Counting My Blessings

I've been reading this lately:

Loving it!  LOVING IT!!! I'm getting through it slowly because there is much to reflect on.  The only premise is the importance of being grateful and the joy that comes from doing so.  I've wanted to start a journal to list the 1,000+ things I'm thankful for.  I've waited because I wanted to finish the book first.  Ridiculous, right?  There's really no time like the present!!

a day spent in the sunshine, outside of the classroom with the students I love

family gatherings and a chance to learn from those with great (earned) wisdom

a mom who will take my little, lonely puppy home for a "play date"

a visit to a new baby and his precious Momma and getting to see all the love in this little family

nephews - especially one who will turn 14 tomorrow!

the ease of a good friend

the beginning of a beautiful friendship with a gal who gets me up at 5:00 to workout

A Change in Perspective

It's been a very busy weekend!  Friday after school I headed to Springfield to pick up Abby's birthday gift and a little something for a dear friend getting ready to have her baby.  I snuck in one of Chase's basketball games and made it over to Papa and Grandma's to fix her printer.  Saturday I enjoyed the beautiful sunshine by spending the day outside - riding horses, mowing the yard, and watching Garrett play baseball.  That evening I squeezed in some shopping for Chase and Garrett as their birthday will be here before I know it.  Today I went to church, had lunch at Mom and Dad's, then came home to pay bills and do a little cleaning.

(Chloe likes to keep me company while I work.)

Since I was so motivated, I went ahead and "wrapped up" all the gifts I'd recently purchased.  Getting gifts ready means writing cards.  I'm a wordy girl and words of encouragement is one of my love languages, so naturally, that's what I do for others.  As I wrote out the cards for Abby, Chase, and Garrett I was so overcome with the love I have for them and the blessing that they are, I just wept.  Then, the sweet presence of Jesus just washed over me.  He showed me how "out of whack" my perspective has been lately.  I've been guilty of negativity, selfishness, discontent, and giving excuses for letting life live me.  It saddens me the way I let the ins and outs of daily life sweep me up and carry me away.

I was dreading this weekend and all it's busyness, but it turns out it's just what I needed.  It felt so good to take my mind off myself and think of others, to work outside and soak up some sun, and to push past being tired and LIVE!  I have SO, SO many things to be thankful for and have not spent nearly enough time being thankful for them or finding new reasons to be grateful.   

Life is good - how can be anything less when the King of all Kings pursues me and loves me enough to keep working on me?!?!

Celebrating Tina

We celebrated Tina's birthday a little early.  You see, her wonderfully, thoughtful, generous husband is taking her someplace she's always wanted to go for her birthday...NEW YORK! 

For our birthdays Mom always fixes us our favorites!  You can always count on Tina to request twice-baked potatoes.  So yummy!

 We also had ham, creamed corn, homemade rolls, and some salad that was delicious!!!  Mom, once again you outdid yourself!!  (I couldn't resist taking a picture.  Leslie, I knew you'd understand!)

 Picture Time

(We  missed you, Grana!  Hurry home!)

 What a beautiful family!

 LOVE my sisters and any excuse to spend time with them!

Spring Break Kick-Off

The past couple of years Kelly and I taken nearby trips to kick-off the beginning of Spring Break.  It kind of helps us get school out of the system and ready for relaxation and fun.   This year we decided to stick around home in an effort to save money.  (Imagine that!)

My kick-off started a little early with dinner with 4 of my favorite people, aka the Fab Five!  I can't believe it's been so long since we all worked together.  I love that we still keep in touch and can pick up right where we left off anytime we're together.  Girls, I love you!  (And can't believe I didn't get a picture!!)

Friday, I went to dinner with a few girls from work.  It was so much fun to get to know these ladies better!  I love that we all share a passion for kids and our jobs!  After the good food, conversation, and laughs, I felt so relaxed. 

 Saturday was absolutely gorgeous!!  Seriously, it was THE PERFECT day for a horseback ride!!

Spring Break was off to a great start!!

Has it really been THAT long?

I can't believe it's been a month and a half since I've posted!  Wow!  A lot of living has taken place since then.

SNOW DAY
I LOVE being surprised with a snow day!  There happened to be several in January.  On this day, the sun was shining and it was a a great day to be out playing in it.  I drove over to Tina's to watch the boys have some fun.

KENLEY'S 1st BIRTHDAY

TONYA'S BIRTHDAY

 (She just found out there was NO SCHOOL the next day!)

MORE SNOW DAYS!
(which brought lots and lots of shoveling)

SUPER BOWL

(We missed you, Woffords!)

 GIRLS NIGHT
We got together to celebrate Tonya and Michelle's birthdays.  We ate at St. Michael's.

We went to see "Just Go With It" after dinner.  It was a great movie!!  GayeAnn was a little added bonus of entertainment when she couldn't stop laughing.  I mean could not stop laughing!  We all (rows in front and behind) got tickled at her.  I haven't laughed that hard in a while!

You can't be downtown and not stop at The Cup!

 JACOB'S BIRTHDAY

 A NEW "DO"

Hopefully I can get back in the habit now that I'm somewhat caught up!

(Getting behind overwhelms me and adds to the procrastination.)



Vision Sunday

JOURNEY

Today was Vision Sunday at church - the theme was journey.  As the video began and starting revealing the vision for 2011, God left me speechless once again!  I couldn't (and still can't) believe how much what God has laid on my heart matched up with HIS plans for the church!  Then, for even MORE conformation about what God's been working out in me, Pastor John said, "You know you're hearing from the Lord when it's related to you and to the church."

WOW!

There's lots to look forward to in 2011!

And it's only just beginning!!!

The Shield of Faith

My cup runneth over!!  I can't begin to describe all I was feeling as I sat in church this morning, soaking up all that God was speaking to my heart.  To say that I feel God pursuing me, getting me to finally drop my worries and insecurities, would be a gigantic understatement!

I've already shared that we're studying the armor of God (The Believers' Battle) right now in church.  Today's message was on the shield of faith.  We already know that battles are inevitable.  We have to be ready, to stand firm.  We are to always be wearing the belt of truth (an attitude of readiness), the breastplate of righteousness (living a holy life), and shoes with a firm foundation ready to stand our ground (and to know and be confident in that God is on our side).  These are a part of our everyday lives.

But, Ephesians 6:16 calls us to, 

"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one."

The stakes are high and the devil is shooting those arrows.  We have to know when we're under attack and need to know how he'll attack.  Remember in Genesis 3:1-5 when Satan was tempting Eve to eat the fruit?  He was trying to deceive her.  Trying to get her question what God had told her. 

You could have knocked me over with a feather when Pastor John pointed out how Satan attacks.  In that moment, all the questions I've had came rushing back:

Sure you heard it right?

Did He really say that?

Sure you can believe that?

Can you really pray about that because you really don't deserve that.

To fight in the battles I face, I have to remember where the thoughts are coming from.  I have to take up the shield of faith when Satan shoots and intercept the thoughts meant to destroy me.

I have to resist him.

(1 Peter 5:8-9 ^"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith...")

I have to take up the shield of faith.

(1 John 5:4, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.")

I'm so thankful for the truth in this message.  I'm so thankful for the way God loves and pursue me!