Day 351

I've been thinking about 1 Thessalonians 5:16 a lot lately. Be joyful always. It's my signature on my email. Our tagline on our Christmas card. Be joyful always. Joy. What a simple word that packs so much. Today it came to me in the form of gifts and hugs from students. It came to me in the form of a 7 year old neighbor girl's smile when she remembered all the steps on the sewing machine without a bit of help. It came to me in the 5 meaningful minutes I got to spend with R. And Kota greeting me at the door. And encouraging emails from friends. I really do have a lot to be joyful about. always.

Day 324

Do you ever wonder what foods are best to donate? I do. So I found a checklist to be very helpful.

Today I'm thankful for the food we have to eat.

Day 323

In all circumstances.

Day 316

I learned a lot from this little guy today.

First as we were filling out our "What are you thankful for?" slips for the day- M said he was thankful for play doh. (He was playing with play doh at the time.) We all thought that was a pretty silly thing to be thankful for considering everything else he's blessed with. Aren't you thankful for mommy? for Morgan? for friends? for aunt H? a place to live?

"I'm thankful for play doh."

I'm sure he is thankful for all of those other people/things we mentioned but he's also thankful for the simple things in the here and now.

Lord- give me the heart to take a look around and be thankful for the little things that are a blessing. Help me to see the good in this very second. The right here, right nows of life. Amen!

Oh- and the photo. Maddox picked out the items for "his new friend" (our shoebox gift). I'm sure we made the perfect box for a 4 year old boy! The only thing Maddox wanted in there that we couldn't fit was a basketball. I think he chose some really great things! I'm so thankful for this little guy!

Day 265

It's where he stores his important things. And I love that while I was waiting in the car today after a cruddy morning, that I looked up to see this there. This reminder to pray for this special girl. I love that he thought it was important enough to go to his 'important things spot.' I love that he prays over her. And that he prays over me. I love the man he is and the man he is becoming. He is so good. (And I love that we look so young, cute, and skinny in that other 'important thing' up there!) :)

I also love how laughing with good friends can take you miles away from stress and nerves. Happy Birthday, Kari!!! Thanks for letting me share the evening with you!

Day 262

What a great reminder!

Day 150

Waffle House on a Sunday is almost like going to church, right?

Day 115

I surrender all.

Day 114

That's a whole lotta registration packets (meaning a whole lotta wonderful women) at the So Long Insecurity simulcast today! (And no... I haven't finished the book yet; have you?)

Day 105

"Look, this one is God and this is a mountain. And God is so strong, He could pick up this mountain just like this and put it wherever He wants!"

It's not often I get to label a post with both work and faith. But this little guy today is wise beyond his years.

Yes, indeed Mr. C, God is strong.

God can do things we cannot.

God can teach us lessons and make us strong through dire circumstances.

God can comfort us in unlikely ways.

God can use tough lessons to mold us into people we didn't know we were capable of being.

Yes, God can indeed move mountains!

Day 95

We ended our "Living Beyond Yourself" study tonight. I learned a lot about the Word, but I learned more about myself. I was pretty quiet in my blogging about this study because I saw just how much I have to work on. Sometimes it's overwhelming, but He doesn't just want to change my life, He wants to change my day. And He is working to do just that. One, victorious day at a time.

Day 94

He came and went to the cross and rose from the grave so that we could have life.

Life abundantly. Life full of color. Life worth celebrating. Life forever.

Happy Easter.

Day 92

"It is finished."

Day 83

Sometimes those blessings in disguise have a bright shiny bow on them. He's good.

Day 81

Other than Him, there is a very small group that recognizes why this picture is so beautiful to me today. And today marks the first day of the rest of my life. Praise Him!

Day 59

"Time is not nearly as important to God as timing."

Day 53

My lovely small group ladies are the highlight of my Mondays. Last week I left laughing, this week I left crying. And I always leave feeling loved.

Tonight we were studying peace. I may have stolen some of their peace when I pulled my camera out. Lucky for them They are blessed that we start studying patience tomorrow as they continue to put up with me! ;)

Day 52

This is beans & rice week at our church. I wish I would have had my camera at church this morning to take a picture of all of the bags lined up for the more than 1,000 people taking the beans & rice challenge. For three days we are only going to eat beans & rice. It's cooking lab week at school. Smoothies do not fit in the beans & rice diet.

Day 46

Today I am thankful that God has given me someone great to love. And given me someone great that loves me too.

Day 45

We will be participating in the beans and rice challenge next week. So not only do I feel bad about sorta cheating by combining two photos for my photo of the day today. But I also feel bad that both of those photos are of food. And if you follow my main blog, you know that yesterday we also indulged in Texas Roadhouse. I love food. I am so thankful that God blesses us abundantly. We are blessed and the very least we can do is eat beans and rice next week.

Beans and Rice from Prairie Ridge Church on Vimeo.