More from the Artists

One of my favorite home school activities we participate in is art class. This semester, the girls have one of their best friends in class, which means I get to enjoy her mommy's company at Starbucks during class. Here are a few of their latest pieces of art. Enjoy!

Oh, but the Lord has given these girls some serious talent. Remember, our artists are only 6 and 8 years old. Wow!

A Slice of Inspiration ...

Those who are readiest to trust God without other evidence than His Word always receive the greatest number of visible evidences of His love.

~ Charles C. G. Trumbull

More Gifts ....

Way too long! That is how long it's been since I have posted gifts ... and here is what I have realized ... in not being focused on gratitude and thankfulness, my thinking has shifted ever so slightly and oh so subtly. I have focused a little too much on my circumstances and things I don't like and not enough on the abundance of blessing that is living in Him and under the shelter of His wings. When I am not on the hunt for all God's gifts, and when my camera lies still, then I am, generally speaking, missing them. I am finding that I am not as mindful of God's gifts and thankful for them. These precious gifts just become a part of everyday life that I take for granted. I get caught up in what is going on around me and my spiritual eyes get out-of-focus. As I was re-reading the gifts I have listed, I was reminded of God's goodness in our lives and all that is really important. So, here's to LOTS more gratitude and eyes wide open to see His abundant gifts!

"You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you." Psalm 118:28

391. Words spoken to my heart exactly when I need them.
392. When God allows me to see where He has used me for His glory.
393. God moments.
394. Last remnants of fall.

395. His agenda, not mine.
396. Tea parties.

397. This list … and how it inspires me and changes my perspective to go back and read it.
398. A diagnosis … knowing what to war against in prayer.
399. My sweet husband who did and said and didn’t say all the right things when I got the diagnosis.
400. Praying with warriors who stand totally in assurance of Him and all that He can do and when they get done speaking what God has to say to you, you walk away lighthearted and full! AMEN!
401. Joshua-friends, who are really better described as Joshua-sisters!
402. When God opens doors to tell about His glory in our lives.
403. “We’ve got to live like this!”
404. Blogger friends who I’ve never met, but love to pieces.
405. Warm socks on cold feet.
406. Christmas music that fills my soul. My favorite this year is “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by Casting Crowns.
407. Options.
408. The amazing way that God works His restoration … blows me away!
409. Oxygen.
410. Rejoicing with friends over their triumphs!
411. My friend, Jerri, who reminded me so much I have it memorized and have shared it with others … “Has God changed? Has His word to you changed? Then who cares what it looks like in the earthly?!”
412. Encouraging words.
413. The blessing of friends who stand with you in agreement for miracles.
414. Friends who absolutely know that God still does them.
415. Friends who will drag you up on the roof and start digging in order to get you to Jesus.
416. New seasons.
417. Cookbooks.
418. Praise and worship and how I am ushered into His presence through them.
419. My children learning about real life things in church class … boundaries. What good stuff!
420. Hands raised high to heaven!
421. New adventures.
422. Friendships that transcend the boundaries of a church building.
423. Confirmation.
425. Freedom!
426. Anticipation.
427. Couple-saints.
428. The way my heart knows when God is speaking to me and how clearly He does.
429. Brown eggs.

430. Lost teeth.

431. Bananagrams.

432. Nostalgia.
433. The kid-friendly adventure God has provided for my children at Ole’ with Grannie and Paw-paw.

434. My mom’s funky kitchen.

435. This face!

436. Beauty queen.

437. Truvia … natural sweetness from the stevia plant.
438. Ezekiel bread … and the fact the I think it is pretty tasty.
439. My favorite jeans … Levi’s 505’s … my whole life I’ve struggled to find jeans that fit right and were long enough for my long legs. Thank you Jesus for 505’s.
440. A full moon.

Got tagged ....

My friend, Sharilyn, over at Heart Rock Life tagged me for a blogger game yesterday. The rules for this game of tag are as follows: list six random or weird facts about yourself, and then tag six others. Here it goes ...

1. One of my favorite yummiest treats is hot crispy french fries dipped in ice cold chocolate milkshake. Serious yum! My sister and I used to have this when we lived in a small Texas town called Castroville. It was before either of us could drive and my mom would drop us at the laundromat with the dirty clothes and a pocket full of quarters. We would walk across the parking lot to the Dairy Queen and have french fries and chocolate milkshake!

2. And speaking of small towns, my sophomore year in high school, I was crowned 1980 Medina County Fair Queen, first one in 50 years. Totally knocked my socks off! I joined the contest in an effort to make new friends (not so successful if you understand small town politics at all ... which I didn't) and ended up with the crown.

3. My freshman year in high school (before we moved to Castroville), I played water polo. I may have zip-zero-no coordination on land, but I can swim! Yes ma'am. And, since we were a first year team with limited experience, we were free from all pressure to perform and had a dandy great time! I also swam the backstroke and breaststroke competitively that year.

4. In graduate school, I arose at the crack-of-dawn (5:30 a.m.) and drove in the icy Abilene, Texas, wind and snow to teach aerobics to my college football team at Abilene Christian University. Now THAT was so much fun ... watching a bunch of tired, awkward college football players try and do aerobics ... the highlight of my day!

5. I have a significant texture intolerance to foods that my brain perceives as "slimy" or "squishy." So, that knocks out most pies, pudding, shellfish like oysters, cooked okra, ripe bananas ... you get the picture.

6. When I was single and lived in Houston, I took french cooking classes at a little cooking school called LaPanier. It was so much fun. I really wanted to learn to cook and dice veggies like the assistants did so, the teacher let me come in early and help with food prep ... one of the things I discovered was all those complex words in cookbooks actually mean grill, boil, fry, saute' ... not so much complicated.

So, there are some random and a couple weird facts about me. Now, I am tagging ....

• Jerri
• My cousin, Amy
• Paige
• Kristen
• Gina
• Diana

Yes, It's A Good Day!

A great day in school ... much accomplished and precious time with growing daughters. The joy of listening to sisters growing into best friends as they plan and plot and play and laugh together. Checking a few things off the "to do" list and learning to be okay that it's not all done. A good energy day ... starting out with time with my Jesus, who makes things all go right and helps me sort through what is important and disregard the rest. Handsome husband on the way home. Great friends. My life is blessed. Yep, my friends, that is pure joy and all a precious gift from the Lord! Thank you Jesus!

A little home school p.e. ...

... and some new do's!

Thoughts ...

"A man must have care to what he puts in his mind, for when he's alone on a hillside and draws it out, he'll want treasures to be his company, not regrets."

Benj in "Mountain Born"

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Philipians 4:8 (NIV)

"Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life."

Proverbs 4:23 (NCV)

A Slice of Inspiration

“The great challenge in life is to decide what is important

and disregard everything else.”

Happy New Year 2009!

Here's to a year that is simple, uncomplicated and focused wholly on the Lord and the joy and treasures and surprises and peace and healing that are to come!

P.S. Oldest daughter found this heart ... she calls me excited, "Mom, come quick, look!" Thank you Lord for her eyes that are open to see Your gifts!