Thankful Thursday

There is lots to be thankful for!
--Henry's out of school for the year. I'm thankful that Henry had such a great year in kindergarten. He's matured a lot. He's now reading very fluently on a 2nd-3rd grade level, and half way through the first grade math curriculum. He's a motivated learner, yet the teacher gave us specific things to work on this summer (like working more slowly and carefully and finishing the math book).

--Bigger than his school work, Henry is growing leaps and bounds spiritually. We got him his own NIrV Bible last Sunday, and he is gobbling it up. He WANTS to read it, and sneaks it into bed (it doesn't fit very well under his pillow!). He's already found great passages, and he's going to be in charge of choosing verses for us to memorize each week this summer. (suggestions on how to channel his enthusiasm are welcome!)

--Harmony is growing too--last week at a T ball game I barely recognized her. Who is that long legged blonde girl? She also has lots of questions about "when Jesus makes a new earth"--like will we be young again? Will our cat be there? Can I have my own purple and pink robe?

Thanks, Lord, for growth-- physical, mental, spiritual-- in my children...and for showing it to me.

Thankful Thursday--Wisdom

"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. " Proverbs 2:6

It's graduation season in my neck of the woods--commencement is coming soon. I love that word--really, the students are commencing with the next phase of their lives, and I'm thankful we have the opportunity to be a part of that.

I'm thankful for my students. The group that is graduating next weekend includes the first students I had upon returning from sabbatical. There are some great people in that group, and I'm thankful to see them learn and grow...and for their patience in dealing with me and my growing family.

I'm thankful that despite major cutbacks, I still have a job.

I'm thankful that the older I grow, the more I realize how much I have to learn.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to learn in Bible studies. It doesn't matter who has a degree and who doesn't; the ground is level at the foot of the cross, and I'm thankful for that.

I'm thankful that God not only gives knowledge (facts), he also gives understanding (comprehension) AND wisdom (knowing what to do with that information). And I pray that he will give my children all three of those gifts.

And thanks to Lynn for hosting Thankful Thursday at Spiritually Unequal Marriage!

Thankful Thursday--Bible Study

This week I started a new Bible Study at a community Women's Resource Center. Since I don't have a church home, I've been needing the accountability and encouragement to spend time in the Word, and hopefully find some community too.

I was half an hour late--it was on the same day as I have a late meeting (I knew I was going to be late and e-mailed the leader in advance.) I brought Hope with me, as we're still nursing, and I can't pump enough for daytime and evening (not to mention that I miss her!)

So I was late. I was stressed. I felt like the baby was distracting. I'm not used to the video format or that we didn't pray for each other at the end.

But God still met me there--He reminded me of truths I had memorized, and the value of a mustard seed's worth of faith.

So this week I'm thankful for:
--Jeannie, for the vision of starting a Community Women's Resource Center
--The presence of this organization, providing counseling and Bible studies for women of all different denominations
--The opportunity to study God's word
--The freedom we have to study, with our very own Bibles and without the worry of persecution or imprisonment

You can share your thanks with Laurie at Women Taking a Stand.

Thankful Thursday--Harmony

My daughter, Harmony, is turning five on Thursday. Happy Birthday, Princess!!



I'm thankful that Harmony has recently started wondering if we'll be young when Jesus gives us our new bodies. "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." 2 Peter 2:13

I'm thankful that the cup is always full to overflowing for Harmony. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10



I'm thankful that she doesn't walk--she jumps, hops, skips, dances--sometimes I wonder if her name should have been Joy. "Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." Jeremiah 31:13



I'm thankful that even when something is hard, she sticks with it. "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 3:14


I'm thankful that she's generous, easily malleable, wanting to please her teachers. "To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness," Ecclesiastes 2:26a


I'm thankful that she loves to paint rainbows, complete with glitter glue and jewels. "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." Genesis 9:16

Thank you, Lord, for Harmony, and the blessing she is to me and our family. Continue to bless her and grow her up in You.

Thankful Thursday

It's a crazy week, but I still want to share my thankfulness!

This week I'm thankful for:
--Both sets of grandparents having some special time with Henry and Harmony during Henry's spring break
--Hope being such a smile-y happy baby--she is such a blessing (even if she doesn't sleep more than three hours at a time!)
--There is a CSA delivering to our town this year! http://www.tranquilridgefarm.com/

Thankful Thursday--Lessons from the Beach

We had a great time at the beach when we were on vacation. One morning Harmony and I went down to see the sunrise. We looked for the sandcastle we built the day before, but it was nowhere to be found--the tide had washed everything smooth and flat.

It reminded me of the messes and piles I make in my own life, and that all I need to do for Jesus to wipe them clean is draw near to him and ask.

So this week I'm thankful for God's forgiveness, that wipes everything smooth as the beach when the tide goes out.

I'm thankful for the shells we found on the beach--but more thankful for the reminder that if you want to find life (not just empty shells), you have to jump into the ocean of God's love. The Christian life isn't a spectator sport!

What are you thankful for today? You can share your list at Laurie's this week.

Thankful Thursday

This week I'm thankful for evidence of spiritual growth in my children, despite not having a regular church home. I'm specifically thankful for:
--AllBoy's weekend report being all about going to church
--AllBoy praying for Princess to be healed from her cough and fever in a hands-on and faith-filled way
--Princess talking about Jesus right and left. Tonight she was asking about seeing Jesus, and how she couldn't wait to get to heaven to see him face to face.

Lord, I thank you for spiritual growth in my children, and for showing it to me.

Thankful Thursday--new life!

Spring has sprung around here! The hyacinths are poking their heads out, the trees have buds, and the students are wearing flip flops.

So this week I'm thankful for new life:
--for all the newness of spring
--that spring didn't spring a leak around here (with prayers for those threatened with flooding in the Northern Plains)
--for Hope--she's rolling over, blowing raspberries and generally being cute (though still not sleeping through the night)
--for the new life scripture promises us:
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

and thanks to Lynn for hosting Thankful Thursday this week!

Thankful Thursday--Freedom

I grew up going to a mainline church. During grad school, I realized that I was looking to people to provide what only God could. I decided to "marry" Jesus--that He would be my one and only. I set a date, wrote a ceremony, and even bought a special ring.

A couple of months later, I was contemplating dating someone. I wasn't sure if I should or not--did marrying Jesus mean I couldn't marry a human? Was it the equivalent of committing to be a nun? As I prayed about it, I didn't think that it did, but I didn't want to mess up my relationship with Jesus.

As part of my bedtime routine, I always hooked my ring through my watch and set it on the dresser. One morning, the ring was no where to be found. Not on the dresser, under the dresser, under the bed, anywhere. It was like the ring had just disappeared into thin air! Even two years later when I moved out of the house and could really look everywhere, it was no where to be found.

I took that as a sign that I was free to be in a human relationship...and married my now-husband of more than ten years.

So this week I'm thankful for God's amazing way of freeing me from that concern, and making it clear to me who I should marry!

Thankful Thursday--Maps

When we were getting ready to leave our final hotel to head to the airport, I asked the guy at the front desk for the best way to get to there. The directions he gave me didn't seem right--didn't we turn right, not left on that street to get to the interstate? And didn't the interstate go by the airport? And they didn't match the printed directions from the hotel, either--they had us just go straight on the first road.

It was hard to trust his words. In fact, when we stopped to get gas, I dug the maps out of the suitcase in the bottom of the trunk.

Turns out the guy was right--it was the shortest and fastest route. But I felt so much better when I saw it for myself.

Now it would be nice if we had a map for life?

The good news is, we do!
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

So this week, I'm thankful for:
--the Bible, our road map for life.
--Jesus, our personal tour guide. With Him, we'll never be lost.
--Martin Luther and the Gutenberg Press, for putting The Map in the hands of the people in words they could read.
--a great vacation
--a smooth re-entry into "normal" life

Please share your thankfulness with our new host, Lynn

Thankful Thursday--food

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42

This week I'm thankful for sharing meals with friends and colleagues. It's not that big of a deal to cook for eight (or 12, like Tuesday night) instead of four, and it's fun to share time together.

I'm thankful that we live in a land of plenty and diversity, that we don't eat the same thing every day, every meal. How often I take for granted that morning banana or orange that came from many miles away!

I'm thankful for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness sake...and for those ministries that bring food to the hungry, from Second Harvest to Meals on Wheels to Bread for the World and World Vision. If you want to help, play the Rice Vocabulary game and donate rice through the UN Food program.

I'm thankful for the bread of life from heaven and manna for today--that God provides for today's needs today, and for tomorrow's needs tomorrow. I just have to trust that He will.

And I'm thankful to Iris for hosting Thankful Thursdays!

Thankful Thursday

I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart,
I will enter his courts with praise;
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made,
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

I'm thankful that Harmony thought this was a good song tonight--she said, "we should sing that at church sometime!" I'd have to agree.

I'm thankful that Henry thinks the courts are the basketball ones...and wants to praise God for basketball in his prayers at night.

I'm thankful that Hope's full face/full body smiles are enough to melt anyone's concern away.

I'm thankful that this song reminds me that sometimes praise and thanksgiving are an act of will...and it leads to much rejoicing.

If you'd like to share your praises, visit Iris at Grace Alone!

Thankful Thursday

He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:7-8

I'm thankful that we don't know everything...and that's ok.
I'm thankful that God is God, and He is the one with authority.
I'm thankful that we WILL receive power WHEN the Holy Spirit comes. Our God is not an if/then, He is a WILL/WHEN!
I'm thankful that we're sent in concentric rings--first where we are, then to our neighbors, then to the ends of the earth.

And I'm thankful for the opportunity to share my thankfulness with the blogging community at Grace Alone--thanks for hosting, Iris!

Thankful Thursday

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:10-13

This week I'm incredibly thankful for community.

We've started a new tradition this semester--after faculty meeting, we have a couple of other faculty families join us for dinner. I'm thankful for the opportunity to get to know my colleagues and their families a little better this way, and for how we can support each other this way.

I'm thankful for Jen and her family. I can't tell you how blessed we've been by them, and their generosity blows me away. For Christmas, Jen gave us the gift of a meal a week. Not only does that relieve one of the stresses of the week, Jen is an awesome cook! I know what a sacrifice of time this is, and it is such a blessing. No wonder that is the name of her blog--she and her family are such a blessing!

I'm thankful for our community of Christians, both in the town where we live, the town where our church is, the town where we first met the Vineyard Church and the community of Christians on the internet...like Thankful Thursday!

Thankful Thursday: Act 1

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach... Acts 1:1

What I love about this passage is the word "began". Jesus' ministry on earth was just the beginning--more was to come. It wasn't over when He died on the cross or even when he ascended into heaven; it was just the beginning...Act 1, you could say.

So with this first post, I'm thankful that God's not done with us yet, that He continues to send his presence and work through us.

Thankful Thursday--asking

Tonight I'm thankful that we can ask God for anything. Ten minutes into a thirty minute drive, I realized that Hope was going to get hungry...now. Ugh. I dreaded 20 minutes of crying, trying to reach back to comfort her, wondering if it was worth the big kids getting to bed late so we could stop and feed her.

Patrick heard my sigh as I reached for the spat-out pacifier, and said, "Why don't you pray for Hope?"

Duh...why DON'T I pray??

So I did. I threw up a quick "God, you stretched the widow's flour and oil to last for a famine, and fed thousands with a kid's lunch. Stretch Hope's last feeding until we get home."

And He did. There were a few squaks, then she fell asleep...until about two minutes after we got into the house.

James 4:2b: You do not have, because you do not ask God.

So why DON'T I pray??

Sometimes I think the problem is too trivial--why would God care if we have to listen to a crying child, or that Hope is hungry?

Sometimes I think the problem is my fault--I should have realized Hope would get hungry, and fed her before I left. I made my bed, shouldn't I have to sleep in it?

Sometimes I think the problem is too big--I'm sure someone else has already prayed for it, so what difference would my prayer make?

The good news is, I'm wrong.

Matthew 7:7-11:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

So I'm thankful that there is no prayer too trivial for God to answer. I'm thankful that God doesn't punish me by denying prayers because it's the natural consequence of my bad decisions. I'm thankful that God does listen to our prayers, both big and small...even when He doesn't answer in the way I'd expect.


Thanks, God, that you are a great daddy, and you love to give good gifts to your children. Forgive me, for not asking more, for minimizing my needs, relying on my own abilities. Help me to bring everything, everything to You in prayer.

Thankful Thursday

The semester has started, so we're getting in a new groove. I'm very thankful it's working out--Henry having two hour delays has helped ease the transition out of vacation mode.

I'm thankful for the ability to nurse Hope--I keep learning about how I need to be fed from the Source, and fed often.

I'm thankful that a new set of labs worked (at least for me--we'll see what happens when the students do it!)

I'm thankful that even though it's cold here, it's better than where I grew up (-32 yesterday!) I'm still amazed the schools close here because it's cold (below zero) here. I remember one day in sixth grade when we were on the kid's news show because the wind chill was -100 F...and we were at school!

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

This week I'm extremely thankful for:

The Holy Spirit. That's what lets the heavenly realm break through here on earth. It struck me this year that Mary was the first spirit filled human of the NT (Luke 1:39).

Prayer. God so definitely hears our prayers--my very blase visit to the GI doctor (because I've been healed through prayer, there's nothing left to treat) and Hope are proof of that. We got some awesome and encouraging prayer. How often we don't get because we don't ask!

Community. We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, both here and at church. We've been blessed with wonderful friends--what can I say but thanks??

For more thankfulness, visit Iris!

Thankful Thursday: Timing

This week I'm glad that God has great timing:

Romans 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

This week, God's timing was totally apparent in Henry's life. His Winter Program was scheduled to be Monday night. Mammaw was very disappointed that she was unable to attend, as she's recovering from a perforated colon (from a colonoscopy--another praise, her recovery!). Well, Monday afternoon the weather turned blustery, so they postponed the program to January...and now Mammaw can attend.

Today, Henry was scheduled to get some fillings at the dentist...during his class's Christmas present from his teachers, a special in-class breakfast party. Once again, the weather to the rescue--there was a two hour delay (which would have been enough for him to make it to the party) AND the dentist called and cancelled. (Unfortunately it was minutes after I got him out of bed early to eat some breakfast before the "no eat zone" began...but I got to go back to bed :))

Not just one, but two times where God stepped in to bless Henry with his timing.

Jesus even confirms that God had a right time for him to die--John 7:6 says "Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come..." I'm so thankful we get to celebrate his perfectly timed arrival.

It gives me confidence that although I don't always immediately agree with God's timing, it IS perfect, and all works together for good in the end.

And I'm glad he died for the ungodly, because that's definitely me.

And speaking of timing, I need to go to bed. For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris.

Thankful Thursday

This week I'm thankful for:
--giving birth in our newly redone hospital maternity ward
--supportive friends and family who have showered us with gifts, especially yummy meals
--Time off from my job, though I still have work to do (enough to keep my mind busy)

And I'm most thankful for a baby born two thousand years ago, in an unsterile barn, who was probably shunned by his family and friends for being born out of wedlock (though some random strangers from both near and far brought priceless gifts to pay for their soon journey to a far off land...)

Share your thanks with Iris!