Grateful Daily

A friend of mine has a photo blog that she does *each day* called Grateful Daily. This is such a wonderful idea. She posts the greatest picutes...like running water or her kids or her dog. I LOVE looking at all the photos she takes and reading about her life and family. She has such great ideas (and is a great inspiration to me)...a few of which I have copied. Like...making these great cupcakes (although I've only made them once and I'm sure they weren't near as good as hers)... or getting Christmas books to wrap and read each day of December (although I've only ordered 5 or so to start)...or writing a blog each day...(which as we all know is lucky to get written once a month). And I hope she realizes that even though we rarely get to talk I do keep up with her posts and enjoy them so much.

I love the idea of "grateful daily". But I know I'll never get the camera out and I'll never keep up with posting each day. So...as I sit here about to fall asleep on my laptop...I thought I would at least list a few things that I am so grateful for each daily.

My wonderful family - there are members of my family right now going through such a horrible and painful experience and I just want them to know that I am grateful for them being in my life and I pray that they find their answers...the ones that God wants for them. (It occurs to me that they don't actually read - or probably know - about my blog...but that is OK. I'll talk to God about it and let Him handle it.)

My husband -- isn't it easy sometimes to get caught up with life and forget what a joy being together can be?

My beautiful daughter -- each day I look at her and am amazed at how she's changed and grown. I'm not sure how I will handle the next 20 years. There are times I want her to stay exactly like she is today...and then of course I want her to grow and change. It is the most wonderful experience getting to watch her.

Those are just a few things that I am grateful for daily. There are many, many more. My hope is that everyone can remember to be grateful daily.

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas season.
~Yvette~

Thanksgiving

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches this week, I wanted to take some time to point out some things that I am thankful for and to also include some specific prayer requests...

I hope and pray that everyone has a great Thanksgiving holiday and that God will meet them where they are and bring them peace.

Things that I am thankful for...
...God and the sacrafice of His Son - Jesus Christ
...my husband and his friendship
...my beautiful daughter
...my family who is always there for each other
...my friends who are there even though we may not talk often
...this country we live in and the solders who protect us
...my job in these uncertain times
...so many other things I can't name individually here.

People that I'm praying for...
...my husband and daughter
...my brother and his wife and their kids
...my friend's brother who is undergoing treatment for cancer (and all his family)
...my family
...my friends
...myself and my spiritual journey
...and again so many other people that I can't name individually here.


May God Bless You This Thanksgiving

The GREATER Debate

So, a few of us at work have started a Bible study. We've started reading Mark. I've never done such a study before but it is turning into a great experience. It has gotten me back into my Bible and back in communication with God. How great is that?

So a little about our group. One Catholic, one becoming a Catholic, two Church of Christ (one brand new), and me (non-denominational Christian, raised Methodist, somewhat Baptist -- still new in my walk). A pretty good mix with a variety of beliefs.

One such difference in our group is the question..can you lose your salvation? Everyone but me feels you can. Although I've been a Christian for a number of years I'm still what I would consider new to the Word. So I've begun studying the different views on how we are saved and what the Bible says about salvation. I'm currently reading Eternal Salvation by Dr. Stanley...whose point is we cannot lose our salvation. It is an interesting study (which led me on a side study of Bible translations) but I'm still not done yet.

This is one of those topics that I'm not sure either side could sway the other to their side. It has been an interesting study and I'm still reading and researching. If you check my blog and have an opinion or belief I'd love to hear from you.

Also, in my studies I've found the following which is great for comparing different Bible translations and the meaning of words.

The NET Bible

Search for a Bible passage...then when you find the passage you are looking for, click the link (for example Matthew 7:13) and you will get all the Bible transalations for the selected passage on one page. Very nice for comparison.

Eternal Security by Charles Stanley

The Great Debate

How disappointing. I was really hoping last night's debate would be exciting as it was a Townhall approach. Wrong!!! Boring boring boring. And they said the same things they've been saying - with the exception of McCain's plan to buyout home mortgages. Makes me wish we'd gone ahead and bought a new bigger house! (Horrible plan by the way.) And those questions were horrible. I have a hard time believing that the questions asked by the people in the audience were really their questions. They could barely get the questions out. I had hoped to hear some hard questions for both candidates. Not the case.

Well - my vote hasn't changed but I do hope McCain/Palin can step it up and give us something to talk about in the next month.

Some interesting points made yesterday by Boortz...check it out here.

We Are Not Alone

I think sometimes it is very easy to think we are alone. Particularly when we are having issues or feeling down or things are not going our way. I get caught up in those thoughts myself a lot. I read this post today and thought it was great. You should check it out to.

Thinking God is Far Away.

We...I...must remember that as children of God...I will not ever walk alone.

~Yvette~

"Where Tradegy Confronts Eternity"

Hi all. I haven't blogged in forever. I've been busy with work, Jessica, and life as usual. A lot has been going on. Most recently I attended my 20th high school reunion that was wonderful. I'm so glad I went and was able to visit with so many old friends. But - that is not the topic of this blog. This blog is about the book The Shack by William P. Young. My mom recently invited me to attend one of the book club sessions that she goes to. The book this month is The Shack. I download the unabridged version from Audible.com and began listening on our morning commute. I don't want to give away the book - but you MUST get it and read it. It was wonderful. I've just received my paper copy in the mail so that I can read through it again. While this book is obviously fiction - I think it could be a pretty accurate description of God. Here's a quote from the back...

"THE SHACK is the most absorbing work of fiction I've read in many years. My wife and I laughed, cried, and repented of our own lack of faith along the way. THE SHACK will leave you craving for the presence of God." - Michael W. Smith, recording artist

That sums it up. Reading this book, or rather, listening to this book has given me a renewed desire to seek God. I think it would be excellent for those old and new in their faith as well as those seeking.

Check it out. Let me know if you read it and what your thoughts are.

A Hint of Fall

I am outside watching Jessica play on her new swing set and play in her new sandbox enjoying the little hint of fall. The fact that it's 69 degrees right now instead of 80 in August is wonderful. If I had it my way the temp would never get over 72. In fact - it could be 5 to 10 degrees cooler and it would be fine with me. I love the fall and winter. Spring is ok but only goes to show summer is coming. And I don't like the heat at all.

So, we'll sit outside this morning until the temperature rises and we are forced back inside to the cool air-conditioned air.

I hope everyone gets to enjoy this little break for a bit this morning.

Tonight is my 20th high school class reunion. I'm sure I'll have much to blog about tomorrow. I'm so looking forward to seeing people I haven't seen in the last 10 to 20 years and catching up with everyone. Hopefully this will spur us on to keep in touch more than once every 20 years.

~Yvette~