Thankful Thursday (a day late)

I'm a day late - and its been months since I did a "Thankful Thursday" post. I am truly still incredibly grateful to God for all His MANY blessings to me.

This week I am thankful for our friends and family. Yesterday (Thursday) I spent an incredible, much needed 3 hours with one of my very best friends. Unfortunately she lives many many hours away in Florida but was up here on vacation so we were able to share lunch together. She is such an encouragement to me and I am so thankful I was able to be with her yesterday.

Then last night our friends (and parishioners) Blaine & Dixie brought pizza and came over for the evening. We had such a nice time around the camp fire just visiting and fellowshipping.

And last, but not least, I'm thankful for my in-laws. Yesterday Byron's dad came and spent the day helping Byron around the church and house get some more much needed jobs done.

I am truly very very blessed.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my van. I have been moaning and groaning allot lately about gas prices. It costs around 80.00 to fill our van and lately we've been filling up at least once a week. We have 2 parishioners in the hospital in 2 different directions. Byron has been going every other day to visit them and its been excruciating to our gas bill. Consequently, I've been spending alot of time in prayer (and quite abit of whining too). This AM, as I was having my devotions, once again I was appealling to God for some relief in this area and He ever so gently - yet very clearly - reminded me that some people don't even have a vehicle to drive. So, in the grand scheme of things, I/we are very blessed to even have a vehicle to need gas. So, today, on "Thankful Thursday", I am thanking the Lord for our van and the ability to get from one place to another without walking.

First off, I am THANKFUL that none of you can see my house right now. I am busily cleaning (deep cleaning) in preparation for company tomorrow night. As I've been cleaning, I've been thinking. Most of you know that we live in a trailer. A very OLD trailer. A trailer that has been through many many toddlers. A trailer that really is in sad structural condition. I can honestly say, without any hesitation, that I am content here. I love being in the country. I love our neighbors (we've got the best - hands down). I love our HUGE back yard. I love our little town. But, I have to be honest - I really really dislike our very very humble abode. I long daily for a house. Wouldn't even have to be huge - but a house would be nice. However, today, while cleaning, the Lord whispered to me that what I have is by far better than some women have. So....

Today, on "Thankful Thursday", I am thankful for my "house". I am thankful that we have a roof over our head. I am thankful for the remodeling that the church did last year for us. I'm thankful for a solid floor now and for new (as of last year) carpet in my living room. I'm thankful for a washer and dryer. Going to the laundromat several times a week would definitely be a pain for me.

So, I'm thankful. I am learning that..."whateversoever state (read: trailer) I am in - therewith will I be content. That was my paraphrase by the way.

Thankful Thursday

I can safely say that this week has proven to be a week full of examples of God's overwhelming and undeserved goodness to me and to my family. I may, at a later time, share the events of the week, however, tonight, I just want to give Him praise for being God in the good times as well as the bad times. It is so easy to love Him and praise Him in the midst of blessings but I'm sincerely praying that when the next valley becomes my path, I will even then, still praise Him. So, tonight... here is my testimony. To God be ALL the glory. Truly, "How can I say thanks.... for things you have done for me. Things SO undeserved, yet you gave to prove your love for ME!"

Thankful Thursday a day late

I apologize for being publicly thankful a day late but I figured - better late than never.

As you all have read, we've been very sick all week. ALL of us. It's been interesting and challenging. However, we are all feeling much much better. Vincent went back to school today for the first time this week. That is definately a praise. He was very happy to be going back.

Throughout this week, God has been so good to us and has sent people to help us out. So, my Thankful Thursday post is to these people:

1. Tom & Connie Rodgers: Connie fixed food for us on 2 different days. What a delight and SUCH a blessing!! We didn't have the stomach flu so we WERE hungry but Mommy just didn't have the energy or strength to fix much. Not only did she fix food on 2 different days but they made special trips to bring it to us. Thank you SO much for being so kind and helping us out in that way!!!

2. George Randal: George came and took care of our animals when we were the worst and absolultely could not get the job done. Thanks George!!!

3. Dad Gurnee: There were a couple outside issues that had to be done that Byron simply was not up to doing so Dad Gurnee drove 30 min to our house and took care of it for us. Then yesterday, Dad & Mom Gurnee drove the 30 min AGAIN to our house and brought (among other cool things) an air purifier for our house. If nothing else, psycologically, I feel better already!!! Just knowing it is ridding our trailer of "the sickness" (as Vincent calls it) has made me feel so much better!!

4. John Rausch (our neighbor): He stopped by our house earlier in the week to talk to Byron and when he found out that we were all sick he left only to return a few hours later with a big pan of soup, a loaf of bread and blueberry muffins. What a way to show you care!!

5. To the numerous ones who have emailed and let us know they were/are praying for us - Thanks so VERY VERY much.

This Thursday I want to take time to be thankful for the friends God has sent into my life.

There's the friend from PA who is actually a "new" friend but she and I just kinda "clicked" and I feel like we've known each other forever. It helps that she and I have tons in common - the biggest of which is that our husbands share the same calling. I feel like I can be "me" when I am with her and that she's ok with that!! She is one of the few that I've felt totally "at home" with.

Then there is my friend from FL. She is one of my most loyal encouragers and prayer supporters. She challenges me by her life in so many many ways.

Then, there are my "Internet" friends. Some of you are probably gasping. I have some incredibly dear friends who I met on the Internet 7+ yrs ago. We've stuck together through thick and thin. Some of us have met in real life. Some I hope to meet soon!! But, we are all intertwined together by our passion for God and by our love for our family - AND, by our need for each other. I can bring any prayer request to these "girls" and I have no doubt in my mind that each one of them are praying for me/the need.

Then there are my 2 friends (part of the above group) who knew I have this serious addiction to "Just Born" marshmallow "peeps". So, they each sent me 10 boxes of marshmallow trees and snowmen. Thank you girls!!!! You have no idea how that made me smile.

Then there is my Alaska friend who never ceases to make me laugh. She always seems to know the right thing to say to my ponderings.

Thank the Lord for sending the women into my life who have made me a better wife, mother and pastor's wife. My life is so much better because of you all!!! It is my prayer that I will be the kind of friend that these ladies have been to me!!

Love ya lots girls!!!