Jehovah was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake: Jehovah was not in the earthquake.
And after the earthquake, a fire: Jehovah was not in the fire. And after the fire, a soft gentle voice. (1Kings 19:11-12)

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

In Everything Give Thanks

A few more gifts to jot down . . . in rather simple form tonight . . .

60. a wonderful piano teacher

59. daughter's accomplishments at piano festival

58. the antics of toddler son 'perform' on the piano as he tries to keep up with sister

57. to see daughter enjoy the successes of her friends at piano festival

56. husband's desire to help friends move

55. Sunday afternoon picnic in the park

54. picnic in the park with sister and her sons

53. a job well-done by daughter's home school choir . . . so thankful for this wonderful opportunity

52. a few hours for daughter to celebrate her birthday with friends

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

In Everything Give Thanks

This list, of these gifts given, continues. So many seem to be temporal. And yet in thinking with a thankful heart my mind meditates on this verse:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights
with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
(James 1:17)


The ultimate gift given was His only begotten Son. And yet, He continues to shower us with everything good. I take pleasure in the simple gifts He bestows upon me, but I am eternally thankful for the new life I have been given in Christ.

more of the daily gifts . . .

51. a day to celebrate the birth of my firstborn

50. a nice visit with friends over the noon hour



49. little hands eager to help


48. walks in parks on spring days


47. enjoying the splash of blue in the branches



46. recipe for granola from a friend



45. Saturday morning waffles with sweet maple syrup and berries

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Joy Comes



Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning . . .
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
(Psalms 30:5,12)


The mundane has been extremely difficult this week. With a two-week old cough that is relentless . . . making my body physically drained, coming home from holidays and trying to transition back into routine, and various discipline issues from children which have been emotionally draining I feel this week is never going to end.

We had a wonderful time away, but the two hour delay of our flight home seemed to throw a wrench in the way I has planned my week. Not getting home until three o'clock in the morning and getting up at five o'clock to get ready for a conference gave me two hours sleep. It was not the wisest decision I could have made to still attend, but I had already paid and thought I would be able to catch up on the lost sleep another time (foolish, I know).

I was blessed with a refreshing day at the conference. A nice trip there and home again with the chance to get to know other home schooling moms a bit better. And coming home to supper, a hot bath and bed!

My week has been rather ordinary, but the sticky floors, seemingly endless clutter, the laundry that is piling up, and the fact that some of these jobs feels like climbing a mountain indicate that I am simply drained. We have some catching up to do with some subjects, bedtime issues that have been on-going all week . . . nothing too major, but robbing me of joy.

I am so glad that I came home to spring . . . a time of year when the promise of new life is so evident. Just as the bleakness of winter brightens so too our bleaker days. I know that this is 'just a stage'.

I have been glad that I can stop and think on my Thanksgiving list. Even when little things in life seem 'hard' we truly have much to give thanks for.

In Everything Give Thanks

24. safe vacation . . . a wonderful time



25. vacation home provided by my parents . . . so thankful for the time spent with them


26. visits with my grandfather at his home


27. watching children build sandcastles and enjoy the ocean



28. pleasure taken in finding this starfish



29. warm couple of days on the beach



30. coming home to strawberry milkshakes after a morning of shopping

31. fresh Florida
orange juice and plenty of oranges



32. a walk together at the Six Mile Cypress Slough . . . looking for alligators . . .

33. time to read several novels



34. rainbow in the palm trees . . . a reminder of God's promise

35. a safe arrival home

36. hearing the birds singing in the morning after a very short night

37. a great day at a home school conference

38. a full night of sleep




39. seeing my first robin this year . . . we came home to spring!

40. watching children enjoy their bikes again

41. springtime in the park



42. daughter's efforts in art class . . . impressionist style




43. an opportunity to learn in daughter's art class . . . first attempt to draw a human form . . . try not to laugh!

44. a now quiet house

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Away


We left all behind a few weeks ago and had time away in sunny Florida. It was so nice to have this change of pace and to see family. Although since returning we have been trying to catch up and get back on track with 'life'.

. . . so much to give thanks for . . . will update soon.


photo: Florida palm trees at dusk
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