Thankfulness

(Sent via e-mail to me from my sister)

I Am Thankful:

For the wife who says its hot dogs tonight,
Because she is home with me,
And not out with someone else.

For the husband
who is on the sofa
Being a couch potato,
Because he is home with me,
and not out at the bars.

For the teenager
Who is complaining about doing dishes
Because it means she is at home,
Not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay
because it means I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party
Because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug
Because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work
Because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing,
Windows that need cleaning,
And gutters that need fixing,
Because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining
I hear about the government
Because it means we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot
I find at the far end of the parking lot
Because it means I am capable of walking
And I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill
Because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me at church
Who sings off key
Because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry
Because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles
At the end of the day
Because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off
In the early morning hours
Because it means I am alive.

And finally for too much e-mail
Because it means
I have friends
Who are thinking of me!

Thrift Store Finds

Meredith's post about her Hope Chest inspired me to go thrifting with my future home in mind. I got some really good deals and I had a blast! Here is what I found:

Frame - $1.00
Picture Frame/Chalkboard/Key Holder - $2.00
4 Dessert Plates - $1.o0
Flower Coffee Cup - .50
Candlestick Holder - $2.00
Passion & Purity - .25

I only spent $6.75 total. I am going to continue to add to my Hope Chest collection and try to find the best deals possible to prepare for my future home and bless my future family. Thanks Meredith for being such an awesome example of a Godly single woman with a vision for marriage!

Commitment to Loveliness

Hosted by Charming the Birds from the Trees

I am suppose to list 5 things that I can work

on this week to increase femininity and beauty in my life.

1. Read the word, journal, and pray daily.

2. Be more intentional about preparing for my future home.

3. Plan a few meals for next week.

4. Be welcoming and friendly to those around me.

5. Be grateful.

Mountain View, Arkansas

I took a trip to Mountain View this past weekend with Mike, my parents, and my grandparents. We went because that is where Mike's family has 1500 acres (I'm convinced that at one point they owned the whole town, but he won't admit it.) My grandparents came along because they both grew up around 30 miles away from there and hadn't been back in a long while.

Anyways we left Friday afternoon (it's about a 3 1/2 hour drive) and came home Sunday. I had such a good time! We went four-wheeling on the farm (my parents first experience) and and we saw deer and wild turkey!

We went to the Ozark Folk Center which is a state park dedicated to preserving and teaching the traditional crafts and practices of the Ozark people such as basket weaving, soap making, and herb gardening. It was like Silver Dollar City, but without the rides. We also ate lunch at the old fashion soda fountain downtown which was really good! Saturday night we went to the square and listened to folk music and drank (super hot!!) apple cider. It was a wonderful weekend especially since I got to spend it with Mike :)

Pride

pride: inordinate self-esteem: conceit (Merriam Webster)

pride of heart: a disposition of mind to exalt ourselves (C.G. Finney)

It seems to be my daily prayer that the Lord would humble me, and break me of my pride. I see glimpses of my prideful heart on a daily basis and it disgusts me. I continually think thoughts of I deserve more...Its really all about me...I know how to do things better than others...I can get through today without time in the Word...I don't have time to stop and help (what I have to do is way more important than your need)...I am better than this or that person...I can do it on my own...and the list goes on. I pray that the Lord would reveal to me the pride in my heart and show me the true condition that my heart is in. I want to grieve when the Lord grieves so that means seeing my heart the way He sees it which is pretty scary. Pride is something that I think everyone struggles with on some level because we are all sinful and human, however as believers we are to take our pride and hand it over to the Lord so He can work in us and humble us. The Truth is I can't make it without the Lord, I'm not better than anyone else, its not all about me, my needs are no more important than the next person and I need to continually ask the Lord to humble me and break my of my sinful, prideful heart. I know this is something that I will probably always struggle with this side of heaven, but admitting something is the first step to recovery, right?

"History is the story of redemption. This story is much bigger than I. I am not the main character in the drama of redemption. I am not the point. But by God's grace I am part of it. My subplot is integral to the whole. It is far more significant to have a small part in this story than to star in my own puny production. This is a cosmic story that will run throughout eternity. Will I play my part with grace and joy, or will I go for the short-term, insignificant story that really has no point?" -Susan Hunt

"Let the words of my mouth and

the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

-Psalm 19:14

"Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thougts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting."

-Psalm 139:23-24

Gratitude

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

-Melody Beattie

It is my desire to have an attitude of gratitude in whatever situation I am in. I want to appreciate what I have and find the positive in all situations. I have the Lord with me and in my heart which is all I need.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Spending Fast: Conclusion

Well my spending fast has been over for a few days now and (besides food) I have only bought a $2 shirt for Mike from the thrift store and a book for 35 cents. My goal of saving money was not accomplished due to some medical expenses, but I was able to reflect more on where my money was going. I have also decided that spending more on local foods and products is important and the best way to support my local economy. This fast has been a good experience and probably won't be my last.