365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 249

Most of my extended family on my father's side are going on a cruise in 2014 and I am so happy to say we are a part of that. I started looking into the different shore excursions for each place we visit and was just getting so excited about the possibilities. I really want to do a swim with the dolphins kind of thing. There is just something about dolphins that is undeniably appealing. They were created by God to always look like they are smiling. And just like a person smiling at you makes you want to smile back, looking at a dolphin makes me want to smile too. I have often had people ask me if I am okay because of the look on my face. Honestly, I don't know what that look is but I am thinking that without a smile on my face, people automatically assume something is wrong. I guess it's just the way God made me and the people always asking if I am okay are showing me they care which means so much. Usually, there is nothing wrong at all. I am just thinking, contemplating, day dreaming but other times the pain I may be having is showing on my face. I am not sure my smile muscles are up for the challenge of smiling all the time but it is my desire to show my smile for others and for God in my body language, my behaviors, my words. Hopefully I can shine with the love of God and that will make up for the smile that may or may not be missing at the moment. Thank you Lord for dolphins and the smiles they bring to all.

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 248

I love surprises, the unexpected, the I didn't think of that one moments. With those surprises come joy, smiles and excitement. We got a couple unexpected blessings on our trip out to Alamosa. We did the driving tour of the Alamosa Wildlife Refuge. It turned out to be mostly birds which was kind of poetic timing since we just saw a movie about birding recently. This refuge is a wetlands so there are lots and lots of cattails. I wanted to get out and take a photo of one and did so but it turnd out my handy-dandy i-phone had switched to video mode on me with my knowing it. I didn't want a video of a cattail! So, right at the end of the tour I spotted another lonely cattail by itself and said stop the car. I got out and to my surprise there out in the grassy reeds was a deer. I think my own excitement over spotting a deer got the deer on the move and that's when the unexpected showed up, a baby deer. We watched with awe as they bounced through the grass away from us with their white tufted tails. It was the perfect end to our drive through the refuge and never would have been seen if the first cattail photo hadn't been a video! The next day we took a drive over to the the Alamosa Ranch and walked beside the large pond. We were enjoying the atmosphere and throwing rocks in the water when I spotted a deer coming out of the island full of tall grass and cattails and start swimming across the pond to the shore. How totally cool was it to see not just a deer standing there but doing something unexpected. I love the unexpected blessing of feeling God in our midst through his creation. Thank you Lord for sharing with us these unexpected moments with your creation.

2 Chronicles 1:11-12 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” 

365 Days of Prasie Challenge-Day 247

I have just recently have gone into the world of Pinterest. If you are a visual person, you will be hooked like I am. You will be inspired in so many ways with so many great ideas for everything. I love that I can find a recipie, a scripture with a beautiful inspiring photo and a scrapbook sketch idea all in one place. If you haven't been invited to Pinterest, let me know and I will invite you to join. Thank you Lord for this gathering of inspiration.

2 Timonthy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 246

I think one of the sweetest sounds ever is that of a child's laughter. There have literally been moments where what is happening is not the part that I am focused on, it's the laughter I am hearing. I just makes my heart smile. I can only imagine how much God loves to hear us laugh. Thank you Lord for this gift that we can give to each other. Here's a little clean humor for you: When I say "I cleaned my room" I usually mean I made a path from my door to my bed. Praying some humor and laughter comes your way today.
Job 8:21 He will fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.



365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 245

Everyone has their favorites. Favorite movie, favorite food, favorite dessert, favorite thing to do, favorite book. One of my favorite childrens book is by Max Lucado called You Are Special. Why are your favorites your favorites? Probably because they make you feel good or maybe you associate something with them. I have struggled my whole life with letting what other think of me matter so when I read this book and the words at the end I just get this super good feeling inside me everytime. Here are those words from Eli the woodcarver, the maker of the Wemmicks who is a representation of God: Eli smiled, "You will, but it will take time. You've got a lot of marks. For now, just come to see me every day and let me remind you how much I care." "Remember," Eli said as the Wemmick walked out the door, "you are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes."  Goosies just came... Thank you Lord for the gift you have given Max Lucado in bringing these words to others, in reminding us how much you care and how special we are to you and that only what you think matters.

Pslam 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

365 Days of Prasie Challenge-Day 244

I have been steadily working on getting my photos organized in folders on my computer. It is a monumental task to say the least and probably one that most people face but will never tackle because its just so much. This is definitely a task that you can't just sit down and get done in a couple of hours. I started the task a few months ago. The easiest way to orgainze seemed to be by putting named events and activities inside a folder for the whole year. So I have about 20 folders with names like Mother's Day, Sledding Fun, TJ Bday Party, etc. It has become so much easier to find photos. I finally got 2010's folder done last week and this week I have been uploading them to Costco so I can finally get some photos printed for the layouts I have created that are sitting around waiting for the photos. I can't wait to show you some of them!!! When I think of the task of organizing my photos, it makes me think of the task that God calls us to. What is that task? The main task God calls us to is to spread the word of the gospel, share about Jesus and what he did for us, live the Word the best we can. This is a monumental task and like orgainizing photos has to be done as a process one step at a time. The sooner you begin working your task the more you will accomplish with it and untold blessings will come from it. Think about what you need to work on that will help you with your task for God. Is it learning to pray more consistently? How about reading the bible everyday? Maybe you just need to work on an attitude change? Stop and take some time to really think about what is the next part of the process you need to work on for the task God calls us to. Here is a link to an article that talks about the three scriptures that capture the gospel in a nutshell that we can memorize and share with others. http://bondchristian.com/the-whole-gospel-in-only-3-verses-yeah/

Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 243

Easily one of the best parts of my job is knowing that I have helped an alarm company get off on the right foot when it comes to how they need to proceed to be in compliance with the law. It is especially delightful for me getting emails back from alarm companys with an excited thank you in it. Appreciation is a funny thing. The more you receive it the better you feel and the more you give it the better you feel too. Being thankful is more than a one day thing which is why I started this whole challenge on Thanksgiving last year. It is amazing how some appreciation can make you feel both in giving and receiving it. I am so thankful to God for the gift of appreciation people can give to each other and am thankful for the reminder that it goes both ways. Take the time to say the words, send an email, make a phone call, make a card and send it. In whatever form you choose, challenge yourself to share your appreciation for others everyday. It really does make you shine and will make the one who receives it shine too. Check out this mini study on appreciation that I found at http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=37155&columnid=4166

Ephesians 5:20 Sing and make music inyour heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.