Category Archives: 30 Days of Thankfulness 2012

Day 30 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

0

iStock_000009206862XSmallI am thankful today for the opportunity to count my blessings.

Nothing will put life back into perspective like being thankful for what one has, rather than what is perceived to be missing.

One of my favorite passages of scripture talks of just that, and I’ll share it here.

Praise for the Lord’s Mercies

A Psalm of David.

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.[a]
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Day 29 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

1

I am thankful today that I am still currently self employed.

What I have held on to as allergies to our 3 cats, and I am rather allergic to them, now seems to be more.  I think I  may have a roaring sinus infection.  To top it off I had a touch of a stomach virus which left me sick to my stomach this morning.

My ‘job’ allowed for me to blow off the day and sleep most of it.  This was a good thing.

Still not feeling grand but thankful I did not have to go to work like this.

Day 28 – 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

2

Today I am thankful for family and friends who can fix things.

My laptop is acting up and I fear it is on death’s bed.  My youngest brother is going to come by and check it out and see if he can do anything.  He is very good with fixing and building computers.  Thankfully.

He is also very good at breaking the news to you, when, as he put it, “I think it went to that great silicon graveyard in the sky.”

I have many friends and family members able to fix just about anything or they can recommend a solution.  Even if it is to open up the window and toss it out, or in the case of my car, hope space garbage falls from the sky and lands on it.

Seriously, though, I am fortunate to be surrounded by funny, yet talented individuals.

:)

Day 26 & 27 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

0

This is 2 days worth as I forgot to post it yesterday.

Day 26 – I am thankful for hot, running water.  Nothing says “ahhh” like a nice shower.  So many do not have their own place to live, let alone the ability to keep themselves clean.  I try not to take for granted things like indoor plumbing and a nice hot shower.

Day 27 - I am thankful today for my hair.  Yes hair.  I can color it, cut it, style it, or not.  As a female, vanity strikes deep in me at times.  And our hair is one of those things we are vain about.  But I’m thankful that it is just hair, and that our hair is not who we are, as many learn when going through chemo for cancer.  And this will all make sense later today with a guest post from someone close to me.  But meanwhile, I am thankful that for now, I have hair on my head.

Day 25 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness

Posted on by

0

Today I am thankful for food to eat.

If my weight is any indication, I have an abundance of food.

So many go to bed hungry, and I can simply walk into the kitchen and find plenty to eat, is something to be very thankful.

The fact that I’ve reactivated my my Sparkpeople account again is a good indication that I’m not lacking for food!

Day 24 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

0

Mom said it best this morning:

“I’m thankful for a warm house.”

I second that one!  It is 35 degrees outside at the moment.  Someone posted on Facebook a little while ago that they were seeing flurries.  Oh yippie.  I don’t  like winter.  I love snow if I am inside looking out on it with a hot cup of coffee in hand.  But I do NOT like being cold one bit.

So, as it is cold outside, I’m very thankful for the warm house we live in, keeping us comfortable on this cold day.

Day 23 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

0

The house is all cleaned, turkey and associated leftovers have been put away to be nibbled on now for days to come until we can no longer stomach turkey anything.

I’m thankful for the time spent yesterday with the members of my family that were able to be here, even if only for a short visit.  And thankful for the memories shared.

During the cooking portion of the day, we were trying to figure out how long mom has been making her pecan dressing/stuffing.  I distinctly remembered one Thanksgiving way back when I was a little girl, in my parents first house.  My grandparents, my mom’s siblings (most were not married) and a stray aunt and uncle or so, crammed into our tiny house.  Me and my siblings ate at the card table by the window in the dinning room.  That is the first time I remember having the dressing.  I  don’t recall exact ages but I couldn’t have been more than 8 or so years old.

The recipe is from the newspaper, and it is yellowed now.  We decided this needs to be laminated soon so we don’t lose it.  To me and my sister, it isn’t Thanksgiving without mom’s stuffing!

Day 22 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

0

Thankful today for all those who will not be able to be home.

Our military deployed away from family – thank you for serving our country.

For the police and firefighters who have to be on duty today and away from family, my son and brother among them, – thank you for keeping us safe, please be safe today!

For doctors, nurses, and countless other jobs that must continue despite the holiday – thank you for all you do to keep things going.

And for the families who will celebrate this day without their loved ones in these various roles, thank you for your sacrifice that enables those men and women to do their jobs.

To everyone, have a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Day 20 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

0

Today I’m thankful for time spent with my mom and sister, grocery shopping.

It is no small wonder we aren’t asked to leave the store sometimes.

I swear the 3 of us could turn a root canal into something highly entertaining and amusing.  We have the best time together and laugh so much that more often than not we come home all running for the bathroom from laughing so hard.

Getting to this place in my life was not my plan, staying married forever was plan ‘A’.  But Plan ‘B’ has turned out to be something amazing, fun, and I swear a day doesn’t go by us without a lot of laughs.  If laughter is the best medicine we should all live forever!

 

Day 19 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

3

I’m thankful for dinner.  With family.  Around the table.

I have very fond memories of dinners growing up, the whole family around the table eating a home cooked meal.

We have dinner around the table every night here in the Diva Den, and I love it.  While all the Divas cannot always be present, 3 of us are almost always here and that is makes it nice.

I love that my brother and Angie likewise have made dinner at the table as a family, with a home cooked  meal, the norm for their family.  And it isn’t easy when you have a blended family, but they make it happen.

Sharing about everyone’s day, over food someone cared enough to prepare, is one of those things that make being a family special and for which I am very thankful.

The only thing better is a family dinner with all my siblings and their families, and of course my kids and granddaughter.

Day 18 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

0

I am thankful for my Bible. Thankful that copies are available in more languages than imaginable.

I gain much comfort, wisdom and encouragement in God’s Word.

While I am all for memorizing passages, I cannot imagine not having it readily available to pick up at will and read.

In keeping with that I’m thankful for the various studies available both in print and online that allow me to really learn and study what the Word says.

Day 17 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

1

I am thankful for my freedom.  As in being single.

I know that will strike many as rather odd, considering how shattered I was when my marriage ended.

Being single, I’ve learned a lot more about myself than I knew before.  With me being the only primary responsibility and priority, I have had a chance for much reflection on who, what, where, when, why and how regarding myself.  I’ve discovered things about me that I’d totally forgotten.  I can be whoever or whatever pleases me at the moment and don’t have to sleep with or really care one bit about what those who are critical of my choices have to say about it.  I can take risks, explore, etc. the world around me and myself in MY time and do it all my way.  And I can fail at anything and not be criticized by anyone that matters to me.

I know it may sound selfish, but I don’t mean it too.  I think it is very important that we stay in touch with our true, inner self.  Often in a relationship of any great length, we let go of our inner self in order to hang on to the other person, sacrificing who we are to make another happy.  There is much maturity and self awareness that doesn’t usually come along until we have some living under our belts and sadly, most of us don’t have it when we marry young, as I did.  Relationships should be a blending of two people without either giving up who they are or parts of who they are, in order to make things work.  Compromise is fine, but not Photoshopping ourselves.  No one is worth  our priceless self that does not willingly accept what they view as our imperfections.  You want my best, you have to take the worst too.  I’m not a menu.

When the day comes that I get married again, my mate will be getting a far better person than the previous one had.  I know who I am now, and I’m not willing to negotiate me any longer.  And that, for the sake of both parties, will actually be a far better relationship arrangement than I was in before.  It is why more and more I think toward an arranged marriage, not one of someone else establishing for me, but me and the next significant other arranging based first on common sense, logic and reason, then attraction, and then let the love grow from the friendship and fondness.  Frankly I think it will have more staying power.

I’m thankful for the freedom that helped me find me.

Day 16 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

1

I’m thankful for my jobs…all 3 of them!

The first being childcare.  It is hard to call it a job really, the little girl I watch before and after school is a delight to the whole Diva Den.

My Avon business is great fun, and along with making money I get to help others find financial freedom and success.  Nothing is like watching someone succeeding and knowing that I helped!  It also doesn’t hurt that I get the products Avon makes at an outstanding discount, 40% as a President’s Club Member, which makes my budget stretch a LOT further.

And then there is my 3rd job, I’m a consultant with SwissJust.  In addition to being able to build a great direct sales business with a party plan style company, a first for me, I’m learning about the amazing power of aroma therapy and essential oils.  Things that have been known for a very long time but are coming back to the forefront as people look for healthy, non-chemical ways to improve their over all lives.  I’m fascinated as I try the various products and learn their benefits first hand.  And I’m able to recruit others to start their own direct sales business in a great, solid company, again providing them financial freedom options.

I get to work from home, be my own boss, lead a team while wearing  my jammies and meet some of the best people ever!

Day 15 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

1

Silly as this may sound, I’m thankful today for Facebook.

My kids are grown, my son is a cop working odd hours, my brothers are both firefighters who work 24 hour shifts, but on different days than each other, and I have more cousins than I can count thanks to huge families on both sides.

Facebook is like a real time newsletter that allows me to keep up with what everyone is doing, see some great (and not so great) jokes, sharing of articles, photos, news etc.  I admit I did not like Facebook when I first got mine, but it grew on me.  I was a Myspace convert.  I’ve since changed Facebook pages as the first one had “fyrwife” in the URL and as that no longer applied I wanted to get rid of it.  I still use it as a side account for playing games when I need to add a bunch of ‘friends’ for my ‘family’ in things like Mafia Wars, or fellow farmers in Farmville2.  I’m a bit more selective as to who I add on my personal account.

Facebook also allows me to have ‘fan’ pages, which I can use for my businesses to promote or offer specials, and one for my blog page followers.

Recently a college student from church even started a page/group for those who wanted to join in a study of the book of Romans, and my church has a page/group as well, allowing me to reach out for or give comfort and encouragement.

But mostly, I’m just thankful for Facebook for the additioinal ways to keep up with my kids, what they are doing, and share some love and laughter.

Day 14 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

0

Today I am thankful for forgiveness.

Not from others to me, though that IS very  important.

But the forgiveness I’ve learned to extend to others.

Forgiving others heals us, it is probably more about us than the person we forgive.

It is never easy because we get this idea that by forgiving someone we are saying that what they did to hurt us was acceptable or okay.  That is not true.  And it doesn’t lessen the pain we feel from whatever it was they did or said. But it does help the healing process, mentally, emotionally and physically.

The greatest forgiveness for me was in forgiving what pain I had toward my ex.  In doing so, and praying for him (my way of sending love), and trying to be kind when around him (another way of showing love) I found it not only easier to let things go, but I felt better on all levels.

Do you have someone you need to forgive?  Perhaps all that ‘karma’ in your life is self inflicted? Just a thought

If you have issues of anger, bitterness, hurt etc., if there is any science behind what Amanda Gore shares in this video, let it go.  This is amusing, but serious and well worth 10 minutes of your time.

And to the ex and others…. ZOOT ZOOT ZOOT!!!  :)

Day 13 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

1

I am very thankful this morning for a warm bed to sleep in!

Many are still without power from Hurricane Sandy, and many don’t have a home to go to at all.  And there are homeless individuals all over the world that slept in great discomfort and cold last night.  I don’t take for granted  the creature comforts I have, including that warm, comfortable bed of mine.

 

Day 12 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

2

I’m thankful for my church family.

My relationship with attendance is rocky but improving slowly, and not by my doing but by the small voice that can seem like thunder when it pushes hard from inside to pull myself together and go.

My sisters and brothers reach out and make sure I’m okay, let me know that I’m missed when I’m not there, and it is a constant reminder to me that outside of my actual family, there are people that love me and care about me.  Many know the darkness I walked in between the time I left as half of a married couple, and returned divorced and shattered, and they don’t judge, they just love me, support me, encourage me and pray for me.

I’m so thankful for everyone at Bible Chapel of Delhi Hills!!!! Love you all!

Day 10 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness 2012

Posted on by

2

Today I am thankful for my grandchildren.  I have a spunky, red-headed granddaughter that I absolutely adore!  And sometime next month my grandson will arrive.

This has been an awesome time for me, adjusting to this grandparent chapter.  I became a grandma in March when my son married his beautiful (inside and out) wife and became daddy to her daughter.  We gained 2 very special ladies into the family that day and the time I get to spend with them is precious to me.  My granddaughter has the most contagious laugh and she is full of energy.  Today I spent time with her while her mom spent a day with the women from her family.

She has already taught me a few important things, like how to spoil an 8yo,  and that I need to get some games around here for her and I to play!

This little angel has wrapped the women in the Diva Den around her finger, and I am SO thankful for her in my life!

I received this in a text from my  son one evening a few weeks ago, and it absolutely made my day:

Day 9 ~ 30 Days Of Thankfulness

Posted on by

0

In light of Day 8′s post, this one is a good follow-up.

I am thankful for my ex-husband.  He was and is a very good dad to both of our kids.

While I still have some serious hurt where he is concerned, as I’ve let things go and actively forgiven and prayed for him, it is subsiding and the good memories of those 22 years are surfacing.  And I am very thankful for those good times we had.  In addition I am very thankful for the woman he has found in his life, Judy, as she is wonderful friend to both of my children and they love her very much.  She is one of those people that has such a beautiful spirit that seems to touch everyone she meets.  I am thankful for Pete’s happiness and the joy it brings to the lives of those around him.