Encouraging Deep Roots

Thanksgiving is over and we are on to Christmas. However, I want to continue to keep the attitude of gratitude alive in my home and this weekly exercise is a way to do that. This week I am thankful for blessings #36-50 ♥ A leisurely walk with parents who are seen only once or twice a year. ♥ Learning new things about my husband and he in turn, learning new things about me. ♥ A grandmother who loves nothing more than spending time with her grandchildren. ♥ The ability to bless others with gifts made from the heart. ♥ Small splashes of color on a grey day. ♥ A daughter who cheerfully sings at the top of her lungs while helping. ♥ A grandpa who plays silly games with a granddaughter. ♥ Time walking in the woods with my middle son. ♥ A church family that we enjoy being with. ♥ A part in the school musical for Emily. ♥ Traditions that we look forward to each year. ♥ The beautiful symbolism found in everything at this time of the year. ♥ The pride on my daughter's face when she has crea...

My food budget has been creeping up since I started working and I need to plug up the leaks somehow. I know one thing that has helped is using the crockpot and prepping anything that can be before I leave for work in the morning. I am so tired when I get home and it's difficult to get motivated to cook. Having it either ready or mostly put together is a big help. The holiday didn't help with the food bill since I bought a lot of extras. So, I'm going to try my best to make things stretch through this week and into next. One thing that always helps me is to write out a menu for the week. Here is the plan for this week. Monday B - Cereal, juice L - At school D - Crockpot chicken & herb dumplings, tossed salad, fruit salad Tuesday B - Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, juice L - At school D - Italian sausage & peppers, Homemade Italian bread, steamed broccoli Wednesday B - Homemade Onion bagels, cream cheese, juice L - At school D - Slow cooker sl...

Nathan has been taking Food Service Basics at BOCES, which is an occupational high school. He goes every morning for a few hours and then comes back to school for his academic classes. Today, he came home with a blueberry pie he made. It looked beautiful and was delicious. It looks like I have some competition in the kitchen. Maybe I should have him make the Thanksgiving dinner.

Control. Something that I strive for all the time. If I'm not in control of a situation, I feel like something is not right with my world. I feel unsettled and anxious. Yet, God calls us to live a life of abandonment to Him. Of letting go and allowing Him to work in my life. Letting Him be in charge of what happens to me. In so many ways I try to keep an iron-clad grip on my life. Slowly, as God works in my life, I'm letting go one finger at a time. I'll do okay for a while and then I'll realize that the fist is clenched again. It's hard to trust that He will work things out for my good. Yet, I know He will. I know He loves me and that when I am in charge things don't always go so well. The Lord knows what I need and what is best for me. I have always grown when I step out in faith. One thing that helps in trusting God for my life, is looking around me with fresh eyes at the many blessings He has given me. Blessings #26-35 ♥ A child who is another step...

If only...... How many times do we say these words? If only my circumstances were different than I would be thankful. If only I had more money. If only I lived in a bigger house. If only I were married. If only I had a child. If only I had two children. If only my health was better. If only my husband wasn't such a pain to live with. If only I had better neighbors. If only. Yet, we are called to live in with an attitude of gratitude in the midst of all circumstances - good and bad. We find it easy to feel thankful when things are going our way. How about when things don't look so good? I've been trying to use to have an attitude of gratitude and not just an "ATTITUDE!" It's not always easy, but this weekly exercise helps. In keeping with the title of this blog post, I'm thankful for blessings #11-25 ♫ Dinner from a friend that stretched into a second dinner the next night. ♫ A time change that allows me to enjoy early morning sunshine. ♫ A dau...

We had such a wonderful day yesterday. Above are some more pictures of the decorated tables. I had wanted to get small baskets for each table, but had to settle for sugar bowls. I typed up Bible verses of Thanksgiving and praise for each day between now and Thanksgiving. This way the ladies had a verse to read each day and they could also add their own to it. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and as I said before, it was a wonderful opportunity for me to bless each lady who attended.

Raindrops on windows and tears on my face. Both water from heaven. The one God's provision for the earth. The other a sign of remorse for careless words stumbling out of my mouth that caused hurt. Words can cause such joy and at yet, out of the same mouth can cause pain. Other words play over and over in my head... Worthless Unimportant Not good enough You don't matter. Words straight from the enemy's mouth into my heart. Words that cause my head to hang low and my shoulders to slump. Words that took a Sabbath day and turned it into one of emotional wrestling and turmoil. Words that made my already sick body feel even sicker. Today, I stayed home because I felt ill. My stomach ached and my head pounded. My intention was to rest. I ended up with my own holy experience. Forgiveness. It's such an important word. As is mercy and grace and restoration and repentance. Words that help me raise my head high and the weight to lift off my shoulders. Words that giv...

Someone in this house likes my dehydrated green beans!