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Do you ever feel STUCK? In 2000, I began looking for answers to some tough questions in my life. I'd searched high & low and finally conceded to search the promises found in the Bible. Those promises have sustained & guided me through the loss of a parent, the struggle with anxiety & depression, the loss of a valued relationship and so much more! I've found joy amid the pain. And, I want to share it with you!

15 September 2013

2013 August ONE THOUSAND GIFTS #JoyDare

AUGUST 2013 
One Thousand Gifts (by Ann Voskamp)
#1000Gifts #JoyDare


 Buy book here...      

I took the 1,000 Gifts Dare for 2012...
and now I'm on the 1,000 Gifts Dare for 2013... 
my format now is a bit more simpler than before though...

Today I find JOY in...

8/1/13 Thurs
1716. taking lunch to my son at Colts Camp
He heard this on his radio... "We have a man roasting hot dogs on the Eternal Flame." #ColtsCamp
1717. healthy discussions w/my accountability partner
1718. doing nothing through prayer
discussions I have w/my daughter about how prayer DOES DO THINGS!
8/2/13 Fri
1719. playing catch up on my blog postings
1720. God working things out HIS way
1721. family tradition of the State Fair
(this year 7th year at State Fair Band Day)
w/new family member, A
At the Dairy Barn... the sign says,
"Dairy cows are magicians--they can turn grass into milk."
A says her mommy's better 'cause she can turn anything into milk!

8/3/13 Sat
1722. help clearing fallen branches
our old trees seem to be losing the battle w/Mother Nature - LOL!
1723. YouTube promises :)

1724. the hope of tomorrow... resting in His arms at my church

8/4/13 Sun
1725. another person sitting in the family row at church
1726. pork roast, kielbasa sausage, sauerkraut & mashed potatoes
thankful for a little German heritage on the Linhardt side of the family :)
1727. peaceful evening outside shared with loved ones
holding a sleeping baby, chatting w/a sister-in-love, bonfires & s'mores

8/5/13 Mon
1728. the job that God placed in J's life 2 1/2 yrs ago!
1729. baby friends for A at the BFF Club

1730. family dinner - almost like the old days

8/6/13 Tues
1731. the blessing of holding a fussy baby so that her Mommy can rest
1732. door prizes

1733. pictures of food
"Seriously Mom! Who wants to see pictures of your food?"
8/7/13 Wed
1734. back to school photos - all over Facebook & Twitter
ah... the memories!
1735. $5 times 140 = $13,704.95
seriously
1736. text from my neighbor
"Becky got 2nd in class today!"
8/8/13 Thurs
1737. early mornings

1738. planning, scheduling & keeping secrets

1739. getting rid of stuff

8/9/13 Fri
1740. Worship Arts note
1741. Captivity & Oppression - a post I shared today :)
1742. being broken... completely broken
Check this post out from Ann Voskamp.

 8/10/13 Sat
1743. a safe drive - w/my boys

 1744. super awesome surprise about the hotel God snagged for us!
1745. great opera with Kelsey & Kelsea
and an unforgettable meteor shower

 8/11/13 Sun
1746. relaxing morning w/the LOML
1747. street fair walk, paddle boating & hiking trails

1748. a seat with a view

8/12/13 Mon
1749. early mornings by a foggy lake
1750. paddle boat rides & other such fun

 1751. petty theft - a post to be published some day!
GRRRRRRR!

8/13/13 Tues
1752. a tinge of jealousy... that this is my FRIEND's view from bed this morning
photo credit - T. Getz
YET... THANKFUL FOR MY NEIGHBORHOOD TOO!

 1753. Card Love - a friend's new venture

 1754. a happy marriage

 8/14/13 Wed
1755. napping Bear cat!!

 1756. showing off A-town :)

1757. trusting God to help us (the LOML & I) to show GOD'S LOVE through our words & actions (is a big job some days)

 8/15/13 Thurs
1758. early walkabout with Kelsey while Tyler worked at Colts Camp :)

1759. surprising Tyler (even though Kelsey kept giggling!)

 1760. great way to begin a bonfire

 8/16/13 Fri
1761. thankful for MUSIC in our home!
1762. garden bounty - for lunch

 1763. one month of knowing that they are sleeping safely at night

8/17/13 Sat
1764. early morning w/A so her Mommy could sleep in a little
1765. a not-so-early breakfast for T & K on the deck

 1766. having the porch swing back in action

8/18/13 Sun
1768. church - may we NEVER downplay the JOYS
found in a simple Sunday in our home church!
1769. another photo shoot under the shagbark hickory

 1770. praying over a feverish baby & knowing that God is at work

8/19/13 Mon
1771. morning with Baby A - even though she wasn't feeling all that great

 1772. being available to help with A (aka no Miss Frizzle this fall)
1773. 10-month anniversary for these two:
8/20/13 Tues
1774. safe trip to Cinci for T & K
1775. family matters
even Sollie helps watch over A
1776. doctor visit = diagnosis :)

8/21/13 Wed
1777. another morning loving on a little one
1778. tomatoes upon tomatoes upon tomatoes :)

1779. the LOML is my BFF too!

8/22/13 Thurs My Big Sister's Birthday
1780. morning walkabout with a stroller in tow :)
and hair bows...

1781. killing 20 minutes w/my BFFHeiter by critiquing the sponsored plant beds in the church parking lot
1782. praying for my BOHO friends
8/23/13 Fri
1783. day home alone to battle the sore throat & body aches which greeted me this morning
1784. being a BUM while working on a few volunteer things
1785. early to bed today meant a really short day!
(and that makes me really happy!)
  
8/24/13 Sat
The theme of the day was SPONTANEITY :)
1786. watching talented artists perform

 1787. roller coasters & merry-go-rounds

1788. Graeter's ice cream with Atlanta friends
on my sister's birthday :)



8/25/13 Sun
1789. waking up in the middle of the night & being so excited about church
1790. falling asleep & missing alarm for church
1791. family time

8/26/13 Mon
1792. first day of T's JUNIOR year in college - say it isn't so!
1793. another friend celebrating her first grandbaby
1794. hearing a different drum
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." ~ Henry David Thoreau

8/27/13 Tues
1795. being perfectly fine with a great room floor
covered with stuff animals & baby toys
1796. leftovers from the garden again = LOVE
1797. evening - after a very busy day, you need one!

8/28/13 Wed T's 21st Birthday
1798. my post on Facebook this morning:
This would be one of those days when a loving, well-meaning mother
could be tempted to say, "Make wise choices." But, I would never say that 
1799. excess watermelon

1800. proud of our niece

 8/29/13 Thurs
1801. #tbt pictures - always make me smile
1802. crazy corn
apparently this has something
to do with pollination
1803. getting ready to "blow this popsicle stand"
(packing, laundry, cleaning, checking lists, etc.)

8/30/13 Fri - traveling day to Sumter, SC
1804. short night & a later start to a trip w/the family
WORKED OUT JUST FINE :)
1805. sitting in the back seat by this girl for 13 hours

1806. safe travels to SC - thank you Lord!

8/31/13 Sat
1807. pep talks & wins on the softball field

1808. out to dinner then... packed & ready to go

1809. gourmet dessert from the LOML 



I've taken the 1,000 Gifts Dare for 2012 & 2013... click on the links below for specific months...

 1000 Gifts 12/13
1000 Gifts 11/13
1000 Gifts 10/13
1000 Gifts 9/13
1000 Gifts 8/13
1000 Gifts 7/13

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09 September 2013

You Are The Only You!

Mondays are weird for me. I never seem to settle into what feels like normal for a Monday. During some seasons of life, I worked a traditional 8am-5pm job and Monday began that way. Other seasons, I was a stay-at-home mom, a home-maker, and a wife. Those Mondays started with the regular "To Do Lists." Recently, I've been a "DeeDee" (that's my name for grandmother) helping with the care of a sweet little girl. I continue, this season of life, to try and define the meaning of normality.

One thing that does seem normal on a Monday morning is trying to catch up on missed devotionals & missed announcements via social media, etc. This morning, when checking out the two Twitter accounts I manage, I stumbled across a note from To Write Love On Her Arms. And, apparently, this week is National Suicide Prevention Week.  

When I was young & through my high school and college years, I was probably seen as a very confident young woman. I'd grown up in the spotlight in my little town - being one of the daughters of a beloved pastor in that mountain community. I couldn't get away with a thing - LOL. I was in the spotlight. In the shadows, however, I questioned myself constantly...

OUCH... the memories!
... was I enough?
... was I attractive?
... was I smart?
... was I loved?
... would I ever amount to anything? 
... could I ever make a difference in this world?

Thoughts of suicide were something I faced almost daily. I didn't really want to DO it. But, I sure did want to be gone... over... done... away. I remember having those thoughts as early as the age of ten. And, seriously, why would an attractive young girl like her not have a great self-image?

I'm incredibly thankful God helped me through those years. I pray for others who battle such thoughts & struggle with lies & questions from Satan. Trust me, those are NOT from God. Believe this: 

YOU ARE THE ONLY YOU... and YOU ARE IMPORTANT & LOVED! 

From my own experiences, this week of National Suicide Prevention Week, I'm confident there are many people out there struggling on their own... often quite well hidden... with thoughts of shame, inadequacy, escape... suicide.  

If you struggle with this... Take time today to reach out for help or tell yourself to hang on - tomorrow will be better. Don't be embarrassed or scared to seek help!

If you don't struggle with this...  Take time today open your mind to the fact that others DO struggle in this way. And, open your eyes to the little clues that might point you in the direction of someone you can love.

IN HIS WORDS...
These words written to a people going through many trials... 
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 2 Corinthians 1:2-7
Will you help me LOVE others?

 PS... 
My friend, writer Chuck Kellum, shared this too...
If nothing else, at least try one of these: 800-SUICIDE, 800-273-TALK, or find another number to call at http://www.suicidehotlines.com/






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