{ THANKful Thursday }

I once heard a minister say that he and his wife had never had an argument and I decided that obviously, they didn't speak to one another because how can you live day in and day out with another individual and not ever have a disagreement about something.....

anything?

Is that even possible, not only in a marriage but with a parent/child relationship or even in a friendship?

Marriage is hard, Y'all!

It HAS to be a chord of THREE because, without CHRIST as the center of our marriage, I'm here to tell you, I'm not sure we would have lasted. We've had some really difficult times that I wasn't sure we'd get through - just being totally honest and transparent right now because I don't want anybody to think that life is "picture perfect". Oh, no....there's been some "airbrushing" to help cover up the flaws in hopes nobody else would notice.

But with all the difficulties marriage can bring, I wouldn't trade MY man for anything in the world. The older I get, the more I appreciate him, especially his patience (with me) and how he treats others (my Momma for instance), but most importantly - 

his love for Jesus!

Sometimes he reads my blog, sometimes not, so even if he doesn't read this, I want to publicly declare my love and thankfulness for the man God sent for me to do life with - the Daddy of our daughter and Pappy to our 4 precious grand-kiddos!

I've shared this foto before and if we're Facebook friends, you've seen it as my profile picture, but it's one of my very favorites of us because of the genuine happiness I can see in our faces and the love I feel for him in my heart!

Ain't God good?

Oh, yes HE is!!!

Thankful Thursday.....

Any/all of you are welcome to go back to Tuesday's post and read the comments about "To Blog or Not to Blog".  I got some precious responses.  Since then, I was reminded as to just why I blog.  It's not to brag on what I do (and if I do show something I've made, it's only because of talent HE blessed me with). 

 I blog simply because of HIM. 

I have several new blogging friends and one of them has shown me a couple of times lately that HE speaks to both of us about the same things sometimes. (thanks, Ms. Linda)  

Or, I'll get a comment from somebody telling me that they're so glad I posted something because they needed it, too. And, the same thing happens to me.

I might be struggling with something and one of you will write about a similar thing you're going through and it just speaks to my heart.   When I get to the point where I'm just not sure what to do, HE always sends me encouragement and confirmation from my blogging friends......

especially, those who leave such heartfelt comments.

Does this mean I'll continue to blog EVERY.SINGLE.DAY?

I don't know!

I'm just gonna see what He lays on my heart to do.

In the meantime, I want to share one of my very favorite Bible verses.

This is one that nearly always comes to mind when I think I'll just throw in the towel and give it all up.....

before y'all talk me down off the ledge!

Thank you, precious blogging Friends!

I feel like I know each and every one of you personally.....

and I do thank God for you.....

and pray for you!

Breathing in Grace,

Thrifty Thursday.....

I'm so very thankful for the awesome women I've "met" through blogging.

It's just unreal how we feel such a kindred spirit to others and the reason is because we're sisters in Christ!!!

One of those ladies is Ms. Rebecca.  

Please pay her a visit at Sane, Simple and Sacred.  

I had the opportunity to actually meet her in person a couple of years ago,

but it didn't work out for me.

Oh, how I wish I had tried harder!

Given another chance,

I'm going to try my best to make it happen!

Ms. Rebecca and I also have something else in common.....

our love of thrift stores!

She even has a blog that's dedicated to being "thrifty".....

Thrifty Style at 65!

When I told y'all about my black denim skirt the other day,

Ms. Rebecca asked to see the skirt and my embroidered jackets.

So, this post is just for her!!!

(and I apologize for the poor picture quality.....
I've said it before, but someday I HOPE to have a "big girl" camera)

This jacket is really OLD.

I found it on a sale rack at Sam's Wholesale Club for $5 many years ago!!!

Jess gave me this one for my birthday several years ago.

I'm pretty sure she found it "thrifted", too!!!

I would say "like mother, like daughter".....

but it's actually the other way around!

She's been thrifting since she was probably 16 years old!!!

This one, I think I got at my favorite thrift store.....

or a friend gave it to me.

I can't remember!!!

Either way, it was "thrifted" because my friend would have gotten it that way, too!

And, my $3.00 long black denim skirt!!!

 I ♥ it!

HOPE everybody has a Terrific Thursday!

Let's all remember to count our blessings!

Breathing in Grace,

Seven Thankful Things.....

I thought I would share just a few things that I'm so very thankful for.....

1.  Friends who pray!!!

Thanks to all of you who prayed for my back.

It's still a bit stiff and sore, but I think I'm gonna live....LOL!!!

2. And, speaking of friends.

I have an awesome blogging friend named Ms. Aritha.

She has a blog at Kostbaar 

(meaning is "Precious")

I won a give-a-way that she had and she mailed me all the goodies below.....

all the way from the Netherlands!!!

That empty packet.....

it was flavored coffee and it was AWESOME.....

all frothy and caramel and delicious!

So much so, I think I'm gonna have to purchase some more on line!!

Proficiat - meaning Congrats!!!

3.  The Shrine Circus!!!

Remember the pic I showed of us at the circus with the three older kiddos?

The lions were one of my favorite parts.

Our grands are some of our greatest blessings.

If you're a grandparent,

then you know exactly what I mean.

I just can't even begin to explain the love we have for them!!!

And, another blessing is being able to spend so much time with them.

(I think they kinda like me, too.....;-)

4.  Retirement!!!

If you've followed me very long,

you might recall my story of how I quit my full-time job back in 2006.

God kept prompting me to quit and I kept telling Him we just couldn't afford it.  Wasn't that just silly?  A total lack of faith.  When I quit, my salary was more than Pappy's.  We survived. Then, Pappy lost his job and we lived off unemployment (and our savings....and we had some great friends who helped us out along the way).  God is so awesome.....if we'll just have faith in Him.  All the time that I was "arguing" with Him about quitting, He kept bringing to mind the verse of scripture, Jeremiah 29:11.....hence, the name my blog!!!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” 

says the Lord.

“They are plans for good and not for disaster, 

to give you a future and a hope.”

5.  And, speaking of "retirement".....

This past Tuesday morning, I just became overwhelmed of how blessed I am that I don't work outside the home.  Oh, I stay plenty busy with grands and my Mom and my brother.....and I ask God often to send me somebody I can help in some way.  But, what a blessing that I don't have to get up and go to work every morning.  I thought about how difficult it would be to have to call in to my former boss that I couldn't come to work because of my back.  She just would not have understood.  She was very difficult to work for.

6.  And, speaking of my former boss.....

when I walk around our subdivision.....

(which I can do now because my knee is improving.....

and it actually doesn't hurt my back).....

I can see the office where I used to work.

As I walked one morning,

I realized how blessed I am that I don't have to drive up that long drive every morning like I did for almost 17 years.  The day I left, she said to me, 

"well, it's been nice". 

 And, that was it.  

Isn't that sad?

She was very upset that I quit.

But you know what.....

she was the one who lost out.

I'm not saying that to be prideful....

but, her world revolves around money.

And, there are so many things in this world that no amount of money can buy.

7.  The Meltdown Challenge.....

And, speaking of the improvement in my knee.....

I think part of that is because I was able to shed a few pounds.

I totally give God all the glory for that because without HIM it just wouldn't have happened.  My friend, Ms. Diane, invited me to the challenge and the goal was to lose 6% of my body weight.....

I lost 8.75%!!!

To God be all the Glory!!!

This list could go on and on.....

but, these are just a few things that are on my heart that I'm thankful for!

Ain't God good?

Oh, yes He is!!!

HOPE y'all have a Terrific Thursday!!!

Breathing in Grace,

Thankful Thursday.....

(my Mom - April 8, 2014)

Thanks to all my sweet blogging friends who prayed for my Mom.

She had the heart cath yesterday morning and, although she does have blockages, her heart is no worse than it was when she had the major heart attack in October of 2011, so her cardiologist didn't place any stents.  Her problem all along has been that she's anemic, something that has happened off and on since the heart attack, which itself was caused from dehydration because of a GI bleed.   All of her symptoms can be attributed to an iron and B-12 deficiency.  She was given 3 units of blood total and intravenous iron.  She actually has pink cheeks now!!!  

Ain't God good?

Oh, yes He is!!!

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and shield.
    I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
    I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Thanks again for your precious prayers!!!

Breathing in Jesus,

Deb

Thankful Thursday.....

We all have problems.....

and struggles.....

and things we wish we didn't have to go through.

We have family and friends that we pray for and ask God to intervene.....

if it's His will.....

and take away their pain and suffering.

But, I do believe that it's all of these things that just make us stronger.....

part of the "tests" that God allows to happen in our lives so that we'll realize that without HIM.....

we would NEVER be able to make it!!!

Through this blog, I truly try to let those who stop by know that I'm a Christian!

Does this make me perfect?

Absolutely not!!

It just means that I've accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

I'm so thankful that that He adopted me into His family.

And, even in the midst of trials I know beyond a shadow of a doubt.....

that He loves even me!!!

My God is awesome.

He can move mountains
Keep me in the valley, 

hide me from the rain
My God is awesome,

heals me when I'm broken
Strength where I've been weakened, 

forever He will reign!!!

(Awesome by Charles Jenkins)

Breathing in Jesus,

Deb

 

Stepping out in faith.....

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee,
Who from the heavens the streams of  His mercy doth send thee.
    Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
Who with His love doth befriend thee.
(Stanza 4 from Praise to the Lord, the Almighty)

(thank you, Ms. Dawn)

Good-bye, Old Friend!!!

This past Saturday, we sold Izzy.

It was completely a God-thing the way it happened.

A young couple needed a car.....

God told us to sell them ours....

at a ridiculously low price.

They couldn't afford to pay us the entire amount....

promised to pay us weekly until they could get the balance.

We signed the title over....

and Izzy was driven out of our driveway and I had to fight back tears.

(I tried to remove the little red bird, but she was stuck)

Later on Saturday evening, I received a call from the buyer.

His Aunt....

who is our friend.....

wanted to pay us what we had asked and let her nephew pay her back.

Pappy and I were overwhelmed at how God provided....

all because we stepped out in faith and did what He asked!!!

Ephesians 3:20

Now all glory to God, 

who is able, 

through his mighty power at work within us, 

to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Breathing in Jesus,

Deb

Thankful Thursday!!!

This is one of those posts that I'm writing for future reference.

This past Monday (5-6-13) I had just been in a situation that in the past would have stressed me out to the max.  
When I got in the car to drive home, 
I just started laughing out loud and I know that was the Holy Spirit 
'cause it sure wasn't a normal reaction for Deb!!!  

But, then I started singing.....this song....

(don't forget to turn my PlayList off above before listening/viewing)

Tuesday morning (5-7-13) I tried to call my bestie, Ms. Dawn, 
but couldn't get her on her cell phone.  
So....I did something that I normally don't do.
I called her at work.

She had something she wanted to share with me, 
but had been uncertain as to whether she should tell me, or not.
She felt that since I called her out of the blue, 
that was God's prompting her to tell me.

I shared my story with her about singing the song,
and even sang a bit to her at the risk of hurting her ears!!!
She told me that the day before....
Monday....
she had gotten a song on her mind that she didn't want to sing 
and had asked God to give her a different song.

Guess what song He gave her to sing!!!

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

There’s just something about that Name.

Master, Savior, Jesus

Like the fragrance after the rain.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Let all heaven and earth proclaim.

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away.

But, there’s something about that Name!

Ain't God good?

Oh, yes He is!!!

Psalm 40:3

He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord!

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Thankful Thursday!!!

 

For those of you who are grandparents....you're gonna understand why I just had to do this post today.  We went to our oldest GRANDson's Pre-K graduation on Tuesday night.  Needless to say, Pappy and I were so very proud of our precious boy....Samuel David.  His Momma (our daughter) and his Daddy named him Samuel because of I Samuel 1:27 ....

For this child I prayed; 

and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him.

And....we were so surprised that he actually did a duet with one of his little classmates....'cause this boy is super shy!!!

Pappy and Nannie are so proud of you, Sam!!!

You are such a blessing....and oh, how you're loved!!!


In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Thankful for the Trail!

I bet you thought I meant "trial", huh?!?

Nope....I've been meaning to write something about my morning walks for several weeks, but keep forgetting to take my camera with me....until yesterday!!!  

I really do feel so blessed that I live where I can get out and walk....and also so grateful that God has blessed me with the health go be able to do it.... 

other than my plantar fasciitis...OUCH!!
:(

So....let's get started....

 You can hardly tell where the socks stop and the white legs start.... ;)
And....don't look at my ugly shoes, please....I've ordered a new pair since I've worn the heels down on both pair that I walk in....
....my Momma used to fuss at me for that!!!

The first road I head down....

Stop signs serve as a reminder to slow down (at least  my mind)....and notice things around me!!

Sweet reminders of family.....

Lots of flowers....

Marigold

Crepe Myrtle

Spider Lace

 Morning Glory

And....wildlife....

 Kitty cat wanted a little lovin' (and she got it)

Leaves already starting to turn....

....and fall....

And....a bush full of spider webs....which I thought was just beautiful!

Hope y'all have enjoyed a little glimpse of my "neck of the woods"!


Thursday Blessings to each of you!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Thankful Thursday

image credit

Today, I want to share with y'all that I'm so very thankful for the Lord's mercy....and grace....and understanding....and LOVE!!!

I read a post on a blog just this week about depression.  One day last week I saw this as a status on Facebook.....

 "DEPRESSION is not a sign of weakness. 

It is a sign that you have been trying to be strong for too long."

I've alluded to the fact here on my blog that I suffer from depression.  It's always been so terribly difficult for me to admit that.  I talked with my doctor about it....and I'm so blessed to have a Christian doctor....who has even prayed with me.  She told me that it's sometimes very hard for a Christian to handle being depressed because they think....that because they are a Christian....that they shouldn't even get depressed.  

That's exactly how I feel.  

Like what kind of Christian am I if I get depressed!

I've learned that a lot of the time, depression can be a chemical, or hormonal imbalance.

For most of my life, I've just not felt worthy.  

I know that's probably a silly way to feel, for lack of a better word to explain it.  I know that God loves me, and a lot of things that bother me and depress me....really shouldn't.  But...when somebody is going thru a time of depression....and you have somebody telling you to "snap out of it"....or "this, too will pass"....or "just don't worry about it".....well, those kinds of statements often make the situation worse.  If you've never suffered from depression....then, it's terribly difficult to even explain how you feel when you're in the middle of it.  Looking back on it....it just seems like you're in a dark place....maybe with a dark cloud hanging over your head!!!

Anyway....my depression has gone (without the use of medication, thank the Lord).

Oh, yeah, there are still times that I get a bit down...and anxious...but the dark cloud has lifted and I see light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm hoping and praying that it doesn't return.  I truly believe that the reason my depression is gone....is because my husband laid hands on me and prayed over me.  Please know that I'm in no way telling you that this is gonna work for everybody who is depressed....but in my own case....I know in my heart....this worked for me.

Now....to the even longer part....as you know Pappy and I are reading the Bible thru together this year.  We are still in the Book of Psalms....and as I read Psalm 139 in the New Living Translation.....I felt God speaking to me about my depression....and my low self esteem....so....just in case any of you reading this has stuck with me this far.....and especially if any of you suffer from depression, too....then, I hope that these words from Psalm 139 speak to you just like they do me. 

Psalm 139:1-19 (NLT)

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.  You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.  You know everything I do.  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.  You  go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing my head (I love that part because it reminds me of when Pappy prayed over me).  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!  I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence!  If I go up to heaven, you are there;  if I go down to the grave, you are there.  If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.  I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to  become night - but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.  To you the night shines as bright as day.  Darkness and light are the same to you.  You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it.  You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out  before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.   They cannot be numbered!  I can't even count them;  they outnumber the grains of sand!  And When I wake up, you are still with me!   

23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart;  test me and know my anxious thoughts (anxious thoughts describe me so well).  Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Thursday Blessings to each of 'ya!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!