Thankful Thursday...on Friday

I have come to treasure my daily devotionals from Crosswalk. I learn so much, and it is usually just what I needed to hear on that day. And, with the holidays just around the corner, it was again just what I needed to hear. Enjoy, and may it touch you as it inspired me.


Give Thanks
Mary Southerland


Today's Truth
"No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (NLT)


Friend To Friend

The fourth-grader rose from his desk and walked slowly to the front of the classroom to deliver a report concerning the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday. With Thanksgiving just days away, the classroom was buzzing with excitement. The teacher shared the eagerness of her students and felt that she had done an adequate job of encouraging each child to focus on the true meaning of the holiday. Those hopes were soundly dashed against the words of the young speaker.
"The pilgrims came here seeking freedom of ... you know what. When they landed, they gave thanks to ... you know who. Because of these brave people, we can celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and our freedom to worship every Sunday ... you know where."

We laugh at the thought of leaving God's name out of this childish writing but, in fact, many of us are just as guilty of leaving Him out of our daily walk - especially when it comes to giving thanks. While Thanksgiving does remind us to stop and give thanks, Thanksgiving is not just a national holiday to be celebrated for a few hours each November. Learning to live in the gear of perpetual thanksgiving is a life changing discipline. Giving thanks should be a natural characteristic and innate practice of every believer. It is thanking God for all that He has done as well as for all He is presently doing and going to do in the future. Thanksgiving heightens our awareness of His presence and thrives on an active, living faith - a faith that is not ashamed to boldly act or afraid to speak out even in the face of doubt.

The book of James tells us, "When you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the sin" (NLT).

Learning to be thankful - even when we cannot see, hear or understand what God is doing or how He is working - is authentic thanksgiving and the direct result of a living, active and personal faith in God. We often say that we need more faith in order to be more thankful. I don't think so! We operate in faith every single day. We flip a switch believing in faith that light will appear. We turn a key believing in faith that a car will start. We even go to a doctor we hardly know who scribbles an impossible - to - read prescription which we promptly take to a pharmacist we have never seen. This unknown druggist proceeds to fill the prescription, giving us a medicine with a name we cannot even pronounce. And we take it - all in blind faith! Amazing!

I believe that instead of pleading for more faith, we need to exercise the faith we already possess. As we continually step out in faith, not only will that faith grow stronger, but we will begin to trust God more, naturally developing an attitude of thanks. Faith does not believe that God can or will act. Faith believes that God is answering as we pray. And that truth, my friend, will send us to our knees in praise and thanksgiving.

Don't leave God out of your Thanksgiving celebration. Instead, realize that He is the very reason you can experience abundant and eternal life. Do not let the day pass without finding a few moments to be alone, thanking Him for His magnificent bounty in our hearts and in our lives.


Let's Pray

Father, my faith seems so small and weak. I confess that I have allowed fear to invade my heart and mind. Right now, I choose against that fear and step out in faith, thanking You for what You have done in my life, for what You are going to do today and in every tomorrow of my life. Make me aware of Your presence today and give me the courage to share with others what You have done for me.
In Jesus' name, Amen.


Now it's Your Turn

Examine your life for evidences of faith at work.
Would you consider your heart attitude to be one of praise and thanks? Why? Why not?
What changes do you need to make in order to cultivate a thankful heart?
What is the importance of thanksgiving as it relates to faith?

To Our Veterans

Thank you for all you have and will give to our country. Thank you for sacrificing your time, your talents, your desires, and your life. You have sacrificed these things for a greater call that many argue about, fewer still believe in, and even fewer are willing to fight for. Please know that your sacrifice has not been in vain. We are still blessed to call this country the Home of the Free and the Land of the Brave because of you.







To my Soldiers (past, present, and future) - Daddy, Mike, Steven, Brad, Bob, Ryan, John, Tyler, Kevin, Clint, Serenity, Jonathan, and so many others - you are my heros. Thank you.

If you are blessed enough to have a veteran or active member of the Armed Services in your life, please take the time to honor and thank them today. Regardless of your political beliefs, it is their sacrifice that allows you to have that belief.

Adventures in Madisonland

You know you've officially become a blog addict when something embarrassing happens and your first thought is, "I have to blog about this!" And, oh man, did it ever! And, if you've read my other Adventures in Madisonland (if not, click here or here first. I'll wait), you know what I'm talking about. Because there are things that Madison does that, truly, belong in a theme park.





And so, without further ado...





Last night, we were invited to a grand opening. Jerome's boss's husband is the CEO and founder of a HUGE, 57-country corporation, and one of the main offices is right here in little old Durango. They just completed a multi-million dollar remodel of their office building, and had an open house to show off. I say show off because this place was INCREDIBLE!!!! The architecture, design, layout, techie gadgets, everying was through-the-roof expensive, artistic, and simply amazing.





I was, understandibly, nervous about taking Hurricane Bleger to this fancy-schmancy opening. But, D & T (the boss & hubby) insisted that we come and bring the girls. "They will love it!"





So we went. The opening was catered by one of our friends, who always does amazing food. Thankfully, we were able to find plenty of things the girls would eat. So, we walked around, open-mouthed at the building, shoving food at the girls to keep them entertained and quiet.





Truthfully, they were very well behaved. Granted, I had put the fear of God and Mommy in them before we got out of the car, but still... They were the only children there, other than the son of one of the employees. Everyone kept commenting on how well they behaved. Score one for Mommy!





We were just about ready to leave, standing in a hallway visiting with some friends who work for the company. I was talking to our friend, focused on her, until I saw...





... Madison licking a glass door!!! Yes, there was a glass door separating the areas, and Madison was full on attacking the glass. You'd have thought the door was covered in chocolate, the way she was going after it. When I exclaimed, "Madison, what are you doing?", she simply turned to me, smiled, and went back to her licking. It was then that I decided that it was really time to leave.


Only my Madi...

When Chaos Takes a Road Trip

Dad takes pictures of mountains.





There will be at least one Veggitales marathon sing-a-long.

Madison will make at least a few weird faces. I think it's related to her chubs falling asleep.

Katrina will take off her shoes. And proudly display her feet in the window for all to see.

"Oh man, Dad! Why are you taking my picture? My hair looks so weird!"

And maybe, just maybe, if you're really quiet, they'll fall asleep. But if you stop, change speeds, or breathe wrong, they'll probably wake up. And then you're really in for it.

Only My Children...

... name their breakfast after their friends. The other day, Madison's toast was named Kale. Yes, she ate him, er, it.







... proudly proclaim "my boobies are tiny!" Again...Madison







... fight each other for the prime spot in front of the TV so that they can wave their rally towels and shout "Go Rockies" as loud as they can. Even if it's a football game.







... have a meltdown if there are no waffles for breakfast.







... insist that, this year, they will be the ones to take the guts out of the deer.

Old MacDonalds had a birthday party

... and surprisingly, the building is still standing. We are starting the tradition of letting the girls pick their birthday dinner. Most of the time it's pizza. Violet said, "I'nna go Old MacDonalds wif grammas n papas." So, to Happy Meal land we went!


Here's the entire motley crew getting ready to eat. I say motley because getting both sets of grandparents together is always interesting. Fun, but interesting. We talked about everything from the state of the Icelandic currency to an old guy we all know who has Alzheimer's to the closing of a local newspaper. See?? Never boring!

Violet was very excited to open her presents. Very excited. Excited to the point of frustrated screams every time someone touched any part of any of her presents. Interesting, I'm sure, for the other McDonald's patrons. Not that I cared.

But, in her defense, she did let her big sister "read" her new book to her. Please understand, Madison is not a prodigy. Her version of "reading" involves naming the characters on the page and making up a story. But Violet loved it.

"Is this really for me? All of it?"

Yes, baby. Mommy loves you so much that she bought you the mammoth cupcake complete
with pink frosting, entirely for you. So much better that the au-naturel carrot cake nastiness I tried feeding your biggest sister. Mom has learned a few things.

And, once we wore off the sugar buzz with a bazillion trips down the slide (how she didn't puke the frosting I will never know), we went home and HAD to put on the new princess pjs.

Happy Birthday Miss Violet!!!

To my baby

Was it really two years ago that my baby was born? Because it seems like yesterday. As I was in the shower this morning (at 6:45), I was vividly remembering that morning, at 6:45. Changing into the lovely hospital gown, anxiously awaiting our first glimpse at our blessed surprise. She was born at precisely 7:58 AM (gotta love c-sections with former Navy docs), and our lives changed forever.








She captured our hearts immediately. How could she not? I remember taking this picture on my phone as she slept that afternoon, then being so happy on the pain meds that I tried to text it to friends and family. I sent an empty text three times before I just gave up and enjoyed my little girl. She was a dream baby, falling asleep so easily, smiling at anything, so mild-mannered and pleasant.


Her first birthday, we had all kinds of friends over to celebrate. Looking back, those eyes still make me cry. So expressive, so sweet.

Today, my dear sweet girl, you are two. And, as much as I try, I cannot keep you from growing up. I cannot keep you this age forever. Your little personality is so funny, so sweet, so strong. You are so many things in one tiny package. Your kisses and hugs melt my heart. You are loved by so many - you have yet to realize all the lives you have already touched.

I look forward to seeing what God has in store for you. How He is going to reveal Himself to you. What gifts and talents He is going to give you. I am so honored that He chose me to be your mother. While you were my surprise blessing, God knew exactly when to bring you into this world. You have a purpose and a plan that is completely unique. No one else, past, present, or future, can accomplish what God has set forth for you. And I promise to guide you down that path. To teach you about His love, His goodness, His holiness.

But, ultimately, you must walk that path alone. As much as I would love to, I cannot walk that path for you. It is a path designed only for you and your Heavenly Daddy. My prayer is that you stay on that path. It may not always be clear, it may not always make sense, but it will always, always be the best path.

Only two short years ago tonight we snuggled in the hospital nursery. Your pediatrician stayed up the entire night to make sure you were ok. He fell in love with you at first sight. He still adores you, calls to check on you, makes sure you see only him. I think that is part of your gift - you have a personality that makes people instantly love you.

Tonight you are two. You are not grown up yet, although you may try as hard as you can! And, a little later, I will tiptoe into your room to watch you sleep. Like I do every night. I will kiss your head, laugh at your tiny behind in the air, touch your hair, and fall in love all over again. You are my precious baby. And you always will be. I love you little lady.