Day 306 - Tiny Tuesday

Testing continued today and my kids did great!

I did have a mini heart attack in the beginning as I imagined everyone missing every single question... but fortunately that was just a nightmare and didn't really come true!

We have two more days of testing and I know they will continue to do amazingly well.

I am thankful that I have such a great class.

I am thankful that they are handling their tests so well.

I am thankful that "it's only Kindergarten"!

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Day 305 - Testing

The Bible verse above always gives me great pause... but this week I think it may come in handy... 

My kiddos get to take their very first standardized tests this week!

I'm so excited for them! I remember, as a homeschooler, how much fun this time of year was for me.

I wouldn't trade being homeschooled for anything, but I did really like the testing season. It meant that we got to go sit in desks and pack our little lunches with sandwiches and juice boxes.

All those feelings of excitement came rushing back to me this week and I'm so glad I get to be here with my class through their first testing experience!

Hopefully my joy and excitement for the process will help them to relax... Though none of them seems even the slightest bit concerned!

I am thankful that I have such great memories from my own childhood... and that I am getting to somewhat relive them this week.

I am thankful that my class is well prepared for the test and that no one seems anxious at all.

I am thankful that God has placed me here this year.

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Day 304 - Super Short Sunday

 

 I am thankful that we are soon moving to house much closer to our church.

I am thankful that I am fully prepared for the week of school (and life in general) that is now upon me!

I am thankful that we only have 3 weeks left in school ;-)

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Day 303 - Time With Family

I'm getting to spend some time with my Grandfather today. He is 94 and still kicking!

Recently, he did have a bad stint in the hospital and is now pretty much confined to his bed. Though he is regaining some of his strength and ability to walk, he needs a lot of help to get the things that he needs.

My parents, who are his current caretakers, had the opportunity to go see a play tonight and asked me to take over for the day.

I am so glad that I'm getting to spend time with him and give them a break too!

A few days back I mentioned that I felt burdened to share the gospel again with someone who just seemed lost, even though they had all the right answers... I was talking about my grandfather.

But yesterday I had the chance to speak with him one more time and this time I walked away with an complete sense of peace.

I am thankful that God has blessed me with a heart that is sensitive to His promptings.

I am thankful that He didn't let me sit idly by with my doubts.

I am thankful that, for whatever reason, I finally have a peace about the state of my grandfather's eternal fate.

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Day 302 - Half Day

Today was the Walk A Thon celebration for my school. The kids raised money for the school, walked laps, and then got to have a water gun fight!

It was all good fun, which was increased exponentially by the fact that they got to eat Chick-Fil-A- for lunch and skip nap time to go home early :-)

While the kids may not have realized it... teachers were excited about the half day too!

I am thankful for another great year at a wonderful school.

I am thankful that this wonderful year is almost over.

I am thankful that today is a half day to relax and gear up for standardized tests that start next week!

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Day 301 - Distracted

I keep skipping days for posting on this blog.

It's not because I don't care, or I'm not committed, but MAN have we been busy!

Getting ready to move into our first house, and finishing up the end of the year with my Kindergarten class, PLUS starting a business on the side have got me all turned around.

I feel like I've skipped so many days (really it's only been about 8 days in the last 301, that's not bad)!

But I want you to know that even if I skip a few more (which, let's be honest, that's likely to happen), I have so enjoyed sharing with you my journey of growing into a full Thankful Heart-ed person.

I am thankful that I have been held accountable for my heart attitude this year.

I am thankful that I have had such support from friends, family, and people I've never met!

I am thankful that I have a wonderful (and busy) life, even if it does distract me on occasion.

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Day 300 - Where Has the Time Gone?

Wow, Day 300.

Where has all the time gone? And I only have 22 more school days left until the end of the year too... I can hardly believe it!

This year has been so full of blessings. 

I'm finally beating candida. 

We're closing on our first house in 3 weeks.

Our jobs are amazing.

Our families are amazing...

God is amazing! 

I am so unbelievably thankful for His guiding hand in our lives.

I am thankful that He has so grown us this year.

I am thankful that my thankful heart is bursting with thanksgiving!

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Day 299 - Happy Easter

In honor of Super Short Sunday, I'll keep it brief on this Easter Sunday.

He was born. 

He lived a sinless life.

He died.

He was buried.

He was resurrected.

And He did it all for us. 

Have you accepted this gift? Christ died that you may have eternal life... Maybe today is the day you accept that gift and ask Him into your life.

 I am thankful that Jesus loved us enough to die a terrible death, that we may be saved.  

I am thankful that I believe in a risen Savior.

I am thankful that I am not forgotten by the perfect Lamb of God, but rather, He died that I might have eternal life with Him in heaven.

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Day 298 - On the Eve of Easter

This week my class Bible times focused on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Christ.

My class is so wonderful and attentive during Bible time, and this week was no exception. They gasped in all the right places (when Judas betrayed Jesus), and clutched at their chests when Judas then hung himself...

It seems odd to talk about suicide with a group of six year olds... but this information is so crucial to our faith. To understanding exactly what Christ and those around Him went through as He prepared to give His life for us.

The kids really got it. They saw what Christ gave up for us. They realized the pain of crucifixion and the agony of being separated from God. They expressed their deepest thanks to God in our prayers that day and acknowledged that Jesus didn't have to die for us... He chose to.

I am blown away that I get to be a part of these moments for them. I won't lie, there was many moments where tears welled up in my eyes and I had to take a few deep breaths before continuing.

What an overwhelming gift of love that Christ has poured out for us.

I am thankful that God loved us so much, that He would give up His Son, that we might be with Him in eternity. 

I am thankful that we don't just get to remember His gift on Easter, but that it is with us always.

I am thankful that God is using me to work in the hearts of the next generation of Christian men and women.

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Day 297 - Step 2

We had our house inspection today! Everything looks amazing and we are moving onto the next phase of getting this house.

We did a little dreaming and planning while we were there... And even though I said it wasn't my favorite of the houses we had looked at, it's really starting to grow on me.

I am thankful that God is working in my life to grow my trust in Him.

I am thankful that that work has been so gentle.

I am thankful that all looks great on our, soon to be, new home!

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Day 296 - Exhausted

Oh man, in the last 96 hours, I've only slept about 15...

I'm dead in the water!

So I will leave you with a few of my thankful thoughts for this evening and then I'm going to hit the hay!

I am thankful that my job is so rewarding... even though it is exhausting.

I am thankful that the parents of my class are so supportive as we partner to help their children grow into Godly men and women!

I am thankful that I get to sleep now...

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Day 295 - The Next Step

You know we've been through the wringer when it comes to the housing market. You know how many times I've told you about a house that we were putting an offer on, only have it fall through.

So many times, in fact, that I almost couldn't bring myself to tell anyone about this house until we had a signed contract...

And this time, we actually do! We are scheduling inspectors and gearing up to close in just a few weeks.

My posts will most likely be extremely short due to all the time constrains during this process. I will keep you updated and I thank you SO much for your prayers and support!

I am so thankful that God has been with us through this entire process.

I am thankful that He has been there for us to trust and question and lean on, all at the same time.

I am thankful that we are starting to see a little piece of God's next step for us!

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Day 294 - Twelfth Time's the Charm

 Well, we signed a contract on a house today! It's just for the option period... but the house is amazing and I can't imagine wanting to back out!

We are so thrilled!

It is funny though, I originally didn't really like the house, but thought "might as well"! This morning when I was thinking through all the things that aren't perfect about the house I realized with a start that this would of course be the house we would get!

So, this is a practice in trusting God's plan over my own. And I am so grateful for the opportunity to see God's plan unfold before us!

We have been waiting for God's blessing on an offer and here it is.

I am thankful that we finally have an offer that has been accepted.

I am thankful that the house is beautiful!

I am thankful that God loves me enough to test me. :-)

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Day 293 - Manic Monday

Man, today has been the most Manic of Mondays this year!

I've been non-stop all day and if my husband wasn't forcing me to get some sleep, I would probably be up all night!

Alas, he is always looking out for me... Goodnight!

I am thankful that I have been blessed with work.

I am thankful that I have been blessed with a husband who loves me enough to make me sleep.

I am thankful that tomorrow is a new day!

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Day 292 - Super Short Sunday

I am thankful for some much needed rest.

I am thankful that all the cooking is done for the week!

I am thankful that the next school week is only a four day week, due to Easter! ;-)

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Day 291 - Book Fair, Round 2

Today was the spring book fair for our local library! You know I can't resist a book fair...

We have quite a large library of our own, but we can always find a little room to squeeze a few more onto the shelves.

... Well, maybe forty more this time, but still!

I am thankful that we got to spend such a beautiful day out and about.

I am thankful that we were able to return home with a bountiful harvest of books.

I am thankful that it only cost about six bucks!

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Day 290 - Birthday

Today I get to celebrate two special birthdays.

It's the actual birthday of a sweet friend I have known for 12 years!

And it's also the day we finally get to have a party celebrating my little brother turning 18! He turned 18 last week, but this is the first day the whole family could get together.

Birthdays can be a little odd... it's like "Hey, look... we've gone around the sun yet another time!"

But, there's cake, so I'm going with it :-)

I am thankful that I have so many wonderful people in my life that I get to celebrate everyday, not just on their birthdays!

I am thankful that my brother is getting to enter that fun/terrible/exciting/terrifying stage of life known as "adulthood".

I am thankful that I get to relax my strict food options for a night and really enjoy some family time!

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Day 289 - Burden

Have you ever been burdened for a specific soul?

Not just the general idea and understanding that there are lost people in this world, but the overwhelming burden for a particular soul...

I'm feeling that right now.

I have talked to this person until I'm blue in the face, and they have all the right answers... but I have no peace about those answers.

Please pray for me, and for this person, as I talk to them again this weekend.

God will not let me put it out of my mind (nor would I want to), so I really feel like I'm the one who has the blessing of continuing to fight for this person.

Please pray that their heart will be open, their mind willing, and that this will be a good conversation.

I am thankful that I am not content to let loved ones continue on in a seemingly lost state.

I am thankful that God seems to have entrusted me with this task.

I am thankful that I'm confident that so many people praying will make a difference!

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Day 288 - Trust 2.0

Each day comes with new issues, doesn't it?

I know it can't just be me in my life!

Others have these same trails to face, right?

We lost yet another house. 

I know that God is asking us to lean on Him even more and so we will. Please pray that we don't try to take back the reins from Him, but that we will continue to lean on Him and not ourselves!

I am thankful that God is trustworthy.

I am thankful that He would never trick or deceive us.

I am thankful that we will eventually have a home of our own... and it's in God's timing as to when that happens!

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Day 287 - Waiting...

It's no secret to me that God is working on my patience during this season of my life.

We've been waiting for so long.

Waiting on a house...

Waiting on a baby...

Waiting for the next step on the path...

I wish that I could say it's getting easier, and maybe it is...

I'm faster to acknowledge that God is in control and so if I have to wait a bit longer it'll be ok. It takes a little less time to remember that if God wills it I'm not going to "miss out" on something because of a little hiccup in the plan.

(I think I may be trying to convince God to be done with this lesson... can you tell?)

Still, I am looking forward to hearing about this current house bid. I'll keep you updated!

I am thankful that we had a chance to go for another beautiful house.

I am thankful that my husband is much more calm that I am.

I am thankful that I am always reminded that God is in control!

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Day 286 - Super Short Sunday

I am thankful that I got to spend the day with my wonderful husband! He was gone for four days and I just didn't know what to do with myself; I missed him terribly!

I am thankful that our diet/lifestyle change is still going strong! (I lost 8 pounds this week!!)

I am thankful that I finally caught up on sleep this weekend! I'm ready to go for another week at school!

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Day 285 - Bid #11

We placed an offer on another house today.

I absolutely love it and I'm really praying that we get this one!

We shall see. Either way, I think I'm done for awhile after this. If we don't get this one, it's break time... but I'm praying that taking a break won't be necessary!

I am thankful that my sister in law found this amazing house for us!

I am thankful that it is seemingly perfect.

I am thankful that no matter what happens, God has a plan for us.

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Day 284 - Writer {Five Minute Friday}

Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker for a Five Minute Friday!

You know, I have been called many things... Some of them good, some of them bad.

One of my current favorite things to be called (apart from "darling", and then only from my husband)... is writer.

I used to look forward to the day when I would be a "real" writer. Someone with fame, acclaim, and the riches that only a "real" writer would have.

Years went by and my books went unpublished. I just knew my dream of being a "real" writer would never be fulfilled.

Then I realized that they already had been.

What makes a writer isn't the scope of their audience, or how much their last book netted them... it's simply that they write.

So here I am. A writer.

Not a "real" writer... because I've come to the conclusion that there is no such thing... but just a plain ol' writer.

What joy to know that one of my biggest dreams has already been fulfilled.

Now on to the next dream... Becoming a published writer! *wink*

I am thankful that God knows exactly what my dreams and talents are... and He is working to use them for His glory and my good.

I am thankful that I don't have to be shy about my writings because I'm not a "real" writer yet. I now know that I never will be, because a writer is a writer is a writer!

I am thankful that I have had the opportunity with this blog to write a little bit each day. It's not always beautiful... it's not always deep... but it's mine and I get to do it daily.

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Day 283 - Why I'm Here

A co-worker asked me today why I thought God had me teaching at this little Christian school rather than out making it big with one of the talents He has blessed me with.

I have to say, I was a little taken aback by that comment.

And it got me to thinking... Why am I here?

A few thoughts bounced around, but in the end, the real reason we are any where is the same. We are placed in peoples lives and in different situations to bring glory and honor to God... and through that, bring others into His kingdom.

So whether I stay at this school for 20 years, or I leave to go onto other ventures, my purpose remains the same.

I am thankful that I get to openly share the gospel and God's great love with these little children each day.

I am thankful that I know at least part of God's plan for my life. I may not know all the details... but I do know that I am called to share the gospel with others, just as all Christians are called.

I am thankful that no matter where I am, this part of my path will never change.

 

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Day 282 - Worship

This song is one of my favorites. I find myself singing it in the car as I drive to work... or as I drive home after a long day.

It fills my heart with joy when we sing it at church, and I almost always get a little misty eyed when it's sung.

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Refrain
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Refrain
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Refrain
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"
Refrain

My God is awesome and mighty. He holds the world in His hands, yet He cares about me. 

He cares that I long for a house. He cares that I'm disappointed. He cares that my heart aches for the next step...

And He cares about me enough to not give me everything I ask for.

God has not changed, even though He sometimes answers my prayers with a big ol' no. So I will continue to worship and praise Him for the amazing, just, kind, and loving God that He is.

I am thankful that God sees me; really and truly sees me... for the good and the bad... and that He still loves me any way.

I am thankful that He knows my heart and is actively working to grow my heart for His glory and my good.

I am thankful that I worship a God who is worthy of praise through everything that happens in my life.

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