Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday!  Here is my thankful list for this week:

~ my husband driving us to the memorial service for my uncle so I could see my aunt and cousin.  It was snowy, but he said the roads weren't bad (icy) and they weren't.   I was thankful he was willing to go/drive.

~ my big boy working hard and doing so well in his first semester of his junior year.  He had several commitments, and he excelled in his academics too.  

~ my little guy losing another tooth without trouble!  He has been wiggling it and trying to get it out.  In the night he got me to tell me he had to go potty.  I got up with him and when he came out he said feel my tooth.  It was very wiggly.  I told him we'd check it when we got up.  It was 5:22 a.m. when this happened by the way!  So he laid down and then said "Mom I think my tooth fell out! Can we see if it's bleeding?" We got up and checked and he rinsed his mouth, it wasn't bleeding.  Then he went back to sleep until it was time to get up for school!  

~ healthy eyes!  I had an appointment with the eye doctor and was glad to hear they look good again this year.  I asked him if it would get worse since I've over 40 now.  

~ the beautiful snow we received on Sunday.  We all enjoyed it. And Titus and Caleb didn't have school on Monday so that was fun as well.  

~ being able to start on new quilting projects.  I found some Valentine material, and we are making a pillow for Titus.  (He asked me if I could make him one!)

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

A to Z Bible Verse Challenge Week #16

This week for the Truth from A to Z challenge over at The Happy Wonderer we have letter P.

The word that came to mind was PROMISE.

Promise is defined as: 
    a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.

This is a passage we read this week....2 Peter1:3,4
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

This one is encouraging to me....2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Over the Christmas holidays, our church had given out a little sticker puzzle to count down the days until Christmas.  Each day had a different passage or activity and then you put a sticker on that day.  One of them talked about the promises of God, and it was good to talk about this.  There are so many promises God gives us in the Bible.  We need to remember these in our lives!

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. When were you last a guest at an event or in someone's home? Tell us about it. Do you enjoy having guests in your own home? 

It seems like it’s been a while now since we’ve been to events or in someone else’s home.  We have had play dates with our friend that lives around the corner in our neighborhood.  

I’m not very good at hospitality. I want to feel okay with people just dropping by unannounced. But I always feel like there is always something to put up or clean.  My goal is that the house would be “company ready” at all times.  

2. What has you 'tied up in knots' currently or recently? Are you any good at tying actual knots? 

So many things.....when I tested positive for Covid in December I felt the mental part was hardest for me.  I wondered how many days I’d been contagious, who I had exposed, if I was going to get worse, would the boys get it, etc. 

I am not good at tying knots. The boys have “knot tying” books. Caleb has always been good at it. 

3. What's something you've been wanting to do and have decided 2021 will be the year you 'take the plunge'? 

Um, not sure.  There was one thing I was considering but I’m not positive I’m ready to do that.  (Nice and vague huh!). It’s something I’m praying about and not ready to share yet, but I do need to decide soon.  

4. Something in your home that's old? Something new? Something borrowed? Something blue? 

Old:  one thing that came to mind was the hope chest my Peepaw made for me.

New:  my quilting items....I have bought some material and supplies. 

Borrowed: I have a bag of dishes that are my Mom’s. They were from the leftovers she shared with us and the meal she made us for Christmas. I need to return them (after she is over Covid).

Blue: Titus has a lot of blue in his room. It’s his favorite color.  

5. Share a favorite quote, a verse of scripture, and/or a bit of wisdom for couples getting married in this challenging and seemingly unpredictable season we're currently/still experiencing. 

The wedding day itself is an important day. However that day turns out, it will be okay and fun to look back on years down the road. The marriage itself will take a lot of work and won’t be fun/happy/easy all the time.  But it is worth it.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We got more snow Sunday!  We had heard on the news last week to expect snow on Sunday.  It said we could have 3-6 inches.  Well we got up Sunday morning to a beautiful white yard.  It was so peaceful.  The boys had so much fun in it.  It was quite a treat for us because we don't often get snow.  To have snow twice in such a short period of time was great!   This was one of our trees.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

My heart is heavy today with so much going on....in our country, world, the sickness, loss.  It's just so much.  I'm thankful I have hope and I know God is in control.  

Today I am thankful for...

~ my husband did (and always does anyway) so much extra when I was resting with Covid.  I really appreciate all he did with the meals, laundry, dishes, etc.  

~ talking with my big boy as we waited for little brother at the dentist.  I enjoyed our conversation and the things he shared.

~ a note on my pillow from my little guy.  He is so cute learning to write words and trying to sound out the ones he doesn't know.  It makes me smile to see him try to read and write!  

~ being able to enjoy some time at the deer lease in our camper over the weekend.  We also picked up the meat from the processor from Caleb's buck so it's nice to have that in the freezer as well.

~ a new year, new goals, new start, new things to try.  I always like the end of one year and the beginning of the next.  I like to look back at my goals for the previous year and see how many I accomplished.  I usually don't have a "word" for the year, but in 2020 I did.  It was "less."  It turned out to have a different meaning that I had originally intended with the pandemic.  I don't have a word this year.

~ new books to read.  I started a new audio book this week while doing laundry and have a couple other books I'm reading as well.  Oh and my neighbor gave me a devotional book so I started that on January 1.  

What is on your thankful list this week?

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

A to Z Bible Verse Challenge Week #15

This week for the Truth from A to Z challenge over at The Happy Wonderer we have letter O.

 

What came to mind for me was "one another."  I remember as a child a sermon one time about all the times "one another" is used in the Bible.  Here are a few:

Romans 12:10--Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:16--Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Romans 13:8--Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

Ephesians 4:2-- Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Philippians 2:5--In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus...

I Thesaalonians 5:11--Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 10:24, 25--And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

There are many other verses as well.  I looked some up and found that "one another" is one word in Greek.  These verses speak of unity and doing things not with ourselves in mind but in thinking of others.  We need each other....we found that out the past year.  Whenever I am reading my Bible and come across a "one another" passage I take note of it and pay attention to what it is saying.   

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  What advice would you give yourself as we begin this new year? 

God is in control. The world is in confusion and chaos on so many levels. Be calm and trust God.

2. If you could throw a themed party for yourself what would the theme be? 

Crayolas!  I have always loved to color,  it is very relaxing to me. I saw a Crayon cake on Pinterest years ago and thought it would be fun to have a crayon party.  

I love doing themed parties for the boys.  Caleb is past the age of picking a theme, but he does humor me and let me have a party theme for him! 

3. Tell us where you were and something about what life was like when you were 20- 21.
I was in college.  The year was 1999.  I had met my husband then and we were dating.  

4. What's on the menu at your house this week? 

I need to get back to the habit of doing our weekly meal plan.  I typically do really good at this at the beginning of the school year.  We picked up pizza Monday night and had tamales and chili our neighbor gave us on Tuesday night.  We picked up the deer meat from the processor this weekend so that is one thing I want to use in a meal. Not sure what it will be.

5. What should you do more of this year? Less of? 
I should do MORE decluttering and getting rid of stuff!  This is my goal every year.  It seems I may progress in different areas throughout the year....but there is always more.  

I should definitely spend LESS time worrying!  I know it does no good and it wastes my time.  I often think the worse.  

Others I thought of.....more time reading, less time on social media, more time outside, more time playing with the boys, less complaining. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My boys went back to school today. Praying they have a great semester and can continue to attend school in person.  We sure did enjoy our break together! 

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

NYE Thankful Thursday

I started making a list in my head of all the bad/hard/difficult/sad/painful that has happened over the last 12 months both for me personally and those I love.  Then I stopped myself. I don’t need to focus on all that.

I find it fitting that the last day of this year we will never forget is Thankful Thursday. Thankful may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of 2020.  Gratitude can be life changing.  I am in no way making light of the “hard” this year has been for so many.  Being thankful doesn’t take away the hard, but it is helpful to have a change in perspective.

I have enjoyed posting the Thankful Thursday each week and have been encouraged by those who continue to share week after week, even when things are not easy. 

This week I am thankful for...

~ that my husband took off work this week.  We've had a nice week at home.

~ laughter of my big boy.  

~ my little guy enjoying his time at home from school and his time with his big brother and Daddy!

~ that I am feeling well and did not have any bad sickness associated with Covid.  

~ watching shows on Netflix with my guys that we don't normally watch.  We've been watching "Sugar Rush" the Christmas edition, it's been fun to see!

~ getting to have Christmas at my Mom's, even though it was postponed.  She gave me her sewing machine for my quilting.  I'm so excited and have tried it out.  Lots to learn but it is fun to have it!

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany