365 Days of Thanksgiving: February 2014

Day 252 - Finally Friday

I know it's already almost over, but it is FINALLY Friday!

Really, the week flew by... sadly, I know that the weekend will also fly by.

But the husband and I are going to make some time to just relax and enjoy the time off!

I am thankful that we aren't going out of town this weekend.

I am thankful that all the cooking is finished already.

I am thankful that I get to sleep in tomorrow for the first time in WEEKS!!!!

Day 251 - Disappointments

I not a big fan of disappointment.

But really, who is?

Yesterday I got an extra large dose of disappointment. One that I didn't even think would affect me if it didn't come to fruition... boy was I wrong.

I managed to hold it together all day; no problem.

But the minute I walked through the door and my husband gave me a hug and kiss as usual... I fell apart.

Like, Kim Kardashian ugly-crying, fell apart.

You may not know what Kim Kardashian's ugly cry looks like... allow me to enlighten you.

Plus add streaks of mascara and snot running down my face. Not pretty.

I still don't know exactly why I was so devastated, but I was. I couldn't seem to get it together.

I felt like I cried all the tears that I had been allotted for my lifetime... but really, it was probably only 3 minutes. Still.

After that seemingly endless cry, I forced myself to remember that I have my own path in God's plan. And that WHATEVER His plan is for me, it's going to be exactly tailored to me.

God doesn't promise to give us everything we could ever think of or dream of. He doesn't promise us earthly comforts or riches.

He does promise to give those who love Him the desires of their heart. While I may think I know the desires of my heart, God truly knows. And all things work to the good of those who love Him...

I am thankful that God guards my heart against bitterness and anger.

I am thankful that I don't have to fight satan's attacks on my heart alone...

I am thankful that God's plan for my life unfolds a little more each day.

Day 250 - Cold and Rainy

I LOVE THIS WEATHER!!!

People all around me are talking about how they can't wait for summer... oh Lord, keep it cold a bit longer please. I love it!

The temperature dropped 25 degrees while I was at school today and it was amazing. How refreshing to feel the crisp cold once again.

I am thankful, yet again, for the cold weather.

I am thankful that summer is still a little ways off.

I am thankful that God blessed us with seasons!

Day 249 - Cloudy Days {Tiny Tuesday}

Today is my favorite kind of day.

Dark, cool, cloudy, and rainy... the air is crisp and light.

If I could be home all day with the windows open, and my Loreena McKennitt Pandora station playing a steady stream of Celtic music in the background... a cup of hot tea on the table next to me, and my laptop ready to go... I would be in paradise!

Many of my friends "can't stand days like this...", they feel run down and depressed in the supposed gloom.

Not me!

The creativity starts flowing like you wouldn't believe on rainy days like this! I often wonder if I should move to Washington state... but I do love Texas.

Anyway, I am going to enjoy the heck out of this day and let the creativity flow!

I am thankful that God had created so many different things that appeal to different people in their own way!

I am thankful for the rain and "gloom" today!

I am thankful for the rush of creativity that will undoubtedly accompany today's weather.

Day 248 - Pink Eye?

Say it ain't so! Pink eye??

My parents and brother just had pink eye going in rounds at their house... 16 days each to get rid of it... PRAY THAT I DON'T GET THIS!

I stayed away from them until they had been over it for three whole weeks... and still, I feel like I'm getting it.

16 days away from my class would be terrible!

Please, seriously. Pray that I don't get this.

I am thankful that I know my God is mighty to heal.

I am thankful that I am stocked up on essential oils.

I am thankful that I really do know my class will be taken care of if I do get sick.

Day 247 - Super Short Sunday

I am thankful that even though I had a CRAZY migraine today, God blessed me with so much energy and inspiration.

I am thankful that exciting things are happening in my life all around; both work, and home life!

I am thankful that my lesson plans are done and ready for the new week at school!

Day 246 - Showers and Sun

Today I got to see a great friend of mine... Someone I have known since I was four years old.

Someone with whom I unknowingly walked the path of infertility for many years until I finally confided in her...

Someone who has now been blessed, in God's perfect timing, with a little boy soon to enter this world.

I am elated that I got to join her today at a shower celebrating this miracle!

I am thankful that I got to see her in all her glow and glory!

I am thankful that the drive was so beautiful and without issue.

I am thankful that I was able to spend 5 hours in the car with my mom catching up and laughing.

I am thankful that NEXT weekend... I get to stay home :-)

- Victoria

Day 245 - Flash-back {Five Minute Friday}

I wrote this back in August, right at the beginning of my journey to growing a Thankful Heart. It's so great to go back and read it again so many months later.

I originally wrote this for the Five Minute Friday link up party and when I checked the writing prompt for this week, it was once again the word "small".

As I look around the room, everything I see is small.

For a Kindergarten classroom, that makes sense.

Small chairs, small tables, small cubbies, small books, small toys...

And soon more small things will be entering the room. Monday morning there will be a room full of small little people eagerly awaiting the information I have to give to them.

Their small hearts ready to give big love, their small hands excited to learn big lessons, their small eyes watching everything I do.

Lord, help me to be a shining light for You. Help me to show grace when it is difficult, and love without ceasing. Help me to remember that to these small children, the smallest word or action can have a huge and lasting impact on their life. For good or for bad.

Father, please continue to teach me through them as You did last year. I am not done growing in You, just as they are not.

Help me to remember that I am small and You help me. I am small and You correct me. I am small and You teach me. I am small and You love me.

It's been almost seven months since I wrote those words.

I didn't know my class yet. I didn't know the joys and frustrations that would come from this year of teaching them. But I am so glad that these prayers are still applicable!

I am thankful that these little children have been intrusted to my care during the school day this year.

I am thankful that I don't have to rely on my own wisdom to guide them.

I am thankful that my own Heavenly Teacher is the one doing all the heavy lifting. I pray that I am a fitting vessel for His lessons.

Day 244 - Difficulties

Man, this is tough. But it's worth it right?

I'm so happy that this new diet is working out so well. Yes, I have seen weight loss, but I don't even care.

The candida symptoms have so drastically decreased that weight loss is just the icing on the now-forbidden cake! :-)

All my wonderful students gave me piles and piles of chocolate for Valentine's day... They were so excited as they all handed me their candy-coated gifts.

I felt like I was letting them down by not partaking of the sweets... but I stood firm. It all went into a drawer and I will use it for rewards of something.

Going on ten weeks and I haven't strayed at all. Pray that this continues!

I am thankful that "my" will power has held up... especially since I know it's not mine at all, but God's.

I am thankful that this is only for a time and not forever. This is hard!

I am thankful that a solution seems to have been finally found!

Day 243 - Tiny Tuesday

It's not really something "tiny"... but it is something that a lot of people take for granted.

Not being one to conform, I'm trying to avoid the typical course of action!

I am so thankful for my husband.... He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. God sure knew what He was doing!

I love him more and more each day. Eight and a half years later and my heart still skips a beat when I see him!

I am thankful that he prays for our family.

I am thankful that he truly desires God's will in our lives.

I am thankful that he holds me accountable to the things that I know God has for me... even if I don't want to see it through.

Day 242 - Travel Monday

Well, we made it home! 6 hours and 2 stops later...

The roads were crazy and so were we... well, a little more than normal at least!

Now to get all the cooking and laundry done for the week to come. A wife's work is never done :-)

I am thankful that my husband is always willing to help!

I am thankful that this week is a short week at school... one less meal to prepare and have to haul to work!

I am thankful that everything *should* go fairly quickly tonight and I will be able to get to bed early!

Day 241 - Super Short Sunday

I am thankful that we made it to town safely. Thank you for your prayers!

I am thankful that we got to see my brother-in-law perform with his fraternity last night. It will be the last time since he's leaving this college and setting off to med-school in the fall.

I am thankful that we don't have to leave today to make it back for work on Monday, since it's a holiday weekend.

I am thankful that we have been able to stay on our diet while traveling. It has been tough, but God has strengthened our resolve!

Day 240 - Travel

We are leaving in the wee hours of the morning today, to travel to West Texas to see my husband's family. We will be with them through the holiday on Monday!

I'm so excited that we get to spend time with them and celebrate my brother-in-law's last year at college before starting med school AND his birthday!

Please pray for safety as we traverse the roads both today and Monday.

I am thankful that my safety rests in the hands of the One who controls it all.

I am thankful that it is not cold this weekend and that there is no fear of icy conditions.

I am thankful that we have an extra day to spend together on this three-day weekend.

Day 238 - Generosity

An opportunity to support a local family arose this week. So we put a little jar in my classroom for the kids to bring spare change.

The class didn't know what the jar was yet, and I got to explain the situation to them on Monday morning.

A little girl in China is waiting for her forever family and that family needs a large sum to be able to go get her!

I let the kids know that they could bring their spare change or any other money of theirs that they wanted to give (with their parent's permission, of course!).

We talked about how thankful we were to have our own families who love and take care of us. We talked about the fact that no matter how many people in this world love you, or if there is no one that loves you... God always loves you!

Then we were back on the subject of money...

Why did they need money? How much did they need? Why should we give? And on it went...

One little girl made this comment: "I'm not giving a single penny of my money. It's mine, why would I give it away?"

How often do we think like this?

I hope it's not very often as we grow in our relationship with Christ! But it may still show up in our hearts for a split second every now and then.

So we talked about God's generosity with us. That "our money" is never ours... rather it's ALL God's and He just lets us keep some of it; to be good stewards of that money.

She wasn't convinced.

I didn't want to guilt trip a five year old into giving away her money if she didn't feel led! But I also didn't want to miss a teaching opportunity.

So I told them that not everyone feels led to give to every single thing, but that we need to pray about what God wants us to do.

That's what we did. We prayed that God would reach each heart, mine included, and burden each of us with His will in this situation.

* * * * * *

Fast forward to that evening when I get a text from her mother asking why her child wants to give away ALL her money.

I told her about the jar and asked her to make sure that I hadn't guilt-tripped her into generosity.

She assured me that she had checked and her daughter really wanted to give it all.

So in she marched in the next day with all the money she had to her name.

$62.58

She showed not a moment of remorse or regret over her decision. She was truly thrilled to be used by God to help this little girl reach her forever family.

What a blessing.

I pray that I am always so joyful in my giving.

Another little girl brought the $5 that she had received the night before for losing her first tooth. I don't know that I would have been willing to part with that much money at five.

What an inspiration they are!

I am thankful that I am being used by my Heavenly Father for the betterment of those around me. May it always be so.

I am thankful that He is gentle with me when I am not immediately willing to follow His will.

I am thankful that those moments are getting further and further apart!

Day 237 - To Sum Up...

Let me explain. No. There is too much... let me sum up. I do love that movie! Anyway...

Excitement. Hope. Dreams. Answered prayers.

Pride. Joy. Amazement.

More prayers. Devastation. And again excitement.

I know that's cryptic, but I can't spill the beans quite yet.

And no, I'm not pregnant. :-)

I am thankful that God is with me on this roller coaster of life.

I am thankful that He's helping me to deal with both excitement and disappointment in stride.

Day 236 - Trying Tuesday

Today was... interesting.

I dealt with things that I never thought a Kindergarten teacher would have to deal with. I shook my head at both situations and stared open-mouthed as I wondered "What in the world should I do here?!"

I am just thankful that I never have to do anything alone. All I have to do is ask for wisdom and guidance, and they are freely given.

God has so blessed me already this week (AND IT'S ONLY TUESDAY!!)... I don't know why I'm always so shocked when the prayers of my heart are so readily answered.

I am thankful that He hears my prayers and answers them... always. Even when the answer is no.
I am thankful that God has not forsaken me for someone "more just" or "more righteous". And He never will.

I am thankful that He holds everything in His hands... and that just now He's giving me a peek at the future.

Day 235 - Not-So-Manic Monday

I can't believe it. This was a Monday that flew by and felt great.

I really feel like I'm starting down the path that God has been preparing me for for a long time.

Please pray that I continue to be led by God's will and that I will not be tempted to stray!

I am thankful that I am so much more joyful and content when I am in God's will.

I am thankful that He continues to place me where I need to be... whether I like it or not.

I am thankful that I've finally had a really fantastic Monday!

Day 234 - Super Short Sunday

I am thankful that I was able to get so much done yesterday and can relax today!

I am thankful that last week (the first full 5 day school week since before Christmas!) flew by so quickly.

I am thankful that I am well rested and ready for the week to come.

Day 233 - Birthday

Today is the day I was born... 30 whole years ago.

I've heard a wide spectrum of comments today...

"You're so young still!"

"Wow, you're getting old!"

"Oh don't worry, you're still practically a baby."

"It's all down hill from here."

Everyone seemed to have an opinion on me turning 30. Except for me.

I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad... I feel the same, mentally, emotionally, and physically as I did yesterday.

I guess that's a good thing.

Until I figure out how I feel, I will thank God for the 30 wonderful years that He's given me. Even when I thought they were awful years, I can see now what He was doing through those experiences.

I am thankful that I was born with a God-given purpose here on earth.

I am thankful that He has been faithful to guide me as I search for that purpose.

I am thankful that when I strayed from the path, He (sometimes not-so-gently) helped me find my way back.

Day 232 - Future Planning

It's that time again... it keeps coming around.

The time to talk about what the next year holds for my little family of two.

So many ideas are thrown around, so many exciting procpects, so many problems to overcome.

We are praying for wisdom as we make some big decisions over the next few weeks and months. I would love your prayers for us.

We are always a little terrified that we are feeling God's leading correctly, so all the prayers we can get would be amazing!

I am thankful that God is working to show us the path He has for us.

I am thankful that we are fervently seeking His will.

I am thankful that what He has for us will be for our betterment :-)

Day 231 - Love is...

My class is currently learning 1 Corinthians 13:4-7....

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And I got have this really sweet conversation with them about the love of God.

He is patient with us.

He is kind to us.

He doesn't not brag about how awesome He is (that's our job).

He doesn't seek to shame us, but rather builds us up when we fall.

He is not easily angered, even we when continually sin against Him.

He doesn't remind us of our wrong doings once we have repented and been forgiven. I think this is so awesome! The one who reminds us of our sins is usually satan trying to tell us we aren't good enough for God's love.

God doesn't rejoice when we fall, but rather He rejoices when we turn back to Him.

He will protect us.

He will believe in us and always give us every chance to turn back to Him... until the end!

And He will never fail.

I love those moments with my class; those chances to really shine some light on who God is. It helps remind me too!

I am thankful that God is working in my life.

I am thankful that He is using me in the lives of these little kids.

I am thankful that He is who He is and He will always be just as He is.

Day 230 - Warmth

For me, few things feel as comfortable as getting warm on a cold day.

Whether it's a hot shower or just a hot cup of tea, that feeling is wonderful and I love it!

Today I came to school all stocked up on hot tea. Even though it's in the 40's here, the wind is blowing and it's raining, so it feels bitter cold!

I am thankful for the amazing peppermint tea that has somehow not run out yet.

I am thankful that my insulated mug keeps my tea HOT all day long.

I am thankful that my husband is so wonderful that he makes my tea in the morning while I get ready! What an amazing man :-)

Day 229 - Faith Filled Prayers

Thank GOD it's Monday!

Positive thinking works, right?

Nothing I seem to be able to do makes the weekend last longer, and so here we are again... Monday.

I did have a great prayer time this morning and was encouraged to really lay the desires of my heart before God.

Psalm 37:4 says: Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

I believe that He has given me these desires, not to torture me with things I can't have or attain, but rather to work in my life for His plan and for the good of those who love Him.

Having been working towards these desires for a long time, I kept hedging my bets in prayer time. Saying things like "if it's Your will... but if it's not, I understand".

Talking like that feels like I'm taking away all the faith that I have that God can actually move mountains and fulfill the requests that I bring before Him.

So I decided to change.

I will go boldly before the Lord and present the desires of my heart. Not so that I can get everything that I want... but because I know these desires are not just from me, but from God. I know that His plan for me will bring Him glory and I am ready to get on with it!

I am thankful that my God does not begrudge me praying with boldness.

I am thankful that my God does not want to keep me downtrodden, but rather works all things for my good and His glory.

I am thankful that these desires have a purpose and that I can trust God to fulfill them.

Day 228 - Super Short Sunday

I am thankful that I am feeling a little more rested.

I am thankful that I was able to get all our food cooked for the week, even though I was exhausted!

I am thankful that God will provide the strength and focus I need to get through the next week :-)

Day 227 - Another Late Night

Still haven't been able to get any sleep!

Pray that I can get some rest tonight... this week will be difficult without it!

I am thankful that I have another day to the weekend.

I am thankful that I got all my cooking and errands done today.

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