Month of Thankfulness - Day 19

^{Romans 8:35, 36-39}

 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

I am thankful for...

...the love of Christ 

...the fact that nothing can separate me from that love.

Month of Thankfulness - Day 18

Sunday: A Blessed Day

Hubby and I joined our son and daughter-in-law at their church this morning for worship. I love their church. The music is always fantastic. Today's instruments were a piano and a cello. (The sound of a cello just gives me the chills.) I am so thankful that they are able to worship at a church that truly preaches the gospel. I always get so much practical stuff from the sermons. Every sermon wraps up with the gospel message. The service usually ends with me in tears, I am so moved. What really got me today was being served communion by my son and daughter-in-law. Words cannot describe the emotions. What kind of a loving God do we have that would allow me (& hubby) to experience that moment?

After that simply marvelous morning we enjoyed a yummy BBQ lunch and some fun shopping with the son and daughter-in-law.

Then I spent three and a half hours at Panera (which in and of itself would be great) with an old friend. We first met in choir when Hubby and I were first married and lived in Wichita, Kansas. My friend and I have moved around a lot over the years and even lost touch for several years. We got back in touch and text each other often, but don't often get the opportunity to actually see each other. This trip it happened to work out that we were both able to spend some time together. SO MUCH FUN! I don't think we really spent three and a half hours just sitting there talking, but that is what the clock indicated, so I guess I have to believe it.

This evening we enjoyed a late supper with our daughter and son-in-law. They encouraged us to try something brand new to Hubby and I.

Sushi! At one point in my life I thought I would never want to eat sushi. Megan and Zach have told us about this place and we said we'd like to go with them sometime if they would order for us. And can I say? We really did like it! I'd go again (with someone who knew what they were ordering).

I am thankful for...
...God's truth being preached
...singing with the body of Christ
...partaking in communion
...an afternoon spent with a friend I first met 28 years ago
...that friendship
...my daughter
...the enjoyment of food

Month of Thankfulness -- Day 17

Another lovely day here in the land of Oz. (or is it Ahs?)

I just commented to my hubby that coming here to hang out with the kids for this half a week was a really great idea. Funny thing is, neither of us can remember who was the first one to suggest it. In my opinion, that's one of the beautiful things of 28 years of marriage. The two of us tend to think alike and we talk things through as though we were one. Hey! I think that was God's plan all along!

Our day started with a late breakfast with our daughter and son-in-law. Yummy, yummy food and great company. The belly laughs sure helped too!

The rest of the day was spent playing dominoes;

 

 (I didn't win one single game. I may or may not have been distracted with my new toy phone.)

and watching this little guy's antics:

(I'm not really clear on why he did this. But he seemed very happy.)

Megan fixed us some yummy soup and fresh bread for an early supper, and then Hubby and son went to a football game. Their Alma Maters were playing each other in football. Us girls went shopping at........
wait for it....
TARGET! So fun to wander around together.

I'm thankful for...
...my kids (all four: the two I raised and the two we were blessed with)
...laughter
...that silly dog
...God's blessings on our family
...the oneness in marriage

Month of Thankfulness - Day 16

I have just had THE best day and I am overflowing with thankfulness.

Hubby and I are spending a chunk of time with our kids. They will both be at their in-law's for the Thanksgiving holiday so we thought we'd go hang out with them for several days.

I think the best way to recap this day is to go right into my list:

I am thankful for...
...breakfast at Chic-fil-a
...more time in the car with Hubby (I was in a very chatty mood this morning and he put up with me graciously)
...almost TWO hours at the Missouri Star Quilt Company (such a great quilt shop and I had so much fun chatting with several different people. I even got a signed pattern from Jenny. She does the YouTube tutorials. SO MUCH FUN!)
...the joy my hubby has when I am excited about buying a bunch of fabric
...my hubby's encouragement of my hobby and my obsession love of all things quilting
...lunch at Panera (LOVE their Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich)
...Peppermint Chocolate Chip Shakes from Chic-fil-a's
...an afternoon and evening spent with my son and daughter-in-law
...watching the very first Star Wars movie with my son and daughter-in-law
...celebrating daughter-in-law being 7/8 of a doctor with a yummy supper
...a new cell phone (!)
...my son's willingness to be my tech support and adviser in choosing a new cell phone

***happy sigh***

Month of Thankfulness - Day 15

I am thankful for...
...time in the car with my hubby
...supper with old friends
...BBQ and ice cream
...my cell phone which is now dead :(

Month of Thankfulness - Day 14

Today was a Pinterest day in action.

My first task was to use this scrub for shaving my legs. It combines sugar, oil and lime or lemon juice. It does a wonderful job of making my legs super smooth. I've used it a couple of times. The only drawback is that it makes a mess of the shower. The oil makes it kinda slimy. (Would it be tacky to take that mixture with me when I am going to stay in a hotel and let someone else clean it up?)

The next task, then, was to clean the shower up. I used this tip for cleaning the shower. Basically you combine vinegar and Dawn dish-washing liquid and spray on the walls. It did a good job. My shower isn't spotless, but then it was quite grungy, I'm embarrassed to say. I'd use that mixture again.

For supper tonight we had tomato soup, sliced apples and grilled cheese sandwiches (yes, I burned one side) on some whole grain bread I bought at Panera. I also doctored up the sandwiches some with some sun-dried tomato pesto. Mmmm! I found that recipe on Pinterest as well. Here's a link to the original post. I only made a half a recipe and that seems to be plenty for the two of us. I put the extra in the freezer.

(See? I told you it was a Pinterest Day in action.)

Whew! I'm tuckered out. I haven't even opened a box of stuff I ordered from Lands' End that Mr. UPS delivered today. And yesterday I got a quilt back from the Missouri Star Quilt Company that needs a binding sewn on it.

Name this kitchen gadget:

No, I didn't find this on Pinterest. :) I just used it tonight when I made the sun-dried tomato pesto. It takes the skin off of garlic cloves. I had seen it in kitchen gadget stores I had always wondered if it really worked. I told Hubby that when we in a kitchen store and he encouraged me to just go ahead and buy it. It really works! I totally love it.

I am thankful for...
...a place to easily find ideas and recipes
...a new kitchen gadget that works well
...a clean shower
...having an evening at home with my Hubby

Month of Thankfulness - Day 13

I'm finally getting around to posting this kind of late tonight. I was out of town until this evening, then Hubby and I had to talk for a while to catch up on each other's day.  Now we're watching the evening news and I thought I'd better get to writing.

Where did I go today? I drove back to the town we lived in previously to get my hair done. The gal there has done my hair for 11 years and I just can't seem to bring myself to find someone new. So every couple of months I make the 90 mile drive. She and I always have a great conversation and she is a magician at taking years off my look! ;) I also add in a little Target shopping while I'm in that town. So it's worth the drive, of course.

As I've said before, I love to listen to music while I drive. Today's indulgence was Travis Cottrell. He does the worship for Beth Moore's Living Proof Live conferences. Today's CD is called When The Stars Burn Down. The last song on the CD is called Thanks Be To Our God. Awesome, awesome song. I hit repeat multiple songs and have my own little worship service.

(And it's taking me a long time to finish this because I am distracted with Pinterest and chatting with a friend on Facebook and email and look! at all those pretty pictures on Pinterest...)

(I'm easily distracted tonight)

(Squirrel!) (Name that movie...)

I am thankful for...
...music (again!) (surprise!)
...my hair magician
...coming home to my hubby
...Target
...for these lyrics:

For the mysteries beyond the veil of death,
For the peace that opens with our closing breath,
When our struggles pass away, and we finally see Your face,
And a greater glory rises into You.
Thanks be to our God!