Thankful Thursday

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation."  Psalm 13:5

 Kyle on third after hitting a triple (May 2014).

• Lyssa turned 20 on Monday! So hard to believe.

• In the last week Lyssa has also finished her sophomore year of college, moved into a new apartment and started a new job.  It's been a big, big week in my girl's world!

• Kyle ended his his Varsity baseball season last night.  He hit a triple this week (pictured above) and finished the season as the number one batter on the team.  YAHOO!

• Kyle took initiative and showed courage when he texted his coach about a concern he had.  

• Kyle worked on his truck this week and I was impressed by his attention to detail, patience, and effort to clean up after himself.  He seemed so grown up and responsible.  Maybe we taught him right.  Ha!

Lord, thank you for helping my children grow up into wonderful, responsible adults.  I'm amazed by your active presence in their lives, and how I can see you working, teaching and stretching my babies.  Thank you, precious Savior!
 
 

Thankful Thursday

"My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You because You have redeemed me."  Psalm 71:23

On this Thankful Thursday we have many reason to shout for joy!  Our God is so good!

• A wonderful Good Friday service and Easter Sunday services.
• A visit with a baseball coach from an area college. 
• Picking a tuxedo with Kyle for prom.
• I got a new bike from my Easter honey!  It's purple!  What a fun surprise!

• An Easter afternoon bike ride with my boys (picture above).
• Lyssa got a new-to-her car.
• A day with no baseball for Kyle and a night of rest for all.

 

Lord, you have been so good to our family!

 

 

Thankful Thursday

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

So thankful that even in my unloveliness God extends His extravagant grace to me.  Daily, moment by moment, and without reservation He loves me.  In return, I am wholeheartedly devoted to Him.

I am also grateful for a few things in my week...

• A wonderful women's retreat with my church friends!  Oh the worship, laughter, and encouraging conversations that touched my heart.  I loved seeing God's work in ladies lives. 
• Oh, and my mom was at retreat, and that was a double blessing.  I love to hear her sing and I'm thankful for her faith!
• I came home to dinner on the table, a freshly bathed dog, and my two boys excited to see me.  Melt my heart.
• Answered prayers remind me that God is intimately aware of my needs.
• Verses, blogs, and notes that speak to my heart condition.
• Kyle had a few good hits in baseball games this week and some increased attention from college scouts.  I'm waiting expectantly for God's plan to unfold in his life.

Lord, thank you for showing your love to me in so many ways.  You are always present in the good and hard moments of life.  I see you teaching me, stretching me and loving me through those moments.  Your grace is a gift and I never want to take it for granted.  Thank you, precious Savior, for loving us so much that you died for us.  My heart is yours.

 

Thankful Thursday

"The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."  Hebrews 1:3

I'm so thankful that God sustains all things.  What promise and hope for parenting, busy lives, and unknown futures.   It reminds me of the song "Because He Lives"...

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

Amen and Amen!!  So thankful!

Here's also a few things I'm grateful for on the home front...

• Kyle's continuing to get great grades even with the busyness of baseball starting.  His lowest grade is an 89% (pre-calculus).  Pretty good, I think!
• Lyssa facetimed me on Sunday.  She's been fighting not feeling well, but continues to press on in her last month of college classes.  I'll post a picture of her latest art project.  Beautiful in my humble opinion.  

• Kyle took me to hit balls at our local golf course.  He was a great (but unsuccessful) teacher at showing me how to use a golf club appropriately.  His lack of success had nothing to do with his teaching skills, but everything to do with my lack of skill.  I enjoyed our time together the most.

• Ken had the opportunity to make some extra money on Monday.  Every little extra "dough" we make is a blessing in paying for our children's upcoming summer adventures (wedding and baseball camps aren't cheap!).  God is so good!  And I'm thankful for a man who works hard and sacrificially!
• I'm heading to Women's Retreat today.  It's been a few months of planning and work to put it together but I have enjoyed watching God's pre-retreat work and can't wait to see what He'll do this weekend as we gather.
• And oh how I love that spring is here!  My trees are beautiful with pink and white blossoms.  I wish they would just stay that way for more than a week.  I guess that is what causes me to be more in awe today!

 Thank you, Lord, for sustaining all things, especially me!  And in that sustaining, I see blessings and signs that you are present in my life.  Thank you for the ways I see you growing up my babies and sustaining them as well.  I pray that we each always radiate your glory in our comings and goings, and in our thanksgiving and trust!  You are my God and I praise you!

 

Thankful Thursday

A few things I'm thankful to the Lord for this last week...

• Wedding dress shopping with my daughter.

 

• Time with family.

• Laughter, fun, food, and lots of running around with Lyssa and Jered.

•  Signs of spring.

•  Though I missed my boy's games while I was away, another mom sent me this picture. I got this after we had spent an evening watching videos of when our kids were small.  It amazes me to see my boys growth!  He's a young man for sure!

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise..."  Psalm 48:1

 

Thankful Thursday

"Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice."  1 Chronicles 16:10

 Kyle was in the newspaper! (Idaho Press Tribune, March 19, 2014)

A few little things I am rejoicing over this week!

• I love the sun and warmth, and the flowers peeking out from the earth.  Spring is on its way!
• The smell of a clean puppy.
• A surprise box of Peanut Butter Captain Crunch from a secret someone.
• A facetime call with Lyss...and my parents.
• Lunch "date" with my boys.
• Kyle hit a triple in Tuesday's COLD baseball game.
• Whoever invented a "lava seat" was a genius, and my sister the best for giving me one!
• A beautiful bouquet of flowers from my sweet hubby.

Lord, thank you for these many blessings!  I rejoice in you, my Savior, my God!  You show us your love and care in so many ways.  Thank you for being ever present in our lives.  Amen.

Mac Moment:

 This statue FREAKED him out. Funny!

 

Thankful Thursday

"If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection."  Psalm 63:5 (The Message)

Things I'm thankful for this week:

• Friday night was spent with both my boys, doing one of their favorite things...watching the high school state basketball semi-final games.   I didn't have to cook, and the three of us were together in one place.  Yeah!
• On Saturday, Ken and I enjoyed going to see the play "Fiddler on the Roof" at a nearby college, and watching one of the youth from our church perform.  It was a fun date, and we enjoyed singing the song "Do You Love Me" on the way home as we too, like Tevye and Golde, are soon celebrating 25 years of marriage

For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes
Cooked your meals, cleaned your house
Given you children, milked the cow
After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?

 (I've done all but milk the cow...ha!)

• Kyle made the Varsity baseball team and had the first game of the season last night.  Let the baseball fun begin!  And God gave us beautiful weather for our first game. 
• Instead of giving Ken a team baseball hat for keeping score all season, the coach gave us a free season pass to get into the home games.  That's a big savings, I tell you!  God is good!
• Our Sunday night prayer time was precious and I'm blessed when I hear someone else pray for our kids.  We went into the prayer meeting just having heard a 17 year old, that Kyle has played with baseball with in years past, had died in a car accident, and the people in that room so lovingly prayed for Kyle's comfort.
• Tuesday night, Lyssa called in dire panic because she had stepped on a piece of glass.  My first thought was "She called me!" (Which just really may be what I'm thankful for!). We spent a good thirty minutes trying to keep her mind off the pain, and her threat to faint, by chatting with her about the weekend she spent with her future in-laws, while Jered tried to pull the glass out.  She did survive and she pulled the glass out all by herself.  Yeah Lyssa!

The list goes on and on!  I'm just thankful for the many ways I can see God living and active in my life, and in the life of my family.

Better is one day in your courts 

than a thousand elsewhere; 

I would rather be a doorkeeper

in the house of my God 

than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 

                      --Psalm 84:10

Lord, I have been in grateful reflection, and my heart wants to cry out to you in thanksgiving.  You are living and active in our lives, and I am overflowing with gratitude.  Thank you, Lord, for your blessing and provision.  Thank you for answering the prayers of this praying mom.  What joy it brings to see your presence and work effecting the lives of my children.  I love living in your courts, dear Jesus, and wouldn't wish to be any where else!  I love you!

 

Thankful Thursday!

"Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”  John 14:21

I have felt loved, in so many ways, by my Heavenly Father this week!  He shows Himself in beautiful ways!

• Our daughter got engaged into a young man she's been dating for 5 1/2 years.  I loved her declaration that she was "beyond happy".  Though I find myself anxious about her age, God clearly has told me to trust Him.  I've also loved the abundance of texts and facetime calls with Lyss since her engagement, asking questions, making plans, and keeping her parents in the loop. 

• Kyle has been working hard at both school and baseball.  I love his discipline for sure!  One blessing is that he is going to a big baseball camp this summer and someone gifted us with a check to help in the cost of this big adventure.  Words cannot express our gratitude.

• Ken and Kyle had a great time at Man Camp, and I sensed God answering some of my prayers about men who will speak truth and blessing into my teenage son's life.  Our young men need to see grown men living out their faith, and not ashamed of following God.  

• Our dog Mac had a brief stint of crazy wheezing and was pretty lethargic for a day, which is really cause for alarm when the mutt lives on high energy most of the time.   I was thankful that we have a veterinary friend in our church and she was quick to respond and give us help.  It seems that our dog was suffering from allergies.  Oh great, we needed another allergy mess around here.

Thank you, Lord, for the ways I sense your love and care over our family!  I see you in beautiful ways and my heart is full of gratitude and awe.  

 

Thankful Thursday!

"He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food."  Job 36:16

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all..."  2 Corinthians 5:14

"The Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised."  Joshua 23:10


I know that God is pursuing my children.  He longs for them to love Him, believe in Him, and spend their lives forever by His side.  And He longs for that deeper than this mother does.

Oh, to know that He is wooing Alyssa and Kyle to Himself.

There's nothing sweeter!

Lord, thank you for your continual pursuit of Alyssa and Kyle.  Thank you that you long for them to be your daughter and son, and to speak to them as one would speak to a friend (Exodus 33:11). You fight for them to belong to you.  You woo them into a love relationship with their Savior.   I kur now, Lord, that you will never give up on them, and will always show up in the different parts of their lives.  Open their eyes that they might see your uncompromising presence and unconditional love.  Move their hearts to beat after yours.  Thank you, Lord, for loving your children!
 

Thankful Thursday

I will give you hidden treasures,
    riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

 Isaiah 45:3 

My hubby took me on a lovely getaway last weekend.  

The picture above is the view outside our window 

when we woke up Saturday morning.  Lots of snow!

Kyle getting ready for the Sweethearts Dance.  

He tied his tie in a fancy knot by watching a YouTube video.  

He was mighty handsome!

 Kyle and his girlfriend Tia as they headed out to the Sweethearts Dance.

  I'm work with a team of ladies to put on an annual Women's Retreat, 

and last weekend was our fundraiser.  We put on a Spaghetti Feed

and dessert auction, raising $1,707.00  So blessed. 

This dessert (above) is the one we "won"!  Kyle wanted the raspberries!

Kyle's transcript after this last semester.  Each semester he is improving.

He's such a disciplined student.

A surprise Valentines delivery was dropped off yesterday.  

More raspberries for Kyle, sweet treats, and a yummy dinner!

The thoughtfulness touched my heart.

Lord, thank you for the hidden treasures in this week that remind me of your presence in our lives.  You are so good to us!

 

Breathing Room for My Soul

 God, the one and only—
    I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
    so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
    breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
    I’m set for life.

Psalm 62:5-6 




It's my Thankful Thursday list!

• Lunch with a friend brought perspective and peace.
• A memorial service reminded me of God's blessing of so many special people in my life through ministry, and His transforming work in the lives of His children.
• Sunday I was struck by how deep, wide, and high is the love of Christ.  Sometimes I forget.
• A sweet text from Lyss asking how we were surviving the Superbowl at our house.  Though my Bronco fans were somber and discouraged, I loved that she cared enough to check in. 
• On Monday my dear hubby and I finally had our regular Monday date-day.  It had been way too long.  We took a peaceful drive out of the city and into some beautiful country (picture above) and enjoyed the rest and rejuvenation it brought.  
• We are about over the awful crud at our house.  Amen!
• Kyle's been talking college plans.  Is it that time already?  Just watching little moments where God's plan for his life might be unfolding.  Its too early to tell, but I'm trusting God for Kyle's future.
• A frozen yogurt date with my two boys was the cherry on top of my Tuesday!

Here's a few more pictures I took this week of things I was thankful for...

  
Lord, everything I hope for comes from you!  You are the solid rock under my feet, and the breathing room for my soul!  Thank you for the visible signs of your presence in my life.  Thank you for Alyssa and Kyle and for the ways you are at work in their lives.  Because I see your faithfulness in my life, I know you are faithful in Alyssa and Kyle's life too.  You are good, oh so good!  My hope in you breaths life into my soul!

Thankful Thursday

"I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth."  3 John 1:4 HCSB

I have to admit I struggled with doubts and fears this week about my kid's faith.  Both Alyssa and Kyle have been raised in the church. and have probably had more church related experiences than most kids, but they are coming to the age where they are beginning to make their own choices about their church commitments.  And sometimes, leaving it up to them, makes me a nervous mom.  I know it's the way it should be, but darn it, can't I just tell them what to do?! 

Even though, neither child did what I hoped they would in regard to Sunday opportunities, I saw other signs that they are choosing to make their faith their own.  For that, I am thankful and I will hold on to the hope I have that God is working on them!  I'm thankful for His promises!

"Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance."  2 Peter 3:8, 9 HCSB

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23 NIV

A different kind of "Thankful Thursday", but there you have it. (Sickness has been running rampant in our house, and laying around and doing nothing for a week doesn't give way to huge list of things to be thankful for...for now, I'll be thankful that we are finally on the mend!)

Lord, thank you for the ways I see you working in Alyssa and Kyle's lives.  Thank you for the ways you're calling their names and drawing them to yourself.  I can trust you with my hopes and fears, and with my children's hearts and souls.  You are my anchor and I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know that truth as well!

 And one more funny Mac picture...

He loves television.

 

Thankful Thursday

"I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!"  Deuteronomy 32:3

This week Kyle was invited to the Sweethearts Dance.

*  Kyle attended a big baseball camp this last weekend. He spent almost 30 hours in four days being taught, stretched, and observed.

*  We are 3/4 the way through finals week and Kyle's done a great job!  Tuesday, he got a 87% on his calculus final and ended the semester with 95%.  By tomorrow, we may just be able to celebrate a straight "A" semester!  Yahoo for Kyle!

*  A facetime call from Lyss was a treat.  It's good to see her happy and enjoying her new apartment and new semester.  Ken's headed today to see her...so jealous.

*  Ken would like to add that the Denver Broncos won and are going to the Superbowl.  I had two very happy boys in my house on Sunday!

 It's been a blessed week!

Thank you, Lord, for your continual presence and work in our lives.  You shower us with blessing and I delight in the ways I see you.  I love you, precious Savior!

And just on a funny note...Mac thinks this is a pretty great toy! (not a great picture because he kept moving!  Ha!)

Thankful Thursday

 ^"For these reasons I kneel before the Father..."  Ephesians 3:14 (words in italics are changed for my use on this blog)

• Finding a Bible and devotional by my kid's bed.
• A special lunch with our daughter before she headed off to college. 
• Bible Quizzers around my kitchen table quoting scripture.
• A nephew's pride in Bible Quizzing well...and a wave to his auntie when he came in first place!
• The sweetness of my man on a hard parenting day.  Two candy bars...a Milky Way for being an "out of this world mom" and a Payday to remind me that though I don't get paid well to be a mom, there will be rewards one day.  What a good guy I have!
• My boys cheering during the Denver Bronco game.
• Monday grade reports came out and Kyle is going into the final week of the semester with straight A's.  Kyle is a disciplined kid and I'm so proud of him. Even with 6 am workouts, and 3 pm hitting practices, he still gets his homework done and heads to the gym a few times each week.

Lord, I kneel before you in awe, adoration, and thanksgiving for the ways I see you in the lives of my family.  You are moving in each of our lives and my heart is full of trust and hope as I see evidence of your hand.  You are Father, Lord, and King, and I love you!  Thank you for your graciousness to us this week!

 

Thankful Thursday

"And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name."  Luke 1:46-47, 49

My soul rejoices in God my Savior and the great things He has done for us!

• Our open house was a big success and a big blessing.  After much work we just enjoyed greeting and visiting with our church family. We have a great church, I tell you!  And after 19 1/2 years as their pastors, we still love them!
• I had 4 ladies who were sweet to help with the open house with baking and preparations.  Sweet, sweet friends!
• I came home from work one day last week and my dear hubby had cleaned the house for our open house!  What a gift!  I couldn't ask for a better man!
• Kyle has had a few early morning baseball workouts in the last week and has to be at school by 6:00 am.  He's done a great job at getting up and to school without help getting up.  I love that!  Such a responsible young man!
• I love getting Christmas cards in the mail.  I am reminded of the many special people God has placed in my life.
• A couple from our church blessed me with a basket with gifts for the twelve days of Christmas.  Each day I'm touched by their thoughtfulness.

• Lyssa is finishing up the fall semester of her sophomore year in college.  I'm assuming she's got great grades (ha) and we look forward to her coming home for Christmas break.
•  Ken and Kyle were given the opportunity to go pheasant hunting yesterday.  They've had some shooting practice and it paid off.  Together their group shot 18 pheasants.  Though it was cold and snowy out there they had a great time!

Lord, my soul glorifies you and my spirit rejoices in you, my Savior, for you have done great things for us— holy is your name. Thank you for your presence in our lives.  I see you in so many ways and my heart is full!