Day 18 or so...

Ok so I have kinda been slacking on the whole Thankfulness thing.  I just haven't been feeling it...and yes I know that's kinda the point. As we sang in Church this morning...

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.

I am thankful for our Church.  The Church family.  Last night we had a great Church Fellowship Thanksgiving dinner.  But today I want to say how thankful I am for our Pastor and his wife.  Today Pastor officially announced his retirement in the coming year at the end of service.  It has pretty much been common knowledge for a while now that he would be retiring in the coming year.  Yet as I sat there in the pew, listening as he read his letter, I felt overwhelmed with emotion and sadness.  Pastor Kelvin has pretty much been my Pastor for all my Christian Life.  He said today that he has been at our church for 21 1/2 years.  I was 11 years old when he came to Kirkville.  As he said in his letter today he has shared a lot of happy times and also sad with the members of our church.  Definitely true for myself. Pastor and JoAnne have been such a big part of my life.  It is hard to imagine Community Wesleyan without them. But we are all so very blessed to have had them for so long.  And even though we still have a good 6 months left before they retire, I wish them all the best and am praying for their future.  As well as the future God has for His Church in Kirkville. :)


On a complete sidenote...this is my thanks from Thursday...My sister gave us her old couch for our basement. :) Mom and Dad dropped it off on Thursday night. I spent most of Monday cleaning out the room downstairs to make room for it! :D The before pictures are pretty embarrassing...  
 
The After...still not perfect or completely done but a vast improvement...  

 And a note of thanks from yesterday, I booked a new pampered chef party... kinda stoked about that :D and praying for a sign that I should stick with it.  I love Pampered Chef but have seriously been thinking about quitting...

Give thanks....

It has been a rocky emotional week for me but here are some of the highlights...

I am thankful for...

• My november devo series so far...its been spot on and excellent...
• Preschoolers, and their hugs, giggles and grins
• I am thankful for my crockpot..
• Libraries
• I am thankful for my lil Sunday school class ♥ :D
• Thankful for the delicious Apple Crisp Donuts the Mr and Mik brought home for breakfast ;P
• the Mr took Mikayla out to breakfast this morning
• cozy blankets
• time to watch CASTLE with Mikayla
• God is my constant  

I can’t think about that right now. If I do, I’ll go crazy. I’ll think about that tomorrow. 

– Scarlet O’Hara, Gone with the Wind

I have felt a bit like Scarlet O'Hara lately.  I find myself feeling overwhelmed and thinking, I won't worry about it right now....I'll think about it tomorrow. Its not very effective.  The worry is still there tomorrow.  And no easier to dismiss. :( 

But God is there.  God is constant.  He keeps bringing His promises to mind.  I am trying to hold on to them.

Two I read today:

 And my God will meet all your needs 

according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  --Philippians 4:19

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 

This morning I came across this on pinterest... a haven seems to be just what I am seeking right now.  Week 1's challenge seems simple enough, get a great candle.  Light it when you are home.  Every time you look at it, pray for peace in your home.

Source: womenlivingwell.org via Amy on Pinterest

I finally got my fall table runner stitched up this morning.  I looked around town for a new smelly candle to grace my table.  There were none suitable to be found.  I have a small red jar candle sitting on my dresser that I figured might do in a pinch...although it would look dwarfed and kinda ridiculous on the kitchen table.  Upon returning home I remembered an orange pillar candle in my bathroom that might be suitable.  At least until I can get to a better store and purchase a delicious smelling large jar candle.

So here it is... Also I am resolving today to do a better job of keeping the table clean.  I tend to pile all manor of junk upon it as the day progresses. 



Today I am thankful for our home. That we have a cozy place we call our own. A place to dwell and be.

Days of Praise: Laughter

Today I am thankful for laughter!

I had a great time helping out in the Church kitchen today. We put on a little luncheon for the Reflections of the Heart Fashion Event that was going on.  It was a lovely event for young ladies {ages twelve and up, and a few a little younger}.  From what I saw it looked like everyone had a good time.    We certainly  had fun in the kitchen and we laughed... I love our Church. {This maybe a recurring theme through the month}.  It was also great to spend some time with a new-ish friend...getting to know her better.

I also got to spend a little quality time with Mikayla in the afternoon.  She and I hit the grocery store, and then bnacl to church to prepare communion for tomorrow.  And visit one of her new favorite store Plato's Closet .  A very cool little store, but seems to be very busy and crowded.  At least it has been when we have stopped in! She was able to get a couple new Tshirsts. :)

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”   Psalm 126:2

How are you doing on your Joy Journey this month.  I came across this Bible reading calendar this week that I shared with my Bible Study group.

Source: thebettermom.com via Amy on Pinterest

Pastor also posted one on his Blog that goes along with her message series this month. :)

Happy JoY hunting!

days of praise...

I am thankful for my girlfriends. <3 My sisters in Christ...some of the very best pictured above.

Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12