30 Days of Thankfulness .Days 7 & 8.

I'm so thankful for our supporting churches!

This weekend we had the opportunity to visit one of our supporting churches. Metro Baptist Church in KC, Missouri. We always enjoy getting to chat with and get to know better the people from the churches that are supporting us. It's such a refreshing time and a blessing to get in touch with some of the many that are praying for us and giving faithfully to help us on our way to Germany!

One thing I particularly enjoy is sharing my testimony. There is nothing more exciting than telling of God's saving grace and how it worked in my own life! Click HERE to read our testimonies. :)

Psalm 51:12
"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit."

30 Days of Thankfulness .Day 6.

I'm thankful for a thankful (and social) little girl!

Jim took us out for dinner tonight. Mmmm, Spaghetti Works! Josefine was saying "hi" to everyone that passed the table, and making big, goofy smiles at the people sitting near us. This is not terribly uncommon for Josefine to be so social. She's reached out to hold an old man's hand at another restaurant before, she's hugged lots of complete strangers at churches we've been at, and she's been waving at cars, trucks and tractors that go by for as long as she's known how to wave. We've got a communicator on our hands, folks!

Anyway, like I said...not terribly uncommon for her. But, tonight, she basically greeted the entire restaurant as we left the building, waving and saying "HI!" to each person in each booth we passed. And as we passed the long line of people waiting to be seated, she waved and said "BYE!" to as many as she could. Then came my favorite part...she said a very enthusiastic "Thank You" to a lady that held the door open for us without any prompting and without me saying it first! *sigh* What fun to see your children learning manners and actually using them in context!

But, I also suspect that the Strawberry Sundae (SUGAR!) she had for dessert may have had something to do with the pronounced socialabilty. :)

30 Days of Thankfulness .Day 5.

I'm thankful for the cute little guitar Joy Sherman gave me. Jim is re-teaching me the basics (and it's coming back quickly, YAY!) and we're singing "Jesus Loves Me..." Another truth I'm so thankful for.

Every night before bed, we sing "Jesus Loves Me" to Josefine. And she yawns in the middle of the song each time. It's fun to know that seems to be a bedtime cue for her. Although I've often wondered if this will lead to her falling asleep during Sunday School in the future! Haha!

Really, though...lately when we've been singing it to her, I've been putting a bit more thought into it. I'm trying not to just "sing" it or teach Josefine that Jesus loves HER, but I'm trying to ingest that yes...Jesus loves ME, too.

The words "they are weak, but He is strong" have really stood out. I don't think I take that thought with me throughout the day. I come to something difficult and most often, my immediate thought is..."I can't!" Well, it's a good thing I realize that it is I who cannot...in my own power. But, have I really lived out the truth that it is GOD who is made strong in my weaknesses?

"'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. ... For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

30 Days of Thankfulness .Day 4.

I'm thankful for a new day..."This is the day that the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24

You'd think that it should come pretty naturally to "rejoice" in this day, especially to know that it is the Lord who made it! How could we NOT?! Well, there are days, when it's not so easy. It doesn't seem to come as second-nature to rejoice. Things may not be going as well as we had hoped, or maybe it's just a "blah" kind of day. Nothing, from this earthly perspective, to rejoice about. I see myself often NOT rejoicing in what God has done for me in giving me another day to live for Him. I tend to worry or complain and even wish for something different...something "better." Currently, that's been my biggest struggle.

We just came from about 5 months on the road, nearly non-stop traveling, visiting churches, conferences, etc. Exhausting, yes. But, now that things have settled down, and we're "home" and we're looking forward to more changes and traveling in the near future, I find myself wanting something else. To actually settle down for real. It's been difficult to convince myself that this is "settled" when I know we're just going to be leaving again, either for a long trip, or for good.

Also, I think I became addicted to the fast-paced lifestyle of an on-the-go missionary on deputation! Now, I hardly know how to get back into the swing of things, or what the "swing of things" really looks like for us. It's an awkward time, but a necessary time, I'm sure. I know that God wants me to evaluate my pleasure and joy in HIM, even in transition. And I'm not doing such a swell job...in the flesh. It is my prayer today that the Holy Spirit would work in me to produce a rejoicing spirit. Even if I'm a little unsure of what to "do" with my day...I do know that I can REJOICE in what God has given in it.

Thankfulness

Happy November...and Happy Season of Thankfulness. Every day should be a time to be thankful, but I really like the emphasis that Thanksgiving brings.

I've decided to follow some facebook friends by posting something that I'm thankful for every day this month, so I figured I'd share with you, too!

Since today is Nov. 3...I have 3 days of Thankfulness to share...

*30* Days of THANKFULNESS . Day 1 .
I am thankful for *deep breath* deputation...through all it's ups and downs, I'm reminded of God's faithfulness and provision and that He is building up our faith in Him!

*30* DAYS OF THANKFULNESS .Day 2.
I'm thankful for the Word of God...so much wisdom for all of life's issues and so much encouragement and comfort to be found in that wisdom. Looking forward to attending a few more Bible Conference Sessions focusing on the Pslams (one of my favorite books) and reminding us that GOD is ...OUR REFUGE!

*30* DAYS OF THANKFULNESS .Day 3.
I'm thankful for a handy (he's fixing the shower head now), hard-working (he's spending time calling pastors today), loyal and LOVING hubby! :)