Gratitude Journal, Day 3

The beauty of Fall

Here's to counting your blessings

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Gratitude Journal, Days 1&2

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp is a wonderful book.

So wonderful in fact, that it got me blogging again.

For the month of November, I am keeping a daily Gratitude Journal. When I remember something to be thankful for, I write it down on the pages of the journal left open on my kitchen counter. Ann says in her book "Giving thanks (Eucharisteo) always precedes the miracle." Who doesn't need a miracle, right? I have been challenged to give thanks, as opposed to rolling my eyes in annoyance, escaping to avoid frustration, worrying about trifle issues, complaining when life gets rough, etc. and etc.

God deserves our thanks and our praise. In fact, God inhabits the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3). I long for God to dwell near. Amazing to comprehend that He would even stoop so low to dwell near a sinner such as I.

Rather than post a million and one things I am thankful for each day, I am going to try to post a picture a day of something that makes me thankful. Below are pictures to sum up the last two days.

Here's to counting your blessings!

One Year

It has officially been one year since we uprooted our family from our hometown in Fl., embarked on an adventurous journey across the country, and settled in this rural Nor. Cal. town. Any pre- glamorization of our journey was quickly pummeled when reality hit during our cross country trek. 6 people + a dog in a motorhome for 2 weeks having to make 2 stops at Urgent Care for ear infections, vomiting, and antibiotics was anything but glamorous. However I wouldn't trade a second of that crazy trip. I feel the same way about this past year, living out of our comfort zone; glamorous, no...... do it all over again, yes. If there is one word that I would choose to describe our family in this past year it is,

TEACHABLE

Lessons always come with a price. There have been tears, discouragement, stress, fear, loneliness, and more tears. And the thing about learning is, you never get to know it all; it's an ongoing process. So i can't say, that the tears are over, but through these tears we have received God's comfort, peace, blessings, and faithfulness. We know this season in life is where we are supposed to be right now, and that's enough because God is here.

Lately, it has been exciting for me to grow in my faith by learning more deeply about God's character. What I want to challenge myself with for the second year is to get more involved in serving others. One day in our kitchen, I heard God gently say that my purpose in life is to be a faithful servant. My spiritual gifts are Faith and Service, so this revelation was specific to my soul. For me there is much more purpose than generalization in one day hearing God say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." The words faithful servant are ever before me as I begin to roll my eyes at the whining kids in front of me, or when my husband disappoints, or when friends are few and far between. When I am gone from this earth, I hope that I have earned the words faithful servant to be engraved on my epitaph. I use "earning" loosely, because what good have I ever done apart from God's extravagant grace? "In the presence of God, one will always lose their footing." Tim Keller. Thankfully Eph. 6:11 tells us, "So put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand..."

Lord, I pray that as a family, we will continue to obey, to be teachable and to let the love, and redemption of Jesus wash over us and compel us to stand firm. AMEN.

"Best day ever"

Today was the "Best day ever," according to Caeden. We spent the afternoon on Lake Shasta, with friends, on their boat. It was a relaxing time and a beautiful day. The water was a little chilly, but the kids loved it. They have spent the last two weeks in swim lessons and have improved so much, it was a joy to watch them. Lake Shasta is enormous and crystal clear, so we found our own cove to swim and tube in. One of the coves we swam in was 80 feet deep. The lake is really full and there is hardly any shoreline, but we found a little spot that the boys could swim to and walk around on. They pretended it was Pirate Island. So glad we went and I hope there will be many more days like this during the summer.

Olympic Games Birthday Party

Caedens 6th Birthday Olympics.

let the games begin

balloons filled the trampoline Event #1: water balloon toss

Event #2: Relay race. Mike and Caeden went first. Notice Mike is under the Tramp and C isn't, thats because my son cheated and skipped the second trampoline crawl.

Event #3: Sack Race. I love his face in this picture. Sheer delight and determination.

Event #4: Pin the medal on the athlete

I found printable medals online, and cut them out to "pin" on the photo of Caeden. The blind fold was an american flag handkerchief.

We also printed out gold medals and strung them on ribbon. The winner of each game, got another medal strung on the ribbon around their neck. The child with the most medals took home a huge bag of skittles.

Gift time and more trampoline time ( after all the balloons popped).

Caeden's is in the middle doing a front flip.

Dessert was vanilla cake decorated with skittles, served with ice cream of course.

Thankfully Michael's had all their 4th of July decor already on display in the store. So we had Red White and Blue plates and napkins.

The party favors were 1) glow bracelets, 2) butter mints in american flag wrapping, and 3) a pkg of water balloons. Caeden wanted glow bracelets because when strung together they look like the Olympic Rings.

We also made Score cards, but they were more for decoration since no one used them. they were glued onto straws and placed in a vase.

I enjoyed every part of the preparation for this party and am so glad that Caeden enjoyed his party.

Such a fun day!

Happy 6th birthday

Caeden, My specials,

You have been ours for 6 years. We have watched you grow from a fun loving baby, to a wide-smiled toddler pushing your tonka truck across the floor at lightning speed, to a preschooler who loved to ride a bike, to now, a 6 yr old little man who loves life with a passion, has an intensity for learning, and demonstrates wisdom about life. You are thoughtful, affectionate, a kind friend to all, confident, observant, determined, conscientious, and you have a big knack for making us laugh. Mom and Dad are incredibly proud of who you are. We would like to ask that you slow your growing because just when we get used to your age, you add another year.

While you were five you learned to read and learned to swim.

Currently you really enjoy art, running, playing games with the family, riding bikes, playing with your friends, watching movies, building Legos, and reading books.

The verse I am praying for you and O is from Isaiah 44:3-5,

"I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. This one will say, 'I am the Lord's,' another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, 'The Lord's,' and name himself by the name of Israel."

Can't wait to see what you learn during your 6th year of life, buddy.

We love you immensely,

Mom and Dad

Gimme a break

Sun & Sand, Friends & Frolic, Rest & Relaxation

Our trip to San Diego was wonderful. We had been so caught up in our weekly schedule that taking time to just be together with no agenda was incredible. I wonder at what point our kids will be "too old" to enjoy hanging out with their mom and dad. Hopefully not too soon, because I love how we all enjoy each other's company. We bathed on the beaches, cooked out with old College friends, drove, spent quality time with each other, shopped, ate, drove, laughed, engaged in deep conversations, toured an enormous Naval ship, drove, exercised, watched our kids play with new friends, and drove some more.

San Diego has been one of my favorite places on earth ever since I lived there about 13 years ago. There is so much appeal to this big city with perfect weather, delicious food & gorgeous beaches. Our visit however, made me thankful for our simple life in our new hometown. We don't have to fight traffic and busy places. Plus we eat at home more and spend less money. So thankful that God places us exactly where we need to be. It's easy to get caught up in my own material wants and desires. This week leaves me pondering about what I truly desire out of life. To be honest, it's hard for me to give a specific answer. In a recent sermon podcast, Tim Keller said, "If we seek happiness over righteousness we get neither, but if we seek righteousness over happiness, we will get both." May I live each day with the utmost intention to honor my husband, shepherd my children, love my neighbor as myself, and glorify my God, so that my life won't be wasted.

It's always good to go away, but even greater to come back home.

Triathlon

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones that you did do. So thrown off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. "

Mark Twain

On my bucket list would be, compete in a triathlon, learn to ride a motorcycle, go skydiving, travel the world, & speak Spanish fluently.

This was the funnest adrenalin rush that I have had in a long time. I was clueless and nervous and untrained, but so glad that I chose to participate anyway.

This race was a short: 225 meter swim, 5 mile bike, 1 mile run.

The transitions are supposed to be quick, but.......I wasn't.

The hardest part was that everything was a sprint, so my lungs were maxed out the entire time.

It probably would have been different had I actually trained for it and/or been swimming for some time besides only getting in the pool the day before the race for the first time since we left Fl.

"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it. If you live."

Mark Twain

( almost missed the turn for the finish line)

Here's to hoping, this race isn't my one-hit wonder!

I can read

One of my kids favorite stories is The Three Bears and now Caeden can read it in a book.

This is the longest book he has ever read. We are so proud of him.

He starts out saying "that's too many words," but he continues to read it anyway...... and toward the end you can hear Owen making rocket noises.

I cant believe C's first year in Kindegarten is almost over.

What God did

About two years ago I posted this terrible news. On top of losing my job that day, that doctor also billed us for $2000.

We have been making minuscule payments for some time now, but haven't made much of a dent in the total amount.

On Saturday, I opened what i thought was the monthly invoice from Dr. S. only to see last month's check had been returned and someone had hand written "PAID IN FULL".

There was a small sticky note attached and on it was written,

"your account has been paid in full, please do not call our office."

My mouth still wants to drop open at the thought of our debt being cancelled.

There is no explanation other than to say......God did this.

Isaiah 41:20 says, "see, know, consider, understand that the hand of the Lord has done this."

In reading through Isaiah, this is some of what God does:

God calls us by name

He made

He created

He stirred

He heals

He equips

He leads

He restores

He reveals

He revives

He goes before

He pours

He keeps

He gives NOT his glory to another

He forms

He guards

He declares

He speaks

He loves

He comforts

He covers

He answers

He helps

He redeems

He strengthens

He upholds

Isaiah 46:4 "even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and I will save.

and our response to his good work in our lives: (also found in Isaiah verses)

We wait

We call upon His name

We listen and give attention

We turn to be saved

We rejoice

We proclaim with Joy

We publish peace and salvation

We glorify

We say "Our God Reigns"

"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

Isaiah 45:22

He works, we Praise!

Hallelujah