Thankful for God's Truth

It's a good thing I am focusing on what I am thankful for this month as the happenings the last few weeks are not things I would naturally be thankful for.  You'd think it would be easy coming up with things to be thankful for and in one way it is...but in another it's been a challenge.

I realized tonight when talking with my husband how thankful I am for God's Word, the Bible.  Even in the midst of topsy turvy happenings in my life I have a peace that can only come from the Truth I have learned from The Word.

There is a situation I am going through right now that could make me bitter and has tried to make me bitter.  But God's Truth has helped me to keep my peace in the midst of the storm.  And I realize more and more why so many want to run the opposite direction when it comes to church....or anything pertaining to "Christianity". It's because not everyone who reads The Truth, actually practices The Truth.

Thankfully I have learned enough of The Word that my feet are firmly planted in the only substance that can keep me from falling.

Truth....God's Truth...is my Rock.  It's what keeps me during this time and I don't know if  I'll ever be able to explain how thankful I am for it...

Thankful for My "Twinkie"

 

It was the early 1990's when we purchased a personal computer.  I vaguely remember my husband talking about getting an email address.  Why in heaven's name would I need an email ...it's so impersonal.  I probably spent a lot of hot air telling my husband all the reasons why we shouldn't do email.  But that was almost 20 years ago...lots can change in that time.

Emails can be impersonal but it depends on who you are talking too.  I happen to have a "bosom buddy"...or as we call each other... "twinkie".  We are iron sharpening iron friends and we do the majority of our communication  through emails.

Sure we talk in person and on the phone but both of us are busy with children and home schooling and other things so if we waited to talk when we got together it would be too long.  And yes we do talk on the phone but because of our schedules, at least mine, this person is not someone I can talk to for only a few moments...it always turns into hours. [or close to it]

 I don't know when we started but I must say  I love the flexibility of time and the freedom.  I write to her when I can and she responds when able.  Back and forth we go.  Some days we will send two or three  emails back and forth and some days we won't send any.

I love that we can write about what's in our hearts.  We can vent.  We encourage.  We pray.  We rebuke.  We share truth.

My "twinkie" makes my days brighter.  It's a shame everyone doesn't have one.

Thanks Twinkie!!

Thankful for "Kidnappings"!

Tonight we "kidnapped" a friend who is going through a rough patch.  I'm not even sure when kidnappings started...I think we did it to celebrate our birthdays....but every so often we use it for other occasions.

A friend who is struggling is a great occasion to shower her with love.  When we "kidnap" we treat that person to dinner and some form of entertainment...laser tag....a movie....etc.  We pick up her tab...she is along for the ride.  She has NO idea...or should have NO idea...of what is to happen.  We make arrangements for childcare ahead of time if needed.  We try to "sneak" up on her and take her by surprise...although some of us HATE surprises so sometimes it may not be a total sneak up on.

While I am sorry my friend is struggling...I'm thankful we could "kidnap" her for a few hours and have good conversation....eat yummy food....and laugh through a funny movie. 

And most of all I hope for a few moments we made her day brighter and that she felt the love!!!

Thankful for Listening Ears

"Remember this, my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19


Experience has taught me the wisdom in being slow to speak and slow to anger . 

However, there are certain times of the month where my "grace tank " is not full and I find myself getting annoyed/angered much easier than usual.  During this time it's better to not be around anyone.

Yet sometimes because of "issues" happening there is a need for me to speak.  It's during these times that I am so thankful for listening ears of those I trust.  Ears that allow me to share my thoughts, feelings, concerns, annoyances, etc...without judgment or even advice. 

One day when I am perfect I won't need  those listening ears but until then.....THANK YOU!!!!!

Thankful for Nancy

"No love, no friendship, can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever."
- Francois Mocuriac 

I received a message on my facebook the other day that a friend and her husband were in town and wanted to get together with us one day.  What a pleasant surprise!!


I met Nancy a while back and I call her my "freebird friend" because she is a throw back from the seventies.  In dress and in attitude.  Nancy is not one of my normal friends and I don't mean that in a negative way.  She's a very unique woman.  A woman that I have been very fortunate to make the acquaintance of.  She lives a life so different than my own and has differing views on many subjects yet something has drawn us together and I am a better person for knowing her.


Her life story is movie worthy.  She's survived some events in life that would have been the undoing of a less stronger person.  She's a survivor!  I am touched by her strength and ability to move forward in life. 

Nancy lives in Alaska now.  She is in the "Lower 48" for the winter.  She also recently married so we had the pleasure of meeting her new husband Mitch.  Doesn't he just look like an Alaskan man?  And don't let his facial hair scare you...he's a sweetie!!  I'm very happy for my friend.

I happened to have lived in Alaska as a child so tonight was fun hearing and sharing stories of Alaska.  It's like it's own world.  Nancy and Mitch live in a cabin without running water or electricity.  They have to protect their windows from moose because a moose will fight it's reflection.  They turn their outhouses into a bonfire every so often since the ground is permafrost.  Don't worry...they don't roast marshmallows over it.  :-)  The weather in winter can get very cold so they have to put a heater under their car so it will start.


Their cabin was made in such a way that they can lie in their bed and watch the Northern Lights from the framed window above their bed.  I remember seeing the Aurora Borealis when I lived in Fairbanks and let's just say even without electricity and running water I am a bit jealous.


Tonight we had homemade pizza, delicious cupcakes and lots of laughing.  If there is one thing I can guarantee with Nancy....is that we will laugh.

Thank you Nancy for your friendship!

Thankful for Read-Alouds

On facebook many of my friends are using the month of November to post things they are thankful for...I feel the need to blog about the things I am thankful for.

I've been homeschooling my children since 1993.  That's a LONG time...and unless I meet the Lord soon I plan on homeschooling until my youngest graduates, which is another seven years.  One of the perks is the books I get to read out loud to my children.  Books I never read nor had  heard of  until I embarked on this homeschooling journey. 

Anyways, when first starting to read chapter books aloud to my children I remember my throat getting sore and my voice going hoarse, but that went away after I built up those "muscles".  Also, not being used to reading aloud, let me just say it can be very intimidating at first and very monotone...in other words...BORING!! But after getting used to reading aloud I started gaining confidence to where I now will give "voices" to the characters. 

Reading chapter books aloud is one of my most favorite activities to do with my children. And something I probably would not have done if I didn't homeschool. [I'll leave that for another thankful post]

 

One book we are about to finish is "Amos Fortune Free Man" by Elizabeth Yates.  This is actually my second time to read it aloud.  My youngest two boys were too young to remember much about this story and I was thrilled to see this along with other great books scheduled into the My Father's World curriculum we are using.

So what am I thankful for????  I am thankful for read-alouds that introduce interesting,  godly men [and women] of character to my family. 

The gist of this story is.....

Amos was born in Africa in the early 1700's.  His father was a king and the day he, Amos, was to take that position his tribe was attacked and many were captured to be sold as slaves.  Amos had a moment he could have gotten his freedom while being taken down a river in a canoe....listen to what he says in his own words...

"Once, long years ago, I though I could set a canoe-load of my people free by breaking the bands at my wrists and killing the white man who held the weapon.  I had the strength in my hands to do such a deed and I had the fire within, but I didn't do it."


"What held you back?"


"My hand was restrained and I'm glad that it was, for the years between have shown me that it does a man no good to be free until he knows how to live, how to walk in step with God."

This man was brought to America and sold as a slave.  He finally received his manumission papers when he was 50 years old.  One of his "masters" had been a tanner and Amos learned the trade.  Amos became a very well know and respected tanner.  He also used his hard earned money to buy the freedom of others...mainly the women he married.  His first two wives died within a year of being married but his third wife and he were married for many years.

When Amos was in his 80's his wife asked him...

"You'd set all the world free if you could, wouldn't you, Amos?"

He shook his head.  "Just the part of it that I can touch.  That's all any man can do."

Such wisdom....such truth!