The ABCs of Thanksgiving

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, Hebrews 12:28

I hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving. I had a wonderful time last week celebrating with my family. We took time away from our crazy, busy life and retreated to the mountains. There was no phone, no cable, and unless we made the effort to look for someone there was no one around. We were by ourselves and we were happy. We tossed the football, swung on "the dizzy" swing, hiked, read, played games and ate a lot.

I remember a number of years ago I was commuting to work on a cold, very early Thanksgiving morning. I was not happy I had to leave my husband on Thanksgiving. In the darkness of the early morning I realized I had a choice to make. I could be frustrated and mad I had to work or I could take the hour commute to thank God for the many wonderful things he had given me. I chose to thank Him. I decided to thank God by going through the ABCs. That morning I praised God during the sunrise and it wasn't long before my attitude changed.

The chance to slow down with my family this past week gave us a chance to think about how much we have to be thankful for. I decided to go back through the ABCs to list some of the many ways we have to be thankful. Here is my list along with some additions from my family.

A - Apple picking with my family

B - My bed, I love crawling in under the covers after a long day.

C - Cool, crisp fall mornings & everything that goes with fall

D - Date night with my husband

E - Eggnog, I discovered I liked it last Christmas

F - Frazier Fur scented candles

G - Guitars, my husband has several and I love to listen to him play

H - Hot tea & Hot chocolate

I - Impromptu hugs from my kids

J - Jesus & His death on the Cross to save us from our sins

K - My Kids, they are just awesome

L - Ladies night out with my girlfriends

M - Mountains, we love our family time away from the world

N - Nap time, they don't happen very often but when they do its refreshing

O - Open windows

P - Punctuality, specifically mentioned by my husband :)

Q - Quiet

R - Running, just started a few weeks ago & I love the energy it gives me

S - Sunrise & Sunset, I love watching God's amazing Glory displayed

T - Trucks & Tractors, my son's favorite toys

U - Ugg slippers, if I am home I have them on 

V - Vacations

W - Winter days when I can curl up on the couch with a good book

X- Extra measures of God's Grace when I need it

Y - Yearly traditions being established with our kids

Z - Zoo days, we love going to the zoo with the kids

I would love to hear what you are thankful for. I hope you have a wonderful week. And be sure to come back next Monday for more Marriage Mondays. I will have a special link up for you.

Today I am linked with Julie at Come Have a Peace.

In His Calm,

Mary

Heaven Is The Face

I have started this post several times on my blank screen but even more times in my head. I don't know why I am having such a hard time putting into words how thankful I am for my children. Earlier today I had no trouble rattling off a list about each one of them in my head. But now, as I sit down to type, the words aren't coming. I am filled with so many emotion I can't express them all. 

Last night my husband & I saw Steven Curtis Chapman in concert at our church. During the concert Steven and his wife MaryBeth shared the journey they have been on since their daughter went to be with Jesus in Heaven. One of the songs Steven shared was "Heaven Is The Face". The words to this song say so much about how I feel about my own two children. Garrett & Caroline are with us but I see Heaven when I look at them. They are God's gift to me. Many, many times I have asked God what I did to deserve the honor of raising these two amazing gifts from Him. 

Garrett is all boy! He came into this world with a bang, literally! He was born on July 3rd by an emergency C-section after his heart stopped. He is an active, inquisitive, energetic, loving boy. I love the way he makes me laugh.

Caroline is what we like to call a tomboy-diva. She loves to run and play with Garrett in the woods but, she also loves playing dress up and putting on make-up. She is little Miss Personality. I love to listen to her "play" her guitar & sing.

So many of our days are spent running around going from one activity to the next. I am thankful that God gave me the opportunity last night to remember all that I love about my children. Please take the time to listen to Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Heaven Is The Face". I hope it touches you as much as it touched me. 


In His Calm,


Mary

Thankful for My Husband

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

Cool crisp mornings, leaves rustling along the ground, red yellow & orange colors in the trees, pumpkin latte & pumpkin donuts, spice scented candles and apples fresh from the orchard... 

These are the many reasons I love the fall. This time of year I become more aware of things to be thankful for. For some reason this year I have really begun to focus more on how blessed I am. God has given me so much. He has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined. 

My family is one of the biggest ways God has blessed me. Why God chose to give me such an amazing husband and children I will never know. I only hope I never take for granted their unconditional love and support.

The next several weeks I will take time to share with you the many ways God has blessed me. I hope that through this season of Thanksgiving you will see the many ways God has blessed you. I pray that you will find a time to sit quietly in the presence of God and thank Him for all He is has given you.

My Husband

1. I am thankful that Jeff is an amazing cook. I am the one who does the day to day cooking in our house. But, if you want a gourmet meal Jeff is the one to cook it. He can also grill the most amazing hamburger & steak. And is also very famous for his mac & cheese. In our house its known as "Dad's famous mac & cheese".

2. I am thankful that Jeff is very smart. I frequently go to him with all sorts of questions. In fact I just used him as a dictionary to smell gourmet :-). Seriously though Jeff is a wealth of knowledge. He has quite the memory.

3. I am thankful that Jeff is a very talented woodworker. He loves to build things. In our house, where a dinning room table should be, is a large beautiful playhouse he designed and built for Garrett as a Christmas present one year.

4. I am thankful that Jeff is a hands-on Dad. He is very much involved with the kids. Just this past weekend he took Garrett on a Father/son camping trip. And he loves to take Caroline on Daddy/daughter dates. Jeff loves our kids with all his heart. Our kids will never wonder if their daddy loved them because they see it everyday.

5. I am thankful that Jeff loves me unconditionally! I am human and I have many flaws. I mess up from time to time but he doesn't hold it against me. Jeff is a source of strength in our marriage.

6. Most of all I am thankful Jeff is the Spiritual Head of our house. He has a personal walk with God and desires to follow God in the direction for our family. I love that our children can go to him when they have questions about God and His Son, Jesus Christ.


How are you thankful for your husband? I would love for you to share some of the ways you are thankful.


I am linked today to Emily at Chatting at the sky.


In His Calm,

Mary

My Husband, My Best Friend

Wow! What an incredibly busy weekend! The last 3 days have been filled with chaperoning a college group to haunted houses, a trip to my sister's farm where my children rode 4 wheelers and tractors, and a fun filled fall festival at our church. Our whole family had a blast with everything. 

As I look back over the weekend I realize that as much as I didn't want to go to the haunted houses I actually had fun. I have to admit that I very reluctantly tagged along as a chaperon. I only went because it was something my husband really wanted to do. I am NOT a fan of anything scary. I don't like horror movies and I don't like haunted houses. My kids call me scaredy-cat. And you know what, I'm ok with that.

But, when my husband asked me to go I knew it was important to him. I realized that it would be a way for us to connect even though it wasn't something I would choose. Despite the fact that I dreaded the night I actually had fun. We laughed and I screamed. I actually held on tighter to him than I have in a long time, something I think he enjoyed.

When Jeff & I were dating there were times I did things with Jeff because I knew he liked them. They were important to him and he was important to me. I loved him and wanted to be with him. We were best friends. As the years have passed we have become busy with our children and our everyday lives. This weekend we remembered what it was like to do things as friends. 

Melanie Chitwood writes in her book What a Husband Needs From His Wife, "A helper who is a companion helps meet her husband's need for friendship. In Titus 2:4 we see that wives are to love their husbands, and the love this verse refers to is a brotherly friendship. The dictionary defines companion as 'a comrade or friend.' How is your friendship with your husband? Is it one of your top priorities? Is he your best friend?"

Jeff is my best friend. I love doing things with him. I am thankful that God gave me the opportunity this weekend to remember that we enjoy hanging out together laughing and even being scared sometimes.

Is your husband your best friend? Do you need to be reminded of your friendship with your husband? What can you do this week to bring back those memories of when you were dating and were friends. 

I am linked today with Julie at Come Have A Peace.

In His Calm,

Mary

Daddy Icons

Wow! For the second Sunday in a row I find myself hit with shocking bad news. This time the news hit a little closer to home. We received news after church that someone who was like a father figure to my husband passed away.

Buddy was an extremely caring man. He loved his family and friends completely. He lived his life putting other people before himself. He was like a brother to Jeff's Dad. When my in-laws were both very ill Buddy made a point to visit them in the nursing home at least once a week. When they were in the hospital he saw them everyday. He was a breath of fresh air that always made us feel better when he walked in the room. 

Today when we were visiting with the family Jeff told Buddy's son that his Dad was like an icon in his house when Jeff was growing up. Buddy's son replied, "Dad was like an icon in our house too." With that comment tears began to flow from all of us. What a testament to Buddy. He was loved very much and will be missed greatly by many people.

One of the things we have held on to today is knowing that Buddy and Charlie  and Harriet (Jeff's parents) are having a wonderful time walking the streets of gold with our Heavenly Father. 

Many times my husband says he hopes our children know how much he loves them. When I look at how much they adore their Dad I see the love in their eyes and know they feel his love. Daily I pray that my husband will be the kind of Dad God wants him to be. 

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith." 1 Thessalonians 1:11

Do you pray for your husband to be the kind of Dad God wants him to be? If you don't, start praying today for God to work in the life of your husband making him the Godly Dad he needs to be.

For more Marriage Monday visit Julie at Come Have a Peace

In His Calm,

Mary

Hugging my husband a little tighter

My heart is heavy as I write this post. I planned to write on something I have been thinking about all week. But, a few hours ago I found out the husband of a friend of mine died. My friend and her two children find themselves without a husband and a dad. How my heart aches for her.

I am reminded of the fear that I faced 11 years ago when my husband was very ill. We had just celebrated our 1st anniversary when my husband became ill. I was told by the Doctor as he was admitted into the hospital that he wasn't sure if Jeff would live. I remember how devastated I felt. The thought of living a life without Jeff was unimaginable. Jeff recovered and we now have 2 beautiful children.

The last several weeks have been extremely busy. We have spent most of our days running from one event to another. Some days we have been so busy we have barely had a chance to talk. We love each other very much but we haven't taken the time to tell or show each other that love.

Please forgive this short post but, I feel the need to go spend some time showing and telling my husband how much love him! Does your husband know how much you love him? Do you need to take some time today making sure he knows that?

In His Calm,

Mary

Baby's Breath, Purple Flowers & Princess Dresses...

This weekend my daughter was the Flower Girl at a sweet friend's wedding. Caroline loved every moment of the weekend. She tossed purple flower petals from her basket and twirled and danced in her "Princess dress". I loved watching my little girl in awe of the "big Princess & her Prince". Caroline thought she was living in a fairytale. At one point during the weekend Caroline looked at me and asked me when she was going to marry her prince. That made my heart skip a beat. I told her that one day she would meet the man God had planned for her. I told her that when she did meet him he would treat her just like a princess.

Throughout the weekend I was reminded of praying for my future husband when I was a teenager. I remember praying that God would be molding my future husband into the man He wanted him to be. I asked God to help him love Christ more than I loved Christ. I knew that if he loved Christ more than I did we would have a strong Godly marriage. God has answered my prayers. My husband is the man of my prayers. He loves Christ more than I do and because of that he treats me like a princess.

My prayer for my children is that we will raise them to love & serve God with their whole heart. While I am praying for my children I also pray for their future spouses. I ask many of the same things I asked when I was praying for my future husband. I know that if my marriage and their marriages are under-girded in prayer than they will withstand anything the world throws at them.

One of the songs sung in the wedding was The Prayer. It beautifully says so much of what I pray for my marriage. The lyrics are below so you will know exactly what is being sung.

I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to the place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe
 

I pray we'll find your light, and hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night, 
remind us where you are
Let this be our prayer, when shadows fill our day
Help us find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
 

A world where pain and sorrow will be ended
And every heart that's broken will be mended
And we'll remember we are all God's children
Reaching out to touch you
Reaching to the sky
 

We ask that life be kind, and watch us from above
We hope each soul will find another soul to love
Let this be our prayer, just like every child
Who needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
Needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

My prayer is that you will pray daily for your marriage.

In His Calm,

Mary