thirty days of thanksgiving 20

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his loyal love endures.
- 1 Chronicles 16:34

O Lord, your loyal love reaches to the sky; your faithfulness to the clouds.
- Psalms 36:5

I haven't forgotten about writing my thanksgiving posts for the last few days, I've just been in such a funk.

The first night that I skipped it I was just so tired, and I thought, "What difference does one day make?"

And then the next night I thought about posting and then thought, "What difference does it make; not many people read my blog."

And before I knew it I was having myself a full blown pity party. To the point that I could barely stand to be around myself.

Isn't it wonderful that God loves us even when we are at our most unloveable.

Isn't it amazing that God loves us even when we push him away.

Isn't is amazing that God knows what is on our hearts, and He hears our prayers even when we aren't able to put them into words.

Father, thank you for you enduring love. Thank you that when my foot is slipping, your loyal love supports me. Thank you for listening to my prayers and knowing what weighs heavy on my heart when I can't even put it into words.

thirty days of thanksgiving 15

Lucy Mercer is zonked out. She is absolutely exhausted. She may not wake up until Sunday.

She went to school today.

And she was so good. She visited three different story times in the library before lunch. Those little ones crowded around her - talking loud, rubbing her hair backwards, getting right in her face - she never even flinched.  She stood patiently while each and every kid had a chance to love on her.

After lunch my classes came in. And she let everyone of those older kids love on her too. Then in each class we went outside and let her run and run with them. At the end of seventh period she crashed, and I thought maybe she wouldn't play with the next class. But when they wanted to pet her, she was happy to let them. And when they wanted to run to the end of the football field and back over and over, she ran with them.

And now that she is finally home, she has passed out.

It wasn't all just fun today. Lucy was helping me to teach writing.

The students had to observe her during the visit and then write about her appearance, personality, and mannerisms. The idea being that to successfully write about anyone or anything, they must get to know the subject through observation or research. And they were observant. There was a discussion about her color; no one could decide exactly what color she is. And several students noticed that Lucy likes her momma.

Lord, thank you for pets.Through them we learn what it means to love unconditionally, to devote ourselves fully, and to follow where our master leads.

thirty days of thanksgiving 4

But Jesus call for the children, saying, "Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
- Luke 18:16

I can't resist a baby. They are a squishy, slobbery, cuddly piece of heaven.

And my great-nephew is at the top of my loving list. He is such a sweet baby.

He's about 4 months old, and everyday he is doing something new.

I usually don't see him during the middle of the week, just weekends. But for the last week, I've managed to spend several of my evenings with him.

He is learning to make new noises. And has gotten really accurate with putting his pacy in and out of his mouth.

I get lost in the blue eyes, dimples, and happy squeals.

Thursday he went for a check up. That night I got to play with him.  We had a very deep conversation about his doctor's visit. He cooed and squealed and giggled at every question I asked him. He had a lot to say about that doctor.


Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing our family with a precious, healthy baby. Thank you for the joy and love that comes with a baby. I ask that you be with all parents who are patiently waiting the delivery of their precious baby. Please bless them with a safe delivery and a healthy child. Be with all of those couples who so desperately want to be parents. Hear their prayers, Father. Be with all of the families who are praying for a sick baby. Lord, touch those children with your healing hands. And Lord, I lift up to you all those parents who are mourning the loss of a child. Fill them with a peace that passing understanding.

thirty days of thanksgiving 2

God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs to indicate seasons and days and years, and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." It was so.
- Genesis 1:14-15

For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are with out excuse.
 - Romans 1:20

For every creation of God is good and no food is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
- 1Timothy 4:4


I love this time of year - the golden afternoon light, the bright blue skies, the bright orange leaves of a Sycamore tree contrasted against the stark white bark. Right now, fall is my favorite season.

But in the winter when I'm bundled up drinking a cup of coffee and watching a soft snow fall on the deck, or I'm with Lovey feeding cows and laughing at just how many layers of clothes a man can squeeze on and still be cold, that will be my favorite season.

Then in the spring when I've had a glorious Easter Sunday with family, hunting eggs and flying kites, and I'm sitting on the couch exhausted and stuffed, that will be my favorite season.

And when school finally ends, and I'm reading in my end of the camper listening to a gaggle of teenagers piled in the opposite end playing video games and reliving the day's tube or knee board rides, that will be my favorite season.

Each day, if I take the time to notice, I can see God in His creation. Each day, if I take the time to notice, God reveals His love for me through that same creation.

Father God, I thank you for your amazing creation. Thank you for creating a home for us that provides for our every need. Thank you for the changing seasons, for beautiful sunrises and sparkling night skies. Thank you for surrounding us in the natural beauty of flowers and trees, birds and animals. And help me Lord to remember to not take your creation for granted. Amen

you just can't complain on days like this

My morning was a bit of a blur - a productive blur, but still a blur. You can read a bit about it here.

Then my afternoon classes came in. Just as the students were settling in, the office called for  all seventh graders to go for school pictures. Picture day is always a bit crazy.

Then my creative writing class came in. Yesterday was such a beautiful day, and we took advantage of it. The girls came in and asked to take class outside. I simply asked that they pay attention to their surrounds and incorporate it into their writing through imagery. So today they read their products. I heard poems, stories, and the best "it's not really anything - I just rambled" that I've ever heard. Those girls inspire me every day.

During seventh period, I got the phone call. The one I had been dreading all day. The one I had avoided.
A few weeks ago brother called, Daddy would be having a biopsy on September 7. The doctors had found a spot on his lungs, and it had gotten bigger. So today, I was glad to be busy. Glad to have the distractions. But the call eventually came.

The procedure was over. The CAT scan was long. Daddy was getting discouraged and nervous. They kept him in the machine for what seemed like such a long time. He was feeling claustrophobic. He was imagining the absolute worst. Finally, the scan ended. And the doctor came in for a conference. They had checked and re-checked.

THERE. WAS. NO. SPOT.

PRAISE GOD!

God is good ALL THE TIME! Who can complain on days like this?