Thankful Thursday

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 has done.

Don't we all need to stop and do that...everyday would be good wouldn't it? Well, I feel that I often forget how God has blessed me and I think if I struggle will my children as well? I don't want that! But God knows that and He has worked some things out in our lives so that He could plant an idea in my heart.

Lately it seems like the Lord has showered us with quite a few blessings. The children have been able to see His goodness quite clearly and that has opended the door for a great opportunity.

Because I would love for my children to grow to be people who are thankful for the big blessings as well as the little ones and to acknowledge God's goodness in their lives and remember what He has done for them, my heart pleaded for something to help with this. God, as always, showed me where to start.

(Nothing fancy but effective.)

It's our "Board O'Blessings" or "Bendiciones" (blessings in Spanish). The idea is really quite simple. This is what we do:

Everytime the Lord blesses us we take an index card, write down our blessing and stick it to the board. Then we sing the chorus to the old hymn "Count Your Blessings".

This way we all have visual reminders of how truly rich in Christ we are. It also helps us stay keenly aware of two things:

1. God takes care of His own.

2. We need to be a blessing to others.

This was such a small thing but it has made a difference in our lives already! I'll leave you with the chorus to the hymn that I opened with, Count Your Blessings,

Count your blessings name then one by one.

Count your blessings see what God has done.

Count your blessings. Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings see what God has done.

Thank you Lord for being an awesome God!! I love You!

Lovin' Learnin'

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for RAIN!! Yes, that wet, miserable stuff that tends to ruin any outside plans. I am thankful for it.

As I sit here at my com puter I can hear the steady stream of raindrops hitting the many trees in our backyard and it is so comforting, relaxing and beautiful!

The Lord knew what He was doing when He created rain huh? I'm thankful that our VERY parched lawn and plants are getting some much needed norishment and that I can enjoy the weather without having to go out in it.

I'm also thankful that as a child of God I too have the opportunity to feel the much needed showers of blessings that He send into my sometimes parched life. I'm thankful that when the heat of life seems like it's going to bake me, He looks down and at just the right time, send just the right kind of "shower" to keep me alive.

What a mighty and merciful God we serve!!

"And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing."

Ezekiel 34:26

Lovin' Learnin'

Thankful Thursday

This week I just want to metion my appreciation for my fellow homeschooling Moms. There have been so many times that I have been at a loss at what to do and have been able to first pray; always pray and then seek out the advice of other Moms from yahoo groups, curriculum specific forums etc.

I am so thankful for the comraderie that is there, the desire to help and share the burden and concern of an unknown Mother.

Thank you to all of you!! I so thankful for you!!

Lovin' Learnin'

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for FREEBIES!! On more than one occassion the Lord has blessed our little homeschool with wonderfully useful items for free. We are always excited, humbled and thankful when this happens.

Just this week He did it again.

While visiting our favorite 2nd hand shop we came across this art easel. It was sitting outside of the building looking pretty dusty and dirty but full of potential. The Lord moved in the hearts of the ladies working there and before we knew it Brother and I were heaving it into the back of the van. (I'm also thankful for such a strong little fella!!)

The kids and I have thoroughly enjoyed this item and I am ever so thankful for a God Who isn't too busy to think about the "small things" in our lives.

We love you Lord.

Lovin' Learnin'

Thankful Thursday

This Thankful Thursday I want to praise the Lord for the men that He has called to serve Him by preaching His word.

We have been having special services at our church with a man whom the Lord has used to challenge me to live better for His glory!! I'm so thankful to be able to hear the preaching of His precious Word and to feel the moving of the Spirit in my heart.

Thank you Lord for men that serve You faithfully but most importantly, thank you for Your precious Word.

"For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword..."

Lovin' Learnin'

A Late Thankful Thursday

I just found this idea and have been wanting to do something similar so I decided to link up to this one.

I think that we could all show our thanks to the Lord a little more and hopefully this will help me to be more deliberate at noticing the many undeserved blessings that He bestows upon my life.

This Thursday (really Friday but it stems from yesterday) I am thankful for faithfulness. I posted yesterday about our 10th wedding anniversary and as I pondered over the last 10 years of my life with McPapa one word kept coming to mind.

FAITHFUL

My husband is the most faithful man I have ever met and it has been so edifying watching his testimony.

This week I am thankful, Lord, for a faithful husband!! Thank you Lord for bringing us together!!!

(My first visit to Outback!)