Every year around this time I begin to long for cooler weather. I enjoy the warm days, but after working in a cool office I tend to not want to go outside until the sun goes down. Our flowers are beginning to look tired and the garden is gone so it is time to look toward Autumn. We enjoy fires and hayrides and being outside just as much but in a different way. I look forward to seeing God's work with the trees and the changing of their leaves, fall decorations, comfort food and of course family. I have thought about this a lot the past couple of weeks, it has been said, "we don't know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future". It is comforting to know that God takes care of my every need. He knows my needs before I know them. He has always taken care of me and my family and he loves me more than I love my family. Wow, what an awesome God, and what a blessing. love and peace-- 56. changing of seasons 57. the blessing of eye-sight 58. heart-felt talks 59. understanding 60. room to spread wings 61. letting go 
When life is easy I become lazy, I guess lazy is the word I need to use, not necessarily physically lazy, but spiritually lazy. Although I KNOW HE is in control, I often speak with others about this--, I like from HIM to steer while there are blue skies and rainbows, but when the "road" get filled with pot-holes, or needs re-surfacing, and the sky becomes cloudy and stormy, I grab the steering wheel back and my OCD kicks in and I think I can handle "it" KNOWING I can't be anything or do anything without HIM. I think I should learn my lesson but it always happens. GRACE-God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Unworthy yes, stumble daily check, sinner, that's me, guilty check check, forgiven AMEN. I am continuing by 1000 gifts list...51. Surprises 52. favorite time of the day -varies season to season in actual time, but it is always dusk, 53. school supply lists 54. breakfast 55. my parents smiles -love and peace to all 
It has been a long day, though I have peace in my heart and soul. I have been blessed so much more than I can ever thank HIM for-46-50....the kids talking with each other,friends on the phone,the sweet red-bird outside my window, the ease of conversation with a ole friend,the sound of home knowing God is in control.
All of my life I can remember hearing and singing a hymn....Count your blessings...name them one by one..count your blessings see what God hath done.... but, until I actually began writing them down, and thought about my blessings, or gifts, I really had no ideal how blessed I really am. Because of the Great I AM....i am:)The picture I chose for this post is just one of my gifts. I sit here often and admire God's work and talk with Him and offer my lame thank yous. I don't mean half-hearted thank yous, but I don't feel like I can ever adequately thank HIM enough for HIS son, HIS awesomeness, HIS grace. But I do in my own way offer thanksgiving to HIM and HE knows my heart and knows me better than I do and get this, HE still loves me. What a blessing! It is not what I can do or what I have done, it is ALL HIM and his precious grace. Thank God HIS grace reaches me. Continuing counting my gifts and offering eucharisteo...41. my creaky porch swing 42. the hummingbirds that visit our hibuscus 43. the hum of a fan 44. burnt hot dogs 45. helping hands in the kitchen
We have had a nice weekend, breakfast with the kids + boo yesterday, then we were off to my nephew's wedding. It was the sweetest wedding I have attended. Today, up early off to church then to Walmart (yuck) then the afternoon on the back porch. I will post pics soon of our "projects". I hope you have a wonderful week and have enjoyed your weekend as much as we have. Love and peace. Contining naming my gifts. ...35-40 the feeling of being loved, talks with old friends who really understand, giggling with Mom, my Dad singing, Nick's unconditional love 
HIS awesomeness always amazes me. HIS grandeur, HIS special touches are all around. We get to enjoy HIS work in everything we do. HE is a giving, loving, sharing GOD. As I try to imitate Jesus I always fall short. HE understands, another wonder to me. I will never be worthy but saved by grace. This morning I am thinking of HIM and HIS greatness, HIS unselfishness, HIS example. I will always fall short, HE will always understand. Thank you Lord for loving even me, Yes HIS grace reaches me. 30. the smell of coffee brewing 31. the ease of a sunset 32. the boldness of a rainbow 33. the happiness of family 34. the thump of feet early in the morning 35. a hot bath to wash away a day
I was thinking back to when I was small and what I did on Saturdays. My brothers are "lots" older than I am so basically I was an OC. But I did have the neighborhood kids to play with, there were always huge softball games, hide and seek, football, bike riding, roller skating, the "goody wagon" just to name a few. I remember it would rain and flood the ditches and we would ride a float or whatever down the ditch-line in our yards. We would play in the rain, there was no staying inside (which meant you had to help with house work.) I can still hear Charlie (Charles) Haston "doing" his sirens as we rode our bikes, I can still see Punjab and Lady (Bruce and Corey's) dogs, and hear Dr. Phillips leave numerous times a night to go to the hospital. He drove a green 442 Olds and he was bad to the bone! The mufflers were so cool, he left out of their driveway and shifted three gears before the stop sign. How cool! My bedroom was on the front of the house so I could hear him come and go. We would ride our bikes behind the mosquito truck through the fog and never thought a thing about it! Mark says it has caused my mental problems to this day. :( Going down memory lane is fun, I remember more but will share later. gift list ctn. 21. my wonderful childhood 22. Mike and Lisa Moffitt's fort and playhouse 23. trails along the river 24. evergreen shrubs make great hiding places 25. milk being delivered and the dog taking it  |
I began today like most other days on the back porch with a cup of coffee. I woke up feeling at ease with the day and eager to began the normal day to day activities. As the day rambled on it became stressful, hectic and I longed for the porch again. I came home at lunch and took up residence again in my swing. There is no other place that a weary soul can find rest like at home. I guess because it is surrounded with the "things" we hold near and dear. After all it is our safe-haven, the people we hold so close to our hearts are here and all our "comforts" also. Can you even begin to imagine what Heaven will be like? Better than home...yes...even more comfortable and to be in the presence of God---I hope I make it. I have often said I don't have to even have an Upper-room, just put me there even if it is in the basement. :) I hope you had a good day. I am sending much love your way. :) Continuing may "thankful" list.... 11. roads less traveled with a friend 12. homegrown tomatoes 13. phone calls from people you have been thinking about 14. supper with family 15. talks with my family
This morning I sat in our swing on the back porch and was greeted by the sun shining through the trees and there was a beam on light coming through that was breath taking. I hope everyone had one of those days. Blessing to all. :)
I can't begin to tell you how this book (currently on page 53) has affected me. Maybe I would describe it as eye-opening....I have choosen to start listing my "gifts"-living a life of thanksgiving and sharing with others my journey. I recommend this book to you and please let me know your thoughts.
