• Song: Thank You Lord by Don Moen

    There are so many reasons to be thankful today.  The blessings in my life are numerous.  God has richly blessed my life beyond what I deserve.  I am grateful for the multitude of ways His demonstrates His love and care in my life each day.

    I come before You today
    And there’s just one thing that I want to say
    Thank You Lord

    For all You’ve given to me
    For all the blessings I can not see
    Thank You Lord

    With a grateful heart
    With a song of praise
    With an outstretched arm
    I will bless Your name

    Thank You Lord
    I just wanna thank You Lord

    For all You’ve done in my life
    You took my darkness and gave me Your light
    Thank You Lord

    You took my sin and my shame
    You took my sickness and healed all my pain
    Thank You Lord

  • Song: Thank You by Hillsong

    There is so much to be thankful for in our lives.  God is good, kind, and patient with us every day.  Many of us have more than we could every ask for or image.  Take a look around you today and thank God for all He has provided to you.

    Thank you for your kindness
    Thank you for your mercy
    Thank you for the cross
    Thank you for the price you paid

    Thank you for salvation
    Thank you for unending grace
    Thank you for your hope
    Thank you for this life you gave

    There is no one like you
    There is no one like you god
    All my hope
    Is in you
    Jesus Jesus

    To your name
    We give all the glory
    To your name
    We give all the praise
    You’re alive
    Our god everlasting
    Let your face
    Shine on us

    Thank you for your promise
    Thank you for your favour
    Thank you for your love
    Everything you’ve done for me 

  • Free Ebooks: Cassie and The Wild Cat, Thank You God For Everything, Mess Monster, Ultimate Freezer Meals, Cooking with Cast Iron, and more!

    The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading).  The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.

    Download a free copy of The Ultimate Freezer Meals: Delicious Money Saving Freezer Recipes You Can Make In Advance and Eat Hassle Free Anytime by Tom Soule

    Download a free copy of Cooking with Cast Iron: More Timeless and Delicious Family Recipes by Louise Davidson

    Download a free copy of Cassie and The Wild Cat: Meet and Greet by Pat Hatt

    Download a free copy of Danny and the Great Beast by Lily Lexington

    Download a free copy of Thank You, God, For Everything by Karen Marie Graham

    Download a free copy of The Mess Monster by Jennifer Hazen Buss

  • Learning About Manners Picnic Basket Game by Noodleboro

    The girls have had the Learning About Manners Picnic Basket Game by Noodleboro (Playskool) for several years now.  They love it!  It is a unique game with a picnic blanket board, a picnic basket, games pieces, a story they can read, and a cd to listen too.  Many times as we are setting up the game someone will read the story and after playing the game the girls like to listen to the cd. It is a cute game about using your manners, being kind, and polite.

    • Colorful with neat game pieces (how many games come with a cool picnic basket)
    • Book  to read during story time with fun character who are learning their manners
    • Audio CD with more about the story and songs regarding using manners
    • Easy to play (recommended for ages 4 and up)
    • 2 to 4 Players
    • Object of the game – use your manners and be the first to collect all the items you need at your picnic!
    • Learning Benefits – social skills (say “please” and “thank you”), taking turns, listening, reading, and more

    We love games!   We have found that playing games is beneficial for many reasons.  It gives us quality time together as a family.  The kids learn that they will not always win (which is not always an easy lesson to learn), but the game can still be fun even if you are not the victor in every game.  It provides opportunities for us to talk and create memories together.  Games teach and help our kids practice a variety of useful skills like following directions, reading, writing, counting, taking turns, and more.

  • Teacher “Thank You” Gifts

    Thank You goodies for the girls teachers!

    For Thanksgiving the girls always enjoy bringing in a “thank you” note and a little surprise for their teacher.   Here is one where they put M&M’s in a mason jar, added a ribbon on top, and a little note.  The note said:

    Mrs. __________,

    We are a thankful for a Magnificent & Marvelous teacher this year!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Love,

    Brina & Karlie

    If you are looking for a simple and easy thank you gift for a teacher, friend, neighbor, or family member this is a great one to try!

  • Heart Reflections: Gifts from Above

    A few weeks ago I was speaking to a friend who received a gift anonymously.  As we were talking I mentioned to her that we have been recipients of such gifts in our lives as well.  I can think of several times God used someone in our lives to deliver special gift from above.  During those times I had been praying for something specific and it came through a completely mysterious giver.

    A desire to show appreciation.

    After receiving the gift I would often find myself racking my brain thinking…..who could have given such an amazing gift?  Did they know that I have been praying specifically about this particular item?  Most of the times I never even shared the need with anyone other than God.  In these situations I often find myself really wanting to know who it was that delivered the gift so I could say thank you in person or write a thank you note to them.  I want to express my deep gratitude for what they did and the impact they made on my life.  However, it is during those times that I realize that they don’t want me to know who it was because they didn’t do it for their glory or praise, they did it for God’s glory.   It provides an opportunity for me to give God ALL the glory because only He could have instrumented such an amazing answer to my prayer.  He really does hear our prayers.  Whether you are going through a financial, physical, emotional time or other need, he hears and cares for you.

    Directing my praise to the one who holds my life in his hands.

    What do you do when you receive an mysterious answer to your prayer?  Give all the thanks and credit to God.  He worked through another person to directly answer your prayer.  Glory in the goodness and blessings he continually bestows on us even in the midst of a difficult situation.  We don’t deserve anything yet he longs for us to have a personal and ongoing relationship with him.  Pray for that person who was used by God to meet your need at the time.  You may never know who it was on this side of heaven but there may come a time when they have a need that God allows you to help answer.

     What am I doing to help others?

    On the flip side of the coin how often to I get those nudges from God to help someone or call or write or do something completely anonymous but don’t follow through with it.  God can use you and me to deliver these amazing gifts to others.  The gifts come in all shapes, sizes and varieties from an encouraging note, listening, phone calls, financial, physical help, and so much more (there really is no limit to the width and depth of these gifts).  We may not know what is going on in their hearts and lives.  They may be asking God for something specific or need to hear a word of encouragement and he gives you the opportunity to deliver His gift to them.  I cannot tell you how large of a blessing and encouragement these gifts from God are to people.  When you have a nudge or feel called to do something for someone take a moment and do it.  You may be a tremendous blessing to a specific need that they have in their lives.

    But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

    Matthew 6:3-4

    Photo by JD Hancock