eucharisteo

Life-filling gratitude...

154. Grand and wonderful reading for this new class

155. A sausage gravy and biscuit breakfast, bought for me by my BFIL

156. Nightsounds radio program by Bill Pierce on WEGS

157. The blessedness of freedom to vote for our country's leaders

158. The power of prayer

159. The mandate to "confront the powers of darkness fearlessly, with HIS authority" (D. Wilkerson)

Curious Meg, what big ears you have!

160. Dog being let out on accident, being found by HIS purpose

161. Rainy bands from the outskirts of Hurricane Isaac, and no more

162. Productive days at the school office

163. Finding what was lost

164. The smell of clean laundry (and having it to wear!)

165. Milk!

166. The robust political stimulation of the RNC in Tampa this week

167. Peace that passes all understanding

168. A lifetime of trust in a sovereign and loving God

169. Parents that educated us in the history of Christianity

170. A PLACE is being prepared for me in GLORY!


"Give thanks to the Lord! His Love Endures Forever!"

thankful living

Eucharisteo in my life this week...

133. Pizza and swimming in the sunshine

134. Warm wet hugs and kisses from two precious toddlers

135. Finding an affordable replacement for Mom's worn-out blue rug (identical pattern/colors)

136. Craigslist finds, specifically a burn barrel and an identical replacement for Mom's worn-out blue rug

137. 50% clearance on two new Yankee candles

138. Cocacola fudge cake at Cracker Barrel

139. Fun and relaxation with Mom and sisters

140. The XXX Summer Olympics in London

141. USA gymnast Gabby Douglas' bold witness for the Lord

142. A cool house in the heat of summer

143. Sweet and deep sleep

144. Student loans to pay for online uni classes

145. Texts from across the world

146. The delicious smell of cinnamon struesel muffins

147. Green bell peppers, picked fresh

148. Energy and health to do housework

149. The grace to get what I need to get done, done

150. A Sunday day of rest! :-)

151. The sound of waves crashing on the beach at my feet

152. Making my mortgage payment once again this month

153. Being able to pay off another credit card! :-D


"Give thanks to the Lord! His Love Endures Forever!"

eucharisteo

117. The smell of freshly-cut grass

118. The delighted squeals of the nieces as they enjoy the yard

119. Amber-colored sweet tea, sitting in a glass jug on my kitchen counter

120. Delicious silver king corn, served hot with butter and salt

121. Slender green asparagus

122. Marigolds blooming in this June heat

123. Bags of chocolate brown mulch to cut down on weeding

124. The wet whisper of the sprinkler, watering the garden this evening

125. Citronella candles to ward off unwanted bugs

126. A peaceful Sunday

127. Fresh smell of laundered towels

128. Room in my storage cubicle for bedroom cast-offs

129. Getting my room vacuumed thoroughly today

130. Time to laze on my bed, enjoying the dying embers of the evening's sun rays

131. Finding my sister's secret blog, finally ;-)

132. Grace for the week coming


"Give thanks to the Lord! His Love Endures Forever!"

thanks

96. A good movie to watch at the theater, with no bad language or explicit scenes

97. Reasonable tickets for an evening of worship with John Mark McMillan

98. Laughter over dinner with old friends

99. Energy and health (when I need it) to clean the house

100. Two grumpy and stubborn little girls to train and teach

101. Bright marigolds blooming in this heat

102. Fist-sized tomatoes on the vine, right in my own backyard!

103. A crystal-clear pool to cool off in at the end of the day

104. Finally fitting back into a fav pair of denim shorts

105. Summertime...to enjoy reading without the stress of hurrying

106. Lemon-pepper seasoning

107. The best-friendship of a dear sister

108. The pleasant smell of Swiffer mopping solution that lingers in a cleaned room

109. Sciatic relief after an acupressure appointment with Dr. Hendricks

110. A delicious Cobb salad at Panera with Mom, on the road back from Ft. Walton Beach

111. A peaceful trip with pleasant conversation

112. Finding a beautiful nautilus shell at Seashell City in Navarre on our way home

113. The delight that cowrie shell turtles and wedding bubbles bring to two adorable toddlers

114. A relaxing and much-needed massage this afternoon

115. Rain, that ruins my beach plans but saves me garden water

116. For Mr. Ziel's delivery of heaps of free dirt to fill the old fish pond hole, a HUGE answer to prayer!



"Give thanks to the Lord! His Love Endures Forever!"

gratefulness

Lately, I have been gratefully remembering so many people who have touched our lives and/or been family friends in the past 25 years:

• Paul & Mary Landis (our wonderful and hospitable introduction to the Mennonites at Rod & Staff in Crockett , KY)
• Jere & Janoah McWinn family (making strawberry freezer jam for the first time, so many fellowship meals)
• The Hogan clan (playing outside at night, Alice's blueberry crumble recipe)
• The Glover family (ACE, homeschooling, seminars, penpals with Amy)
• Richard & Nita Parker & the elderly Lillian home group folks (opening their hearts to us, our Wednesday evening socialization for several important years)
• Allen Avery (giving us girls a chance to spread our musical wings with Liberty's church orchestra)
• Helen Martin (who gave us all oh-so-cheap violin lessons and enabled us to be trained as worshipers, went out of her way to invite us over as kids to watch Disney's "Avonlea" episodes every Thurs. night)
• The families from our Chattanooga fellowship that I remember: the Carrolls, Gills, Coopers, Bowmans, Gibbs, & Queens (so many memories!)
• Fred Williamson (peaches, zeal for God, missionary & guitar inspiration)
• Jimmy Cash (my birthday twin; I still have an original painting he did for me.)
• John Barnwall & Norm Charland (who gave us $ to buy groceries when we first moved to Florida and Daddy couldn't find a job)
•  Mrs. West, our Lillian, AL landlady (who sent her sons over with sacks of staples/groceries)
• The McManus family and the Liberty Bible College students (who invited us over and gave Dad a remodeling and carpentry job with their crew)
• The Ramages, our Scottish friends (guitars and praise, dinner on the back of a fork, so many great memories!!!)
• The Nokovich twins (my first youth pastor) and babysitting Jobie's baby Katherine (my first "job")
• James Zeyr (his passion for China was inspirational, China videoas, Bible smuggling)
• Frank & Betty Longino (his introducing us to sacred music, her being the first children's church director to inspire and censure us girls, Harvest celebrations, bulletin boards, Armor of God, first VBS's)
• The three Allen girls- Sarah, Mary & Jessi (unconditional love, taught us many ministry lessons)
• The Snyder family (homeschooling, my middle-school friendship with Tabitha, my intro to Anne of GG and "kindred spirits")
• Faye Dorman and the Tree of Life Bookstore (spent many hours in her shop, my purity ring, first teacup)
• The Odom family (much fellowship, many babies)
• Mr. Scott Berry, conductor of PCC's String Symphony (who gave us three girls an unprejudiced chance to play some of the most beautiful music in the world; it was thrilling while it lasted!)
• The Balentine and Robinson families at PCC (who gave us the opportunity to work in Campus Church's AWANA program and gain so much positive friendship and experience ministering to kids, Olympics and Bible Jamboree trips, "Keep Your Sunny Side Up!", teaching Bible stories with flannelgraph while my knees were knocking in fright!)
• Pastor Michael Collins & Bro. Jerry Ireland and their families of Charity Chapel (who have blessed our lives in too many ways to count, giving us our first opportunities to get started in independent full-time ministry)
• Brent Brummet & the Anderson clan ("Nebuchad-sneezer" and Morris Courts, inspiring, creative and out-of-the-box; we paid attention!)
• The Gygax family (yard saling, Bram's birth, Felicity parties, quilting and cross stitching, our dear adopted younger bros and sisses)
• Tom & Kathy Thompson & family (homeschooling and WFHESL back in the stone age, great fellowship, Kathy's cast iron potholder collection, playing games, our intro to ATI & IBLP, intro to bread baking with whole grains, letting me "babysit" her Bosch mixer while they were on vaca)
• The Touarts- Uncle Greg & Aunt Rosie- and the Haights & Paynes (a lifetime of friendship and memories, Aunt Rosie's many Southern cookin' recipes, valuing beautiful old things & traditions, childhood swimming days, annual Christmas Eve's, inspiration to be a good homemaker, seeing the old Batman and MJ in concert on tv for the first time)
• Lynn & Rocky Clements (for giving us the CIAS "in a box"; how it has grown and evolved into what I do everyday)
• Globe Missionary Evangelism (Bob Bishop's "beautiful feet," all those childhood missionary conferences that changed my life many times over!)
• Angela Storm (for taking the time and effort to teach my fumbly-fingers how to crochet afghans)
• Lesley Dingwall (for calling every weekend, caring friend, you are our sunshine)
• Lori Gherman (the best roomie a girl could have AND the best prayer partner; for challenging me to deal with unforgiveness, advise that changed my life!)
• Cindy Lewis & Tia Morris (for teaching me how to pray and intercede, and then to leave my burdens at the foot of the Cross)
• All my students over the years (for teaching me HOW to teach, giving me the most hilarious memories and nightmares, giving me prayer targets and a mission field, testing my faith)
• Corinne Walters, my Great-Aunt Rene (for letting us take care of her in her old age, teaching us lessons about life and appreciation that no one else could, helping my parents financially)
• Olivia Boland, my paternal grandmother (for giving us a place to live when we first moved down here, doll house and lifesize play furniture, genetic musical talents, her bequeathed collection of flower bulbs, buying first computer and Ford van, teaching me lessons of spiritual life in her death)
• Peter Marshall (whose life inspired me to dedicate mine to the Lord wholeheartedly)
• Nancy Avery (whose personal prophecy over me came true, and in the meantime ministered to my fragile little heart as a young teen)
• Rodger & Judy Gergeni (who chose Tricia and I to be leaders when we were so inexperienced, in the process breaking open our sheltered shells and encouraging us to grow and learn and stretch in ministry gifts)
• Nita Parker & Sandy Paoletti (for teaching me how to ice and decorate cakes)
• Brenda Rice (my first penpal, cute little gifts that she sent over the years are tucked away in my childhood trunk)
• Keys for Kids & Bread for God's Children (ministries that encouraged me when I was very young)
• Nature Friend (my artwork was first published within their pages)
• HopeChest Magazine (honing my writing skills, companionship of like-minded young ladies) 
• Lee & Pat Hutchinson (for over 20 years of steady friendship, devotion to God, faithfulness)
• Gentle Spirit Magazine (for inadvertently launching our headcovering business into "deeper waters" of worldwide business, and thus supporting several of us girls for many years)

We have experienced so much favor, kindness, and hospitality!
I know I am missing many...I'm sure I will think of more.
Thank you all so much!!! Your rewards in heaven will be rich.
"If ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto Me."

I'll add more "gratefulnesses" to this as soon as I finish studying today...and as I remember more people. ;-)

gifts for this week

81. Little girl kisses from my precious nieces

82. Pansies and snapdragons in bloom and ready to plant

83. Paying off another credit card

84. My fav sushi roll at Ichiban, with Mama and Cindy last Thursday

85. A "thank you" card from a friend

86. Multiple opportunities to witness to my students

87. A clean and organized laundry room

88. Finishing the packing away of Christmas decor...finally!

89. Catching a few minutes here and there to read

90. Enjoying the last two classes of this semester, and this degree! :-D

91. My Wireless Mobile Mouse

92. Valentine's chocolate!!!

93. Text messaging

94. The remembrance of a faithful father, Opa. RIP.

95. Hanging out with Aly, Wes & the Jones girls at Monterrey's yesterday, and for white queso...YUM!



"Give thanks to the Lord! His Love Endures Forever!"

oodles of gifts

55. A wonderful Christmas Eve, spent with family and long-time friends- the Touarts, Haights & Paynes

56. A spicey Jones clan Christmas Day (must everyone be so cranky about my kitchen buzzer?!?)

57. Excited glee from our nieces over their gifts, especially over the old toddler desk that "Unker Danner" refinished and painted anew for the next generation of Joneses to enjoy

58. Red Box movies

59. Renfroe Praline Pecans...soooo delicious & yummy!

60. The pretty red-blooming amaryllis I found in Winn Dixie's flower store

61. New Christmas music CD's: Michael Buble, Justin Bieber, Kutless

62. Last-minute Christmas gifts for my family & employees

63. Grace to properly react to a failure of trust in someone I should have been able to trust to carry out my good wishes

64. Strength to stop murmuring against the Lord for what I "have not"

65. Getting to see Orion and its nebula M42 tonight in our clear skies

66. Extra buttery popcorn

67. Energy and good health, to do what needs to be done

68. The luxury of sleeping through the night, every night

69. God's creation of a clean and pure heart, and a quiet spirit, within me

70. Being able to pay my mortgage and bills, once again, this month

71. Another NIECE...or nephew (this is Cori & Brian's #3) on the way!!! :-D

72. A future sister-in-law (via my brother Daniel), Brittany

73. The Holy Writ, that never-ending source of unfathomable riches and wisdom!

74. Dinner at Friday's tonight with my baby sis Sarah

75. Getting to sleep in late during my holiday

76. The knowledge that my sisters, Tricia and Sarah especially, have my back

77. Being raised in the knowledge of righteousness and holiness (without which, I would not see God!)

78. Two wonderful, however flawed, parents who listened to the voice of the Holy Ghost

79. Sparkly lights at Christmas, all over everywhere

80. The liberty and freedom of being able to worship my God freely, without censure


"Give thanks to the Lord! His Love Endures Forever!"

more thanks

41. celebrating the Happy 1st Birthday of our precious niece Juliana Mae.

42. getting a break from school, and being well enough to enjoy it

43. two successful days of pie making at the bakery

44. time to catch up on laundry and house cleaning

45. finding new Amish romance books to read over this week's break

46. restful manis/pedis with my sister Sarah on Saturday

47. winning splendid eBay auctions for two figurines for my nieces' birthdays

48. grace to wait for God to multiply the seed of faith in my heart

49. being able to listen to uplifting Christian radio, especially Power 88

50. the freedom to celebrate my Savior's birth and remember all that He has done for me

51. an offer from the grandparents of a CIAS family to provide a MUCH NEEDED vacuum for the school in barter for their tuition

52. paying off our television this month

53. alertness to hear the Holy Spirit's direction and quickening

54. much-needed rain

thanksliving

33. warm socks for cold evenings

34. the romantic simplicity of watching my old "Anne of Avonlea" vhs

35. Tricia's made-from-scratch deliciously warm and comforting chocolate pudding this evening

36. sleeping in this morning

37. a successful grocery and Thanksgiving dinner shopping excursion (all I need now is the turkey and some fresh greens!)

38. a pretty plum & gray printed top at Target yesterday

39. a 20 oz. Shakespeare from The Drowsy Poet. soooo hot and yummy!

39. cute little orange pumpkins on our table- Corrie Lynn's very own "punkin patch"

40. the cutest hearty little laughs from Julieana as she tossed Meg's colorball today

Psalm 30:12

"That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."

autumn praise

My 1000 gifts include...

21. an exciting World Series game 7, with the underdog Cardinals winning!

22. warm Apple Brown Betty, ala mode

23. a quiet evening at home

24. a great afternoon on Perdido Key at the Shrimp Basket with my mama, sisters and nieces

25. beautiful cool weather

26. money to pay my bills

27. connections on Facebook to friends from so many different periods of my life

28. saints like C. S. Lewis & Augustine to inspire and go before us

29. Juice Plus

30. the end of not feeling well

31. getting to sleep in late tomorrow!

32. the blessing of Operation Christmas Child 

Psalm 146:2, "I will praise the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."

gifts and more gifts

this week I am thankful for

9. two tickets for an evening of worship with Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, and Louie Giglio on Saturday, enjoyed with my mother

10. the bruises on my hands from clapping and praising so exuberantly

10. a warm, pink bathrobe, given to me by my ex-SIL on a birthday long ago

11. mushrooms on my tender chicken tonight, grilled just perfectly

12. finally starting to regain my health, after three long weeks of sickness after sickness

13. an old and treasured warm flannel quilt to nap under when I got off from work today

14. a week off from work and sleeping in most of the mornings

15. six blingy new necklaces and four new shirts to dress up my winter wardrobe

16. banana nut bread that turned out just right

17. detective shows on tv that don't have sex and immorality to taint them

18. ice cold water

19. antibiotics to kick this UTI or whateveritisthatIhave

20. new LCD nightlights


My Shepherd "lets me rest in meadow grasses and leads me beside quiet streams. He restores my failing health. He helps me do what honors Him the most."

One Thousand Gifts

And so I join the ranks of the thankful beneficiaries of Ann VosKamp's quiet and inspirational musings. She is a contemplative farmer's wife with words of wisdom for everyday life.

I am thankful for...

1. bright eyes that peer from my loyal dog's face, as she waits for me to pick up her ball and toss it one more time

2. sushi and tempura at Ichiban

3. quotes from writers that inspire me

4. the anticipation of a Saturday off from work

5. highlighters. yes, highlighters!

6. a 90% on this week's astronomy midterm

7. aleve, for an aching back

8. delicious soft, white cheesecake, made by my baby sister


As the Psalmist says, "Give thanks to the Lord! His Love Endures Forever!"

Thanksliving

I read this on another blog that I clicked on from another blog, etc:
Thanksliving...Gratitude as an act of Worship

That's profound, huh?!?

A little song from my childhood floods my mind today. As I near the end of Spring Break, and am feeling generally overwhelmed with all that there is to do in the coming days, I MUST remember...

Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.

Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine,
No matter if the teardrops start,
I’ve found a secret,
It’s Jesus in my heart.

Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that’s worth the livin’,
Taking a trip that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine,
No matter if the teardrops start,
I’ve found a secret,
It’s Jesus in my heart,
Jesus in my heart.

GreaThings & Thankfulness

It is Veteran's Day today, hence, I get a day off from work, and I can finish healing from whatever sickness that I have. A fever hit me on Sunday in the middle of the night. What a miserable week...I am not used to being sick. :-(

Recently, I gave an assignment for my  students to write about someone that has impacted their lives and made a difference in a positive way. One of the girls had a blank look on her normally expressive face and said passively, "No one has impacted my life that I know of." My immediate thought was that either she was completely shallow and ungrateful for the mentors and teachers and people in in her life, or she really doesn't have anyone that takes an interest in her.

Her comment spurred me to thinking about how thankful I am for my God, my salvation, my life, my family, my upbringing, my sister Tricia, my harvest ministry, my friendships, and my blessings. During the month of November, I want to post a series of blogs about different things or people that I am thankful for (see my schedule below!).

Since today is Vet's Day, I am reminded to be thankful for the men and women who have fought to keep this country's freedoms in tact.

Not to be cliche, but they defend our nation's constitutional freedoms.

The force our adversaries to back down.

They address threats to national security head-on (at least the ones that they can).

They fight terrorists in an attempt to stem the tide of evil in the world.

They strengthen our nation's defenses.

They defend our rights to a republican society.

They remind us of our history: freedom is never free.

Young men and women, like my own Daddy was, who are aimless and unguided, needing direction and a firm hand of discipline in their lives.

Middle-aged people with planned careers and plans for making rank and supporting their families.

Wizened old vets who sit in dank paneled VFW halls, playing bingo and smoking stinky cigars.

And in memorial to those who have given their lives in service to the US.

One of my heroes, the great statesman Ronald Reagan, once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

By chance, I found out that Chantel (whom I know through bloggyworldness via YLCF) is hosting this year's GreaThings Blog rally!!! :-)

Nov.11- G (Blessings starting with this letter)

Nov 12- R

Nov 13- Scriptures that have been a special blessing this year

Nov 14- E

Nov 15- A

Nov 16- Answered prayers and miracles

Nov 17- T

Nov 18- H

Nov 19- Difficult experiences you're now thankful for

Nov 20- I

Nov 21- N

Nov 22- Special lessons God has taught me this year

Nov 23- G

Nov 24- S

Nov 25- Thanksgiving Day!