger rice bowls with fresh onions and hot sauce. I had a quinoa bowl with the burger, onion and hot sauce. Yum!
11. Having a discussion about Genesis, the Fall, and whether or not all people until Noah were vegetarians . . . an interesting discussion based on Biblical scriptures and conjecture. But hey, I would rather be discussing the Bible than say . . . the news.
12. God is awesome!!!
Scripture Blessings:
"Build yourself up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." Jude 1:20-21 ESV
Thursday, May 19, 2011
365 Days of Blessings, Days 352, 353, and 354
1. Making goals.
2. Deciding not to wait to start working on those goals.
3. Walking as fast as possible for 45-60 minutes.
4. Getting ready for The Sound to Narrows.
5. Signing up for You Go Girl! - a half marathon.
6. Seeing the end of the homeschool year in sight, and making all the adjustments to our schedule to meet that goal.
7. Planning a pretend trip to a surprise location for our Wednesday Family co-op group.
8. Planning a field day.
9. Getting 8 very opinionated kids to agree on a basic plot-line for a group skit. They all are sure that they each have the best idea. I love their confidence, but I'm glad they were willing to work together.
10. Practicing the skit once through with only one heated discussion breaking out "on stage."
11. Learning how to direct a group of kids in one direction while still giving them most of the creative decision making.
12. Little devotional books like Moments of Peace for the Morning.
13. "God has given you Jerichos as well - strongholds that you've wanted to conquer. You trust God's promises but you're exhausted from a long march. This morning, you must shout. Loudly proclaim that God has fulfilled his pledge. Express your faith that the march is nearly done - that triumph is already yours." - from Moments of Peace for the Morning My caveat would be that the Lord has triumphed.
14. Resources.
15. People who step up and do more than expected in times of need.
16. Books, and websites where information is found easily.
17. Handy notepads for jotting down notes - whether they are fancy or plain, they help me get through the day and keep track of the jobs I need to get done.
18. Writing every day.
19. Reading through my writing class anthology one more time. I was so blessed to have those students.
20. My daughters wrote the first paragraph of a more formal narrative essay yesterday. I felt like I was pulling teeth, but they finally settled in and wrote it. Today, we're onto the second paragraph.
21. A really cool art project at our Wednesday co-op yesterday: marbled art. We put a piece of paper in a shirt box, then dabbed small paint globs onto the paper. After that we put a marble in the box, and tipped the box back and forth, rolling the marble through the paint and all over the paper. The kids had a great time, and I am impressed yet again by the ingenuity of our art expert mom.
22. Fun science experiments that teach about water tension.
23. The kids learned a little more Latin, while I sat outside in the sun. Sweet deal.
24. A bird bath that my youngest daughter made for me in our Monday co-op Spanish class.
25. A whale of an artwork hanging from our chandelier in the dining room.
26. One of my friends commenting - "your house looks like a school and playground."
27. Being content with being casual and kid friendly.
28. Working with my husband on worship and music for our church.
29. Having a great group of team facilitators and leaders for our church.
30. Knowing that God's timing is always right.
Scripture Blessings:
"'Not by might or power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty."
Zechariah 4:6
2. Deciding not to wait to start working on those goals.
3. Walking as fast as possible for 45-60 minutes.
4. Getting ready for The Sound to Narrows.
5. Signing up for You Go Girl! - a half marathon.
6. Seeing the end of the homeschool year in sight, and making all the adjustments to our schedule to meet that goal.
7. Planning a pretend trip to a surprise location for our Wednesday Family co-op group.
8. Planning a field day.
9. Getting 8 very opinionated kids to agree on a basic plot-line for a group skit. They all are sure that they each have the best idea. I love their confidence, but I'm glad they were willing to work together.
10. Practicing the skit once through with only one heated discussion breaking out "on stage."
11. Learning how to direct a group of kids in one direction while still giving them most of the creative decision making.
12. Little devotional books like Moments of Peace for the Morning.
13. "God has given you Jerichos as well - strongholds that you've wanted to conquer. You trust God's promises but you're exhausted from a long march. This morning, you must shout. Loudly proclaim that God has fulfilled his pledge. Express your faith that the march is nearly done - that triumph is already yours." - from Moments of Peace for the Morning My caveat would be that the Lord has triumphed.
14. Resources.
15. People who step up and do more than expected in times of need.
16. Books, and websites where information is found easily.
17. Handy notepads for jotting down notes - whether they are fancy or plain, they help me get through the day and keep track of the jobs I need to get done.
18. Writing every day.
19. Reading through my writing class anthology one more time. I was so blessed to have those students.
20. My daughters wrote the first paragraph of a more formal narrative essay yesterday. I felt like I was pulling teeth, but they finally settled in and wrote it. Today, we're onto the second paragraph.
21. A really cool art project at our Wednesday co-op yesterday: marbled art. We put a piece of paper in a shirt box, then dabbed small paint globs onto the paper. After that we put a marble in the box, and tipped the box back and forth, rolling the marble through the paint and all over the paper. The kids had a great time, and I am impressed yet again by the ingenuity of our art expert mom.
22. Fun science experiments that teach about water tension.
23. The kids learned a little more Latin, while I sat outside in the sun. Sweet deal.
24. A bird bath that my youngest daughter made for me in our Monday co-op Spanish class.
25. A whale of an artwork hanging from our chandelier in the dining room.
26. One of my friends commenting - "your house looks like a school and playground."
27. Being content with being casual and kid friendly.
28. Working with my husband on worship and music for our church.
29. Having a great group of team facilitators and leaders for our church.
30. Knowing that God's timing is always right.
Scripture Blessings:
"'Not by might or power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty."
Zechariah 4:6
Monday, May 16, 2011
365 Days of Blessings, Days 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, and 351
Whew! It's been a week - of sickness, health, busy-ness, fun, exhaustion, rest, and even a little hard work.
So, today, I'm finally taking a moment, and giving thanks for all these blessings:
1. Spelling, Math and Writing were done every day, even on my sickest of sick days. My kids were really great about getting those basics done.
2. Friends of ours had the girls over for an afternoon of homeschool science experiments, art projects, and fun!
3. I had total quiet for nearly five hours. Even my dogs and cat were quiet.
4. I finally realized that I needed to cancel a meeting I had planned. And the world didn't end.
5. Many people in our new church have leadership abilities.
6. When I felt well enough, I was able to get a few things done.
7. When my friends read my e-mails and saw that I was a little "out of it" with my facts, they were gentle about telling me that maybe . . . I should just rest.
8. The sun came out and brightened up our house, thanks to all our awesome windows.
9. Mint tea.
10. Ginger tea.
11. Forgiving blogging friends - I mention this, since I just accidentally posted this post without being finished - really, I tried to push the Save button.
12. A feel better Friday!
13. Deciding to go to a movie on Friday night with my family.
14. Thor had a plot!
15. Thor was fun to watch, and was directed well.
16. Thor ended differently than I expected, and I still liked it.
17. Finding that lost library book and getting it turned in . . . a week late.
18. Getting our house vacuumed.
19. My kids cleaned their room on Saturday!
20. I worked all week (in the "good" moments) on my Writers' Workship class anthology.
21. Learning how to use a Publisher program.
22. Getting help from a nice lady in the print shop at Office Depot.
23. My daughters and my husband played softball in our yard on Saturday in the bright sunshine.
24. My youngest daughter planted her new plants in the garden.
25. When the rain came down on Saturday night, I woke and listened to the drumming on the roof, and I felt . . . content. Not upset by the rain, but content with the sound of it.
26. When I woke up and the rain was still pouring down, I still took my dogs for a short walk in the rain, and listened to all those sounds. In the Northwest, while walking in the rain on a Sunday morning, it sounds like I'm walking in the midst of a stream, with the water pattering and chuckling over leaves, and splishing into puddles.
27. Sunday morning worship, regular style, was sweet. I haven't been to a "regular" worship in a month. We've either been traveling, or having special Sundays.
28. A quadruple message on Sunday morning from three great worship leaders.
29. We had message on Today being the day that the Lord has made, from our worship leader.
30. We had a message on prayer from our speaker for the Children's message.
31. We had a message from a man who returned from Costa Rica . . . to be aware of the gifts of relationships and the blessings around us. If we feel lonely, visit someone lonelier. If we are hungry, feed someone hungrier. When we share our blessings, we receive. That isn't the fullness of his message, but a part of it.
32. We had a message on the true meaning of fellowship from our speaker, and retired missionary Pat Lelvis.
33. We have a great Praise Team leader, who happens to be 17. A young man with a faithful heart.
34. Our "usual" praise team leader is taking a break to teach a class on spritual warfare. He is a strong faithful family man blessed with wisdom.
35. We have an amazing team of leaders who step forward every Sunday to serve in worship, and leaders who serve throughout the week.
36. A conversation about shoes at the dance studio. Can we wear our daughters' shoes?
37. Learning new patterns of tap steps in the adult tap class.
38. I love how tap challenges both the body, and the mind.
39. New haircuts for summer.
40. A young woman, one of the "older" dancers, has gone from waist length hair to shoulder length hair with layers, and she looks suddenly more sophisticated, preparing to go tour with a professional dance company in Italy.
41. Conversations about books, and heavy bookshelves.
42. Favorite kids books, and having kids that are ok with reading at their grade level, way above it, and then below it.
43. Knowing that those favorite kid books will be read again and again and again. And then again to children and grandchildren.
44. Tne end of the school year for Harbor Christian Homeschool Co-op. It is bittersweet, but yet wonderful.
45. Celebrating the end of the year with my writing class, and seeing them dig into their anthologies with interest. I passed them out, and the whole room got quiet as they read their own and their classmates entries.
46. Celebrating the end of the year with my Shakespeare class. We played the "Who Am I?" review game, watched "Omelette" the Veggie Tales re-take of Hamlet, and enjoyed some good conversation about plays and movies.
47. Enjoying those last conversations in the parent cafe at our co-op.
48. Receiving amazing thank you cards and sweet gifts from my students.
49. Handing out candy . . . I admit, it's fun.
50. Seeing my oldest daughter's team in Chemistry class Jeopardy get some great points, and answer some tough questions. They didn't win, but they were a close second this last time.
51. Excitement about classes for next year . . . and this is the end of this year.
52. Looking over my class lists for next year, and getting excited about the students I'll have, even as I know I'll miss the ones I have this year.
53. Pizza day at co-op. We bring our own, and the whole place smells heavenly.
54. Knowing that I'm not the only one with food intolerances.
55. My daughters are dancing to parts of Singing in the Rain for this year's end of the year production (recital).
56. Simplified costumes for this year.
57. One last dance competition is coming this weekend and we are looking forward to it with a calm kind of excitement.
58. Fun stuff to read, see, and listen to on the internet. (Sorry that I can't name them all)
59. Angie Lofthouse's Story Brierly's Lilies hosted at Wordplay, Swordplay this past week has resonated in my mind for a few days now. I highly recommend it.
60. The Lord provides me with rest, with encouragement, and with peace.
Scripture Blessings:
"The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever."
Psalm 23
So, today, I'm finally taking a moment, and giving thanks for all these blessings:
1. Spelling, Math and Writing were done every day, even on my sickest of sick days. My kids were really great about getting those basics done.
2. Friends of ours had the girls over for an afternoon of homeschool science experiments, art projects, and fun!
3. I had total quiet for nearly five hours. Even my dogs and cat were quiet.
4. I finally realized that I needed to cancel a meeting I had planned. And the world didn't end.
5. Many people in our new church have leadership abilities.
6. When I felt well enough, I was able to get a few things done.
7. When my friends read my e-mails and saw that I was a little "out of it" with my facts, they were gentle about telling me that maybe . . . I should just rest.
8. The sun came out and brightened up our house, thanks to all our awesome windows.
9. Mint tea.
10. Ginger tea.
11. Forgiving blogging friends - I mention this, since I just accidentally posted this post without being finished - really, I tried to push the Save button.
12. A feel better Friday!
13. Deciding to go to a movie on Friday night with my family.
14. Thor had a plot!
15. Thor was fun to watch, and was directed well.
16. Thor ended differently than I expected, and I still liked it.
17. Finding that lost library book and getting it turned in . . . a week late.
18. Getting our house vacuumed.
19. My kids cleaned their room on Saturday!
20. I worked all week (in the "good" moments) on my Writers' Workship class anthology.
21. Learning how to use a Publisher program.
22. Getting help from a nice lady in the print shop at Office Depot.
23. My daughters and my husband played softball in our yard on Saturday in the bright sunshine.
24. My youngest daughter planted her new plants in the garden.
25. When the rain came down on Saturday night, I woke and listened to the drumming on the roof, and I felt . . . content. Not upset by the rain, but content with the sound of it.
26. When I woke up and the rain was still pouring down, I still took my dogs for a short walk in the rain, and listened to all those sounds. In the Northwest, while walking in the rain on a Sunday morning, it sounds like I'm walking in the midst of a stream, with the water pattering and chuckling over leaves, and splishing into puddles.
27. Sunday morning worship, regular style, was sweet. I haven't been to a "regular" worship in a month. We've either been traveling, or having special Sundays.
28. A quadruple message on Sunday morning from three great worship leaders.
29. We had message on Today being the day that the Lord has made, from our worship leader.
30. We had a message on prayer from our speaker for the Children's message.
31. We had a message from a man who returned from Costa Rica . . . to be aware of the gifts of relationships and the blessings around us. If we feel lonely, visit someone lonelier. If we are hungry, feed someone hungrier. When we share our blessings, we receive. That isn't the fullness of his message, but a part of it.
32. We had a message on the true meaning of fellowship from our speaker, and retired missionary Pat Lelvis.
33. We have a great Praise Team leader, who happens to be 17. A young man with a faithful heart.
34. Our "usual" praise team leader is taking a break to teach a class on spritual warfare. He is a strong faithful family man blessed with wisdom.
35. We have an amazing team of leaders who step forward every Sunday to serve in worship, and leaders who serve throughout the week.
36. A conversation about shoes at the dance studio. Can we wear our daughters' shoes?
37. Learning new patterns of tap steps in the adult tap class.
38. I love how tap challenges both the body, and the mind.
39. New haircuts for summer.
40. A young woman, one of the "older" dancers, has gone from waist length hair to shoulder length hair with layers, and she looks suddenly more sophisticated, preparing to go tour with a professional dance company in Italy.
41. Conversations about books, and heavy bookshelves.
42. Favorite kids books, and having kids that are ok with reading at their grade level, way above it, and then below it.
43. Knowing that those favorite kid books will be read again and again and again. And then again to children and grandchildren.
44. Tne end of the school year for Harbor Christian Homeschool Co-op. It is bittersweet, but yet wonderful.
45. Celebrating the end of the year with my writing class, and seeing them dig into their anthologies with interest. I passed them out, and the whole room got quiet as they read their own and their classmates entries.
46. Celebrating the end of the year with my Shakespeare class. We played the "Who Am I?" review game, watched "Omelette" the Veggie Tales re-take of Hamlet, and enjoyed some good conversation about plays and movies.
47. Enjoying those last conversations in the parent cafe at our co-op.
48. Receiving amazing thank you cards and sweet gifts from my students.
49. Handing out candy . . . I admit, it's fun.
50. Seeing my oldest daughter's team in Chemistry class Jeopardy get some great points, and answer some tough questions. They didn't win, but they were a close second this last time.
51. Excitement about classes for next year . . . and this is the end of this year.
52. Looking over my class lists for next year, and getting excited about the students I'll have, even as I know I'll miss the ones I have this year.
53. Pizza day at co-op. We bring our own, and the whole place smells heavenly.
54. Knowing that I'm not the only one with food intolerances.
55. My daughters are dancing to parts of Singing in the Rain for this year's end of the year production (recital).
56. Simplified costumes for this year.
57. One last dance competition is coming this weekend and we are looking forward to it with a calm kind of excitement.
58. Fun stuff to read, see, and listen to on the internet. (Sorry that I can't name them all)
59. Angie Lofthouse's Story Brierly's Lilies hosted at Wordplay, Swordplay this past week has resonated in my mind for a few days now. I highly recommend it.
60. The Lord provides me with rest, with encouragement, and with peace.
Scripture Blessings:
"The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever."
Psalm 23
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Blessings Blogfest Invitation
Hey!
You're invited to join in on the Blessings Blogfest! Just click on the link on the right to sign up! It's just one day. Just one post.
You're invited to join in on the Blessings Blogfest! Just click on the link on the right to sign up! It's just one day. Just one post.
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