Home

Continuing with my days of gratitude, today I am thankful for:

A house that is a home.

Wood heat that warms us in our home

Food and water to provide for our needs

Little things that were our grandparents, that have no earthly value but a lot of heart value to both of us

A bed to lay my head and rest

A yard to grow flowers, berries, and garden crops in, as well as to sit and relax and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors

Books, of which I have plenty, that line a couple walls in my home. Somehow, I find comfort in books and in the knowledge they possess within

"Where is home? Home is where the heart can laugh without shyness. Home is where the heart's tears can dry at their own pace." ~Vernon G Baker

""A True Home - A roof to keep out the rain. Four walls to keep out the wind. Floors to keep out the cold. Yes, but home is more than that. It is warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Where you go for comfort when you are hurt or sick, and where joy is shared and sorrow eased. Where all are respected and loved. Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned. Where money is not so important as loving-kindness. Where even the teakettle sings from happiness. That is home."" ~ Ernestine Schumann-Heink

Snow

Yesterday brought a nice lunch with my husband at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. It's rare that he is in the area for the day, but he was part of yesterday, so we met to enjoy a meal together. As we were eating, an eagle flew right by the windows and we watched his grace and beauty as he went along down the lake. After lunch, my hubby went back to work, and I went for a drive down Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive to see if I could spot some eagles, since I know they start to come back this time of year. I was fortunate to see seven eagles, numerous loons, and a few western grebes. The snow started to lightly fall as I was watching the eagles glide above the lake. I must admit, I am still like a little kid with the first snow fall. Yesterday, as much as I'm not ready for winter to begin, I felt this excitement inside as I watched large flakes drift down from the sky. The large flakes started to come down heavier, and the wind picked up and it was suddenly like a mini blizzard outside, but it was so pretty. I felt like I was inside a snow globe, minus the turning upside down, and the water. We have about an inch snow on the ground, and it is pretty out. The trees are flocked with snow, the fence posts all have little caps, and everything looks clean and bright. Right now, the sun is breaking through the clouds, and everything is sparkling like little diamonds and it's very pretty.



Thankful list:
First snow and feeling like a kid again
Getting to see the loons, eagles, and grebes yesterday, as I sat in the silence on the shoreline
The gift of sight
Fresh starts
My camera, which helps me capture the beauty I am surrounded by each day

Thankful for Creation

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13

My thankful list for today all have to do with God, the artist and creator:

Sunsets, each one is uniquely designed and beautiful

The powerful beauty in waterfalls

The grace and elegance of butterflies

The power and majesty of eagles

Dragonflies..the intricate details in something so small...

The amazing beauty of living in north Idaho

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. Romans 1:20-21

Worry and Fear

I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for breath - these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I breathe freely - these are my native air. A John Hopkins University doctor says, "We do not know why it is that worriers die sooner than the non-worriers, but that is a fact." But I, who am simple of mind, think I know; We are inwardly constructed in nerve and tissue, brain cell and soul, for faith and not for fear. God made us that way. To live by worry is to live against reality. ~Eli E. Stanley Jones

Wow and ouch...that's much easier to say, and read, than it is to live for me. I am a type A personality, and worry seems to come whether I want it to or not. Of course the more I try not to worry, the more I worry about worrying! =) It is definitely something I need to work on. I know worry affects health because I know how it can affect mine, and I've seen it affect others. It seems I hand my worry, troubles, to God, then I take them back. I lay them at the foot of the cross, and run back and take grab them for myself to carry, to trudge along with a heavy load, when God is right there waiting to take them and to help me be free from worry. I need to leave them with God. I need to really work on that this month.

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:25-34


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Thankful list:

The group of ladies at my Tuesday night Captivating study...a couple months ago we were strangers, now we are friends. We have developed an amazing bond and I am so thankful for each one of them being in my life. Each woman brings a special piece into my life, and I am definitely blessed.

Hugs

The ability to feel/touch

Authentic friends, of which I have two that are extra blessings from God...one I have met only once in person, but we communicate via email and blogs, but she's always honest with me, and prays for me, as I pray for her. We seem to think a lot a like, and she has helped me a lot in many areas of my life. One moved a little further away a couple months ago, but we talk a couple times a week, and stay in touch as best we can. God seems to share situations and thoughts in our lives, so we usually know what the other is struggling with or needs prayer for, just because over the past six years, that's the way our friendship has developed. We also share a lot of laughs together. I am grateful for both these ladies, as I am other friends who are there for me when I need them or when I just want to talk, or cry, or laugh.

Veteran's Day

Thank you Veterans! Your service to our country is greatly appreciated and we offer our deepest thanks for all you sacrificed to keep our freedoms alive in this country. Thank you seems like such a meager offering, but it is extended with deepest gratitude.






(47 seconds into this video is a picture of our niece, quite a surprise, and honor, to see as I was watching this video.)


If you appreciate living in a free country, speak up and stand up, America! It's time to be heard and be noticed. Freedom is precious, and it can slip away very quickly. Don't be idle, protect your freedoms. Too many men and woman have died to protect this country and it's freedom for us to not fight for that freedom within our country every day. Get some pride back in being an American, and fight!

Thank you to all Veterans! We honor and appreciate you!


Today, I am thankful for:

The Flag..red is for the blood, blue is for the bruise, white is for the eyes that fought for me and you
All those who serve and have served our country
Those who gave the greatest sacrifice by laying down their lives for this country and our freedoms
Freedoms, even though they are slipping away
The forefathers of this country, who helped to shape it into a place where those living in it could be free

The List Continues

"Every moment in time is a gift and a blessing."

Things I am thankful for:

My parents
My sister
Nieces, and their hugs
Family
Sitting by a lake, which brings me peace
Music
The ability to hear
Laughter
Giggling so hard, your stomach hurts
My dog, even when she eats all the carrots of of my garden. She is a faithful companion and shows true unconditional love.
Electricity
Indoor plumbing

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.1 Chronicles 16:34

Thankful

As Thanksgiving draws close, I hope that everyone reading this actually remembers to be thankful. It's easy to get so busy that we forget to take time to give thanks. Starting today, I am going to post a few things each day I am thankful for throughout the rest of the month, along with my regular posts. I challenge you to do the same, whether it's on a blog, facebook, or writing them down on a piece of paper that you add to each day, just make sure to keep it visible so you remember to think of what you are thankful for throughout the day. If you are down, that is a good time to write out things you are thankful for in your life, because it will help you to see the good things.

Things I am thankful for:
The soldiers who serve, and fight for, our country
Jesus dying for me on the cross, to free me from my sins
The Bible
The ability to read and write
My husband, who loves me through the good times and the not so good times
The Oregon coast

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT

Birthday Wishes

Today, our youngest niece turns 5, wow, time goes so fast! We are blessed to have her in our lives, and we are extra blessed by her giggle, her hugs and kisses, and her love. Today, everything is about pink and princesses as she celebrates her birthday! She is the one who has always says she can do it, no matter how small she is, and she has a very inquisitive side to her!

Happy birthday! We love you!

Rude Awakening

The state of being sound asleep, and the darkness of the middle of the night, was suddenly interrupted by our dog barking ferociously and running downstairs. My husband and I in our sleepy states, both flew out of bed, without really knowing what we were doing until we reached the bottom of the stairs. Our dog was still barking up a storm and growling, as she stood at the front door. I peered through our blinds on the big front window and thought I saw a light, but was not sure as the blinds distorted things. My husband stood by the door, still mostly asleep. I went over to a little window and looked out and saw someone standing in the middle of our yard, waving a flashlight across the grass, as if they were looking for night crawlers or something, but it was much too cold for that activity in the early morning hours this morning. I went down on my knees, and was heading to a phone, as I reported to my husband what was going on in our front yard. He flicked on all our the outside lights and opened the door. Personally, I would have opened the door, then flicked on the lights just to try to see who it was before startling them, but we think different in that area. I am trying to hear the conversation in case I need to call the police, and though I cannot make out what they are saying, I could tell the tone was not a threatening one. My husband came back in for a moment to get some shoes on and said it was the police. Seems one of our neighbors had already called him in as a prowler in our neighborhood, and I had about done the same. The officer was laughing about it, at least.

My husband came back in and reported that they had caught someone a couple blocks away with a lot of stolen goods, and they think he had run through our yard, and they were trying to get conclusive evidence. The officer thought there was some incriminating evidence on one of our vehicles so was attending to that as well.

I am not sure what it is about our house, but seems those running from the law love to hit our yard. This is the fourth time in two years we have been woke up because a police officer is chasing someone through our yard, or looking for someone in our yard. I wonder if it's because we live on a corner, or what is so attractive about it, because we certainly don't have any trees to hide behind or under. I told my husband as we climbed back in bed that I am either moving or building a ten foot cement fence around our entire place. At our last place we lived, we were there for 17 years and I only remember being woke up by the police once. It may be a difference in police forces, or it may just be our new place is an attractant for criminals. However, at our last place, we had two well known meth houses on our block, but very little police activity. We also had a yard full of trees and bushes that would have made great hiding places. I am not aware of any meth houses in our little suburbia one block radius in our neighborhood. However, we are at the back of the subdivision, without many homes in two directions so maybe that is why we have become a favorite place for criminals who are breaking into cars and garages. I don't know, but after the last incidence in August where several cars were burglarized, gas stolen, and garages broken in to, many in the neighborhood spoke of starting a watch program. It kind of fell to the side as summer wound down and kids were going back to school, but after our neighborhood was hit again last night, maybe it's worth bring up again and putting in place. It's very unnerving to know that all of our property and belongings continue to be violated by someone. It's even more worrisome to know that there are several small kids in this one block radius.

It took awhile to calm myself back down as I laid and watched the clock turn to 2:30 am. I wondered if someone was in our fenced backyard hiding, or if anything we had outside had been stolen by someone who invaded our property. Were our cars safe? Were we safe? I started to pray for peace and protection, and drifted back to sleep. I cannot say I feel 100% safe but I am thankful for the police officer who visits our home often in the middle of the night, to know he is out trying his best to protect us and our neighbors.

Election Day

On this election day, I urge you to get out and exercise your RIGHT to vote. Who knows how long we will be allowed the freedom to vote others into office, so get out and vote today. But, before you do that, think. Really think. Pray. Pray for direction in which name you choose as you vote. Pray for this country. Take a stand. Don't be silent! Great countries and freedoms are lost because too many good people sit by and watch as their rights and freedoms slipped away. Don't sit by and be passive, get active in local, state, and national politics! There is a lot at stake in our country, and with our troops. Stand up and be heard as an American while you still can and before it's too late!

Thought for the Day

Teach me, O God, to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin. Let me use disappointment as material for patience: Let me use success as material for thankfulness: Let me use suspence as material for perseverance: Let me use danger as material for courage: Let me use reproach as material for trouble: Let me use praise as material for humility: Let me use pleasures as material for self restraint: Let me use pains as material for endurance. ~John Baillie