Thank You, God!

Well, the snow I was excited about Friday caused our weekend to be a little different than we expected.  The Area Championship basketball game for our HS boys was rescheduled until tonight.  The Saturday basketball game for our youngest, whose team is in a city league, was canceled.  Worship and classes were canceled for our church family all day yesterday, except that we had a short service and lunch with our Tipton Children's Home church family.  Plans changed, making this week crammed even fuller!

But, even with the few conflicts of basketball games mixed with livestock shows today and tomorrow, I'm still thankful that the snow and ice caused us to slow down a stay home more.  It enabled me to catch up with some things I needed to get done.  It allowed me to get better prepared for this week's events.  It gave me more time with the family since they were in the house even more. So, thank you, God! I needed that!

This morning, two of our boys and my husband are going to get pigs ready for the show that starts at noon.  Goats will also weigh in this morning.  As the youngest was getting ready, he said, "You know? The thing about stock shows is that everyone helps everyone."  Yes, they do! In fact, my husband said that if everyone hadn't pitched in to help him yesterday afternoon and evening, he couldn't have gotten done with all of the pigs that the TCH kids have to show.  What a great thing that everyone helps everyone!  Isn't that the way all of life should be?  Thank you, God, for little things like stock shows, where real-life examples are lived out for us to see and learn from.  Help us to always be willing to help others when they need it - and even when they don't - help us to still reach out to do what we can do to ease their load.

Thank you, God, for this "work" week full of activities and opportunities.  May we use each day to glorify you and to shine our lights brightly for Jesus.  Help us to look for opportunities to share Your Son with others as we go throughout the days.

Be still, and know that I am God.

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:10

The Chronicles of Biscuit - A Special Thank You

The Chronicles of Biscuit: Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

While I was in Oklahoma City last week, I called Biscuit to see how his day went.  He said that his class made something special for me that I would get when I got home.  I asked why and he said, "For everything you do."

Because I'm the PTO President - and have been for 13 years, the students think of me as the "party lady".  I enjoy the title and enjoy "treating" the students throughout the year, but I didn't and don't expect anything in return.  I get joy in doing that "job"so that's all I need - to make them feel special!

(Sweet and simple :).

But Biscuit said it was his idea that his class do something for me because of the pizza party they were having for winning a Box Top contest.  (Note:  I actually had helpers that day because I was out of town, but did have it organized before I left).  I was a little embarrassed that he - being my own son - suggested they make me something, but thought he was really sweet for saying that and getting something organized (showing leadership skills is something I enjoy seeing in my children - especially when it is doing something for someone else!)

(How creative!)

Yesterday Biscuit's teacher gave me the special thank you gift.  It was filled with sweet messages from each of the students.  I love it!!  What a sweet group of 4th graders!!

(Nice Pac Man reference!! Favorite childhood video game!)

Thank you, Mrs. Wolfe, Biscuit, and the rest of the 4th grade class for my special "Thank You"!!  You are each a blessing in my life!

(Thank you, Biscuit, for your sweet message and for organizing this whole thing! I found out this morning - after this post was written - that Biscuit "hired" someone to make his note!!!  I asked if he paid them.  Thankfully he didn't!  Later he said he only hired them to make the heart.  Ha ha!!)

Thank You

Today I would like to take the time to say "Thank You" to those of you who read "Shine Like Stars" and especially to all of you who have taken the time to comment about the posts for the past five months, whether on the blog itself, through Facebook messages, by email, and also face to face. I appreciate your comments so much and also appreciate you taking the time to read "Shine Like Stars".

I began writing this blog to serve God in a unique way, but also to give me something specific that would keep me more in His Word. My original goal was to post just a few times a week, but it quickly became something I wanted to do daily...not just for me, but for those who were reading it, as well. The writing was something I enjoyed, but even more than that, I enjoyed looking for spiritual application in everyday life in order to write the daily devotional thought. Sometimes that is easy to do...sometimes it's hard. But, either way, it helps me meditate more on His Word each day.

So, thank you, again for your encouragement and for reading "Shine Like Stars". It is my prayer that you will continue to be encouraged by the daily posts and that you and I will continue to grow in our Christian walk each day.

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

May God bless you today and every day!