This whole month (which by the way has flown by!) I have been focused on thankfulness and reflecting on the blessings God has so graciously given me. But somehow in the midst of all this thankfulness, God has revealed in my life areas I am not thankful. He has made me so aware of what a complainer I am. And it's just not ok. So as this month of thanks comes to a close, I am reminded to "let thankfulness rule in my heart" in the months ahead. To find joy and be thankful even when it's really really hard to see the good in things.
"A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles. Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on Me and what I am doing. This is the power of praise: centering your entire being in Me. This is how I created you to live, for I made you in My own image. Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness." - Jesus Calling, November 26
Monday, November 26, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Thankful Thoughts: Day 13 - Day 19
I have been super busy with school and a jam packed weekend! But I'm finally here to update my Thankful Thoughts from last week...
Day 13: I am so thankful for my best friend Laura. Tuesday I spent the afternoon with her and her sweet little baby boy, catching up! We have been best friends since first grade and time nor distance has altered our friendship. She is such an encouragement to me always! So glad God has given me forever friend like her!
Day 14: I am thankful for my job. I work with some really great people, have made some good friends and have been blessed with the opportunity to work under godly leadership.
Day 15: I am thankful for a God who cares and acts on the big and little things I stress about. Thursday I had a mock interview in French. The whole week leading up to Thursday I was nervous. And when I say nervous, I mean knot in the pit of my stomach, want to cry when I thought about it nervous. But God not only provided the time to prepare for it, he gave me an unreal and unexplainable peace Wednesday night and Thursday morning before my interview. It turns out it went much better than I expect it to go, by the grace of God! Hopefully I'll find out tomorrow what I made on it!
Day 16: I am thankful for my time and experiences in Israel, but I am also thankful that we are all home safe and sound. Over the past several days, violence has escalated between Gaza and Israel (I wrote this post about it). My dad was there this past week and left Thursday night. He said that had we been there as a family, we would have been evacuated that night. On the flip side I keep thinking of the friends and acquaintances we made over the six years we spent in Israel and how they are being affected by this conflict. I am thankful that God is sovereign and has a plan in all of the turmoil in the Middle East.
Day 17: I am thankful for my best friend Bethany. She made an unexpected visit on Saturday and it was so wonderful to spend time with her catching up and having fun. I am also thankful that she lives only 3 hours away now! Not only am I thankful for Bethany, but I am thankful for the whole Stewart family. They have been a second family to me, opening up their home to me for Spring Breaks and Thanksgivings past when I could be with my family in Israel. They are a such a sweet family that loves the Lord and I am so thankful that God brought our families together in Israel!!
Day 18: I am thankful for music of all kinds. Today I got to hear Alan play with the Lyric Youth Orchestra at Armstrong and it was fantastic. From country to classical I love it all, my life would be so sad with out it!
Day 19: I am thankful that there is only one more day of classes between me and Thanksgiving break! I am thankful for the break from school and the sweet memories that we will make with friends and family this week! So excited!
So there you have it, I'm all caught up!! Hope y'all have a Happy Thanksgiving week!
Day 13: I am so thankful for my best friend Laura. Tuesday I spent the afternoon with her and her sweet little baby boy, catching up! We have been best friends since first grade and time nor distance has altered our friendship. She is such an encouragement to me always! So glad God has given me forever friend like her!
Day 14: I am thankful for my job. I work with some really great people, have made some good friends and have been blessed with the opportunity to work under godly leadership.
Day 15: I am thankful for a God who cares and acts on the big and little things I stress about. Thursday I had a mock interview in French. The whole week leading up to Thursday I was nervous. And when I say nervous, I mean knot in the pit of my stomach, want to cry when I thought about it nervous. But God not only provided the time to prepare for it, he gave me an unreal and unexplainable peace Wednesday night and Thursday morning before my interview. It turns out it went much better than I expect it to go, by the grace of God! Hopefully I'll find out tomorrow what I made on it!
Day 16: I am thankful for my time and experiences in Israel, but I am also thankful that we are all home safe and sound. Over the past several days, violence has escalated between Gaza and Israel (I wrote this post about it). My dad was there this past week and left Thursday night. He said that had we been there as a family, we would have been evacuated that night. On the flip side I keep thinking of the friends and acquaintances we made over the six years we spent in Israel and how they are being affected by this conflict. I am thankful that God is sovereign and has a plan in all of the turmoil in the Middle East.
Day 17: I am thankful for my best friend Bethany. She made an unexpected visit on Saturday and it was so wonderful to spend time with her catching up and having fun. I am also thankful that she lives only 3 hours away now! Not only am I thankful for Bethany, but I am thankful for the whole Stewart family. They have been a second family to me, opening up their home to me for Spring Breaks and Thanksgivings past when I could be with my family in Israel. They are a such a sweet family that loves the Lord and I am so thankful that God brought our families together in Israel!!
Day 18: I am thankful for music of all kinds. Today I got to hear Alan play with the Lyric Youth Orchestra at Armstrong and it was fantastic. From country to classical I love it all, my life would be so sad with out it!
Day 19: I am thankful that there is only one more day of classes between me and Thanksgiving break! I am thankful for the break from school and the sweet memories that we will make with friends and family this week! So excited!
So there you have it, I'm all caught up!! Hope y'all have a Happy Thanksgiving week!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Israel
By now you may or may not have heard, that there has been escalating tensions and violence between Israel and Gaza since Wednesday. I won't go through play by play what has gone on, you can look for yourself....
HaAretz is a leading Israeli newspaper that has up to date coverage of the situation. Also Joel Roesnberg's blog is being regularly updated with solid analysis of the developments in the Middle East.
There have been hundreds of rockets sent into Israel from Gaza and hundreds of airstrikes into Gaza. There are millions of people caught in the crossfire on both sides. It's hard to believe that just a few short months ago my family packed up from six years in Israel and moved back to the US. We have many friends and acquaintances all over Israel that are being affected directly by this, whether they are in the IDF, about to be drafted, in the reserves, having to leave the country because of company policy, or running to bomb shelters as sirens wail overhead. It's a scary time for all of those caught in the crossfire, but I just ask that you pray for peace in Israel and Gaza. No one knows how this is all going to play out, but from what I can tell it's only getting uglier now. Ultimately God is the only one who can bring peace and reconciliation so lets pray.
HaAretz is a leading Israeli newspaper that has up to date coverage of the situation. Also Joel Roesnberg's blog is being regularly updated with solid analysis of the developments in the Middle East.
There have been hundreds of rockets sent into Israel from Gaza and hundreds of airstrikes into Gaza. There are millions of people caught in the crossfire on both sides. It's hard to believe that just a few short months ago my family packed up from six years in Israel and moved back to the US. We have many friends and acquaintances all over Israel that are being affected directly by this, whether they are in the IDF, about to be drafted, in the reserves, having to leave the country because of company policy, or running to bomb shelters as sirens wail overhead. It's a scary time for all of those caught in the crossfire, but I just ask that you pray for peace in Israel and Gaza. No one knows how this is all going to play out, but from what I can tell it's only getting uglier now. Ultimately God is the only one who can bring peace and reconciliation so lets pray.
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Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure....For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”
Psalm 122:6,8
P.S. I will get back to my Thankful Thoughts hopefully tonight. It's been a busy week with school and today is pretty jam packed with to dos and fun things! I haven't forgotten about them though!!!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Thankful Thoughts: Day 12
Today I am thankful for my little brother, Alan. It is his thirteenth birthday today...I can't believe it! Even though he is annoying (as any good little brother should be) at times, I love him so very much. He really is a pretty cool kid, I mean teenager! I am so glad that I have gotten to live with him (and the rest of my family) again this year after being so far apart for three years. I can't imagine our family without him. Happy 13th Birthday Alan! <3<3
P.S. I'm pretty sure that by this time next year, he's going to be at least a head taller than me.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thankful Thoughts: Day 9, 10 and 11
Since I was out of town this weekend and didn't have much time to post, I'll play catch up tonight.
Day 9: I am thankful for the friends I made in Israel (You know who you are!). This weekend Stephanie and I spent it with our friend Amy in Auburn, Alabama. But the pretty amazing thing is that we met her while we lived in Israel. When we moved there in the middle of tenth grade, I thought I'd never have friends like I had here in Savannah in Israel. Little did I know I was going to make some of my best friends there. I am thankful for the sweet genuine friendships and memories made there together. It is so neat to think how God brought these people into my life and how even when we've all moved our separate ways we have still remained friends.
Day 10: I am thankful for new experiences, whether it is moving across the world or going to my first football game (this weekend) I am thankful for the opportunities God has given me to travel and experience new things!
Day 11: I am thankful that God knows what is coming and speaks truth and promises into my life! This week ahead is going to be a crazy stressful week as I have a paper due, a group project to finish up and a mock job interview in French on top of daily homework to get done. But God knows what is coming and had the perfect encouragement for me tonight in my quiet time. He is so good!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Thankful Thoughts: Day 8
Today I am thankful for my Mama and Daddy. They are two of the best parents a girl could have. I am thankful for their commitment to the Lord and to each other. I am thankful that they led me into a relationship with the one true God and continue to be godly examples to me. I am thankful for their unconditional love, for their friendship and that they always encourage me to do my best and seek and follow God's will for my life. I really am blessed to be a part of this wonderful family and I am so thankful for the adventures we have had and will continue to have together!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Thankful Thoughts: Day 7
I am thankful for a sovereign God. He reigns above everything from the presidential elections to my mundane daily tasks. And the best part is he is not surprised by anything. He's working all things for his glory and for the good of those who love him.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Thankful Thoughts: Day 6
But I am even more thankful that my God is in control. That it's not a surprise to him who will win and it does not make him any less powerful.
Whoever our leader may be I wake up tomorrow, I pray that God will bring him heart change and give him wisdom to lead our country effectively.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. - Psalm 33:12
Monday, November 5, 2012
Thankful Thoughts: Day 5
Today I am thankful that God provides. Not just in the big things, but in the little things too. It's that point in the semester where I have so much work to get done it seems impossible. I have been stressed to say the least about how it's all going to get done.
But tonight, by the grace of God, I was able to get a good start to my school work for this week. I spent the evening studying and working at Starbucks, which was a nice change of scenery from my room.
I am thankful that when I commit my ways to the Lord he makes my path straight. When I commit my time to him, somehow, even when it seems like there is no way it's gonna get done, it does. Because he is good. And he knows my needs and he provides.
But tonight, by the grace of God, I was able to get a good start to my school work for this week. I spent the evening studying and working at Starbucks, which was a nice change of scenery from my room.
I am thankful that when I commit my ways to the Lord he makes my path straight. When I commit my time to him, somehow, even when it seems like there is no way it's gonna get done, it does. Because he is good. And he knows my needs and he provides.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Thankful Thoughts: Day 4
Today I am thankful for my sweet Savior. I am thankful that there is a God and he loves me so much that he sent his only son, to walk among us as an example of how to live, then died a horrendous death to take away my sin. But I am so thankful that the story doesn't end there. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. He conquered sin and death, they have no victory! I am thankful that my God did that so that I could know him and have a personal and intimate relationship with him.
I was sitting in church today thinking while we were singing some of the worship songs about some of the things my friends are going through and in all honesty, I would be a hopeless wreck without Jesus. I can not imagine facing the messiness of life with out being one hundred percent certain that my God is for me. He is always there and has a wonderful amazing plan for my good and his glory! I am thankful for his unfailing love, his great faithfulness, his loving kindness, his undeserved grace and his persevering pursuit of my soul!
Thankful Thoughts: Day 3
Today I am thankful for my sister. I am thankful that we are not only sisters, but best friends. I honestly couldn't imagine my life without her! I am so glad she lives only one room away now as opposed to a whole ocean away!
I am blessed!
I am blessed!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Thankful Thoughts: Day 2
Today I am thankful for my sweet friends, old and new, near and far. God really has blessed me with some amazing people. And to think about how and when he has brought them into my life, it just blows my mind. More on this to come... I assure you!
God is good, all the time.
God is good, all the time.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Thankful Thoughts: Day 1
November is here, can you believe it? This is one of my favorite months, it kicks off the holiday season and my favorite time of year!
So since this is the season of giving thanks, I decided I am going to blog one thing a day until Thanksgiving that I am thankful for. I was going to try and come up with some clever title, but I could not think of an "N" word that meant thankful to go along with November, but I just kept thinking "No Shave November." Fail!
Instead I decided to title it Thankful Thoughts.... So here is my Thankful Thought for today:
I am thankful for November and all the fun times and sweet memories that will be made. It is going to be a busy month, with travels, friends, family and lots of school work mixed in there. But I am thankful for the holiday season that is kicking off. And most of all that I get to spend the whole season, Thanksgiving and all with my family for the first time in three years; And for the first time in the US together in six years! It's going to be great!
So since this is the season of giving thanks, I decided I am going to blog one thing a day until Thanksgiving that I am thankful for. I was going to try and come up with some clever title, but I could not think of an "N" word that meant thankful to go along with November, but I just kept thinking "No Shave November." Fail!
Instead I decided to title it Thankful Thoughts.... So here is my Thankful Thought for today:
I am thankful for November and all the fun times and sweet memories that will be made. It is going to be a busy month, with travels, friends, family and lots of school work mixed in there. But I am thankful for the holiday season that is kicking off. And most of all that I get to spend the whole season, Thanksgiving and all with my family for the first time in three years; And for the first time in the US together in six years! It's going to be great!
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