Oh, how He loves us!

Well, November is coming to a close, so I will post one last time this month about what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for the lovely dinner and fellowship we had for Thanksgiving.
I am thankful that it's finally the season for Christmas decorations and music.
I am thankful for the godly leaders in our church who challenge us with truth.
I am thankful for truth in general, and all of the many sources it comes in to change my life - music, books, sermons, prayer, scripture, and even movies and the words of my friends.
I am thankful that God has blessed me by allowing me to take piano lessons.

Most of all, I am thankful for the intimate, everlasting, and personal love of my Lord Jesus Christ, and that I know Him personally. I possess the secret of what is so sought after in this world - love and happiness. Why would God choose me to be one of His children? I will never know. It certainly wasn't anything in me that drew Him to me. I am speechless when I think of all He endured to make me His own, His very own. The Bible is packed with so much wealth. The joy and wonder of it all, oh! I never want to dull to it; I want to learn more and more of His love and press on to greater and greater levels of holiness for His sake.

"And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all"
This is one of my favorite songs these days... I just sing it all the time because I am just in awe of this fact. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Cor. 9:15)

Unto thee, O God!

Well, last week was a VERY busy week! I had even more things going on than I told about in my last post. I was gone all day every day except Monday! I got a little behind on school because of that, so this week I am working hard at school to catch up. So, this busy November day I am thankful for:

Oatmeal with strawberries
Phone calls from my big brother
Stepping Heavenward (AWESOME book!)
Thunderstorms
Knitting (Yes, I am learning!)
Christmas shopping
Answered prayer
and Long, pretty skirts

Thanksgiving is soon. How are you going to celebrate? :)

"Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for
that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare." Psalm 75:1

Thanks be to God

Another day to be thankful! Today I am thankful for:

Relaxing weekends
Christmas songs
Friends
School
My brothers

And, I thought I'd give you an update about what's going on in my busy life lately. Last week I was kept busy with: Prayer group, visiting friends, choir practice, a volleyball playoff game at the Christian school, and of course, lots of school. This week I am looking forward to spending the day with my friend Mrs. Reese tomorrow, enjoying an afternoon with Mrs. Taylor on Wednesday, and a Veteran's Day program on Friday. Trying to get school done amidst all those activities does get a little tricky, but today I was able to do extra work, so I know things will all work out. :) I absolutely cannot WAIT for Christmas. It's when I really shine. I've already started thinking about my Christmas shopping, and I can't wait to get started on it. As soon as December starts, you can be sure I'll be singing/playing Christmas music (I already am! hehe), baking lots of Christmas goodies, decorating for the season, dressing in seasonal colors, shopping, wrapping, watching Christmas movies and classic shows, and of course, getting together with friends and family to celebrate! Are you as excited as I am? But of course, Thanksgiving comes first. We'll have a big dinner, and my Grandparents are coming on Friday. I am so thankful most of all for Jesus Christ, salvation, and the amazing things God is teaching me every single day!

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 15:57

In everything

Well, I see that my post-on-blog-every-day idea isn't working so well. I've missed
2 days already! I guess I'll change that to post-on-blog-as-often-as-possible. ;)

Today I am thankful for:
Volleyball games that I get to watch my friends play in
Our church's Pastor -We're having a pastor-appreciation dinner tonight!
Kids to mentor, talk with, and just have fun with
Christmas - Yes, I'm thinking about it already ;)
Bible study tools - Commentaries, cross-references, and concordances are SO cool!
Piano music
the blessing of education
windmills
and beautiful, blue skies

1Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Give thanks

This month, as it is the month of Thanksgiving, I've decided to post every day (if possible) some things I am thankful for. So here's day 1!

Today I am thankful for:
wood stoves that keep the house toasty warm,
good memories with friends and family
music to brighten every day
brisk walks in through the woods
and of course,
a blog to post my thoughts on.

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
1 Chronicles 16:8