Thankful List

Today, I am feeling a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. If you have never experienced it, it is hard to explain. With the excitement of the holidays, the hustle and bustle and busyness that comes with it, I often struggle. A cloud sort of descends on me this time of year. I don't know why, but it has been an unwelcome guest many, many times. In order to not give in, me and the Lord are moving on through this. Today I will choose to focus on the abundance of blessings that I have. The enemy will not get this girl! So here goes!

Thankful thoughts for today:
1. It's looking like rain! We need it badly.
2. My daughter, husband and Judah are on their way to see MiMi. This means lots of hugs and kisses are on the way!

3. My boy will be on his way, soon I hope.

4. My Mom and Dad will be joining us for Thanksgiving tomorrow.

5. The remodel process has begun. It is slow go, but I know I am going to love it.

6. A good smelling candle that crackles like a fire.

7. God's Word and His saving grace.

8. A quiet morning to pray and listen.

9. A warm cup of coffee.

10. Beautiful fall colors everywhere!

How about you? What's on your list today? I'm off to get a head start in the kitchen.

Our pre-Thanksgiving meal is going to be Black Bean Soup and Chicken Enchiladas.

I will be away until Monday, but have a blessed Thanksgiving!

"With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord, and in the midst of many I will praise Him." Psalm 109:30

Through The Fire

So many times I've questioned certain circumstances
things I could not understand
Many times in trials, weakness blurs my vision
then my frustration gets so out of hand
It's then I am reminded that I've never been forsaken
and I've never had to stand one test alone
As I look at all the victories the Spirit rises up in me
and it's through the fire my weakness is made strong

(Chorus)
He never promised that the cross would not get heavy
and the hill would not be hard to climb
he never offered our victories without fighting
but He said help would always come in time
So just remember when you're standing in the valley of decision
and the adversary says give in
just hold on, our Lord will show up
and he will take you through the fire again

I know within myself that I would surely perish
but if I trust the hand of God , He'll shield the flames again
(Repeat Chorus)

One of my very favorite songs I wanted to share with you today.

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."  James 1:2-3

Blooming Beauties

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings

turn routine jobs into joy,

and change ordinary opportunities into blessings."

                                                                                                       William Arthur Ward

Here are my Christmas cactus' that are loaded with blooms.

a little closer look

I just recently stuck these cuttings in this little pot and they have even put on blooms.

Last year the cold almost got all of them. I will be making room for them inside soon.

                                                                                                  

Randomness

Today's post will be a little bit of this and that. Along with pictures of a couple of things that I am thankful for

today.

Here is a shot, pre-yard sale that we had  the first weekend of November. It was hard to get a good shot of all the stuff, and believe me there was a lot!! Yes, it was dark and we had a customer at 6:30 who wanted everything for a quarter! It was the coldest Saturday so far this fall, so we froze, but we got rid of a bunch of stuff for which I am very thankful, and took the rest to the Salvation Army Thrift Store when we were done. I stuck with it, and it didn't go back in the house. Believe it or not as we paint and re-do a few things I will continue to clean things out, for another sale.

Few more piles of stuff!

We were finally able to get started on the laundry room. Now if I can just find someone to spray the cabinet doors for me.  The cabinet man called as I was preparing the post, and the price is reasonable so we will be getting the doors to him this week. Yet another thing that I am thankful for!It looks very different now, but not quite ready for an after shot. This is what we have done so far:

Insides of Cabinets painted

Walls painted

Outside of cabinets primed

Molding painted

Still waiting for new counter top and sink, cabinet doors need to be primed and painted, new door to arrive and paint, window trim to be painted. It is slow go. I don't know how so many seems to get things done so fast! I am just slow I guess.

It rained today!!!! It has been very dry here, and we have needed rain . Even these birds were enjoying the shower. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so what have you been thankful for this week?

Be Thankful

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something

For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations

Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge

Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary

Because it means you've made a difference

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are

also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become  your blessings.

Author Unknown

Thankful Thursday

Here I am catching up with all of those things I planned to share each day during the month of November.
It has been an eye-opener to see that my attitude of gratitude could change so quickly to, one of frustration and aggravation. Little circumstances that are not what I wanted them to be!  I got so frustrated over them! I started having problems loading pictures to blogger and I am told that it is a problem with my camera and conflicting software. Why all of a sudden, I do not know.

I am now making an adjustment, and for lack of time I may have a few posts without pictures. I am realizing that I cannot become so wrapped up in this blog that it causes me frustration. I do not want to allow the little things that frustrate me overshadow the many, many blessing that I have, so here goes.

My Husband- He is the best! There are days I don't know how he puts up with me, but he loves me and shows me daily. I am blessed more than I deserve.

My Family- I have an adorable new grandson who is a total joy, wonderful daughter, son-in-law, and son. I am so blessed that they all know the Lord, and desire to live for Him.

My Home- My home is nothing fancy, but then again, I am not a fancy girl, but God has blessed me with all that I need, plus so much more.

A Successful Yard Sale- We sold a ton of stuff, the weather was the coldest it had been, we froze, but many, many people came to buy all of our excess stuff.

My Sunday School Class- I have recently joined a ladies class at our church after being in other areas of ministry. We have a wonderful teacher who is knowledgeable, prepared and loves to teach. We have such a variety of ladies I have been blessed to be a part.

Answered Prayer- Several weeks ago I had something that I gave to the Lord. Only He would be able to do what needed to be done. He answered immediately. Does He always work this way? No, but this time his answer was immediate.

Friendships- I am blessed with some wonderful friends who love me, in spite of me, and for that I am so very thankful.

I have so many, many things to be thankful for and couldn't waste the opportunity to share. How about you, what are you reminded of to be thankful for today?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving-Day 3, Roadside Finds

Yes, I am thankful for a few roadside finds!

I spotted these on the way home from picking up my car.

 

To the untrained eye, this might look like a pile of dead plants that have been pulled up, but you see, I know better. These flowers will provide many more blooms in the seasons to come, and I have the perfect empty flower bed for them. I purchased some similar mums a little earlier in the season to give as a gift, and the cost was around $10.00. At 10.00 a pot, this is $100 worth of plants. Even at 5.00 a plant, that's $50.00. Do you see what I mean. I am so thankful for the little things that put a smile on my face.

What little things put a smile on your face?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving- 2 Days in One!

October has gone by so quickly, so quickly in fact that I did not get my first post in for the month of November!
Since I wanted to do a series on Thirty Days of Thanksgiving, today will be a two in one day. Just a little catch up here.
Life often gets so busy, that I myself forget that I need to practice an attitude of Thanksgiving and gratitude every day.I do not want to get so caught up in the worries and cares of each day, that I forget to be thankful for all that God has blessed me with, and it is much. I will spend the next 28 days sharing some of these things with you.

Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to vote.
My sweet boy came home last night just to vote. I am thankful that he sees this as a privilege and responsibility. So we will be off to vote in just a few minutes.

Second, I am thankful that I will be able to pick up my car today.
I know to some that may sound ridiculous, but I have been reminded over the last week, how I take for granted just being able to hop in the car, and take care of whatever I need to. We have been having some maintenance issues taken care of(you'll have those on old vehicles), so I have had to make other arrangements for transportation, errands, etc.

What about you? What keeps you focused on being thankful for your daily blessings?

How about you, what helps keep you focused on being thankful for your daily blessings?