I'm still not completely well. I still cannot hear a thing out of my right ear. Yet, still will I praise Him for what the Lord has done for me. I have so many blessings. So, let's get at it and start filling that tank! Here's how God has chosen to do it:

Labels: Beth Moore, blessings, New blog home, thanks tank, thanksgiving

Somehow I sit here with the keys feeling like they are sticking under my fingers this morning. Feeling like my desire to be thankful is caught in my throat. I feel beaten up and broken today, and I'm not really even sure why. At least not all of the "why."

We all have weeks when we walk intimately, closely with our Father. Weeks of hearing His voice, feeling His breath upon our cheeks and responding with whispered, sometimes shouted praises.

My week has NOT been one of those. I have grumbled. I have slugged my way through it. Not literally, of course. My fists have not been flailing -- at least not at anyone else but myself. I'm a one-woman wrecking crew when it comes to annihilating my own heart. I need no outside help to bring myself to my figurative knees.

So, rather than continue to effectively pummel myself into submission, I am choosing this very moment to take my eyes off myself and put them where they rightly belong . . . on my Savior, who came to rescue me, at times like this from my own hurtful behaviors.

Here are the ways God is filling my tank, even when I am fighting Him:

He reminds me I am His. (Isaiah 43:1 NIV)
He reminds me He desires me. (John 17:24 NKJV)
He assures me of His everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV)
He extends His forgiveness . . . again and again. (1 John 1:9 NIV)
He reminds me He is not finished with me. (Philippians 1:6 NIV)
He extends His promises to me. (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
He carries me. This one gives me hope even after I quit using Loreal to cover them up. (Isaiah 46:4 NIV)
He holds me close. (Psalm 139: 9-10 NIV)
He doesn't condemn me. (Romans 8:1-2 NIV)
He is who He says He is. (Isaiah 43:10 NIV)

So, after this Bible study this morning, I am now ready to face my day with a thankful heart, knowing my God is all around me. His truth will resonate in my heart and carry me through whatever circumstances come my way.

I pray the same for you today, dear one, as you read this.

How is God filling your tank? Let me know in the comments or take the button to your site and make your own list. I'll come visit and share in the blessings and lessons you are learning!

Go now and have a thanks-filled day! I know I will!

Labels: God's Word, gratitude, thanks tank, thanksgiving

My week has been one of ups and downs and lots of introspection.

I'll spare you the details of the thoughts that crash wildly around in my grey matter and get on with the ways God has chosen to fill my tank this week:

Listening: How precious it is to find someone who will just take the time to listen when the heart is bruised and in need of solace and understanding. Thanks, Honey!

Cuddles: My Sweetcheeks is not much for this at all, so when she came in yesterday morning from having a nightmare we had an unusual chance to snuggle up close and pray. I love tender moments like those!

Perspective: I was having a bit of an emotional pity party yesterday, but as I take the time to be grateful on purpose -- how my little piddly sorrows diminish. God has blessed me abundantly, just as He promised in John 10:10.

Creative Cooking: I've always said I am the best cook when my pantry is the emptiest. We've eaten well and enjoyed it this week, all at the expense of a pantry at its most meager right before pay day. Thank you, Lord, for enabling me to cook regularly, even extravagantly without a recipe.

Pay Day: After a loooong month of January, the day of exchange is finally here. We will get to exchange my DP's pay for some paid bills and groceries. I am grateful. We made it!

Glory: I see God's glory displayed everywhere I look: from the blustery breezes, to the majestic oak, to the bowed head of a fellow worshipper, to the crying child who needs a forever family. He has made it all. Glory be to Him alone!!

Smiles: Sometimes it can make all the difference in whether I feel welcome somewhere or not. It doesn't take long, and it reaps rewards long after it's finished.

Goals: I am finding I must set these and tell others of them in order to find accountability for myself and all my free time. Goals focus my mind and give purpose to my day.

Uneventful Days: After a really eventful one last Friday that I will one day use in a post, I have been thankful for days in which nothing outstanding occurs.

A Full Heart: I am utterly grateful for my Jesus who makes this whole post possible. Without Him I am nothing, and this thanks tank is non-existent.

Now it's your turn! Comment on God's goodness here or take the Thanks tank button to your site and make your own list. Either way, I would love to be in on the way God is filling your tank!

Labels: blessings, gratitude, thanks tank, thanksgiving

Welcome back to the Thursday Thanks Tank!

I've been struggling lately in the physical arena, so I took a break last week instead of making my list out of obligation alone.

It's been a crazy week so far, but one full of blessings. Let me get right to the filling of the tank. Here's how God is filling me up this week:

1. Warm weather: No, it doesn't feel like Christmas, but it sure does beat the weather found here or here. Please be praying for all those who have suffered damage and power outages as a result of the storms blazing a trail through the Midwest and Northwest. I am very grateful to wake up this morning to a smattering of fog alone.

2. New pets: I can honestly say I am thankful for the unending lessons being taught by the new members of our family. Read about the rest of the story here. We've already experienced being bitten (that's me), a death (that's Ghirardelli), a transfer of ownership (that's from Sweetcheeks to John Deere Green), and a name change (that's from Snickers to Skittles . . . all in the candy family, I guess), and a replacement pet for Ghirardelli (that's Everest, Libbyline's new Chinese dwarf hamster who filled the void left by the Black bear hamster). It's been a wild ride, and it's only been three days so far! Pray for me . . .

3. My precious DP: This man is truly the Darling Prince as the "DP" reflects daily. He willingly runs errands for me, takes surprise afternoon frolics in stride, holds dying hamsters to comfort our daughter, cleans up our kitchen nightly, negotiates with unwelcome phone callers, and brings me treats just when I need them the most. I love you so much, Honey!

4. Christmas Cards: I love this time of year! I haven't actually sent my own yet (hopefully today), but I eagerly await the mail every day so that I can see whose card is in amongst all the regular junk mail. So good to hear from all of you. I'll send you my address if you'll just send me a card!

5. Laughter: I find lots of things funny, but this one had me howling the other day. You've got to read this post and remind yourself how wonderful it is to grapple with the beast of technology and win. Pray for our precious "Siesta". How I love this woman!

6. Gift Cards: My DP received a card from here the other day. He spent most of it on me. No more need be said. I love, love, love this man.

7. Baking: I love the smells of fresh cookies wafting through my humble abode. Yum!! These definitely smell like Christmas to me.

8. Health: I am so grateful for the routine health we've had this year. Sweetcheeks is currently recovering from a tummy bug, and I am thankful it was nothing more serious. We are truly blessed.

9. Friends: How grateful I am to be loved and cared for, simply for being who God created me to be. I care for you in the same way, not because you can send me gifts on time or that you send me gifts at all. The gift of your friendship is more than enough. (That's especially for you Kate and Jen).

10. Unexpected Gifts: Today my little flip calendar said this:


I've found that to be so true this week. Finances have been tight, tight, tight around here for months. We are trying to be good stewards and use our money as God would have us do so.

Last week I bought a used purse at a thrift store for $1.99, only to find out it had $28 in it once I got home. Unexpected blessing. AND . . .

This week my children received a DVD in the mail from a great aunt they barely know, only to have it be the very one they've been hoping we'd one day own. This one by Janette Oke has brought great joy at just the right time. God really does give His children good gifts.

Well, I've rambled on long enough. How has God been filling your tank this week? Let me know in the comments or take my cute button from here and take it to your own site. Invite me over, and I'll come share in the ways God is blessing you today.

Have a Thanks-filled day!

On His Adventure~

Pam

Labels: gratitude, happies, thanks tank, thanksgiving

As you'll notice quickly, I am doing a tandem post today. I call it multi-tasking.

For I cannot post anything about my Christmas traditions without thanking God for those very traditions that make me even more grateful for this time of year.

Here are a few of the traditions that carry us through each bless-ed Christmas season:

• I got a new Christmas ornament from my family each year that I took from home when I left college. Most of those are long gone now from age and fragility. Yet, I decided when Libbyline was born to start the same sort of tradition with my children. Libbyline adds a new Boyd's bear angel each year to her collection. Sweetcheeks gets a new snowman for hers, and JD Green gets an ornament with some form of transportation represented (which is so perfect as he is ALWAYS on the go). They love discovering these as we decorate our tree each year and will easily identify whose is whose when the time comes to leave home and start out on their own.
• We love baking around our house, and there are a few treats I usually only make at Christmas time: including chocolate covered pretzels, peanut butter fudge, and molasses crinkles(known as ginger cookies to my kids). I love the smell that wafts through the air as our goodies begin to bake. We also made press cookies and several other varieties last year for the first time, but it certainly won't be the last time these yummy items make an appearance. We usually take a plate or tin full of cookies to neighbors and share them with friends and family throughout the season.
• Our children each get to open one present Christmas Eve. I have done everything from getting matching pajamas made by my mother with coordinating bags to choosing sets in each child's favorite color. They now all know what will be inside the package each year, but it is still fun to take a group shot under the tree to commemorate going to bed in their new, cozy jammies. The excitement now lies more in the creative wrapping than in the contents. It is fun to see how imaginative the mama can get . . .
• We do not open presents first here. We read the Christmas story in Luke 2, then we read a chapter from Max Lucado's God Came Near, called The Arrival. Adding Mary's perspective, even fictionally, helps us to focus on all that went on that first Christmas when Jesus arrived as Immanuel.
• The other tradition actually arose out of a year ridden by illness with young children. We found ourselves unable to join any organized Christmas Eve service, so our three created a play of the Nativity story, using robes and towels to costume, stuffed animals for the stable residents, and the treasured baby doll for baby Jesus. Libbyline is our narrator and the other two act out all the other parts of the story. It is a precious time each year as they now thrill to put on their own interpretation of how Jesus came to us.

I am thankful for so many other things this week, but I want to encourage you to head on over to My Quiet Corner's gathering. Grab your favorite mug of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and join the festivities. I know I've already enjoyed read Momrn's, and I am sure the ideas and traditions of others will inspire me for the future.

Have a thanks-filled day and don't forget to let me know if you've posted your own list of thanks. I will come visit when I get the chance!

Labels: celebrations, gratitude, thanks tank, thanksgiving

I'm on our lap top, and I can't access my blog folder with my header in it. So, my thankfulness will be with a twist today.

We had a marvelous day here in the Music City.

We went to Opryland Hotel to wander around this morning with the older and younger generations. We took a boat ride through the Delta, and once my kids figured out no one was going to throw them to the resident catfish . . . they relaxed and had a good time.

I am oh so glad DP and I had gone on a date there last night, because after the boat ride . . . none of the older or younger generations had much patience for the sightseeing.

We headed on out for lunch, which was plan B after we scrapped trying to balance warmed up Thanksgiving dinner on Chinet in adjoining hotel rooms with at least one rambunctious 7-year-old racing through the halls yelling "room service!"

Plan B was delectable in every sense of the word. We went to the Hilton in downtown Nashville, were seated in an "overflow" room, which meant for us more privacy and less commotion, while still being able to hear the dinner music and not walk too far to fill our plates more times than I can count.

The buffets (all nine of them) were stocked full of every imaginable Thanksgiving-related food and so much more. There was a bar for just breakfast food, so JD Green ate a waffle, muffins, a danish, and strawberries galore.

I had all the traditional favorites, including honey roasted turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, and cranberry sauce. Add to that, asparagus, crispy bacon, and fresh fruit kabobs, and you'll have my first trip to the buffet just about complete.

In order to keep from compromising your image of me, I will not reveal how many more times I frequented the buffet after that first trip. Let's just say I tried every kind of chocolate covered strawberry represented, and I still had room for a pumpkin dessert as well.

After thoroughly sampling as much as humanly possible without needing assistance from a garden wheel barrow to get back to valet parking, we were on our way to relax and take a rest before the main event tonight.

We had the time of all great times tonight at the Rockettes performance at the Grand Ole Opry. When DP and I made these reservations online about six months ago, we clicked on "best seats" when it gave us seating options at ticketron.

Well, the best seats available were Row DD in section 4. We come to find out while looking at the seating chart, but after we clicked to accept these seats that lo and behold . . . these seats are front and center.

I meet up with my dear MIL in the gift shop after she'd found our seats.

I ask, "Is the view good from our seats?" Is there going to be anything in front of us?"

She replies, "Only the Rockettes!"

She was right. We were about 10 feet from all those kickers! It was fabulous, and we loved the whole show.

So, I am now snuggled in my hotel bed with my cozy jammies and my snoozing DP.

I have a mind whirling with lovely memories and a heart full of gratitude for all the blessings I have been given, both this Thanksgiving holiday and the whole year in general. God has been very, very good to me!

Looking forward to hearing about y'all's holidays and shopping stories soon.

Labels: celebrations, funnies, gratitude, thanksgiving

Labels: celebrations, family, gratitude, thanksgiving

This is sort of like My MIL says . . .

I very rarely talk to my FIL on the phone. We get along great, but he just doesn't like talking on the phone and conversations have become more and more difficult as his hearing has begun to fail. (the whole hearing aid issue will be saved for another post)

I got to start off my Monday with a call from my FIL. My MIL dials the phone, hands it to him, and it goes something like this:

PawPaw: Pam, (loudly) can you hear me ok up there? (everything is up when you're from South Louisiana)

Pam: Yes, sir. I can hear you just fine. How are y'all doing this morning?

PawPaw: Oh, good, good. We're doing good. Now, are you bringing your camera to our Thanksgiving trip?

Pam: Yes, sir.

PawPaw: Good, good. Now, I was wantin' to help you out with some film for that camera. Do ya' need some film?

Pam: No, sir. I have a digital camera. It doesn't take any film.

PawPaw: Hunh?!? What . . . how does it do? How will you get the pictures out of it so we can have some?

Pam: I can take the camera to Walgreen's while we are gone and get you some pictures made before you fly home on Saturday. Does that sound good?

PawPaw: (as he's still scratchin' his head over the whole film thing) Well, you go to wherever you need to go and get about $50.00 of pictures made for us and for you and DP, is that good? Can you get a few pictures made for that?

Pam: Oh, yes sir. I think we can get you some pictures made for that. Thank you SO much for even thinking about it. We'd be happy to have some pictures done for you. We are really looking forward to our trip later this week to see you.

PawPaw: (still reeling from the idea of all this technology existing totally beyond his scope of reference) Well, Pam, it was good, real good talkin' to you this morning. Here is your mother-in law.

I could almost hear his sigh of relief as he handed her the phone.

***Now, I just have to let y'all know this man is so precious to me. I hope I've not communicated any sarcasm or poking fun in a hurtful way by posting this conversation. I just got so tickled at his amazement with the changes out here in the everyday world that I take for granted.

Labels: funnies, happies, thanksgiving

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.

Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy."

Psalm 107:20-22

Labels: God's Word, Scripture, thanksgiving, truth

***Hey Gals (and guys, too)
I've had comments that the video isn't working. I think I've got it fixed now. Try it again if you'd like to view it : )

Update -- I tried to write this post yesterday, but found internet connection problems with Bellsouth . . . again . . . keeping me from posting what I wanted to post when I wanted to post it.

Methinks we'll be looking for a new provider soon . . . just a hunch.


So, a little slow on the uptake today, but nonetheless grateful ; )

Yes, though I didn't make a huge deal about it on my blog this year, I did have a birthday Tuesday. Thanks so much to all of you who acknowledged, prayed, and celebrated with me.

Here is how God is filling my "older" tank this week:

1. Birthday Breakfast: My three darlings made my entire meal without my knowledge Tuesday morning. I had a heart-shaped omelette created by my Sweetcheeks, orange juice poured by JD Green, green tea made by Libbyline, and the customary rice cake with pb & j instead of toast for the gluten-sensitive mama thoughtfully added by all three. I was touched and humbled by the care of these precious children.

2. Serving: It is totally true that when you are helping others your own problems seem to shrink. We had a blast packing cartons for Operation Christmas Child at our local drop off center this week. I love being able to remind my children that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. They are such willing and cheerful helpers. I am so proud of them.

3. Example: My oldest is going to a birthday sleepover for a friend tonight (Friday) and it was such a joy to watch her carefully choose gifts for her friend that would please her and communicate my daughter's care for this friend. I saw a maturity in her choices that set a great example for me as I make choices for others.

The rest of my tank was filled with the following. I don't think I need to say anything else but "Thank You":


Thank you, too, to all of you who have begun posting your own Thanks Tanks. As always, feel free to take the button to your site and let me know in the comments, so I can come visit you. Welcome to all of you who have joined us in recent weeks!!

Labels: giving, gratitude, happies, thanks tank, thanksgiving

Beth has called for an update to our 30 Days of Thanksgiving. I have had a blast sending out notes of thanks to folks I contact regularly, as well as to those I rarely see or reach out to throughout the year.

I have heard back from a couple of people, but the joy of sending the greetings is not dimmed by any lack of response. I prayed over each before sending and know God led me to the people I needed to reach.

What a blessing this activity has been, and I will definitely be incorporating it into my yearly tradition of celebrating this season. Go here to read about it for next year, if you like.

I loved what Beth said today about 400 + notes out there blessing people if you include everyone who is participating this year. How fun to be part of something bigger than myself.

Just the act of taking part in this simple exercise has made this statement true for me this season:

Labels: giving, gratitude, thanksgiving

Somehow I feel like the speed has been turned up, and I am being dragged along with it.

Now that the preparations for the upcoming holidays are in full swing all over every place my eye rests, I feel some inner need to join in the frantic pressing on to do more, have more, make more, be more.

"Halt!" I must scream to myself.

I must remember that the first season's focus is thanksgiving. The second is actually more of thanksgiving mixed with a large dollop of celebration. I can hardly begin to focus on the thanksgiving if I am carrying on willy-nilly with a frazzled and wild-eyed gaze at all the lists and "to do's" I have set for myself.

So, on that note, I set aside time today and every day to intentionally be grateful and filled up to the top with thanks to my Heavenly Father for all He has done and continues to do in my life.

Here's how He's been filling my tank these past days. I am thankful for:

1. Wisdom: I am slowly learning I cannot do it all. I can only do what God has given me strength and energy to do. The rest either needs to be left undone or finished by someone other than me. That is NOT a bad thing.

2. Phone Calls from Far Away: I got a call this morning from my best friend in the whole world, and though it was not all sunshine and rainbows -- just sharing the needs we both have lightened our loads for the day. Thanks, sweetie!

3. Catalogs: I just love sitting and gazing at all the shiny pretties in the magazines full of holiday bounty that drop in my mailbox every day at this time of year.

4. Freedom: Can't tell you how freeing it is to just sign my name to everything I write now.

5. Epossomundas: This little guy has brought lots of laughter to our home the past couple days. I love these books and would highly recommend them for your young children and early readers.

6. Shopping: Especially shopping on someone else's dollar. My precious MIL called Monday and told me I needed to go get everyone a couple outfits for our Thanksgiving trip with her money. What a precious blessing -- just when I needed it.

7. Cold: I guess for the next few days we are past "free" weather, but what a joy it has been to need a sweater, put extra blankets on the bed, and wear winter slippers.

8. Early Nights: The time change has helped me to rise a little earlier, but it has also encouraged me to get in the bed a good bit sooner. I was in bed and ready to turn out the lights last night before 10pm. For those of you who know the regular night owl I am, this is amazing.

9. Fall Foliage: Finally, we are seeing some turning of the leaves here in our little area. I think I am more grateful for it this year, because it is not so widespread, and I am seeking it out more than in years past.

10. My DP: My darling prince (DP) of a husband is a true joy to my heart. He knows me so well, and I am incredibly grateful to the Lord for hand-picking him just for me. What a treasure.

So, you all know how this works, and if you're new here's the scoop. Several of us have Thursday Thanks Tank posts you can visit here, or here, or possibly even here.

If you'd like to do your own, please feel free to take the button and post it on your site. If you'd just like to share your own list of thanks in my comments, by all means, do that! I'd love to share in the joys of how God is choosing to fill your tank.

Have a great "thanks-filled" day!!

Labels: gratitude, intentional, thanks tank, thanksgiving

Isn't it always pretty certain that when you try to make changes for the better that the enemy just wants to pounce on you and snarf up all your little steps in the right direction?

I've felt that way this week. I am in the midst of trying to do things differently in several areas of my life, and I feel like I've just been meeting resistance at every turn.

I guess in some way that should encourage me to press on, knowing I must be doing something right to have the enemy so riled up. Yet, the past two days haven't yielded a spirit of soaring or the energy to fight against the attacks I've been fielding. I've felt defeated. I've felt lonely. I've felt friendless. I've even felt far from God.

That is until last night when I began to process the following:

Along with many of you, I have been touched by the Lord numerous times via the words that sometimes spill forth from the lips of Beth Moore. When and if I ever grow up, I want to know Jesus more like she does. I'm gettin' there. I. am. getting. there, praise His name!

This is what God used her to tell me this time from Get Out of That Pit:

"For satan to talk us into distrusting God and distancing ourselves from Him is to keep us broken, ineffective, and frankly, out of his hair. Life offers no few invitations to fall into this kind of distrust."

What I received was this:

In the moments when I am wondering what God is doing and where He is when I am hurting, those are the moments I need to stick to Him like glue through His Word, His promises, and through prayer. Only then can I avoid being "broken, ineffective, and out of satan's hair."

I don't know about you, but I think I'd rather be all up in his hair, making sure he doesn't forget Whose child I am, Whose Princess I've become. When I stand up fully to the height God has given me in Him, I can look down on that liar every. single. time. He CANNOT have me, and I am reminding myself of this truth right now:

Labels: God's Word, gratitude, thanks tank, thanksgiving

Found this at Beth @ Life with Two Little Vikings via GiBee

Here's Beth's take on the background of the 30 Days of Thanksgiving:

Early last October, I made a list of 30 people in my life that I felt needed to know that my world is a little better because they are in it. I thought a list like that would be hard to create...and, actually, it was not.

I also made a little card in MS Publisher using Kari's button graphic explaining what I was doing and why. Then, starting October 24th, every day for thirty days I "snail mailed" or emailed someone on that list. My online buddies. My pastors. My parents. My in-laws. The folks at my local Walgreen's pharmacy who put up with my wacky-weird questions when one of the Vikings is sick. The Vikings' pediatrician. My favorite lunch spot's staff. My mail carrier and newspaper delivery person. My favorite cashier at the grocery store whose line I always wait in no matter how long because she's so nice to the Vikings.

Who around you do you appreciate? Who makes a tough day a little easier to get through? Who silently takes care of small (or big) tasks around you? Who makes you smile and thankful they are part of your life? Wouldn't it be nice if they knew how you felt?

Leave a comment here if you'd like to participate. And, consider posting at your bloggy home about what you think you might do and/or who you might honor starting next Wednesday. Then, perhaps do a follow-up post after your Thanksgiving food coma subsides and tell the bloggy world how it went. And, may the glory be His alone.

This is just so "up my alley"! I am so thrilled to take part in this year's challenge.
Here's mine:

I made a number of cards over the weekend, and I think they would be perfect for Thanksgiving and showing special gratitude to those I often overlook. So, over the next 30 days, I am going to make a diligent effort to make some more cards and drop them in the hands of unsuspecting folks -- hopefully allowing them to see how much I appreciate their presence in my life. I'll let you know how it goes.

Head on over to Beth's site. She has more details about how to participate and who started the whole thing last year. I'd love to hear about how God prompts you to show your thankfulness.

Labels: gratitude, stepping out, teachable moments, thanksgiving