Family, Fun and Gratitude

The month of November is a perfect time to stop and reflect on our blessings. Every year, when November rolls around, I get geared up to make a 'thankful list', deliberately choose to count my blessings, make a gratitude journal etc.

Then....December comes and slowly the rush of Christmas preparations can push aside that attitude of gratitude. This year, my focus is not just to 'do gratitude', but to 'live out gratitude'.

Gratitude isn't simply being thankful, it goes beyond the blessings, to recognize the hope that we have in the Lord. It is what give us hope and help in the hard times. It is a steadfast heart that looks to God who alone brings all things together for our good.

One of many people's richest blessings is family. Once marriage occurs, we gain family, grow, stretch and learn to love differently. Family love stretches our hearts and lives. I've been blessed with an incredible and loving family and married into a larger but just as wonderful family. This weekend many of us ladies gathered together to celebrate an upcoming wedding. A house full of ladies with one purpose - to celebrate and fellowship made for a cherished memory. With one bride-to-be, there were many different sides of family represented, some local, from some from long distances, those we see often, those we haven't seen for years, some we've never met!! But what a great time it was and of course a photo opportunity that couldn't be ignored!!

This is my 'thankful post' this week...thankful for all family, but especially for this ladies day!!

Beautiful Ladies - aunts and nieces!

The girls selfie!!

The other side!!

Some of my nieces and I

Sisters in heart, bonded by family!!

Comments

Top 10 Workout DVDs

Prevention Magazine is a leader in health and fitness news and products. They recently came up with the top 10 list of workout DVDs. They have examined the many fitness DVDs out there and narrowed down a list of the best ones. There is a DVD for every fitness level. If you are looking to incorporate some exercise into your day in the convenience of your own home, take a look at this list. Here is an additional money saving tip: If you see a DVD that you are interested in, check out Amazon or Ebay before ordering. Many times they have pre-owned DVDs at a fraction of the cost of a new one.

Sometimes We Score, Sometimes We Block

Our family is in the midst of little league soccer season. My youngest son is playing and his enthusiasm is contagious. He is pretty good at the sport, but what makes it so great is that he loves it! He counts the days until the next game or practice. He loves his coach and teammates. He has moved up an age level this year and the players are working more like team, passing to each other and watching out for each other during play. During the last game, my son scored two goals, they were the only goals of the game. In today's game the team scored eight goals. My son came up afterwards to me and said, "I didn't score today, but I blocked". What a powerful truth those words can hold. In life, sometimes we score, sometimes we block. Sometimes we do great things, we excel, we achieve, we meet our goal - we score! There are also times we see the needs of others, sometimes they are sad or hurting, we block their hits. We look out for them so they can score. We...

Word Filled Wednesday – Act Justly

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 Sometimes we struggle so hard with the question “What does God want us to do and be?” This verse is a simple yet powerful reminder of some simple things that God requires of us. Act and do justly, love mercy and walk humbly before God. There are numerous opportunities each day to do justly, to do the right thing or to make the right choice. We love mercy when we show kindness or mercy oftentimes to those who do not deserve it. Walking humbly before God is acknowledging He alone is God. He is the I AM – no one else is. When we give Him the glory He is worthy of, it will humble our heart before Him....

Joyfull Living

Search This Blog