Day 112 - Answered Prayers



Today I almost didn't come to school. I woke up feeling so horribly that I didn't think I could patient, kind, and loving towards my little babies.

But I loaded up with allergy medicine and came in anyway. I was relying on God to get me through the day and to pour out His patience, kindness, and love through me.

I'm happy to say that God is as faithful as ever.

The student who has been such a behavior issue all year came in with an amazing attitude and has been so sweet and loving all morning.

The student who normally screams at the top of her lungs every time someone even looks at her has been blessedly quiet.

Thank you Lord for your provision today!

I am thankful that God knew exactly what I needed today and has granted it wholeheartedly.

I am thankful that I get to be here with my sweet little class.

I am thankful that my allergy medicine kicked in quickly.

I am thankful that God did not let me give in and stay home today.


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Day 111 - Super Short Sunday


Woke up with a killer headache and a slight fever.

After sleeping for most of the day, I feel like I'll be able to make it through the school day tomorrow!

I am thankful that I was able to make it through the week before needing a full day to rest.

I am thankful that I was able to enjoy my full day class with my family yesterday.

I am thankful that sleep and prayer heals a multitude of health issues!

I hope your weekend has been restful too!


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Day 110 - Healing



These last two weeks have been so difficult on my health.

Lots of emotional turmoil and very little sleep do not make for a healthy me.

Yesterday I woke up with my throat and sinuses so swollen I didn't think I would be able to make it through the day at school.

I managed, but just barely.

This morning I have an all day class that my family is taking together. 10 hours in a little room with florescent lighting... I just knew that I was going to have to skip it.

But last night I loaded up on my favorite essential oils and a lot of prayers (oh and 10 full hours of sleep!).

Lo and behold! I feel much better today!

I am thankful that God is faithful to provide what I need.

I am thankful that I woke up with just a little sniffle and no sign of head or throat pain.

I am thankful that I get to spend the day with my family learning about new things!

I hope your Saturday is restful and recharging!


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Day 109 - True {Five Minute Friday}


Linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five Minute Friday.

This world is falling apart. We have turned our eyes from God and are allowing such terrible things to take place.

I say "we", but I know there are other Christians among us who stand for truth and Godly practices.

Still, the world at large is turning away.

The news is constantly bombarding us with images of all the things that are going wrong. The radio gives us stories of war and turmoil.

How easy it is to be burdened under the weight of all that.

How easy it is to think that all is lost... hopeless.


But we are called to see beyond what the world tells us to pay attention to.

God's word tells us to focus not on the negative, but rather to focus on what is true and noble.

About two years ago, I took up this challenge.

I used to watch hot and cold running news programs, just hoping that there would be something that I could do to save this world from our seemingly impending judgment.

But there never seemed to be that big moment of revelation and it was so terribly frustrating.

So I just stopped watching.

Sure I keep up with current events, but it is not my focus.

I have to say, my heart is much lighter because of the change.

I am thankful for God's protection.

I am thankful that God is so much stronger than those of this world.

I am thankful that I have so many true and noble things to focus on in my life.

What is your focus?

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Day 108 - Rejoice

A friend of mine wrote a powerful post today. One that really caught me off guard.

She has struggled for many years with infertility and was just recently able to announce that she is a little over 9 weeks pregnant! That is fantastic news!

So when I clicked over to her blog today I wasn't expecting to read a post that brought me to tears.

She quoted Isaiah 54:1



You know that I am faced with childlessness and have the opportunity to lean on God day in and day out for strength and peace.

And He grants those things to me freely.

But to rejoice, to sing in the midst of this trail... that's a lot to ask.

I know that I should start singing again. You may know that I sang professionally for many years and just for fun for my whole life before that.

However, ever since this issue of childlessness started... I stopped singing. I stopped playing guitar and the violin... I just stopped all rejoicing sounds.

My heart was broken. My soul was ripped in two and I had no joy to send up in song.

That joy is coming back though. It may take a bit of coaxing, but I think the music is coming back too.

It's not just childlessness that has caused me to stop rejoicing in the past. Maybe you're facing something right now that is causing you to stop rejoicing the glory and plan of God.

Let's start rejoicing again together.

I may be a little rusty. But this barren woman is about to start rejoicing again.

    I am thankful that I am not forgotten.    

    I am thankful that I am loved so much by so many.

    I am thankful that I truly do have much to rejoice over.


 

 
 
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Day 107 - Widsom


 
Wisdom is a tricky thing.

All around us people offer wisdom.

They cough up these trite sayings and welling meaning metaphors that are supposed to help guide our lives.

Even in our own minds we hear wisdom. We listen all too often to the would-be-wisdom of our own intellect.

But I am so thankful that I don't have to lean on my own understandings. Instead, I have a Heavenly Father who grants wisdom to all who ask.

Rather than rely on others, or even myself... I get to rely on God!

I am thankful that the Creator of the universe cares about little ol' me.

I am thankful that He desires a relationship with me... not as a master to a slave, but a loving personal relationship through Jesus.

I am thankful that these big life decisions don't rest on my shoulders, but that I can cast them at the feet of Jesus and He will guide me.

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Day 106 - Routine {Tiny Tuesday}



Wow! What a week.

It was so great to see family and friends, it's been too long, but what a reason to gather.

I was thinking this morning about what I am thankful for today... there was a lot. But one of the things I am most thankful for today is routine.

Having the last 8 days focused on celebrating and remembering the life of my grandfather has been wonderful and sweet, but it has left my normal routine in shambles.

I am so ready to be back in the flow of things. I came to school this morning and felt like it was my first day! I was so nervous and worried that I would forget something. But I'm starting to settle in and I am thankful for that.

I am thankful that I have my lesson plans completed for the next week.

I am thankful that I have such a great kindergarten teaching partner to rely on.

I am thankful that my life is starting to resemble "normal" again.

Thank you so much for your prayers, emails, and love this week!


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Day 105 - Hero


We had the service for my grandfather yesterday and today we put him to rest in the ground beside my grandmother.

We know that all we are doing is laying to rest an empty body, his soul is now in Heaven... but it is difficult.

Having served in the Navy, he was buried with military honors and a flag draped coffin. A hero that we all looked up to is now gone.

I am so thankful that Paw Paw loved this country and was willing to serve to defend our liberty.

I am thankful for the men who volunteer to provide military honors to those men and woman who have bravely served.

I am thankful to have not one, but two heroes as grandfathers. One who is still alive and well at the age of 94, the other now safely tucked away in Heaven.

Thank you again so much for your prayers, love, and support during this week.

Much love to you all.


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Day 104 - Super Short Sunday


Today is the funeral for my grandfather, tomorrow is the burial. Please pray for my family as we continue this rather long week of remembering and letting go.

I am thankful for a family heritage of strong Christians.

I am thankful for a family who, while we may not always get along, pulls together during times of crisis.

I am thankful for a family who laughs and loves more often than not.





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Day 103 - Stormy Weather


It's storming in my life right now.

Literally and figuratively.

The rains that are hitting my part of Texas are fast and furious. Flash floods everywhere you look.

I absolutely love the rain, literal rain... the figurative rain, not as much.

With the very sudden death of my grandfather, the figurative rain has been pretty heavy this week.

I've always had a chance to say goodbye. To say, "I'll see you soon" to the face of the loved one soon to depart this world.

In fact, my grandmother's last words to me were, "Next time in Heaven". And now she is reunited with her husband of almost 50 years.

Not having a goodbye with Paw Paw has been so difficult. Much more difficult that I would have thought.

I know I'll see him again.

I know he's not just a body in the ground.

I know he is still a conscious mind and soul, just not in this world.

But my ridiculous mind and heart don't care. They are grieving that silly concept of a "goodbye".

Storms are raging in my life and I'm trying to cling to the words of Spafford's famous hymn.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul. 


I am thankful for the rain on our parched Texas ground.

I am thankful for the flood of emotions; it proves I love deeply.

I am thankful for the comfort of my earthly family and friends, but also the comfort from  my Heavenly Father.


Thank you for your prayers.









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Day 102 - It Is Well With My Soul


If you have ever been to a more traditional church, chances are you have heard this song.

It Is Well With My Soul is a song that is thought of and used in times of grief and loss.

A song that talks about unwavering faith in the mist of that grief and loss.

These lyrics were pinned by Horatio G Spafford in 1873...

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul...

Whatever my lot? Whatever my lot?

One could easily read those words with an eye-roll and think "That's easy for you to say. What do you know about my pain?"

But this man, Horatio G. Spafford knew pain. 

His son died at the age of 4 from scarlet fever. 

His fortunes were destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire.

His four remaining children were drowned in a shipwreck...

All within a few years.

And yet, as he traveled across the very spot where his children had drowned only days before... as he went to retrieve his wife, the lone survivor of his once large family... he wrote It Is Well With My Soul.

My emotional are quite unsuccessfully contained as I think about the pain he must have felt. How he must have been tempted to succumb to fear, anger, and devastation.

Yet he didn't. 

He looked at his life and rather than crying out "Why?", he said to his Heavenly Father, "It is well with my soul".

On Sunday I, along with one of my cousins, will be singing this song at my grandfather's funeral. While we are deeply grieved by the loss, we are so thankful that he is safe in the arms of Jesus.

Father, this year has been a tough one. I have cried more tears and grieved more deeply than I knew I was capable of. You have placed me on this journey to find thanksgiving in every situation and I pray that You are seeing the change in my heart.

Please God, continue to work in my life and the lives of those around me. I pray that I am never faced with such a situation as the Spaffords Lord, but I pray that I would be able to rejoice even in the deepest grief and with a sincere heart say always "It is well with my soul".

If you would like to read the full story behind the song, you can find it here.

Please be praying for my family as we head into the weekend. All of the services and events (there are four) will take place over the next few days.







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Day 101 - Staying busy!

I'm not going to lie... I kinda like the days when I don't get to post until the very last minute.

Usually that means that I had a busy day and today was no exception.

I am thankful for a great day with my class.

I am thankful for the fact that I got to drop off my LAST alterations job (more on that later).

I am thankful for dinner with a great friend that I haven't seen in forever.

I hope you had an amazing day too!

- Victoria

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Day 100 - Milestone


Today is the 100th day of this journey.

I can't believe it's already here.

In some ways I can feel each of those 100 days... but in other ways I feel like I just started.

These 100 days are an amazing milestone and I am thrilled to be so far into this yearlong journey.

But growing a thankful heart isn't just about this one year.

This is about a lifetime of change. Changing my heart. Changing my mind. Changing my outlook on life.

The whole point of this blog was to grow and cultivate a thankful heart, so that I would see God's blessings in every single situation.

This week has been a hard week. There have been many, many tears... and there are so many more to come.

But this, 100 days... this is something to rejoice over!

I am so thankful for your support and participation in this journey.

Thank you for helping me stay thankful. Thank you for sharing your thankfulness with me. And thank you so much for letting me share mine with you.

I am thankful that 100 days of thankgiving is under my belt! I feel like that is such an accomplishment.

I am thankful for the friends (both old and new) that have shared this experience with me. Thank you for growing your own thankful hearts!

I am thankful that I still have 265 days left to see where God takes me on this path.




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Day 99 - Tears {Tiny Thanks}


Yesterday I told you that my grandfather passed away on Sunday. It was so sudden and we are still in shock.

Tears have been free flowing in my family for the past two days and continue to do so even as I type this.

Tears are tiny, even these huge Texas-sized tears that I have been crying... and I am thankful for them.

I am thankful for the cleansing power of tears.

I am thankful that I love my family so deeply that I can't even think about this loss without crying. That is truly a gift that not everyone has, and I am thankful.

I am thankful that I have friends and family who will cry with me during this time. They don't look down on me or tell me to "suck it up"... they understand and pray with me through the tears.

Thank you again so much for your prayers. I can feel them and they mean so much to me.


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Day 98 - See You Soon


I knew when starting this blog that God would be testing me through this year.

I knew that there would be times of struggle and sadness where I would be required to find the good in order to post for the day.

I knew that it would be hard. I knew that the tests would come unexpectedly.

Well, that day has come...

Yesterday my paternal grandfather went home to be with Jesus. His beloved wife having already been there for about four years.

I will write more as the week goes on, but for today, I am thankful...

I am thankful that Paw Paw is reunited with his wife.

I am thankful that he went in his sleep and with no apparent pain.

I am thankful that we know he believed in Jesus as his savior.

I am thankful that this is only a "See You Soon" goodbye and that we will be reunited again.
Prayers for my family during this time are so appreciated. Thank you so much for the love and support we have already seen.






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97 - Super Short Sunday


I hope your weekend has been wonderful!

I was supposed to spend my Saturday with old friends and new information. But plans changed and I was able to spend my day at home doing alterations and cleaning.

I am thankful for friends that don't fade away due to distance.

I am thankful for the ability to maintain friendships with phone calls, emails, and texts!


I am thankful for a restful Sunday afternoon ahead!



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Day 96 - Late Posting

I know I'm posting late... whew, it was a whirlwind of a day!

Got so much done though. I am overwhelmed with the amount that was accomplished today. Thank you Lord!

I am thankful for every bit of productivity that I was blessed with today.

I am thankful for the relief of the back pain that reared its ugly head today.

I am thankful for finishing my weekend chores today so that I will be able to really and truly relax tomorrow!

Wishing you a blessed and peaceful Sunday. Goodnight friends!

-Victoria

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Day 95 - Mercy {Five Minute Friday}


She's standing before me, head hung low, her eyes downcast... She's knows what she did.

I've talked myself blue in the face trying to get her to understand that we don't lie. She can tell me why we don't lie... how much it hurts God's heart and mine when she lies.

She knows that I want to trust her, that I long to know that each word from her mouth is truth.

She cries and tells me that she knows. That she too longs to be truthful, to please God and to do right...

And yet, she still lies.

Do I continue to grant mercy? How can I when she continues to do the very thing she asks forgiveness for everyday?

Then I realize the answer... How can I do anything but grant mercy?

Each day I sin against God. I don't always realize it, I don't always do so intentionally, but I do sin.

I deserve hellfire and brimstone. I deserve to be cast out of God's presence. I deserve everlasting punishment...

But that's not what I'm getting. By grace I am saved through Jesus Christ... Because of mercy.

So I will give mercy everyday.

When it's hard.

When it's infuriating.

When it seems impossible.

I will cling to the mercy I have been given... and pass it on.

I am thankful for the mercy that is extended to a sinner like me.

I am thankful for God who wants to grant mercy. He is not willing that any should perish. (2 Peter 3:9)

I am thankful for the constant support of my Heavenly Father as I strive to grant that which has been granted to me.

I am thankful for the opportunity to see just how hard it sometimes is to grant mercy... it makes me appreciate God's mercy all the more.

Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Join us if you will!

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Day 94 - Guest Posting {Desire to Inspire}

A Royal Daughter

Hello all!

I'm guest posting over at A Royal Daughter for the Thursday Desire to Inspire link up party.

Hop on over and check it out!


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Day 93 - Peppermint Things



I've talked about red being my favorite color.

Well peppermint is my favorite scent.

I love the smell of peppermint tea warming on the stove. The fresh, invigorating effect it has on my senses.

I love the way peppermint essential oil transforms "plain old" hot chocolate into a luscious treat.

I love walking into my home and being greeted by that strong, sweet smell of pepperminty glory.

And as a bonus, it reminds me of Christmas!  *wink*

I am thankful for the many uses of peppermint.

I am thankful for access to pure peppermint essential oil that I can actually use in cooking.

I am thankful for a husband who also loves peppermint and therefore doesn't mind me using it all the time!

What is your favorite scent?


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Day 92 - YouTube {Tiny Tuesday}


 It may be silly, but I am extremely thankful for YouTube.

You may think of YouTube in corelation with videos of less than intelligent people doing less than intelligent things... This may then lead you to wonder, "Why in the world is she thankful for that?".

A reasonable question. But videos of that ilk are not all YouTube has to offer.

People from all over the world upload videos on many different subjects. And thanks to those wonderful people, I have learned a ton of new skills!

Including, but not limited to...

How to knit.

How to make my own drop spindle. 

How to spin fibers. 
 
How to ply my newly spun thread into yarn. 

How to properly center the clay on my pottery wheel.

How to make my own natural dyes from plants in my area. 

How to set up my fabric loom. 

How to thread and actually use my fabric loom.

How to bind a hardback book.

How to make shoes. 

How to properly finish quilt binding.

How to draw hair.

How to paint digital fire.

How to create the perfect reflective surface in 3D rendering software.

How could I not be thankful for such a wonderful wealth of information?

I am thankful for the people who take time from their own day to share the information they have collected and perfected.

I am thankful for the ability to learn from someone halfway around the world.

I am thankful that God has placed in my heart a love of learned. 

I am thankful for the opportunity to impart, through teaching, that same love.


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Day 91 - 30 Days of Food

Once a month I cook. Just once.

My tiny freezer somehow turns into a T.A.R.D.I.S. and allows for a months worth of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to cram their way inside.

With every weekend in September but this past one already scheduled away, I had to get all my cooking done!

One of my new favorites is a hot sandwich... right out of the freezer... kind of!


Hot Sandwiches on the Go!

Sweet Rolls
Cheese (I use Heinie's Raw Cheddar)
Deli Meat (I use Boar's Head Cajun Turkey)
and
A Sauce of your choice (I use half mustard/half mayo, mixed well)

Roll of aluminum foil
  • Cut rolls in half
  • Spread sauce thickly across both halves
  • Add meat and cheese to your liking
  • Place sandwich TOP DOWN onto foil and wrap tightly. Make sure that everything is completely covered!
  • Throw them into the freezer.
  • When you are ready to heat them up, toss them in the oven and set the temp to 350. Bake for 45 minutes and enjoy the best hot sandwich you've ever had!
* If the sandwiches are not frozen, 15-20 minutes in the oven should be perfect!

I am thankful for my T.A.R.D.I.S. freezer. God literally only knows how all that food fits in there.

I am thankful for the fact that the storm season hasn't knocked out the power and spoiled all my efforts.

I am thankful that my one free weekend, "happened" to coincide with the last of my meals from last month being removed.

Do you have a favorite "make ahead" meal? I'd love to hear about it!

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Day 90 - Super Short Sunday


Another week has come and gone.

I am thankful that I not only made it through another week, but shared many moments of joy and happiness with those around me.

I am thankful that our woman's bible study at my school is starting up tomorrow for the new year.

I am thankful that September is a busy and exciting month!


Hope your day of rest is exceedingly restful.


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Day 89 - Busy

Do you ever get so busy you forget to live?

It sounds weird doesn't it? But it happens to me all too frequently.

I get bogged down in the day to day, and I forget to enjoy my life.

I think about this verse and it reminds me that taking a little time out from all the errands and "to-do" lists is more than ok...


This is Jesus, telling us why He came to die for us.

Not so that we could have massive to-do lists, not so that we could put work in front of family, not so that we could put off the joy He has planned for us... but so that we could have life. And have it more abundantly.

I am thankful that my God doesn't require my suffering to grant me salvation.

I am thankful that He rejoices with us in good times, and weeps for us in our grief.

I am thankful that He works in my life to my good and for His glory.

I hope your weekend is full of joy, family, laughter, and life more abundantly.




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Day 88 - Red {Five Minute Friday}



Red.

My favorite color.

That deep, rich shade of red called crimson. I'm so in love with that color. The warmth, the depth.

You see it everywhere in nature, that crimson shade. There's a depth that comes from natural colors that you can't quite achieve with dyes and artificial products.

The skin of a red delicious apple. The flesh of a ripe plum. The juice from red grapes. The berries on a holly branch. The petals of the poinsettia plant.

Makes me wonder if one of God's favorite colors might be red.

And one more thing comes to mind....

The blood of The Lamb.

The precious blood of Christ, willingly spilled for me. Blood brought forth by nails that pierced His flesh, that dripped from the thorns in His head. The blood that paid my way to Heaven.

Red. It's my very favorite color.

I am thankful for a God who died for me.

I am thankful for a God who came back to prove His power.

I am thankful for a God who accepts me wholly for who I am and paid the price for my sins.

I am thankful for a God who so beautifully paints in creation with my favorite color.

Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker and her wonderful community for Five Minute Friday. Would love for you to join us!

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Day 87 - Teacher {Desire to Inspire}



Teacher.

That used to seem like a loaded word to me. A word weighted with responsibility and opportunity.

That responsibility terrified me when I first started teaching last fall. The thought of being held responsible for the educational progress of these little children was daunting.

I felt like I was in way over my head. That first week was fun, I loved my class, but man was I stressed out and worried.

Then I realized something that I had forgotten about completely. With all the hustle and bustle of starting (with only 3 days notice from the day I was hired to the day I started)... I hadn't been praying.

I had completely neglected to bring my concerns and worries to my Teacher.

The One who has the power to grant knowledge and wisdom. The One who has the power to grant comfort. The One who has the power to grant peace... I hadn't given Him a call all week.

The change that came over me once I remembered (and I really can't believe I had forgotton) to take time to pray each morning, to study God's words... that change was remarkable.

I felt God's words, His wisdom and mercy, flow through me each day. The burden of wondering if I was doing everything "right" was lifted from my shoulders.

Once I shifted my focus back to Him, everything else fell into place.

It was an amazing first year, and I know it was all through Him.

I am thankful that I am not left alone in this world to figure everything out on my own. 

I am thankful that my God and my Savior are only a thought away.

I am thankful for the Living Word that speaks to me each day as I study my Bible. 

When do you feel the most connected to God?

Linking up with Amanda at A Royal Daughter for Desire to Inspire! Join us!
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Day 86 - Home Is Where The Heart Is


Recently we began looking for a house. Our first house.

We put in bid after bid and lost them all. Until mid-August...

We won the bid on a beautiful house and were so excited to move in and start settling into our first home.

Less than 24 hours later, we had to give up the contract due to a mix-up by our realtor.

After some disappointment, we decided to finally start making our current apartment our home.

I know that sounds weird, of course it's our home, but it didn't really feel like a home. There were pictures on the walls, but that was about it.

Our furniture was haphazardly placed around the room. Piles of books lay here and there. There were no "little touches" that make a house a home.

I hadn't wanted to put in the time to add those little touches, because I didn't think we would be here that long. But should that matter?

Starting today, this house (even if it is just an apartment), is going to be our home. 

It may take some time, effort, and a little money, but I know it will be worth it in the end.

All the physical and decorative things aside, home is where the heart is... and my heart is where ever my love is. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man by my side.

I am thankful for a mom and mom-in-law who love to "hand wave" and decorate.

I am thankful for a husband who understands my desire to make our apartment a home and is will willing to help in whatever way he can.

I am thankful for Craigslist. Beautiful oak china cabinet with beveled glass doors for $99?? Yes please!!

 What makes your house feel like home?

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