Day 18 of Thankfulness –

Today I’m thankful for Compassion.

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Compassion is an abundant passion for the desire’s of the Lord. It is doing something beyond one’s own self in the thought of someone else. It is when we lay aside our own selfish desire’s and follow Christ.

Even though I see compassion around me in very visible ways, there’s one act of compassion that will be imbedded in my mind for years to come. 6 years ago, there was more compassion flowing from a team comprised of nannies, family and friends for the dedication of Hayden’s House, a home built in honor and memory of my youngest son, Hayden by Women of Compassion and what was Orphan’s Heart. This home was for the administrator of the Guatemalan Malnutrition Center, so that she could live on the grounds and keep even better care of the sweet babies that we’re getting nourished there.

I am so grateful for the Compassion shown by my friends, family and the Nannie’s who crossed the divide of language through LOVE. These men and women are like Christ and gave to the least of these. Because of their love and act of compassion, the children and families that found health and life at this place will always know Christ’s Love. ❤️💙

Day 7 of Thankfulness –

I’m thankful for my Church Family

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Whether it be Sunday worship as a church family, Sunday mornings with the High School students, Wednesday with the youth, or Monday with the women’s Bible Study, all of these times encourage me and strengthen me for the work God has called me to. That’s what a church family is…there for you when you are struggling, celebrating with you on all your special days, encouraging you to Grow in the Lord, and listening when you need help.

It so easy to make an excuse as to not meet together in some way or another, but when we stop meeting together we are missing out on even more.

I completely get it, the church is made of people and all people are flawed (including and especially myself), but the church is a beautiful picture of God’s Grace and Mercy to humanity. So, if you don’t have a church home, I recommend you find one, one that feels like family when you walk in the door.

Day 16 of Thankfulness –

Today I’m thankful for the strength of the Lord.

Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;the righteous run to it and are safe.”

The older I get the more prominent my fear of heights gets. I don’t mind being on top of a skyscraper, but don’t take me to look over the edge. I don’t mind rock climbing up a 20 foot wall, but don’t ask me to repel down. I also, don’t mind going to the top of the most beautiful mountain to witness the world around me, but don’t ask me to attach myself to a zip line and zoom across a gorge a football field length above the ground. Yet, 8 years ago, my son and I had gone to Guatemala and there was my fear all wrapped in a bow with my son watching and hoping to soar across the mountain to the other side. My desire was to sit at the bottom and drink my coffee, but he couldn’t go without me. As I road up the mountain my heart raced and my hands got clammy, but I fought the fear by praying. My heart urged me to do it, my soul persuaded me on the platform, but my mind tried to say “No way!” But God gave me the strength and courage to let go.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

And across that air I went, football field and a half above the valley, I went.

Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”

Just as God gives me strength to face every fear, God also gives me the strength to share the Gospel with the world through my testimony, He gives me the strength to live out my testimony even when it’s hard, all so that others will know Him and He may be glorified, and today I’m thankful for that!

1 Peter 1:6-7 “You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith – more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Day 15 of Thankfulness –

Today I’m thankful for God’s timing.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens:”

God truly gives us a time for everything, a time to laugh and a time to cry, a time to live and a time to die. Over the last several years my family has been in a season of building. We remodeled our physical home, we strengthened our relationships with our children, and Brett and I have grown our relationship with one another. I can promise you from experience, there is no way to build on your relationship with one another without your relationship being founded on the center stone – Jesus!

Isaiah 28:16 “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”

Thankful Month Catch-up:

Day 1- I’m thankful for a supportive husband, who has stuck with our marriage through all kinds of weather, who loves me more each and every day.

Day 2 – I’m thankful for the 5 precious babies God entrusted to me, even for just a little while on this earth, but for eternity in Heaven (Hunter, Hosea 😇, Hannah, Hailey, and Hayden 😇).

Day 3 – I’m thankful for the Salvation and Hope I was given through Christ, for without that I would be a mess.

Day 4 – I’m thankful for the family God brought me into. Through them I have learned to work hard, laugh, and unconditional love.

Day 5 – I’m thankful for my friends. They think of me constantly, they pray for me always, they are there as soon as the first tear falls, and there to encourage me.

Day 6 – I’m thankful for God’s word. It wakes me every morning and speaks Truth through my soul. It is a shield of faith to protect me, a helmet of salvation to keep my mind clear, and a sword of Truth that slices through the darkness! ❤️💙

Day 10 of Thankfulness –

I am thankful for sweet reminders and memories of Hayden.

Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you”.

Memories are not meant to be dwelled upon, but to grow from. It is from each of these memories that I see the hand of God on my life, the Faith and Hope that He set in my heart, and the Thanksgiving that comes out of reverence of His Sovereignty. It is through these memories and reminders that I have a story and that is His Story.

Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

So to memories in general I give thanks and I praise His name for choosing to give me each of them. ❤️💙May we never forget, but instead be thankful for each gift we’ve been given.

Day 14 of Thankfulness –

Today I am thankful for missions.

Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,who proclaim peace,who bring good tidings,who proclaim salvation,who say to Zion,“Your God reigns!”

Local, domestic, and international missions….I love them all! It is a true expression of Christ’s love to share with others. It gives me more JOY when I am able to serve others than to be served myself. No matter if it’s in Lakeland or Plant City, Florida, New York or Guatemala, I love serving others for God’s Glory alone. It why I close out emails with “Together for His Glory”. In reality, that’s what it’s for, to be an example of Jesus through our acts of faith so the world knows Him.❤️💙

Day 24 of Thankfulness –

Today I’m thankful for rest.

Exodus 33:14 “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

As I go throughout my day, my week, my month, and my year, I tend to get busier and busier and eventually my body just wears out. But God promises to give us rest and to go with us wherever we go.

I’m willing to give of myself to my family, my work, my church, my friends, and the community until I’m just a mere skeleton of myself. I become irritable and worn down, desiring to hide under a rock so no one can find me. Yet, as I know God desires for me to do everything as I’m doing it for Him and not for man, I also know that includes rest. And when I take the Lord up on His offer for Rest, I find replenishment for my mind, body and soul.

Lamentations 3:22-23 “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.”

Work hard at all you do, and get rest as the Lord loves to give rest to us.

Day 23 of Thankfulness –

Today I’m Thankful that we were each created differently, but specifically for His Glory!

Psalm 139:13-14 “For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well.”

God created each one of for something special. We may not all use the gift He has given us, but it’s there. It is our job to seek His will and His desire and when we do that His Glory shines out like the noon day Sun. There are many things that I cannot do, but specific things that He created me specifically to do. But on those things I wasn’t made for, someone else has been given the gift for and when we work together amazing things only of God can happen.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

Be thankful for how God created you and who God created you to be. Then get out there and Glorify Him!

Day 22 of Thankfulness –

Today I’m thankful for the promise of Heaven.

Revelation 7:16-17 ‘Never again will they hunger;never again will they thirst.The sun will not beat down on them,’nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

If you know me, truly know me, you will know I’m not afraid of death. When it’s my time to go, it’s my time. I know, I know, I sound kind of morbid, but I’m really not morbid. My soul just longs to be with Jesus in Heaven. It’s been longing for that for years. Not just since my son passed away, but actually since I was a small child and I was experiencing hurt. I found deep comfort in Jesus and the Bible and I’ve known since then that I will be ready whenever He’s ready for me.

2 Corinthians 5:1-2, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling.”

I believe Heaven is a real place. A place promised from God for Eternity. A place full of peace, joy, beauty, and the Light of Jesus. It will be what God had created Eden to be before Sin entered the world. Because of this promise, I will LIVE for Jesus on this earth until He calls me Home.