A Full Heart

What a lovely Thanksgiving holiday we had. As much as I love Christmas, I love that we have this extra week of November to savor the holiday where we reflect and give thanks. I have been doing just that too.

I have learned that a thankful attitude is very important in life. When you have a thankful attitude, you can look up with a grateful heart and get glimpses of glory and what is waiting for us in heaven one day. Thankfulness is a language of love that allows you to communicate intimately with our Lord. A thankful mind-set does not deny reality or any of the problems that come along with that. Instead, it rejoices in the Lord, my Savior, in the mists of trials and tribulations. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. -Colossians 3:15 I give my God thanks regardless of my feelings, and he gives me joy regardless of my circumstances. 

Thankfulness opens my heart to His presence and my mind to His thoughts. When I thank the Lord frequently as I journey through my day, it makes it more possible to pray without ceasing. The apostle Paul taught that if I am serious about learning to pray continually, the best approach is to thank the Lord in every situation. These prayers of thanks provide a solid foundation on which I can build all my other prayers. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 A grateful attitude also makes it easier for me to communicate with God. If I practice thankfulness consistently, negative thought patterns will gradually grow weaker and weaker.

Each day is a blessing from the Lord and we need to rejoice in each day that He gives us. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24 I want to strive to pray without ceasing and give thanks to the Lord every day. I want to be able to walk through my darkest days with joy in my heart because I know that the light of the Lord's presence is still shining on me. I want thankfulness to rule in my heart.

What a perfect thing to take away from a lovely holiday weekend. A true feeling of thankfulness and heart that feels full!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. -Psalm 100:4-5

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and it's not just because of all the yummy food. I love seeing and spending time with family. There's something magical about Thanksgiving that makes spending time with family extra special. I love sitting around the table after eating a ginormous, delicious meal and catching up on life. I love taking walks as a group as we talk and toss around the football to each other. I love pulling out a deck of cards and playing endless card games. I love all those things and they're some of the many things I'm thankful for this year.

I am thankful for:

a loving husband.
a Savior that died for my sins so that I may have life.
good health.
two jobs that I love.
a place to live in a lovely and convenient location.
working cars that get us from point A to point B.
family and friends.
our playful kitty Darla.
my education.
my ability to laugh and enjoy life.
being an American.
the different seasons.
music.
my ability to create and craft.
memories.
today.

I hope you all enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving and what you are thankful for! May the Lord bless you with full hearts and full bellies!

P.S. Here's a little "Happy Thanksgiving" from Leo (the young boy I nanny.)

The Holidays

The past few days I have been oozing with excitement and anticipation. I feel like a little kid again, giddy at the sight of decorations and planning. My favorite time of year is here and I cannot wait! This is what I am excited for:

Thanksgiving and the delicious meal(s).

Seeing and spending time with family we don't see as often.

Relaxing up north all of Thanksgiving weekend.

Watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Thanksgiving morning.

Decorating for Christmas.

Listening to my much anticipated Christmas music.

Snow. The beautiful, softly falling kind that makes you feel like you're in a movie.

Watching endless Christmas movies.

Ice skating dates with Drew at Centennial Lakes, one of the most romantic places this time of year.

Decorating a gingerbread house with Drew.

Making yummy Christmas cookies and swapping them with others.

Traditions, old and new.

Buying and wrapping gifts.

Holiday parties with friends and family.

Christmas lights galore as you walk or drive down the street.

The freezing cold Holidazzle Parade.

Warm holiday drinks.

Cold nights cuddling under the blankets.

Crafts, creating, and more crafts.

Christmas lists.

Holiday cheer and holiday spirit.

Decorated malls playing Christmas music and bursting with hustling Christmas shoppers.

Our African nativity scene (one of my favorite Christmas gifts).

Lovely smelling candles lit in the evenings.

The celebration of Jesus' birth.

Bethlehem's midnight Christmas Eve service.

Waking up Christmas morning and exchanging gifts with Drew.

Mine and Drew's two-year wedding anniversary.

I'm sure I haven't even listed everything. I'm so overwhelmed with all my excitement. Through all the hustle and bustle though, it is very important to remember the real reason for the season- The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving and holiday season, and your time with family and friends.