Goodbye

Over the weekend I finally made a decision I've been needing to make for quite some time now. I've decided to stop posting on two of my three blogs (Thankful and Daily Bread).

Why? I'm glad you asked.

Although it doesn't take hours each day to post to my blogs, it does take time and I'm wanting to create more space and time for other things in my life (violin, Compassion, my family). I'm tired of thinking about what to write and then checking to see if anyone commented. I'm tired of saying so much. I just want to do and be.

I won't close this down, I just won't be posting here anymore. I may pick it up again in the future, but for now I will only post to our family blog, which is private. If you want an invitation to read that blog, just let me know. While the family blog is mostly pictures of our kids (for the grandparents sake), I will also post about Compassion, homeschooling, our outdoor adventures, my journey towards simplicity, and other things.

This blog definitely served it's purpose. I started it in an effort to focus on all the blessings that surround me and how thankful I am to God for them. My mind has been transformed to a state of thankfulness...and I am thankful for that!

Again, if you want to continue to follow our family, leave a comment with your email and I'll invite you.

Thanks for reading!

#337 - Thought Provoking Videos

#336 - Our Christmas Tree

I love our Christmas year. I probably write a post every year about how much I love it. With our many moves, it's been fun to basically decorate a new house each year and figure out where the tree should go.

Each year I seem to care less and less how "perfect" the tree looks. This year I hardly put any ornaments on, letting the girls do most of them. The only ornaments I insisted putting on were the frames with pictures of our Compassion kids. I love these and each year I try to get a couple more on clearance after Christmas.

Although we didn't put a ton of decorations ups this year, it still seemed to take several days to get it figured out. I'm thankful they are all up. I love this time of year.

#335 - Another Beautiful Hike

We were blessed with another day of sun, and so our family did a little of what we love doing best - hiking! Kevin had to work all morning so we got a late start. We didn't want to drive far lest we miss out on all the day light so we picked a hike fairly close. The only problem was that it was super windy and kept us from walking along the ridge. Still, I'm thankful for the opportunity to get out and enjoy the beauty around us.

#334 - The Sun

After several days of rain and clouds, the sun is shining bright. We took advantage of it and spent a couple hours outside this morning, planting bulbs and raking leaves. After lunch we went for a walk. I love outside days.

#333 - It's December

#332 - Power

This is really Shaun Groves' story, but I'm posting it here with the hopes you will watch this short video. This is a powerful testimony of sponsorship.

I'm thankful for the power of sponsorship.

I'm thankful for the power of prayer.

I'm thankful for the power of words.

I'm thankful for the power of God - to change lives and save souls.

#331- Joseph

This little guy's name is Joseph

Joseph lives in Tanzania

He will be 5 years old on Janurary 1st

Joseph lives in an AIDS-affected area

He has been waiting 10 months for a sponsor

He wears pink flip-flops because that's probably all he has

Joseph is my Compassion Christmas Child -

the particular child I am committed to finding a

sponsor for during this Christmas season.

I am thankful for this opportunity, to speak up on behalf of this precious boy.

I will be even more thankful when God stirs someone's heart to sponsor him.

I have some extra surprises for Joseph's new sponsor...

thank-you gifts to get you going in your sponsorship experience.

Thank you for your consideration.