A Day to Praise....

Which reminds me I need to get going on my list! (yet another list :)
But this one has benefits!

11. the anticipation of a new snowfall
12. the smell of freshly baked ginger cookies (we must love molasses!)
13. kids playing together without fighting
14. music that speaks to the soul
15. friends who share God's word with me
16. the blessing of gifts from above...at unexpected times
17. the supernatural ability to praise God in the midst of circumstances
18. ebay :) for Christmas shopping
19. the excitement and drama of watching a story unfold that we will be telling
our whole lives!
20. friends and family who pray with us and for us--interceding to God's throne room! (unthinkable we have access to Him!)

Which leads into my post...that God knows what we need BEFORE we even ask.

The His plan will go unthwarted (I don't think I've ever used that word in a sentence before!)

Rev. 3 If God opens a door it will stay open and NO ONE can close it. If He closes it then no one can open it.

Knowing that God is good to us ALL THE TIME. He has the best in mind for us.
He's always with us.

A few random words of praise from music and His Word today:

In all I do I will honor you.

God with us.

One thing I don't question is You really love me like you say You do.

I will lay it all at Your feet.

(Aaron Shust song)
I do not know what God has willed or God has planned. I'm not skilled to understand. I only know at His right hand sits one who is my Savior. (isn't that enough??? :)

That He would leave His place on high and become a simple man to die...
My Savior loves
My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me

(another song)
You inspire songs of praise
to glority your name
Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Shelter like no other.
Nothing has the power to save like your name

Give us strength to live for your and glorify your name.

All things wise and wonderful you are. I will sing a song of hope.
Just to know that you are near us is enough.
Just to know you and your love is enough.

I also wanted to share some words my friend John wrote. He's sharing about what He's learned about God through his beautiful wife Jody who is dying of Aids/cancer and has been basically living (and boy does she live!) from their sofa in their home or from a medical table in their home for the last 10 yrs.

They are the greatest testimony I know of anyone who praises God in and for all things. Please read his words....

I’m just wanting to praise Him for all of this.
And I do not want forget to thank Him for sooooooo many things.
I tend to just beg and plead for things that I want Him to “fix” or “do” instead of just thanking Him for who He is and how He loves and how He sustains us.


Jody used to wake up in the morning...
(she was always awake before me, but would quietly and patiently wait for me, her sleepy-headed husband, to finally force my eyes open)
...telling me how grateful she was for things.

She would list them...and she would always find things on her body that did NOT hurt!

She made a point to praise Him for these things; I want to do the same.
I don’t want to ignore or become “used to” or forget ALL the blessings He’s bestowed.

That’s just one of the many things that she has taught me…
that she learned from Him…
because, again, of how He fills her up!

Rainbow Kids

 

Whole Family-in Gingerbread!

 

OH, the COLORS!!!

Yesterday was gingerbread making day. The one day when I don't mind the mess...the sugar, the sprinkles sticking to my feet :)

One thing I have learned...I do not double or triple the recipe and end up decorating them all myself. (sorry mom!)

The red hots were a hit with Carsen. Ellie decorated our WHOLE family...including off the shoulder dresses!

Here are a few pictures from the chaos. Wonder what next Christmas will look like????

Please keep praying about our kids' passports being done quickly...and travel to be soon. I feel like I'm at the "push stage" and the Dr is saying "don't push now"!