Happy Thanksgiving 2010

I tossed and turned about what to write. I wanted to pick up with my "1000 Gifts" posting, but then I get stuck in this rut where I feel the need to be creative with my writing and making sure it is meaningful and purposeful. However, that is why I'm writing a book..this is supposed to be the place where I keep my journal..my life...my happenings..so we don't forget. So here it is!

Traditionally we make this peppermint bark...really to help ring in the Christmas season. We try to do it on Thanksgiving Eve. Here are some pictures from last night!

Actually there is something so rewarding about crushing those candies...not sure what it is yet..
Look at the intensity on Kyle's face! A little outlet perhaps for pent up aggression? Who knows?? hehehe!!

Anyway, after two days of cooking, my husband does an amazing job, we have the traditional Thanksgiving fare with my cousin from Jacksonville..as is our tradition. She makes the best stuffing! Above you can see we didn't go without dessert...that white washed picture would be the boys peppermint bark & my terrible photography!

As we sat around the table here is some of the things I heard:

I'm thankful for Jesus and how much He loves us all.

I'm thankful for my wife.

I'm thankful Jim & Ilene get to spend Thanksgiving with us every year!

I'm thankful for my Mom & Dad
I'm thankful for Mike & Lisa and that we are able to spend this special day with them and their boys.

I'm thankful for God's provision in our lives.

I'm thankful for gift of homeschooling my children.

I'm thankful for my children.

I'm thankful for this turkey and all of this amazing food.

I'm thankful for our friends and family.

I'm thankful for my brothers, I always have friends to play with.

William Bradford, when he was first elected governor of Plymouth Rock, said that they were going to set aside a day every year to give thanks to the Lord for His provision. I'm glad that we do the same...I'm glad too, however, that we don't have to wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks to the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good & His love endures forever!

Here is my personal portion of 1000 gifts...

Thank you Lord for...

135. Every way you provide for every need (as sometimes it is not how we think).
136. Close snuggle time with my most precious gifts of all.
137. The ability to homeschool my precious gifts.
138. Friends and family that love each other for who they are.
139. Your gentle reminders that my body needs to rest.
140. The warm sunshine on my aching body.
141. The miracle of unconditional love.
142. The comfort of a nice new pillow.
143. The faith of a child who prays and waits for God to answer.
144. The TRUTH from God's Word that is ever so sustaining.
145. The freedom to read my Bible every single day of my life.

Bringing Gifts Joy & Hope

This is a special weekend, it was the weekend we focus not focusing on ourselves. In a society that is "me" driven it is even more important that we intentionally and daily help our children learn (and remind ourselves) that it is not all about us. It was Veteran's Day on Friday so all week we thought about how we were going to bless our favorite Veteran. Then on Saturday we were going to focus on one of our favorite ways to start the Thanksgiving/Christmas season - gathering gifts to give to Samaritan's Purse for Operation Christmas Child. We participate every year as a church and we do so as a family. If you are unfamiliar with Samaritan's Purse and all that they do, please I encourage you to stop by their website.

I love the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. Before we went shopping this Saturday we read the story to be reminded of our small part in helping those in need. For over 40 years Samaritan's Purse has been providing aid to the world's poor, sick, and suffering...all in the name of Jesus Christ. Operation Christmas child helps our children remember the joy in giving.

So Saturday was the day. Each boy had a shoe box and off we went - they were to gather enough gifts to bless a boy their age.."so shop for something you would enjoy", plus Mom and Dad would gather some items of necessity as well.

They totally enjoyed packing their boxes and cutting out a picture of themselves and writing letters to the recipient of their box. I love to see my superheroes so full of joy with just the thought of making another young boy thrilled to receive a box of love from them. After we finished writing letters and stuffing boxes, the most important part of the boxes is not what goes inside, but the prayers prayed for each one.

Mr. Incredible lead us all in prayer over the boxes. We prayed individually for the boys that would touch these boxes, we thanked the Lord for Samaritan's Purse and all that they do and we even prayed for the people who would be delivering these boxes with the message of Jesus Christ attached to each one. Oh what joy! What a way to start the Christmas season, by NOT thinking about ourselves, but others and being grateful for the opportunity to share Jesus in yet another tangible way. This brings me to my continued list of 1000 Gifts, focusing on what I'm grateful for....

Thank you Father for...

230. The opportunity and the means to provide gifts of love for Operation Christmas Child.

231. Yet another chance for the lesson of Luke 10 to be ingrained in the hearts of my children.

232. The men and women who presently serve or who have served our country to fight for freedom.

233. Trusting me enough with the charge of three precious boys. May I honor you as I raise them.

234. Directing us 8 years ago to a church that loves you and is so generous in their giving.

235. Giving us a Pastor with a passion for the lost and practically loving on those in need (presently in Mali loving on our missionaries).

236. Family, both by blood and the blood of Jesus.

237. Our special friend, that we see outside weekly and make sure we talk with her and love on her. Oh how we love to see the smile on her face when my sweet Shane shouts her name with excitement and love.

238. Our health, especially during a week of fighting colds and having tests run.

239. Your Word that brings me joy and hope every single day.

Happy Thanksgiving...in February?

This past Saturday, February 18, 2012 we celebrated Thanksgiving! Several people asked..."Why?" Our response was, "We have so much to be thankful for...why not?" So having a small turkey in our freezer and being blessed beyond words served as good enough reason to celebrate. Here are some of our 1000 Gifts. #290-299...

We started our morning with the white board ready for us to fill up as the day went on. Such precious words penned by precious people..who know full well that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above. When you see the very hand of God work miracles day in and day out..providing food for our table, money to pay our bills and provision in many ways...there is NO doubt in your mind...who is taking care of us.

My man and our quiver!

Even though our Pop has been in a different home since August, he lived with us for 8 years and he will always be apart of our family unit - I love that my children feel that way about him! If he didn't get so confused when he is away from his norm, we would have loved to have him eat with us.

Even though it is February one cannot think of Thanksgiving without thanking the Lord for that special relationship between the Pilgrims and the Indians...this put a smile on this homeschooler's face!

My son Kyle, ever the creative artist...had to write his list inside the leg of a turkey and yes, he is the one who drew the turkey...with the fork and spoon in the first picture!

Ahhh...this superhero was so excited to "fancy it up". That would be my table. I'm not a fancy kind of girl. I don't own china, or center pieces, a table cloth or glassware (I don't own a set of glasses..sad right?...lol!)...but I'm resourceful, and my best friend Lorrie had all the goods I needed to "fancy it up".

Love that man of mine! Mr. Incredible! The one above and the two below were his contribution to our 1000 Gifts (gratitude).

Admitted our children can drive us insane...yet we are thankful for that type of insanity!

 As we sat down we bowed our heads and prayed. We camped out on Adoration and Thanksgiving! Thanking Him for his many blessings.

 I was able to make dessert...lightened up a little. Sugar free pudding with light whipped cream. It looks delicious right?

 It was scrumptious...and less than 2 points per slice. Very few calories in this!

 So...I'm thankful for our family time, our special Thanksgiving and hearts that are being grown up in faith...yes just like George Mueller.

 Oh and my favorite picture of all...

framed in a priceless frame of little fingers. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Love is...

My children will tell you that we may not have much, but we are rich in love, faith, friendship and family. The rest of the posts for February will show just that. The Lord is faithful to sustain us, actually often times bless us...at the end of this post I will continue with my 1000 Gifts. Here is how we do Valentine's Day. It's a day to reflect on how much we love each other and we make an extra effort to practice loving in special ways for each other. Shane made those very special cookies while his brothers were at church on Monday night. He couldn't wait to surprise them.

We had an opportunity to share a beautiful day at the park with all of our homeschool friends.
Finally, Mike and I really don't have the opportunity to do much by ourselves, and that is ok for this season. (Although I must confess, I miss him!) This season as we care for Pop I know is a time that we are enduring so that the Lord can work something out in us...and His Grace really is sufficient...I'm learning...that is for sure! Anyway, I digress, I want to close our little Love blog with the all familiar verse from 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

We may not have much, but we've got this down pretty good...I've got a man who loves and shows how to love every day. For that we are more than blessed.

Continuing my 1000 Gifts:

Thank you Lord for:

155. Your Perfect Love.

156. A husband that knows how to love, be loved, and freely demonstrate love.

157. Provision - time and again, even though we hand our last bit of money with our tithe, or we make a meal for someone else when we have no food for ourselves, YOU ALWAYS provide!!

158. Your Grace...that really is sufficient!

159. The freedom to do what isn't necessarily the easy thing to do, homeschooling is a sacrifice, but one I know I walk in obedience to You for this time in our lives.

160. Opportunities to sit back and enjoy each other - just snuggle bugglin' with my boys!

161. My full and beautiful quiver.

162. Healing in my body and spirit.

163. New friendships.

164. The memories of my Mom and Dad when I get to feeling like I want to be a daughter and not just the Mom, Wife, and Caregiver.

165. Your very real presence early in the morning when we spend time together.

166. The opportunity to minister your Love to women and to see some come to a saving knowledge of you! I never ever tire of that!

167. Opportunities for my children to see my faith worked out. When I cry out to you, and you answer me from your Word, my children see that and I'm trusting that is where they will go when they cry out to you too!

168. Duplication. I've been blessed to witness some women in my life whom You've called me to place under my wing and disciple. Praise you Lord for the constant encouragement they are to me of your faithfulness in their lives!

The Gift List

Gratitude. At The Women of Faith Conference, one of the speakers said that this is a proven medical marvel - "When you are grateful, fear can not take place in your brain." It has to do with the way our brain is wired. But, who wired our brains to begin with - God! I think that is so cool! Gratitude and Fear cannot coexist! It just cannot happen!

My friend who blogs over at "Just Another Ordinary Miracle Today" has started adding to her blogs her 1000 Gift List. It's a list of 1000 things that we are grateful for - things that we may even take for granted. It was started by Ann Voskamp and she puts forth the challenge for us to take a look at what the Lord has so graciously lavished upon us. Perhaps if we took on this challenge of thinking about what we are grateful for and naming them one by one, we would have less time to complain and less time to fear. The Bible says "Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above" so I want to start intentionally pondering the gifts that God has already given me in my 39+ years. Care to join me?

Here I go....
1000 Gifts:

1. The camp counselor that told me about Jesus and prayed with me at the young age of 7 to accept Jesus as my personal Savior.

2. The treasure of a man I have called my husband for the past 18 years.

3. The three superhero miracles that I tuck into bed every night.

4. The smell of coffee and that very first sip that makes me sooooo happy!

5. My Rescuer!

6. Snuggles and cuddles with my boys.

7. Modern medicine and the Divine Healer who grants the doctors wisdom.

8. Randy Alcorn, who challenges me to live with an eternal perspective! One of my favorite
authors!

9. Spiritual mentors (Mothers in the Lord) I have a few very close and dear ones!

10. Girlfriends. It is a necessity, and a true gift from God!

Breathing Jesus Words

 

After the post about My Second Chance I thought that could most definitely be added to my 1000 gifts. The fact is I think I lost track of my number. I've been working on the list for years, that is the point isn't it? Finding treasures every single day that you are thankful for! My Second Chance is about how God gave me a second chance at life, He literally gave me the very breath I breathe and I will be forever grateful that I didn't have to leave my family in sorrow. We will all go home at some point to be with Jesus, and in fact I long for the day. However, as my 10 year old stated..."I know it would be great for you to be with Jesus in Heaven Mom, but I would be miserable without you!" So...thank you Lord for orchestrating every single detail of Friday's events! 

Now for today. A friend of mine gave me these cards to read and discuss every day of the Thanksgiving season. We've enjoyed it as a family. I love that I homeschool and can spend extra time on the couch first thing in the morning just listening to my boys.

Let me set the stage for you, so you can feel like I did this morning watching and listening to my boys as we discussed the scripture and questions. Today was day 4 (November 4th). The scripture was from Psalm 118:28 "You are my God and I will give You thanks; You are my God and I will exalt You!" The question to discuss was simply "What does it mean to exalt God? What would that look like in your life?" 

If you were peeking through my window this morning you would have found 3 boys, covered in their blankets (because I had the windows WIDE open so the rare Florida cool breeze could blow in!). One boy nestled on the couch with the dog and I, another on the rocking chair and yet another in a ball on the floor. So we read the verse and we talk about the questions. 

What does it mean to exalt God? What does exalt mean anyway? Here is what you would have heard...and I'm trying hard to quote the best I can, I wrote some responses down as they spoke, but I got carried away just listening toward the end.

"Exalt means praise, like (in a singing voice) WE EXALT YOU LORD!" 

"Yea, like hallelujahs!"

"It means to lift Him up, to praise Him." 

GREAT JOB BOYS!

What would that look like in YOUR life?

"Singing praises....(as he demonstrates)", 

"Maybe reading His Word out loud?" 

"Memorizing His Word!" 

"Sharing our story about how He loves us and others".....and you can see it got better and better....

"Obeying Him!", 

"Just being who He created me to be!",

 "Sharing this story Mom....(as shared by my 10 year old)

"The story starts as 4 kids were in the back of the car, like any day after co-op. Mom was driving us to get a treat at the local store. We go to the park, like every other Friday. Mom sitting with her friends, chatting about whatever Moms chat about. Kids playing, running, laughing like always. Then suddenly the world is not like it was always. Mom got stung by a bee. She had never been stung before. I watched her fall to the ground trying to breath. All her friends trying to help her. Someone called 911. Mom's head was drooping and laying on her friend. I thought she was dying. The ambulance came, they put a mask on her, they put her in the ambulance, I hugged her, she gave me the thumbs up. I was scared. There were people crying, even other Moms. I saw the tears. Their words didn't match their tears. Then there were kids. Kids everywhere breathing Jesus words for my Mom. Jesus words...they are very powerful...they heal! Jesus words, prayers of children went all the way to Heaven and then Heaven reached my Mom. She was healed, she could breathe, she didn't leave me!" "That's a story that would exalt God don't you think?!" -- by Shane Engel

I consulted with my boy before I finished this blog...I wanted to get as close to exact as I could. I think we've got this whole EXALT thing. I'm pretty sure they see God every day! I'm pretty sure we won't be taking each other, our words or our actions for granted...at least for awhile.

As we prayed, it was different this time. Bold, they were so bold. Thankful, they were so thankful for so many things, even little things. Then it turned, I didn't think it was going to turn....prayers for a friend, for a boy who needs the love of Jesus to invade his life, prayers for healing for friends and loved ones, prayers for salvation for those who don't know this God who deserves all praise and honor. As my most mature boy closes in prayer....his voice quivered..."I don't deserve this amazing family, but I thank you God, thank you for all the love that I receive from my Mom and Dad, all because they received love from you first!"

I think they grew up a little this past weekend. I'm pretty sure their faith has matured. I'm so so thankful for every circumstance, every trial, every detail of a life that is submitted to the sovereignty of a mighty mighty God!

Oh so grateful Lord God, for the 1000 gifts....

We will exalt you with our obedience. We will exalt you with our praises. We will exalt you with our breath. We will exalt you with our lives. We will exalt you with our story...your story in us! We will breathe Jesus words....and that will exalt you!

Graditude & Hope

I mentioned on Saturday, at Bagels & Blessings that one of the ways to have hope in the midst of hopeless times is to do what it says in Psalms 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Give thanks for good days present and past - both ordinary good days and the special, breathtaking, moment-of-truth good days. I believe it was Thomas Kinkade ( could totally be wrong on that) who once wrote: "Good days are like shining lampposts dotted along our paths to help us see the way to God."

Either way I know when I'm focusing on what I'm grateful for it is like a medication prescribed just for me, to keep me my heart hopeful, joyful, and at peace!

To remind my friends where this all began you can my last list by clicking here on 1000 Gifts. However, to remind you what this is all about it's a list of 1000 things that we are grateful for - things that we may even take for granted. It was started by Ann Voskamp and she put forth the challenge for us to take a look at what the Lord has so graciously lavished upon us. Perhaps if we took on this challenge of thinking about what we are grateful for and naming them one by one, we would have less time to complain and less time to fear. The Bible says "Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above" so I have started intentionally pondering the gifts that God has already given me in my 42+ years. Care to join me?

Thank you Lord for:

180. Who you are...my hope..my everything.

181. Providing for our every need.

182. Allowing my children to see you in practical ways..(like Jesus in skin mowing my lawn)

184. Giving me fellow climbers who journey this mountain of life with me.

185. Preserving your story, my testimony despite lies and slander that once hit me so hard.

186. Telling me to move out of the way so you can have Your way.

187. Giving me eyes to see and ears to hear!

188. Your faithfulness in the ministry you've called me to..thank you Holy Spirit for showing up every single time!

189. The very personal, rich relationship that we share...I love you too!

Time Spent...

 ...with the ones you love is never wasted. This is my precious 8 year old Shane. I love him with all of my heart! Saturday we had a special date..just he and I..a date to reconnect and share in some special Mommy & son time. Shane is the third child and the only one that is not a twin. He is totally trying to figure out what he can get away with as an 8 year old lumped in a world of 10 year olds. Additionally, because we homeschool, he often sees me as his teacher. So we needed to reconnect on a whole different level and we sure did!

I did not tell him that I got him a card, but when I got home to pick him up for our date, he had made one for me too. He was so excited about our special time together..he couldn't wait for me to pick him up! As the first picture shows, we went to his favorite restaurant for lunch...Cracker Barrel! We looked around the shop afterwards and I bought him an orange cream soda & some chocolate. YUM!

I'm not a big soda person, but he did share some of his chocolate...Skybar. Then we hit the book store and Target..just to browse and maybe shop for his brothers presents.

Oh and he really wanted to make a picture list of what he wants for Christmas too. We give the boys 3 gifts for Christmas..this is at the top of his list. Then since Target has our favorite coffee shop...we had to get a drink (no matter how full we were).

 One tall Caramel Frap and one skinny Gingerbread Latte please...

We laughed, played in the store, tried on hats and mittens, share coffee, chocolate and a little bit of our hearts too. We talked about the challenges he is having with school. I made sure I poured encouragement into his soul. I love this "gracious gift from God", he is special in so many ways. He is testing the waters every day, but love conquers much!

To add to my 1000 gifts today, thank you Lord for...

240. Time spent with my youngest arrow.

241. A husband who understands the priority of spending time with his family.

242. Heart to heart conversations.

243. Happy tears.

244. Handwritten notes of joy.

245. Lessons learned by deep love.

246. Faith built by words of encouragement.

247. Gift cards to favorite coffee shops.

248. Endless kisses and hugs.

249. Memories that will last for eternity.

The Power of Words

As I reflect this week on all that I am grateful for, I keep reaching over to the lamp next to my bed and picking up this card. I have this amazing spirit filled friend whom the Lord uses mightily to saturate my soul in my love language..words of encouragement. I know whenever I receive something from her, it is because the Lord Almighty has spoken to her obedient heart...and I'm always incredibly blessed. I do hope she doesn't mind me sharing her personal sentiments to me with the readers of this blog. I just felt like it was a huge part of my 1000 Gifts..my gratitude this week..and I couldn't pass it by..I had to pass it on.

There is amazingly great power in words...

 as they fall off of the page and into my heart I read these POWERFUL words...

 "Your difficult times end up being an encouragement for others because we always see God do IMPOSSIBLE things to answer your prayers." WOW! God!!! To You be all the Glory & Honor! That my life song may be a blessing to others - what an encouragement to "remain faithful to waiting on God."

I've been teaching on Hope this past year at our Bagels & Blessings. As always the Lord is faithful to teach me so I can effectively teach others. To Him be the Glory!!

Then she goes on to pray provision over me....that "He do things that blow my mind!...He rewards my patience as I wait on Him...and Healing will take place in all of us!" Thank you Lord for such saturating my soul..for friends that really pray for me!!

Then look at this final paragraph..."Lord take this IMPOSSIBLE situation and SHOW OFF with it!...Show the world...NOTHING is too hard, too difficult, too impossible...another opportunity Lord, do it...BIG!!" Even as I type, these powerful Spirit-filled words move my heart that tears are falling once again.

We do have a very BIG God...who cares immensely...and who has a PERFECT plan. Even when I do not see where my next foot will fall...I walk by faith..not by sight!! He has ordered my steps and He will provide for each one. We continue to look for part time employment for my husband and I am about to embark on a new endeavor with teaching guitar. We understand fully that we are living on 5 loaves and 2 fish. If I remember the event as it is written in the Word...they had enough and even some left over. GO God!!! Do it BIG!

Thank you Father for...

270. Caring for little me and my little family, that you would place us on the hearts of others whom you trust to obey your will.

271. All the persons that are you. The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

272. The words of a friend, moved by the Spirit, that have saturated my soul with encouragement.

273. Your provision, and your Word that says..you will continue to provide for our every need.

274. Making memories with my arrows....the bonus..education.

275. Scripture memory...as each member of my family pours into your word...it becomes alive and active in us.

276. The mystery that You are Lord...although you have revealed Yourself fully, I keep wanting more and more of you.

277. Your perfect plan that includes, hope and a future.

278. A husband who is trying and working so hard...hold on to Him Lord as he continues to hold on to you!

279. Teachable moments in Your curriculum...lessons on love, hope and giving. ♥

Amen!

....and the gifts keep growing on...

More Gifts

Continued from previous posts....1000 Gifts (my gratitude list)....I am thankful for....

101. Our cat's soft fur.

102. Energy outlets for children (ie. the jumpy place, the pool...)

103. My friend who said that she once prayed that she would have an autistic child! (she did not get one, but now she has my Kyle in her life!)

104. The imagination of a child.

105. Bible stories that I've known for years, still teaching truths to my heart! (Who can deny that the Word is Truth!)

106. A teachable spirit.

107. Not so "easy" times, to remind me of the things that are important.

108. Special moments of snuggling with a book - even if it is all about spiders!

109. Growing independence! (this is ouchy, but it is good) (Brendan has made scrambled eggs at the stove for everyone for breakfast for 4 days in a row!)

110. Pool side chats with girl friends.......ahhh....if feels so good!

Beauty All Around

The photo credit goes to my 10 year old son Brendan, who is totally enraptured by the weather and the sky. He really wants to find a storm system and be the first to catch a hurricane..even before the weather experts. It is so wonderful when we finally find our passion. When we are passionate about something, we are motivated, energized and hopeful!

Brendan took this picture outside on our front lawn on the evening of Saturday, October 15th. He came rushing into the house with my camera so excited to show that he captured the Lord's gift to him on film. A few minutes later the scene totally changed...so capturing the beauty of the moment felt...rare. I believe it was Confucius who once said, "Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." So it can indeed feel rare. Last week I purposed myself to spend the day trying to find beauty in everything. I will tell you this, it is much like practicing gratitude, it totally changes your perspective on everything. Life just felt lighter, smelled better and sounded sweeter.

Thus my lead in to continue to write out my 1000 Gifts.

Thank you Father for...

190. The beauty of both the sunrise and sunset.

191. A family full of people finding their passions.

192. Hope when my physical body is failing me.

193. Big bearlike hugs from my man.

194. Your Word that is like a balm to my soul.

195. Friendships that brings immense joy.

196. Freedom that rings in my home after many years of not resounding at all.

197. Our pets that brings us a unique kind of joy.

198. The coolness of the change in season, albeit slowly here in Florida.

199. The quiet sounds of early morning when I spend my time with You!

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 ESV

The Dailiness of Life

Simplicity. I'm beginning to think we take it for granted. There was a time when I thought that everyday we do the same thing - is this what life is really supposed to be like? We really don't (do the very same thing day in and day out), it just feels like that sometimes. I'm sure everyone can relate to: wake up, go to work, come home, make dinner, go to bed and then..do the same thing over again tomorrow. The dailiness of life. I've come to really appreciate those days. There is a simplicity in the routine that brings joy and comfort. Here is a peek into our daily lives.

This is what goes on every single day. If you were to peek into our home on any given day, you would find Mr. Incredible with all of his books and the laptop. He preparing for his future and ours. I'm thankful for this opportunity for him as well as all of his hard work and sacrifices...his perseverance..because we know that..."suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-4. 

Over in the play room are my superheroes. Free play...there is something so wonderful, freeing and therapeutic about free play time. Time when you have to get on the carpet and pretend, time to be creative and learn about relationships, friendships and love. Here they are playing with their Dad's 40 year old cars and trucks. Traditions and heirlooms being passed down from generation to generation.

Then there is me.

I think that I've probably struggled the most. I know that I've been called to be a missionary to my children. This is the highest calling of my life. I know, beyond a shadow of doubt that I am supposed to be homeschooling. There was a day, days probably if I'm being honest, that I felt like I could should be doing more. After all, I have two degrees, I've taught high school, I've worked in the corporate world, I've spoken in front of hundreds of people, God must have something in store for me...that is more than this. (Sad but true confession).

What is more important than this? That leads me to my 1000 Gifts...how thankful I am for the

220. Dailiness and the simplicities of my life (not to say that my life is simple - it is far far from simple, but I will look for making it more so)...so thankful to the Lord for...

221. Treasured moments with my superheros, making memories that endure for all eternity!

222. Opportunities to teach them the very best, individually fashioned the very best way for each of them to learn.

223. Being able to capture the moment they learn to love to learn.

224. The freedom of inviting serious creativity to our learning experiences..not to mention laughter and joy!
225. God's amazing provision and the sacrifices made, that afford me to homeschool..against all odds.

226. The simple moments together, like playing with trucks on the carpet or blowing bubbles outside.
227. A husband, a true advocate of homeschooling, that encourages me in my true calling..if there is ever any doubt..the highest call of my life...being a Mom. My work for the Lord always begins right here.
228. The Word that continually reminds me of all that I'm to be grateful for. (I can be thankful for His Word every week...after all, it is what sustains me every day!)
229. The excitement I experience when I go to sleep at night and know that tomorrow will indeed hold some of the very same things that today held...the dailiness of life.