{Giving Thanks}

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I was thinking about all I have to be thankful for. The fact that we have many places we can go to spend the day and people to spend it with means we have so much more than some. I don't want the time to pass without me giving thanks for all I have been blessed with.

God's Love and Mercy

My husband

My Baby Girl

My parents

My Siblings

My Nieces and Nephews

My in-laws

Bible Study

Church Family

Worship Music

Food

Shelter

A Car

Health

Fitness

Ability to workout

Teaching

A job I love
Great Co-Workers

Claudy's School

Education

Friends

Extended Family

Clothes

TV

Toys for Lia

Diet Coke

A morning cup of coffee
An afternoon cup of coffee

Bible

Vacation

Laughter

Music

Blogging

Jesus Christ

Redemption

What are you thankful for?? I would to hear your list. Remember to take time during this busy time of year and give thanks where thanks is due. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (Message)

"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."

{#31Days of Thanks} - Day 9 - Podcasts

 

This weekend was so cold :) I don't know how I am going to survive winter. But, I will be thankful!!

 

Today, I'm thankful for Podcasts. When we lived in Haiti and I went to church in another language (it was beautiful) I often felt that I wanted more. At least a couple times a week I would listen to podcasts. They were such encouragement to me.

 

Here are some of my favorites

 

1//Summit Church - My home church back in Florida. Love their heart for the gospel and the weekly challenge.

 

2//The Village Church - Sound Biblical Teaching

 

3//The City Church

 

4// Passion City Church

 

 

5//Christine Caine - Great podcast for women.

 

6//Hillsong Women - Another Great Podcast for Women

 

 

What are your favorite podcasts??

 

 

 



 

 



{#31Days of Thanks} - Day 8 - Candles

To say that I love Candles is maybe an understatement. They put me in a good mood, relax me, help me to stay focused. I know you may be thinking, "WOW all that from a candle" It's impressive, isn't it :) 

 

Candles set an atmosphere. I love having them by my work computer, or in a lowly lit room. Of course, I love the smell.

 

I went back to my instagram feed and this is what I found...Apparently I like to post pictures of my candles :)

 

 

 

My favorite candle is: Leaves from Bath and Body

I just picked up their Autumn Day, Cider Lane and Flannel...All of which are great for the Fall.

For the winter season: I love there scent, Winter or Tis the Season.

For Summer or Spring, I love a lot of the Better Homes and Garden line that Walmart sells and I like anything fruity or flowery...(They have great scents all the time and are super cheap, but good quality). There wax cubes and wax burners are also amazing.

 

 

What are your favorite scents?

 

 



{#31Days of Thanks} - Day 7 - Girls Weekend

WOW - I sure messed up on this #31 Days thing....I took a little vacation with the girls in my family and didn't post at all...

 

So...I'm thankful for Girls Weekends! We had a great time. We stayed at the Marriot - Singer Island. What a great staff and nice accommodations. Of course, we took in the pool, beach, spa and shopping :) It was a great time catching up with my cousins, aunts and grandma. I'm so thankful for my extended family and the time we take to still see each other.

 

 

 

 

 



{#31Days of Thanks} - Day 6 - Transformation

Moving back home is humbling...

 

 

This is me at age 17. I wasn't the nicest girl, I screwed up a lot, I made bad decisions, I was mean to people, I acted entitled, I wasn't sympathetic, I did things I'm not proud of...then I moved away.

 

Senior Prom

 

 

Now, I'm back "home" knowing that I am a different person, but knowing that not everyone knows that about me, not everyone knows I am changed. Knowing there is still so much more work to be done in my life...that I have not arrived, I'm not perfect... 

 

 

 

Today, I'm thankful for God's transformation. I'm thankful for all he has done in my life, all he has brought me through and taught me. He has REDEEMED me. I'm even more thankful, that He isn't done with me yet.

 

At Bible Study we are reading "How People Change" by Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp. I love what they write.

 

God has not called us a to a life of "I have spiritually arrived" or "I am just waiting for heaven." Rather, he calls us to a life of constant work, constant growth, and constant confession and repentance. Making us holy is God's unwavering agenda until we are taken home to be with him. He will do whatever he needs to produce holiness in us. He wants us to be a community of joy, but he is willing to compromise our temporal happiness in order to increase our Christlikeness. Any time we find ourselves in difficulty or trial, it is easy to think we have been forgotten or rejected by God. This is because we do not understand the present process. God is not working for our comfort and ease; he is working on our growth. At the very moment we are tempted to question his faithfulness, he is fulfilling his redemptive promises.

 

I'm so glad He is working for me...that I am still "in process" and that He is continually transforming me.



{#31Days of Thanks} - Day 5 - Date Nights

 

 

For our first year of marriage we lived in Haiti. In fact, we did all of our dating in Haiti too. Well if you have been to Haiti, you know that finding places to go for dates, is not an easy task, unless you want to drive a ways and spend a lot of money (for some you that may be hard to believe). So...most of our dates were at the grocery store.

 

Since being back in the US. We have been able to go on real dates...It has been so much fun, spending intentional time with my husband, where it is just us and we can laugh and talk.

 

This last weekend, my husband took me I made my husband take me out to eat. We live in a small town, so again, unless we want to drive about an hour there aren't many options, but... Morris does have a little gem of a restaurant.

 

 

It has the best Italian food and a great atmosphere. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with each other and to grow together.

 

 

 



{#31Days of Thanks} - Day 4 - Shopping Days with Mom

 

 

Mom and I have always had a special relationship. She is more than a mom, she is a friend.

 

Yesterday, I was able to work mobile and she was able to get out of work Early. We left the house at one and went shopping for Harvest (people it takes the village). We haven't had many of these days since I graduated from college. They are special days.

 

It's fun to be back and have these fun days with her :)




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{#31Days of Thanks} - Day 3 - Best Friends

What would life be like, without a best friend. 

A friend to laugh with, to cry with, to share with

I've got a great bestie... 

We met teaching at a private Christian School in Florida and later became roommates. During our 3 years living together, we didn't fight once. We got along, had Saturday Gameday and Coffee Mornings, Monthly pedicures, etc. 

We no longer live by each other, She got married and I went to Haiti (and then got married)...but we have remained close. 

Bestie...you have always been an encouragement to me, to comfort me, to give me good advice, to tell me the hard things. Thank you!! Thank you for always being there :) 

I love you and miss you!!

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{#31Days of Thanks} - Day 2 - Sunrises

This morning, I was up early and was driving to the dentist. I witnessed a beautiful Sunrise. I couldn't get my camera out fast enough or take enough pictures. If only I had my DSLR.

 

 

Sunrise's are usually beautiful but today, with the crisp fall, the golden colors of harvest, the changing of leaves and this beautiful pink sky. It was all striking.

 

 

This morning, I was reminded of - Lamentations 3:22-23 says,

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.

 

 

 

 

 

 



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{#31Days of Thanks} - Day 1 - Family

 

 





I am so blessed. For 10 years I lived away from my family. Even though I know it wasn't easy for them to let me leave, my parents let me go; first to Florida, then to Haiti. They trusted that I was following God's call and trusted Him with me. I'm so thankful they let me go and released me. I have learned so much during those 10 years. Amazingly enough, I think we have grown closer as a family since I left.

 

 My brothers and their wives have always been supportive and always made an effort to still include me in their lives and their children's lives. I'm so thankful for their love. No matter what I know that whatever happens we will be their for each other to lean on.

 

Now Claudy and I are back...back home. I'm loving every minute of it. We are the family that likes to be together. We like to hang out and spend time with each other.

 

When we left Haiti, we left behind another family. A family I married into. Claudy is one of 12 (they aren't all in this picture). I don't know them all very well, but the ones I do know. I love dearly. One thing I love about their family is how much they help one another out.

 

 

Family is a blessing.  

 

 



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{#31Days of Thanks}

Since arriving back, I have struggled some. Not just with blogging, but in different areas of life. When I saw The Nesting Place was doing a #31days challenge, I knew what I would talk about. THANKS!!

 

I know that this would make more since in November, but we are always suppose to be thankful!!

 

Will you join me?? #31days of Thanks or maybe your own #31days!!

 

Day 1 - Family

Day 2 - Sunrises

 Day 3 - Best Friends

 Day 4 - Shopping Day's with Mom

Day 5 - Date Nights

Day 6 - Transformation

 Day 7 - Girls Weekend

Day 8 - Candles

Day 9 - Podcasts

Day 10 - Our Home

 

 Sorry I'm not great at creating these.

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