Thankful List Part 2

I was talking to my friend Stacie last night on my home from dropping Amy off at Drama rehearsal. Talking to Stacie always puts me in a good mood. As I walk in the house, which is strewn with Christmas stuff, I see Andrew has made a maze with the boxes and also made a "store" in said maze with all of his toys. I blow my top, completely out of proportion. You see, I hate my house in disarray. It makes me grouchy, and I take it out on whomever is around. My husband thought I was saying he was being a bad parent because he was playing chess with Aaron and talking on the phone while all of this was occurring. I wasn't, and had to explain myself later, I don't think I ever apologized though.(note to self- apologize).
I was reading before bed later and it hit me where I was.

From an excerpt of " I'm glad I'm a Mom" #14 "I love Smelly Shoes" by Lysa TerKeurst(Thanks Linda for the Book:)
For those not familiar with Lysa, she founded Proverbs 31 ministries and has a blog I read. She is real, funny and simple.

"It's all in how you look at things that makes a world of difference. If my approach is one that living life simply drains me, then I'll constantly feel drained. But if I can pull back the veil and peek behind the messes, chores, and faults of others, I'll see the treasure of what these things represent. I'm a wife! I'm a mom I've been handed the privilege to fulfill these eternally significant roles for some pretty amazing people... my family! " (Thanks God for the smack upside the head!)

So, what about my thankful list? I am thankful for smelly shoes , because that means I have active kids that can run and play, they are evidence of life well lived. Thankful I have a husband that works so hard we can pay for shoes for each of our kids, thankful for healthy kids who are blessed with athletic abilities that may pay for college some day, thankful for my creative kids I am blessed with who leave messes everywhere. Help me Lord to see past my grumbling spirit of chores and see all the things to be so thankful for.

Ephesians 2:7-9

It is the GIFT of God...

During this time of year the idea of Gift giving and receiving is at the forefront of our minds. We are eager to exchange gifts with our friends and loved ones. And many do really find more joy in giving than in receiving.

But the thought of a FREE GIFT..... From our Heavenly Father can make me speechless. NOT from our own works. Or in my paraphrase, not in our abilities, talents, achievements, looks, personality, attitude, graciousness, piousness, loyalty, work ethic, reputation, or even humble spirit. We cant earn it.

So that NOONE can boast. Cuz (text lingo rears its ugly head) we would boast if we could. Of course, not outloud in the chamber halls as the pharisee's did because Jesus specifically pointed them out as frauds, but rather in our own little loud boasting ways.

"God must have recognized my servants heart when I volunteered at the shelter"...or something disgusting like that.

By God's grace alone do I stand as a redeemed man who is glad that my works are not counted FOR me nor AGAINST me in regards to my eternal salvation.

I hope as you exchange gifts this Holiday season God will remind you of the Free Gift of God he is offering to all of mankind and I really like this, He is offering specifically to YOU. And me of course.

more to come,
joe

Thankful List

God
Hubby
Kids
Family & friends
cookies
Automobile DVD players
Tummy panel in slimming jeans
Target clearance aisles
chai tea
Magic eraser
bear hugs from my kids
Mac n cheese
Poison control
Brothers
Tweezers
My home
Pet doors
Padded braziers
Garage sales
Peppermint shakes
Church
Laughter
Things to laugh at
Cool weather
Naptime
Having more than enough
Hearing my kids laugh
Chocolate
Warm pajamas
concealer
A warm Bed
Paid Bills
A worn Bible
Christian Music
A car that runs
My parents
food in my cabinets
and so many more.......Thank you most sweet Jesus for loving me!

Favorite Verses

In the next few weeks I am going to post thoughts on my favorite verses located on the left side of this blog. I am sure you are all super excited to see those!!!!

joe

Remembering Grandma

My Grandma(Mom's Mom) died Saturday morning. She had been sick for 2 weeks. She lived in a nursing home in Nappanee, but had been relatively healthy up until then. Here are some of the good memories I have of her.

She was a good cook-homemade pot pie and beef stroganoff are my favorites of hers.
Easter Egg Hunts and Christmas at her house
She loved Avon!
I have never seen her drive
She told me she prayed for me and my kids every day "I don't remember all their names, but I pray for them" hee hee
Holidays and birthdays were a huge deal at their house- gifts were her love language!
She sponsored me and Amy going to Costa Rica
We always called her Grandma Clifford-that was my grandpa's name-she never minded-I think I would have!
She always had a neat and tidy house with elf orange pop in the fridge.
She loved to crochet, but her arthritis was so bad lately she couldn't

I love you Grandma and I 'll miss you - See you in Heaven (with your brand new healthy body!)

Movie Review-Twilight

OK, let me set the stage. A theatre full of 12-16 year old girls and a few moms thrown in for fun. Lots of giggling, talking and screaming. The movie starts and Edward the main character comes out- the theatre goes nuts! I have to admit it was fun to go and see what Amy has been talking about for weeks. Now, I haven't read the books, but I read lots of reviews before I would OK her to read the books. She has also given me a play by play of characters etc, so I was in the know. Otherwise I think someone just going to the movie with no background would have been lost. It was obviously low budget, I think the sequel(s) will be much better.
On a side note, I couldn't figure out why these girls were so in love with a fictional character in a book. They didn't know what he looked like, and for goodness sake, he is a vampire! The movie made it clear to me. Edward is a gentleman, yet a monster, who protects the one he loves above all else. He shows great restraint and discipline, but above all protects Bella always. What girl doesn't want that? It led to good discussion with Amy about our Heavenly Father and the parallel with him. If for nothing else, it was worth the $20 for that!

This is my Fathers World

Has anyone else been humming these words from church this weekend? While driving up north to visit my grandma in the hospital it was on WFRN, and then it was on a friends blog yesterday. God reminds me of songs so often. Here are the words:

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,And earth and Heav’n be one.
This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,Came—a pledge of deathless love.
This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.No place but is holy ground.
This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roamWhate’er my lot,
it matters not,My heart is still at home.