...in thankful thursday

today I am thankful for...

113. our new house! God has provided a great opportunity for us to have our own home and I am so very thankful for that....something we have prayed for for a very long time.
114. Sydney's curiosity. She asks a lot of questions....hope my answers will suffice ;)
115. the weather on Tuesday was AWESOME (finally!), even if it didn't last
116. time to sit and be quiet, needed that today.
117. our new kitty, Lily. It's fun having a pet, why did we wait so long?? :)
118. the lesson of trust God continues to teach me. It feels like a never ending lesson, but He presses on with me, not giving up or letting me give up. I'm so thankful for His persistence and faithfulness.
119. Josh's perseverance in a job he doesn't love, but keeps to provide for us
120. chocolate cake....I need to be less thankful for this one ;)
121. fingernail polish. love a little color on my super pale hands....makes it feel springy even when it doesn't look it outside
122. the way that God is using BSF to challenge and stretch me
123. my family...near and far
124. medicine that will hopefully get some of my stomach issues under control
125.  knowing that I have a faithful Heavenly Father, that has prepared His kingdom for those who believe in him and longs for all of us to be there.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."     Matthew 25:34



^"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5

...in being still.

I last posted three months ago about choosing the phrase "be still" for 2014, and boy has God been teaching me how to do that. I think that was a perfect phrase to focus on in this season of my life and has been very stretching, refining, and grounding for me. In January, I feel like I was forced to physically be still. We had ridiculously cold weather which made even going outside painful and the whole family had the flu over the course of 3 weeks. January was a time to literally stop and be. As frustrating and boring as that was at times, it was also a good time of rest which apparently we all needed. February was a time of being still mentally. The weather continued to give us cabin fever, so this mama had to get really creative with our time stuck inside. February was a challenge in so many ways and I feel like God really used that month to quiet my mind and my heart, to see a bit more clearly. March has been a sweet time of being still spiritually. I think studying the book of Matthew this year in BSF has made me think a LOT about faith and trust in Jesus. The study has encouraged me to participate a little more actively in the season of Lent this year which has been super challenging but very fruitful. For lent I chose to fast from a couple different things but also to write in a prayer journal daily. Having that focused time in tangible prayer has had an amazing impact on my days. I've seen it totally change my attitude or focus throughout the day. I've felt the enemy press in and try to steal that peace and joy from my concentrated time of fellowship with God. I've seen answer to prayer and a felt my heart begin to change. I've come face to face with my own selfishness, self-reliance, and self-seeking approach to my relationship with God. I've gained a deeper respect and appreciation for the unreal sacrifice of Christ. I've developed a deeper desire to know Him, trust Him, and love Him better. March was a time of being still in the presence of God....and it has been so good, yet so hard. I read this quote about Lent that really resonated...
"Lent is preparing the heart for Easter. Like going with Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, that we might come face to ugly face with our enemy. Our sacrificing that we might become like Christ in His sacrifice."    Ann Voskamp
That is what this Lent has been for me....coming face to ugly face with our enemy...and sometimes coming face to ugly face with the ugly side of myself.

Thank you God for the reminder to be still. Thank you for the many ways you are teaching me to do that. I pray you will continue to teach me to be still, in all things.


This song has had a huge impact on me the last few weeks. It has sort of stopped me in my tracks, so to speak, and helped me to be still before God as I learn to trust Him more, to have more faith in Him, to love Him better.

just be still.





Several months ago I read this post on another blog about choosing one word to focus on for the entire year. I think this is a brilliant idea. I love simplifying things and focusing on goals...it helps keep me grounded. So after reading that, I began to pray for a word or a phrase to focus on for 2014 and after awhile I began to have one phrase laid on my heart, over and over. Simply...be still.



photo credit
 

So that is my phrase for 2014. I want to be still this year. I want to be quiet, to stand firm and fixed, I want to be at peace, I want to rest. I want to be still in my marriage, to listen more than I speak, to bring peace and rest instead of worry or stress. I want to be still as a parent, to be a place of rest, a mom of peace, quiet and calm. I want to be still in my home, to be the calm in the storm and a fixed place my family can rely on. I want to be still in prayer so that I can hear my Father speak to me. I want to be still in my comings and goings so that I can be more present, every day.  This year, I choose to be still.
Its funny because "be still" is a phrase my grandma used to say to us when we were acting up or getting a little out of control. I've thought about that a lot as I've meditated on this phrase and can kind of see why God led me in this direction. I tend to be an anxious person. I worry, I over-plan, I stress, I anticipate. So now, I need to learn how to just be still.

"Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”        Exodus 14:13-14

“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!"
1 Samuel 12:16

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways,   when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land."           Psalm 37:7-9

^"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”                    Psalm 46:10

"The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.  The Lord protects the unwary;  when I was brought low, he saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."                      Psalm 116:5-7

"Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
Zechariah 2:13

"God has told his people, “Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.”                  Isaiah 28:12a

"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength"                 Isaiah 30:15a


Father, teach me how to be still. Let my heart be still. Let my mind be still.

...in thankful tuesday!

I missed last week, so I thought I'd make up for it by doing this week early. I've got to be honest and say last week I was struggling with being thankful...blinded by wants or needs and overlooking what I've been richly blessed with already. God's definitely working in my heart in that area. So, I am thankful for...

101. a Heavenly Father that is persistent in loving and growing us.
102. a super fun time at the pumpkin patch last weekend. The kids loved it and it was fun to do something fall-ish.
103. our home. I don't love a lot about this house. And I don't love renting. BUT, I am very thankful for a home that has more than enough space for us, that is close to Sydney's school and soccer, that allows for easy walks around the neighborhood, and it's been the longest we've lived in any one place our whole marriage!
104. our van. Despite the fact that the auto door keeps malfunctioning when I pick Sydney up at school and I see 100 other gold Honda vans everywhere I go, our van has been VERY good to us the last 2 years and I am VERY thankful for it!
105. going away this weekend! Josh's work has gifted us a weekend away and we're taking it! We're heading down near Cincinnati and we're going to relax, explore, and see what the weekend brings :)
106. Pumpkin spice coffee creamer....it's amazing.
107. Popcorn! (did you know that you can microwave regular popcorn in a brown paper bag?? You can and it's easy, delicious, and WAAAAAAY better for you than store bought microwave popcorn)
108. weekends full of plans ahead of us....lots of family visits and traveling fun!!
109. that we've managed to survive almost 6 years of Sydney's early childhood with no major injuries (I have a feeling Miles will be a different story ;)
110. watching The Big Bang Theory episodes online....that show makes me laugh out loud :)
111. listening to Miles talk...it's the cutest thing ever.
112. our BSF lesson this week. We're studying Matthew 5 and it has been very challenging and stretching (in a great way) and I'm super excited to hear the lecture on Thursday and learn even more!!


^"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5

...in thankful thursday

I am thankful for...

87. a great visit with my dad last weekend
88. a weekend full of fantastic food (good BBQ and my dad's fish!)
89. little moments that make my kiddos smile and laugh
90. good one on one time with Miles while Sydney is at school
91. good one on one time with Sydney when Miles is napping on non school days
92. watching Sydney learn more each week about letters, numbers, and the beginning stages of reading
93. that Sydney met a HUGE goal and we get to go shopping for a new bike this weekend as her reward
94. Miles' new fake laugh...he just taught himself that this weekend and it's so weird and hilarious
95. a working washer and dryer because I have done A LOT of laundry the past few days and I'm thankful I have a way to do it quickly and easily
96. seeing all the fall decor on peoples homes and porches...I love fall!!
97. the lessons about obedience that I'm learning in my BSF study of Matthew
98. another week to wear flip flops....love me some fall weather, but I hate when I have to wear shoes :(
99. reconciled and restored relationships....God is so good to give us such a great example of grace, forgiveness, mercy, and love
100. that I serve and worship a God who...
 KNOWS me: Psalm 139:1-6
 LOVES me : Romans 8:37-39
 SEES me: Genesis 16:13
 is WITH me: Isaiah 43:1-2
 FORGIVES me: Ephesians 1:7


^"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5

...in thankful thursday

I'm thankful for...

75. chinese takeout General Tso's chicken (had it for dinner and it was YUMMY)
76. a working furnace (ours was out for a bit of the new chilly nights)
77. $1 iced coffees from McDonald's through September....I've gotten too many!
78. Miles' ever growing vocabulary. He's been talking so much! I love the toddler stage! (minus the tantrums :)
79. that I married my best friend who is a great listener and extremely supportive.
80. that my dad is coming to visit tomorrow!
81. that Sydney made Honor Squad!!
82. all that God is teaching me about trust and obedience through our study of Matthew in BSF
83. that Grey's Anatomy and Parenthood premiere tonight...wahooo!
84. days where you can wear both a sweater and flip flops!!
85. a day that had a rough start, but a very productive middle, and a very relaxing end
86. that "...the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your (my) hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:7

^"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5

...in thankful thursday (on friday :)

I'm thankful for....

63. getting through another extremely busy week
64. that positive goals to work toward are helping Sydney get through a couple issues
65. cool evenings, hoodies, blankets...all signs of fall!!!
66. watching Sydney play soccer....what is cuter than 5 year olds running around trying to play soccer? :)
67. chocolate cake in a mug....(click here for a good recipe)
68. all the fun pumpkin foods that are out right now...pumpkin cream cheese, pumpkin yogurt, pumpkin muffins, oh my!!
69. time to catch up with a dear friend, time to encourage one another and celebrate with one another
70. my brother, who despite our 11 year age difference is one of my favorite friends/people
71. that the new season of Homeland starts next week, woohoo!
72. a weekend with NO plans!
73.that I'm already learning and being challenged through BSF's study of Matthew (learn more here)
74. time to stop, reflect, and enjoy the quiet of the day :)



^"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5