Showing posts with label Giving Thanks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giving Thanks. Show all posts

Mornings and Thanksgivings

There is something about mornings and me. We get along but not really. You see, I never fully wake up until I have been moving around for awhile. Usually my achy body is lumbering out of bed while all three of the kiddos are already smiling, screaming, or needing something.

I have the desire to be one of those moms, you know the one who has it beautifully together by 6 am. My dreams include getting up around 5:30 ish, turning on quiet music, taking a shower, lighting candles and baking a healthy breakfast. When the kids wake up, they come downstairs to a mama who is refreshed and full of quiet joy.

I've done it before. You know getting up at least an hour or more before the kids, showering, making breakfast and even lighting candles. Our day seems so much better when it starts out with peace and love.

But since I'm not perfect and I do have quite an achy body, I do my best. This morning, I was looking out my kitchen window. The above picture is what I stare at in the mornings while I drink my cup of coffee and tune out the chatter that is going on. I stare and drink in the day. I watch for deer and egrets and I take a deep breath. It seems like everyone has already started before me and I have to catch up.

Even though I don't have it all together, staring at the beauty that God has created just quiets my soul and prepares me for the day. I find myself thankful ....

for where we are
what He is in my life
my husband
my three adorable boys
for daily Hope
for this life

And then, I kick it into gear, turning my attention to the three boys that call me Mama. For as much as I complain and struggle with selfish desires, deep down I am more then grateful, I am blessed with ALL that He has provided for me.


Posted in: on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at at 12:16 PM 4 comments  

A Thankful Heart


My small group is reading the book, Strengthen Yourself in the Lord, by Bill Johnson. It really is a wonderful book. But then again, God has blessed us all with such a neat man, as Bill Johnson. I love to listen and read anything that he talks about!

One of the things that Bill stresses, is that we need to have a thankful heart. We need to increase our praises to the One who has created us. When I pray, I always start out with thanksgiving. It's interesting, telling the Creator what you are thankful for. Sometimes, I feel as though it's so small in comparison to Him.

Also, I find myself struggling with praising Him. I do. My heart is grateful for all that He has done, but I find myself thanking Him for the same things over and over again. I imagine, in my little world of perfectionism, that He isn't as annoyed with that as I am. I hate to be repetitive in my prayers. I want to talk to my God, like I think about Him, as my best friend. I want to enjoy Him and tell Him my enjoyment in Him. Still He knows my heart....

Today, I was feeding Simon and my mind wondered to where it usually goes when I spend my time with the little guy.... into a loving place of adoration. It's been 5 years since I had an infant in my house and no matter how hard I tried before he was born, I have forgotten about what it is like to have an infant in my home. I am so thankful that I get to snuggle with this little one, listen to his coo's or watch his smile emerge. I don't mind so much, getting up in the middle of the night and feeding him. It's my special time with him.

I wrote in my journal last week, that I want to hit a new level of praise and thanksgiving to our Lord and not just out of what I can see or hear or even experience. I want to have that deep down adoration for Him, similar to how I feel about my newest son. I want to cherish my moments with our Lord like I cherish the times I deeply drink in Simon. And then, I want to be able to verbalize it to our God. I want more then just a thankful heart.

Posted in: , on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at at 11:28 AM 0 comments  

Giving Thanks

We have a wonderful friend who can score us free bread from a european bread shop in the Charlotte area. Recently, she brought a whole bag of yummy fresh bread in and dropped it off at my husbands office.

This year, God has been working on me in the area of making the best out of what we are given. Got fresh bread that will go stale within a day or two?? Learn how to freeze it. Make yummy french toast bake out of it.
Or if you are nearing the Thanksgiving holiday, chop it up and make stuffing out of it.


The other day we put on some fun music and the little Z man and I got to work in the kitchen, while EJ was finishing up some school work. I chopped the bread, while he stuffed the bags full.

Great music, two sweet boys, cold weather, warm drinks, fragrant candles lit, and a mission to take care of what God has given us ... bread or boys?!! These are the things that I am thankful for.

Posted in: , on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at at 8:00 AM 1 comments  

Rainy Days


It's the heat down here. I'm telling you, I'm not a fan of heat. I abhor it. I loathe sweating. There is nothing about being hot that is fun for me. I always joke around that I got saved so that I wouldn't have to worry about being hot in h*ll.

So when rainy days, like today, come along the way, I find myself rejoicing! Infact, I ripped open the windows, threw open the doors, and turned off the central air, just so that I could breathe in cool, crisp, rainy weather!

Oooohhhh.... then I made myself some mocha coffee, turned on some classical music, and began the routine of chores, homeschooling, and everyday life. In some ways, I could have danced through the day, the rain made me that happy.

Right now, I have chicken boiling, with herbs, onions, celery, and carrots. It is the beginnings of a yummy chicken noodle soup, with crusty warm wheat bread for dinner tonight. Fresh strawberries with perhaps some vanilla bean ice cream will wrap it all up.

Since the rain created mountains of mud, soccer practice has been cancelled for this evening. Which means we are all home, to enjoy soup, and a quiet evening.

The goal tonight: break out my paints, a fresh new canvas, and focus on the following scripture:

"Be still and know that I am God."

How appropriate for a day like today..... I love it when it rains.

Posted in: , on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at at 3:10 PM 3 comments  

Good Morning


This morning I am thankful for

~big glasses of ice water
~a hummingbird feeder outside my kitchen window
~quiet piano music
~Z man's sweet ability to play quietly by himself
~EJ's morning out with Daddy - helping him, of course
~dedicated and true friends
~Thrills announcement this week
~listening to a young couple as they victoriously battle out their relationship
~a cool rainy day this week
~little boy paintings
~less humidity and heat then usual
~working with my husband for a common goal
~the girls who live with us
~being able to pay my bills this week
~two little boys who love to snuggle up with me
~watching EJ ingest books
~purchasing 183.00 dollars worth of groceries for 56.00
~my front porch

Thank you Lord for these blessings.

Posted in: on Friday, August 15, 2008 at at 7:56 AM 2 comments  

Highs and Lows

At the beginning of the month, I sat looking at all our bills and our bank account. Neither one was willing to help each other out. My stomach flip flopped and my heart sank. I even said out loud to God, "the numbers look bigger then You, God. I know they aren't, but they feel bigger."


I suppose that is how life is at times. What is going on around us seems much bigger then who our God really is. The inner turmoil of knowing and really thinking that He can overcome any situation that we are in, begins to wrestle with the outward circumstances. Soon, we find ourselves weighed down.

Recently, I've been traveling out of that pit of despair. It started with a bit of confidence. Confidence in Him, in hearing Him, and understanding what He has told me to do. I don't know about you, but when I KNOW that God wants me to do something, I feel stronger to take on the day and walk life out.

I think confidence can help to bring on determined faith. The "I'm not going to stop doing this, because He hasn't told me to yet." And "something has to give, because I'm doing everything He's told me to do."

Confidence, determined faith, and humbleness. Yea, that is the last one. It's the place where you cast away every ounce of pride left in you. Because at this point, who really cares what the rest of the world thinks. And you jump on what God is saying, and joy begins to fill your heart again.

The highs and lows of life....today, I'm thankful. Thankful to pay my bills. Thankful for the gracious friends and family, who helped us out. Thankful to my God, who hears my prayers, provides for my needs, is patient enough to teach me even when I throw fits, and finds me worthy enough to love and pour into others.

Posted in: , , , on Monday, August 11, 2008 at at 3:35 PM 0 comments  

This Just In

I'm writing from Mexico!!!

I've officially seen blind eyes healed and deaf ears opened. A crack addict, gave his life to Jesus! A woman with a tumor on her eye has been healed. Tons of people have given their life to the One we call, our Savior!

Rejoice and pray! There's more to come, today is only Monday!!!

Posted in: , , on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at at 12:24 AM 6 comments  

Cue in God...


Last week my landlord visited our home. He had a project that he was working on, so he brought one of his trusty friends along to help. His trusty friend brought his wife. And so, there I was with three people standing in my livingroom, working on new french doors.

I love my landlord. He talks and talks and we have the best conversations. He doesn't know it, but he has been used mightly by the Lord, in blessing us with this house. So, I'm usually in a great mood when he stops over. This day was no exception.

I began talking with his friends, Ed and Linda, getting to know them. I found out that they lived here all their lives, knew our landlord for 37 years, and had children around the same age as me. They found out that we had a heart for missions, that my husband was in bible school, and so on.

Then, in the middle of Ed working on the doors, he stood up and said something about his back and how much pain he had.

Cue in God....

The previous evening I had been at a "Mexico prayer meeting." One of the women on my team was sharing with us, how her back had just been healed of scoliosis. She stood before us and bent down, touching her toes, with NO pain!

I remembered that, as I stood in front of Ed. Casually, I told him about her and asked if I could pray for him. He said sure and then for the remainder of the time, he and his wife told me about their church and other churches around.

The opportunity for praying for him was fading quickly and I didn't want to force God's hand. So I enjoyed their company and allowed things to go as they were.

They stepped out the door, waving good bye, my chance to pray with them going out too. I said one more quick thing, "I'll be praying for your back."

And that is when God opened the door up. His wife looked right at him and said, "you get over there and get your back prayed for, now!!"

And so, I stood on the street, in front of my landlord, Ed, and his wife Linda, and I proclaimed healing over his back. I even said, "God there's no need for shouting or hoopla, I just calmly ask you to heal this mans back." And off Ed and Linda went.

Good news ... Ed just returned to my home, to tell me his back is feeling great! He is pain free!

I'm joining with angels, doing a happy dance for my God, the Great Healer!

Posted in: , , , on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at at 2:43 PM 8 comments  

It's Going to Be A Good Day


I love this picture. It totally captures the essence of my family. It's my birthday today. And I know that my husband and kids have worked very hard to make it a special day. I am so thankful for them.


Yesterday, I was feeling rather grumpy. Okay, ask the my boys, husband, and the girls who live with me, not to mention the two guests who ate at our table. I was grumpy.... Thursday nights are our mid week services at church and I was seriously considering not going at all. But, we had a guest speaker in and really I knew I would regret not attending, because in truth Thursday night services are one of the highlights of my week. So, begrudgingly I went.

God is amazing!!! He refreshed me and gave me an early birthday present in the form of 4 prophetic words about my life all in one night! I'm so giddy with excitement that I could bust!

Funny thing is there is very little that I want on this earth, material things just don't do it. But some encouragement from my Father in Heaven?!!! Oh yea...



I just woke up a little bit ago, flipped on the computer and read Thrills blog. And now, I've just received another beautiful gift, in which I laughed and cried as I read it. More then ever, I have been thoroughly amazed at the friends that God has put into my life.

I am a blessed woman.

It's only 7:45 am, I have a feeling its going to be a good day!

Posted in: , , on Friday, January 25, 2008 at at 7:40 AM 12 comments  

Christmas 2007


It's amazing to me that I am sitting here, typing away on my computer and it is actually January 2008! What happen to November and December? Where did it go?

I can't write about current life, until I back up and tell you about Christmas. So, take a break from putting away the holiday decorations for a moment and join me.

Can you believe that I did not take one single picture this year? I am pretty sure that CJ didn't take any either! Oh well.
I have to say that this was one of the best Christmases ever. Quiet, warm, full of smiles, and joy and full of surprises!! Of course, many of you were quite aware of those surprises, now weren't you?!

This year, our Christmas was completely taken care of. Starting with the tree, to all the presents, to the dinner, breakfast, and the best part, even the ability to give and share with others. Every. single. part. of it all, was taken care of.

Many times, tears welled up in my eyes as I opened a present. I gasped at how God used others to give my children the exact gifts I wanted them to have this year. I was blown away at the generosity, thought and love that people put into my family. It was amazing.

Through others, God gave us the ability to give as well. It was so important to me, to make sure that the students having Christmas morning with us, would feel part of our family. That was totally made possible. They had beautiful stockings (that I made!!!), filled to overflowing with sweet and personal gifts just for them, as well as a few underneath the tree.

Our tables were overflowing with goodies (and I am talking yummy yummy treats!). Our tree had a few more beautiful handmade decorations. The kids eyes sparkled, as they played with their new toys. And once again, God showed me how, in using others, just how much we are loved, by Him and by our dear friends and family. The King lavished upon us this year!

Posted in: on Thursday, January 03, 2008 at at 1:38 PM 5 comments  

Well, Hello There....

I know I had said I would return to posting a few days after Thanksgiving. But then I got caught up in all the happenings around here.

The biggest was CJ's trip to Israel. He just returned today. And honestly while he was gone, I didn't want to announce to the rest of the world, his departure. Of course those of you who know us in real life, were aware of his trip!

He is home though! Thank God. Safe and sound and thoroughly exhausted. His stories sound amazing and I am dying to see all his pictures. But right now he is sleeping soundly.

The kids and I fared well. It seems as though each time he leaves for some sort of trip, I am getting better and better at how to handle our home without him. This time, however, I had the aid of one of the girls who lives with me. Having another adult in the house always makes things a bit more easier.

Homecoming is so sweet. And having my CJ home with the kids and I is wonderful. Tonight, I plan to rest well, knowing that my husband is right there beside me.

I hope to be returning to the blog world on a more regular basis now!

Blessings!

Posted in: , on Saturday, December 08, 2007 at at 10:06 PM 3 comments  

You Make Us Want to Perservere

When Thrills and her family arrived, CJ went to help unload their bags and things from the car. As he unloaded everything, out came some very special packages and gifts.

You know who you are....

Each one of you, left us speechless. And when we were able to regain our tongues, our minds were once again blown away by the generosity and love you have shown us.

You make me want to perservere through this season in life! Your prayers, generous gifts, and support keep us going, moving forward.

The love that you all have shown us is so deep, so amazing, and so sacrificial.

I intend to call and write each one of you, individually. But I wanted to share with the world, just how thankful our hearts are for how you've loved us!

We love you!

Posted in: on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at at 9:46 AM 4 comments  

It's a Little Bit Like Being on Vacation

Finals are over. Classes are out. And the Thrills household arrived this past weekend for a 4 day visit. Things are cheery and good here, in the Fire House.

CJ and I have been walking around holding Little Guy, playing with Princess, enjoying good conversations, eating good food, and laughing a lot. Relaxation has been the goal for all of us, with little hope of accomplishing anything big.

The kids are in their glory as they have been counting down the days until Aunt and Uncle Thrills joined our home. They have spent a lot of time saying, "Look Uncle .... at me do this. Or did you know, Aunt.... that I can do this now?"

There is something about having them in our home and knowing that our kids love them as if they were literally their blood relatives, that warms my heart.

We are blessed and deeply thankful to have them here.

Posted in: , , on Monday, November 19, 2007 at at 3:29 PM 5 comments  

Generous...

Someone donated enough money to CJ's tuition bill that we were able to pay it off on Friday!!!

This is a huge PRAISE. A huge one.

A couple of weeks ago, we were informed that if CJ did not have his tuition paid off before his trip to Israel, he would be suspended from the trip. In practice, this IS a really good idea, as students tend to empty their savings for a missions trip before paying off their school loan. However, in our case, 95% of the trip was donated.

We were really struggling and believing God to come through so that CJ could go.

BUT...He did come through. He did take care of our need.

Thank you, God!

Posted in: on Monday, November 12, 2007 at at 12:19 PM 4 comments  

Heard for the First Time, in Our Home

A grandfather, reading to the all the kids in our house, a couple of wonderful childrens books, in a smooth and sweet British accent.


It's heavenly.

Posted in: on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at at 2:37 PM 3 comments  

Reigning Outside


A storm has blown in. It's finally raining. It hasn't really rained in months. Our state is in dire striaghts right now, with our water levels over a foot below the line. The drought has literally killed my grass and has been working on my front yard trees.

Yesterday I received an email from a friend whom I haven't talked to in quite a while. He's a bit on the wierd side at times. God has shown me what nuggets to take and which ones to just not even pick up, when we hear from him. That may sound crass, but I think that is what we are to do with each other all the time. We only hear in part, right?

Anyways, CJ and I have been walking through a drought lately in our own lives. God has been showing me that its a testing of our hearts. Just how far are we willing to lay down our lives for Him. There have been many days, that I think, "this is it, I can't give anymore of myself. I just can't."

We've been dry alright. Really, really dry.

And yet, we haven't given up.

At the end of his email, my friend wrote the following, ps. "help is on the way!" I think I read that last line over and over again, wondering just what did he mean by that. Until, I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit, showing me that God was giving me more hope. Showing me that He hadn't forgotten us.

I've been praying for rain. Lots of rain. And when I pray, I pray for it in the natural and in my own life. That the Lord would reign over me, that His ways would pour into me, that His beauty would overflow me, and that His provision would rain down from Heaven!

It's raining, pouring buckets outside. And I just can't help but be excited!

Posted in: , on Friday, October 19, 2007 at at 7:00 AM 4 comments  

For this I am Thankful

I had been racing around yesterday, getting together supplies, prizes, crafts and more ready for Sunday's Fall Harvest Festival. The kids were awesome as we must have visited at least 10 different places. Each time they had to get in and out of the car, I would say to them hastily, "c'mon buckle up, guys, we have to get going."


I was tired when I pulled in front of my house. I quickly told the kids to clean up their trash, books, sippy cups, etc before getting out of the car. When I finally opened the car door, coming out of the house was one of the girls, K, who lives with us. She immediately came running over and began taking all the supplies out.

As I lugged one load in, she followed behind and then said, "don't worry, I'll get the rest." I walked into the kitchen and sitting on the table was a beautiful bouquet of flowers, compliments of our other housemate, M!!!

Then as the afternoon wore on, K spent an hour sitting with the boys watching a video and M, busily got to working on making banana breads and muffins. When the video was over, K came in and helped to put together the 150 craft bags and cut out stickers for the festival, while the kids "helped" M on the baking end of things.

For this I am so thankful. The Lord has brought me such wonderful girls to live with. They are home bodies, who adore my children. They love to be in the kitchen baking and cleaning or cuddled up with my children reading a book. They laugh and cry, they care deeply for my little family. And within the last couple of months, they have comfortably become a sweet part of our home.

I am thankful.

Posted in: , , on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at at 4:37 PM 8 comments  

A Sweet Gift cont., NASCAR Style

I've never been a NASCAR fan. Sorry folks, I just don't see the fun in it all. But, now I live within minutes of the raceway idol, Lowes Motor Speedway. And whether I want to know about it or not, when one hundred thousand people descend upon your town for a weekend, you find yourself wondering what all this excitement is about. I don't find fault with anyone who is into though. To each there own, as far as I am concerned!

So, the Jones family wanted to visit NASCAR country and go on the tour there. This sounded lively and fun to me. And the one thing my kids are into is cars. Oh, my do they ever play with cars. We piled all 7 of us into the van (poor CJ, he missed out on all the fun and went to a team meeting - sorry babe) and headed over.

It was the weekend before the next big race. Don't even ask, which one it is people, I couldn't tell you if I tried. So the place seemed to be hoppin a bit. The tour was done in one of their vans. As we drove around the facilities, I learned that it takes 2 weeks to fill up the water tower. And two days to go through it all. I saw the new hospital that is on site, that houses 2 doctors, daily. And looked at monster trucks. We also experienced a lap around the track. Much to my relief at a lesser speed then normal. The Jones and my boys were disappointed.

Towards the end, we stopped at the winners circle and pit row. Feeling as though it was only appropriate to get pictures of the boys standing in the winners circle (cuz everyone else was doing it!), I had my kids pose and I began to snap away.

It wasn't too long after, I realized that someone was standing rather close to me. And he was holding up a much bigger camera then I had in my own hands. I turned to find a news camera filming me. Slowly and kindly, I asked what they were doing.

Their response, "We are just filming all the people getting ready for the big race, next weekend, ma'm."

Okay... so, I resumed my photography session with the kids. Then realizing that maybe where I had them just wasn't perfect enough, I went across the winners circle to the side where the winner actually stands and begged my children to stand still long enough for more portraits. (heavens knows why!)

The camera man, followed me (or as Mrs. Jones said... stalked me). He captured me in action as I continued to "get ready for the BIG race next weekend, " by taking pics of the kiddos.

It's too bad, I haven't been able to find the footage. I wasn't home that evening to see it on the news. And I can't seem to locate it online. Oh well. I was close....so close... to NASCAR celebrity status.

Shortly there after, the Jones family flew back home. And our weekend of friends, conversations, and laughter came to an end. It was one of the sweetest gifts from the Lord, that weekend. It filled me up to overflowing.

Posted in: , on Monday, October 15, 2007 at at 2:28 PM 3 comments  

A Sweet Gift ... part 2

After spending almost the entire day outside wandering the NC Zoo, our van full of kids, students, and most importantly, friend Cobb, all headed home. We were tired, a little worn out, but still in good spirits.

Dinner was over, the kids in bed, CJ, Cobb, and myself sat on the couches and began yet another conversation. Around 9pm the phone rang. Standing at the Charlotte airport, with her entire family, was one of my bestest friends from PA, the Jones family. They were on their way home from a vacation and had the option to be bumped off their flight. "Should they take it," she was wondering.


Before I knew it, I was standing in my own living room, with Cobb, who he and his wife were the first small group leaders in which CJ and I met, the Joneses!!! All five of them were here in MY house, all the way down in North Carolina.

Oh, what a reunion!

All I could think of during those next 20 hours was how this was a totally sweet gift from the Lord... pure and simple.

Our home was a hub of activity during that night and day. The kids played hard, went down the big, big slide, and ate heartily. Mrs. Jones and I, spent a couple of hours by ourselves at a local coffeehouse, an even sweeter treat. Cobb sadly (for us only) returned to his friends house, after breakfast for a quick visit.

That afternoon, the Jones family, and the boys and I, went to Lowes Motor Speedway for a tour.


Up next... how On Fire gets her brush with fame over NASCAR!

Posted in: , on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at at 2:13 PM 3 comments  

A Sweet Gift


Last weekend, we had the best time visiting with one of our friends, Cobb.

Cobb was in the area for a conference and was supposed to only see us for a few hours on Saturday. Much to his surprise and ours, his plans fell through and we ended up with the pure pleasure of having him stay with us both Friday and Saturday night.

The very best thing I love about Cobb is his way of conversing. He is known through out our small community of friends back in PA, for is infamous questions. They are the kind that make you think and dig deep inside. He is thoroughly gifted with a depthness of conversation and I love every moment of it.

Cobb arrived Friday evening after dinner and after the grand tour of the house, we settled into the couches and began catching up. A little while later, the girls all piled in (they too were looking forward to meeting him - we have the best girls living with us!) the livingroom, with pizza and brownies and warm drinks. We settled around the coffee table and then he began.... oh, the questions were so good. And the conversation was just perfect. We talked for hours, discussing the Lord, how we see Him, what we hope to see in Heaven, and so much more.


Saturday, we rose early and had french toast (which unbeknowst to me, was one of his favorite breakfasts). We went to EJ's soccer game and then took the drive the NC Zoo. Our passes were expiring at the end of the month and it was such a beautiful day. The car ride up was full of more stimulating conversations. At the Zoo, we walked and talked and took in all the sights and just relaxed.

In my heart, it felt like the perfect day... of course, no one knew that there was an even bigger surprise in store. Not even me...

Stay tuned for part two.

Posted in: , , on Friday, October 12, 2007 at at 1:42 PM 3 comments  

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