365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 122

My daughter got a Janome sewing machine for her birthday along with a pattern to make several stuffed animals. We went to the fabric store and she picked out the fabrics and got a couple more patterns since they were on sale. We spent the afternoon of her birthday working together to de-code the instructions, cut out the pattern and start the sewing. We got to the ear part and started having issues with the instructions and with the machine. I think I finally figured out how the ears were to go on with a little help from my objective husband but the machine kept getting stuck. I searched the troubleshooting section and tried re-threading, etc. but nothing was working. I finally had to cave into the frustration and told my daughter I would have to research the machine on-line and see what I could find out. I didn’t find out anything. Ugh. So, yesterday after work I took the machine back to the store I bought it at and asked the first lady who was going to help me but she didn’t know anything about the machine. She asked another lady who was cutting fabric for a man in a wheel chair and his wife but she didn’t know anything. The man in the wheel chair says “I have that same machine and it gave me 2 weeks of frustration when I first got it but I have had it for over a year and I love it.” I hurried over to him and he proceeded to show me some tips about the machine and told me the problem lies in the bobbin placement. He showed me how to do it and patiently let me do it myself afterwards just to make sure I got it right. The kindness of this stranger has stayed with me. It turns out another lady in the store over-heard us and said she had the same machine and put it aside because she couldn’t figure it out and hearing all the man said she would pull it back out and give it another try. This man’s kindness spread beyond just to me. Even the manager of the store was super thankful to this man because they were busy at this time and she didn’t have the time to help me. This man’s act of kindness to a total stranger was such a wonderful example of how we are to help and serve others. I will never forget this experience and will pray that God bless this man and his wife.

2Peter 1: 5-8 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, persevereance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 124

To celebrate Faith's birthday, we planned a day of surprises. Traditionally, we have gone out for breakfast to IHop but she was introduced to Mimi's Cafe this year and we decided we needed to go and try breakfast there. That was a good decision. They have the best breakfast and she got a chocoloate muffin for her birthday which never happens at IHop. Next, we took a long drive up Northeast of Denver to the Wild Animal Sanctuary. She got really excited once we pulled up and she realized where we were. As we were getting out of the car, she asked whose idea was this and I said it was mine and she rushed over to me once out of the car and gave me the best hug ever saying 'thank you, thank you, thank you'. This animal sanctuary is unique in that they have built a walkway above the animal enclosures so you can see down on out over the huge areas without any fencing in the way. I think the black leapords, the African serviles and my personal favorite the white tiger were the favorites. The best part was her picking out a huge stuffed cheetah in the gift shop spending her own birthday money. Our next surprise took us over to the Parkmeadows Mall and the American Girl store. Ugh. It's almost painful to see the prices of these dolls and accesories but that store was packed with people. Faith ended up spending the rest of her birthday money along with some extra from us as our birthday gift to her. She walked away with a few more stuffed animals and some things to go with them. She was a very happy girl with her big cheetah and American Girl stuff. And to top it all off, she finally got the coveted Webkin and of all things it was a white tiger. Purrrrrfect! Our day full of suprises ended up being a wonderful day for her. There are always suprises in our lives, some good ones like what Faith had and some not so good nor expected ones like 'sorry you no longer have a job today' but in the end no matter what our reactions to the suprises may be, he will make it a good thing. The next time a suprise hits you, stop and just praise God that he will take it and make it a good thing and let that thought make it a good thing for you.
Job 12:9-10 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 123

Birthdays have always been very special to me so I like to do it right. But this year my daughter had her heart set on doing it a Build-a-Bear Workshop so I went with it. That was the easiest birthday party ever! The leader takes the girls through the motions of creating their stuffed animals, etc, takes a photo, has the girls sign an autograph bear for the birthday girl and we were off to dairy queen for our treats. Sometimes it's okay to break with traditions and just go with it. At bedtime we read from Alice and Wonderland and Faith commented about the unbirthdays part from the tea party in the story. It was her last day of being 8 so we celebrated her unbirthday. That's the attitude I think we need to have everyday. Celebrating who God created in us and celebrating that we have another day to share the Lord with those around us. Let's all celebrate each day!
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 122

Nine years ago today my daughter was born 3 months early at 25 weeks. There was fear and worry but there was also God's presence with us. He helped keep those fears and worries at bay and helped us just love our daughter and have faith that she would be alright. God brought us through that time of tribulation of 3 months of hospital visits and the trauma of watching her struggle to breath after the second attempt to get her off the ventilator failed and after at a month old having to have surgery for an opening in her heart that normally closes at birth. Despite it all, the one thing I am always reminded of is the time I came to visit and she had a mark on her back. The nurse said sometimes these birth marks appear and later will go away. I looked more closely at it and it looked like a small fingerprint. I knew right than that God had put his hands directly on Faith and comforted her through her struggle to live. The fingerprints of God are all over our lives. Open your eyes and hearts to see what God has been doing in your life. Happy Birthday Faith! Thank you God for the gift of this amazing child!
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 31

One month of praises accomplished! The rest of my life to go...
Today's praise is for the greatest gift given in Jesus because of God's unending love for us. Thank you Lord for your priceless love for us that you would give up your son to save us so that we would have a choice to be with you forever. Thank you for leading us on the path and helping us find our way back to you. We pray today for all those in the world that have not made that choice or who may not even have heard of Jesus. We pray your love will lead them back to you and ask that all of us who do believe will be confident and steadfast in our believe so that you can work through us to bring more sheep to your flock. How amazing that our one true God sent his only son to Earth as a man to live among us! Emmanuel-God is with us! May we have feel and celebrate Jesus everyday of the year. I love you Lord!Merry Christmas to all and Happy Birthday Jesus!
Isiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.