1. Pumpkin guts.
2. Pumpkin seeds.
3. Pumpkin carving – I like silly faces best, and my family likes to get out the fancy templates.
4. Halloween crafts and fun.
5. Halloween Haiku
6. Upper Room Devotional - I loved the devotional for October 30th. It hit me just right.
7. How to Beam Someone Up at the Eagle's Aerial Perspective - a very humorous post that made me laugh this morning.
8. I'm AWAKE today.
9. Submitted three poems this morning and keeping my hopes up.
10. The Lord lights up our lives. Without him, we would be dark and hollow, like an uncarved pumpkin with no candle inside.
Hopefully tomorrow, I'll have pictures, but currently the family pumpkin creations are still unfinished - almost two hours into the haunted house pumpkin carving. Whew.
Scripture Blessings:"You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light."
2 Samuel 22:29
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
365 Days of Blessings, Day 153, Blessed Blog Award, and Sight and Light
The Blessed Blog Award is back! I apologize for having been remiss in my giving. So many blogs are so blessed. Today, I just want to highlight two blogs. Everything Home . . . With Carol is a blog that encompasses writing, homeschooling, and thanksgiving. South Breeze Farm is a blog about homeschooling, and giving thanks! I'm especially thankful for finding the Giving Thanks project started at South Breeze Farm. I feel blessed by both these blogs, and encourage you to check them out too.
For Day 152 of the 365 Days of Blessings, I am especially thankful for light, and for sight:
1. Recently, the power went out in our town, and a friend of mine, who has a great fear of darkness, found herself in a near panic attack. She lit a candle, and prayed. Watching the flame burn strong in the darkness, she felt at peace again, reminded that Jesus is the light of the world.
2. Candles.
3. Lamps.
4. Generators, and the men in my family who know how to use them safely. Someday, I have to learn that skill.
5. Light scattering darkness into patterns of shadows.
6. The burning brightness of the sun glaring on the cover of clouds above us on a cloudy day.
7. Sight.
8. Moonlight.
9. Flashlights.
10. The Lord gives us light, and sight.
Scripture Blessings:
“Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’
The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’
Jesus stopped and called them, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked.
‘Lord, they answered, ‘we want our sight.’
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.”
Matthew 20:30-34
Thursday, October 28, 2010
365 Days of Blessings, Day 152
1. Turning corners, both literally and figuratively. It's always exciting to see what's just around the bend.
2. That feeling of leaning into a corner, while riding on a bike, or on a motorcycle.
3. Wind rushing in my face.
4. Ironing my husband's clothes means I get to pick out what he wears to important meetings . . . and I happen to think he looks good in red. :-) Yes, I am biased and still madly in love with the guy I married over 14 years ago.
5. My oldest daughter's new reading glasses. They look good on her, and she can read for more than five minutes at a time now without straining, blinking and rubbing her eyes.
6. Eye exercises. Is there any part of our bodies we can't exercise?
7. The worry about NaNoWriMo giving way to tingly excitement. I've been daydreaming, plotting, and note-taking about my characters every day.
8. Writing poetry, and having my youngest daughter help me with word choices. She is very creative and passionate with her words.
9. I woke up happy today, content, excited for all the possibilities. I just think that is a gift from God.
10. God gives us an attitude of gratitude, contentment and joy when we seek Him first.
11. Our Pastor's wonderful sermons, both on Sunday mornings and on Wednesday evenings. We are currently in a study on Joyful Giving, and his illustrations - especially the ones on Wednesday nights - have been rich with meaning, easy to understand, and just plain fun. I've never had another Pastor who has used a construction ladder, a pitcher, ping pong balls and M&M's to illustrate what it means to develop an attitude of contentment, to give joyfully, and to give firstfruits instead of what is left over.
12. Check out the new button on the right - the Giving Thanks Challenge!!! I'm going to participate by just continuing on with my 365 Days of Blessings posts - since they are really about giving thanks anyway. I encourage everyone to participate and name just one thing that you are thankful for every day.
Scripture Blessings:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But you, man of God (women too), flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presences of many witnesses."
1 Timonthy 6:6-12
2. That feeling of leaning into a corner, while riding on a bike, or on a motorcycle.
3. Wind rushing in my face.
4. Ironing my husband's clothes means I get to pick out what he wears to important meetings . . . and I happen to think he looks good in red. :-) Yes, I am biased and still madly in love with the guy I married over 14 years ago.
5. My oldest daughter's new reading glasses. They look good on her, and she can read for more than five minutes at a time now without straining, blinking and rubbing her eyes.
6. Eye exercises. Is there any part of our bodies we can't exercise?
7. The worry about NaNoWriMo giving way to tingly excitement. I've been daydreaming, plotting, and note-taking about my characters every day.
8. Writing poetry, and having my youngest daughter help me with word choices. She is very creative and passionate with her words.
9. I woke up happy today, content, excited for all the possibilities. I just think that is a gift from God.
10. God gives us an attitude of gratitude, contentment and joy when we seek Him first.
11. Our Pastor's wonderful sermons, both on Sunday mornings and on Wednesday evenings. We are currently in a study on Joyful Giving, and his illustrations - especially the ones on Wednesday nights - have been rich with meaning, easy to understand, and just plain fun. I've never had another Pastor who has used a construction ladder, a pitcher, ping pong balls and M&M's to illustrate what it means to develop an attitude of contentment, to give joyfully, and to give firstfruits instead of what is left over.
12. Check out the new button on the right - the Giving Thanks Challenge!!! I'm going to participate by just continuing on with my 365 Days of Blessings posts - since they are really about giving thanks anyway. I encourage everyone to participate and name just one thing that you are thankful for every day.
Scripture Blessings:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But you, man of God (women too), flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presences of many witnesses."
1 Timonthy 6:6-12
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
365 Days of Blessings, Day 151
1. 151 Days of Blessings Counted. Wow!
2. Logic puzzles.
3. Pumpkin spice.
4. New Math curriculum that I really like, and my kids are finding ok.
5. Getting a "callback" for a poem that I sent out last week. I've been asked to make some changes, and try again!
6. Getting an e-mail from a poetry site that I like asking me (and all of their regular creative contributors) to submit three winter poems, since they are in need of winter poetry!
7. Hood by Stephen Lawhead. Good read, good history, with only one questionable scene near the end of the book when Bran (Robin Hood) slaps Marian. I really don't like that in any relationship, and so . . . loved the book until those last few pages. Even if Marian is a ninny at that point, slapping is just not ok. If not for that scene, I could have given the book a two thumbs up, 10 out of 10. Now, I'm not sure I'll read the sequel. However, I still am thankful for the rest of the book.
8. Helping my oldest daugther race through her Latin flashcards. 200 words in 3 and half minutes.
9. Fresh apple juice.
10. With God, all things are possible.
Scripture Blessings:Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
Matthew 19:26
2. Logic puzzles.
3. Pumpkin spice.
4. New Math curriculum that I really like, and my kids are finding ok.
5. Getting a "callback" for a poem that I sent out last week. I've been asked to make some changes, and try again!
6. Getting an e-mail from a poetry site that I like asking me (and all of their regular creative contributors) to submit three winter poems, since they are in need of winter poetry!
7. Hood by Stephen Lawhead. Good read, good history, with only one questionable scene near the end of the book when Bran (Robin Hood) slaps Marian. I really don't like that in any relationship, and so . . . loved the book until those last few pages. Even if Marian is a ninny at that point, slapping is just not ok. If not for that scene, I could have given the book a two thumbs up, 10 out of 10. Now, I'm not sure I'll read the sequel. However, I still am thankful for the rest of the book.
8. Helping my oldest daugther race through her Latin flashcards. 200 words in 3 and half minutes.
9. Fresh apple juice.
10. With God, all things are possible.
Scripture Blessings:Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
Matthew 19:26
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
365 Days of Blessings, Days 148, 149, and 150
Wow! Three Days . . . I've been counting my blessings in my head, but I've fallen behind on my posts.
1. My husband helping my daughters with their costumes.
2. Costumed birthday parties.
3. A funny modern retelling of the prodigal son parable.
4. Multi-colored knee high socks.
6. Fun shoelaces.
7. Free Dress Week at the Dance Studio.
8. Jasmine, Pink Lady, Punk Rock Dancer, and Water Fairy all in a row on the dance studio couch.
9. Tiny, pumpkin shaped candles.
10. Microwaves . . . I'm glad they were invented.
11. Thermos jugs that keep dinner warm when a microwave isn't an option.
12. Making it through three doctor appointments, three lessons, a long line at a gas station, and many, many red lights . . . we were late a few times, but stayed safe and mostly sane.
13. Overhearing my husband explain one of his favorite on-line games to a six year old boy.
14. That same six year old boy showing us how many push-ups he can do, and proudly wearing his new yellow karate belt all around the dance studio.
15. Have I mentioned that the dance studio families start to seem like blood relations after awhile?
16. Moms and dancers, and uncles, brothers, sisters, and . . . well, you get the idea, especially when new costumes are enthusiastically put on, or even when they aren't . . . just witnessed an extremely talented 10 year old dancer lay down on the couch and say, "oh, mom, now?" Makes me laugh.
17. Sparkles.
18. 25 cents worth of candy.
19. Tiny purses that just hold enough . . . wallet, cell-phone, change, keys, and a few pens and scrap paper.
20. Dancers leaping.
21. Bridges.
22. Cars . . . yes, I’m thankful for them.
23. Lights reflected on water.
24. Warm sweaters.
25. Warmth.
26. Carpooling with family.
27. That feeling that you get when you are almost home . . .
28. Turning into the driveway.
29. The joyous welcome of dogs.
30. God’s welcoming arms, every time we turn to Him in prayer.
Scripture Blessings:
"I will go back to my Father and say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."
Luke 15:18-20
1. My husband helping my daughters with their costumes.
2. Costumed birthday parties.
3. A funny modern retelling of the prodigal son parable.
4. Multi-colored knee high socks.
6. Fun shoelaces.
7. Free Dress Week at the Dance Studio.
8. Jasmine, Pink Lady, Punk Rock Dancer, and Water Fairy all in a row on the dance studio couch.
9. Tiny, pumpkin shaped candles.
10. Microwaves . . . I'm glad they were invented.
11. Thermos jugs that keep dinner warm when a microwave isn't an option.
12. Making it through three doctor appointments, three lessons, a long line at a gas station, and many, many red lights . . . we were late a few times, but stayed safe and mostly sane.
13. Overhearing my husband explain one of his favorite on-line games to a six year old boy.
14. That same six year old boy showing us how many push-ups he can do, and proudly wearing his new yellow karate belt all around the dance studio.
15. Have I mentioned that the dance studio families start to seem like blood relations after awhile?
16. Moms and dancers, and uncles, brothers, sisters, and . . . well, you get the idea, especially when new costumes are enthusiastically put on, or even when they aren't . . . just witnessed an extremely talented 10 year old dancer lay down on the couch and say, "oh, mom, now?" Makes me laugh.
17. Sparkles.
18. 25 cents worth of candy.
19. Tiny purses that just hold enough . . . wallet, cell-phone, change, keys, and a few pens and scrap paper.
20. Dancers leaping.
21. Bridges.
22. Cars . . . yes, I’m thankful for them.
23. Lights reflected on water.
24. Warm sweaters.
25. Warmth.
26. Carpooling with family.
27. That feeling that you get when you are almost home . . .
28. Turning into the driveway.
29. The joyous welcome of dogs.
30. God’s welcoming arms, every time we turn to Him in prayer.
Scripture Blessings:
"I will go back to my Father and say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."
Luke 15:18-20
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