Thursday Thanks Tank #160

I believe it's never too late to take time to be thankful. Yesterday kind of got away from me as I spent time with family and took my three-hour power nap in order to gear up for a little midnight "Black Friday" shopping spree!

While I am incredibly grateful for this season of thankfulness, I am going to share an abbreviated version of ways God has blessed me throughout this year . . . much the same as we did during our Thanksgiving meal yesterday:

• Confidence and growth for Sweetcheeks as she returned to school as a sixth grader and has excelled far beyond anything she could have imagined.
  
• The ease of communication with family via email, Facebook, and cell phones.
• A complete turn around for JD Green as he has grown into an "A" student who thoroughly enjoys school and has added pleasure reading to his list of hobbies that are usually much more active.
• A transformation of Libbyline into a well-seasoned 8th grader who knows who she is, what she believes in, and is far more comfortable in her 14-year-old skin than I ever hoped to be at that age.
• Special events that we "happened upon" -- a day splashing at the new fountains in our down town, a free concert in which we got to see bag pipes and an incredible "celtic" drummer, a weekend away with a good friend to a conference that touched my heart, a couple of treasure hunts as we "geocached" as a family, discovering our new family favorite for pizza, and an evening of wonderful worship as we listened to the voices of precious children from Africa .
• Significant weight loss on the part of my DP. As of Wednesday, his total weight loss for this year is 50 lbs. +!!
• Also articulated yesterday were the health of our family members, our salvation, the unexpected monetary gifts that came at just the right time, and the enduring goodness of our Heavenly Father.

All in all, God has shown Himself faithful and abundant in His presence and presents to us. We are enormously blessed and grateful for each and every bit of it.

May your day be full of joy, laughter, and leftovers aplenty! May you rest and relax or hit the stores for bargains galore if that's your desire. I'm just now getting into my day as my shopping for Black Friday began at Midnight!

Grateful for all of you as well.

On His Adventure~

Pam

Thursday Thanks Tank #159

I have been trying to actively focus on reasons to be grateful this week. Here are some of the ways God is filling my tank with thanks:

• This song:
• Great reports: Jody, my friend ML's husband, is healing nicely and starting to get stir crazy at home as he recovers from major surgery. That's always a good sign! Praise the Lord for answering the prayers of so many faithful prayer warriors. Thank you!! Praises, too, for God's continued provision for this family.
• My Job: I am so incredibly thankful for work that so completely suits me. I love what I do as the Children's ministry assistant, and I am amazed that the Lord provided me with something that fits our family's schedule to a "T".
• Soup: This is just one more reason I love this season. In addition to it being autumn, it is "soup" season in our house. I love the smell and the coziness associated with a pot of hot, steaming yumminess. What's your favorite kind of soup? Leave me your recipe if you don't mind!
• Stillness: This one is hard for me to seek out, but I am so grateful for it when I make time in my day for it. Headed off for some with my Jesus right now.
• *** Had to add this one . . . Washer and Dryer . . . in my house: How grateful I am for these conveniences. I may complain and not so inwardly groan about the never-ending task of doing laundry, but I am very, very grateful for being able to accomplish such a task in the comforts of my own home with little to no physical taxing on my part.
  

Have a fantastic weekend. May the Lord reveal to you His creative ways of filling your tank and may you testify to others about His goodness!

From a thanks-filled heart . . .

On His Adventure~
Pam

Fun Fall Reads Blog Tour

I have thoroughly enjoyed what I have read of these titles. I encourage you to take some time throughout the rest of your fall to pick up one or all of them for those cozy nights by the fireplace when all your daily busyness has slowed down to a crawl and the longer evenings abound. I plan to do more of that myself, especially as the tasks of the holidays loom largely on the horizon.

You will not be disappointed with any of the following novels. Read on for more about each:
Leaving Carolina, by Tamara Leigh

Summary:

Piper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick, North Carolina, twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Grant Spangler.

Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s.

Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free.

To purchase a copy of Leaving Carolina, go here.

What Matters Most, by Melody Carlson

Summary:

Maya’s Green Tip for the Day: Recycled fashion is one of the most fun ways to go green. A pair of jeans could be transformed into a denim skirt. A sweater into a vest. A bunch of old ties into a dress. A blanket into a poncho. Accessorize it in new way–with beads, buttons, appliqués, buckles, stencils, or ribbons…your imagination is only the limit.

Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.

To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.

To purchase a copy of What Matters Most, go here.

Limelight, by Melody Carlson

Summary:

Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone.
Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it’s too late to change.

To purchase a copy of Limelight, go here.

Thanks so much to these great folks here for providing the free books for this awesome tour!!

Do you have any blogger friends who might like to participate in other blog tours? Please direct them to the official WaterBrook Multnomah Blogging for Books site page.

Have a great weekend, and happy reading!

On His Adventure~

Pam

Thursday Thanks Tank #158

It's been rough making it to Thursday this week, but I am so glad it is here! I love days set aside to give thanks, and I can't help but think this month is the one time we can make an effort to be intentionally thankful every. single. day. Though we are five days into it, here is my first public list of the ways God is filling my tank:

• Birthdays -- We celebrated Livieline's 14th, yes, 14th birthday on Sunday, and I am so incredibly thankful for the lovely young woman she is becoming . . . both inside and out.
• Chilly mornings -- Such a good reason to have a cup of hot coffee!
• Days off -- I am thoroughly enjoying this one and plan to soak up the free time like I drink in sunshine.
• Christmas Music -- I have now created an "All I Want for Christmas is You" station on pandora.com. I never think it's too early to listen to Christmas music and often turn to it in the middle of the summer if I need a cheery "pick-me-up", but having a library that surpasses my own 400+ iTunes collection is almost intoxicating. : ) Bring on the candy canes and hot chocolate!
• Benadryl -- Love this stuff, especially after I've been subjected to all-over itching TWICE in the past week. I'm not sure what's causing it yet, but I am sure glad to have this quick solution when it does occur. Pray that we get to the bottom of these uncomfortable and mysterious reactions soon.
• Fall foods -- I stocked up on pumpkin pie mix, sweet potatoes, cranberries, and also bought my Thanksgiving turkey yesterday. I love all the rich, yummy comfort foods that accompany this cozy season. What are some of your favorites? Share the recipes if you don't mind. : )
• Crayons -- I may have already shared this one, but I love a new box of 64 crayons, and I've been putting them to use lately as I discovered some fun lettering books I'd forgotten until I cleaned in the garage a couple of weekends ago. Crafting is always a relaxing pursuit for me, and I don't think you're ever too old for a new box of crayons.
• Early morning snuggles -- Due to the fact that my nine-year-old set his alarm for a time he had no intention of getting up to this morning, I had a chance to snuggle with my 11-year-old who did respond to her brother's alarm. : ) Sweetcheeks is my light sleeper, so it was no surprise that her brother's alarm shook her out of her slumber. Thankfully we made the most of it!
• Falling Leaves -- I love seeing the colors during the fall, but it always tickles me when the leaves are in the midst of falling while I am driving. I never cease to get startled when an errant leaf strikes my windshield and I momentarily think it's coming through to fall on me. : ) I chuckle out loud at my own silliness. What a silly old bear I am!
• Quiet -- It is so hard for me to stop talking and just listen. Being here alone forces me to be still and listen to the voice of my Father while nothing else is competing for my attention. I think I'll take this time and go spend some quiet time with Him now.

Have a blessed day and find a moment or two to think about how God is filling up your tank this week. I'd love it if you'd share one or two of those with me if you have the chance.

On His (Thanks-filled) Adventure~

Pam