Thursday, July 05, 2007

Thankful Thursday


This continues to remind me to be thankful and how fast the weeks are flying by! Giving thanks with a grateful heart today for...

Yesterday! The day was just beautiful! We drove up to Commerce to the Outlet malls. I can say we were not the only ones with that idea. We had a blast. Boo did great shopping (it's hit or miss lately) and we all got some nice things. He even had his first "trying on" session, and let me tell you, I think we have created a monster! He tries on his shirts and stands and poses in the mirror, checkin' himself out. It's hilarious. Jeremy got another pair of jeans, now, he in fact, has TWO, count them, TWO pairs of jeans. Now we are cookin' with gas. I got a really cute jacket and shirt and sweater for the Fall/Winter. They were all a steal of a deal.

Freedom! Although we didn't do the traditional thing yesterday, we did eat well and watched the fireworks from our TV, which is absolutely the best place not to deal with traffic while trying to get to bed, ya know? With all that said, it didn't matter where we celebrated, we thought of the people who laid down their lives for us to have such freedom. We are a blessed nation and people! (That's what my husband's sermon was on last week!) We are not to be lack in being a blessing to others as well.

Debt-Free Living! In all our years of marriage (6, this month), we have always held some chunk of debt...and that is true no longer. In our minds we had it all paid off this past Feb/March when we knew we would be getting extra money back on our tax returns from the previous year! It was a total God-send. For some reason though, the day that we deposited the check has now become a date of significance...Jeremy deposited the check last Wednesday, I gave my notice last Wednesday, and the Pastor and Jeremy had a unique conversation on Wednesday as well. Not coincidence, but completely the Lord. I can only say this from complete experience - there is just nothing greater than following the Lord's will. Sometimes it's a long process, we don't know what's on the other side, we just know we are called to do THIS for as long as He says. Blessed be His Name today!

New Life! My best friend gave birth last Thursday to Baby Caroline. She is the third child born to my friends and oh my heavens, she is just precious! I was able to go to the hospital on Friday with our other friend, Michelle, and we all just had the best time being together. Praise the Lord for new life in that family! The way you grant life, oh Lord, it's truly amazing.

Lessons! There has come a point in my life where God is absolutely teaching me a lesson. I am learning to be grateful in the lessons and the path He is leading me (us) on. This is one of the toughest lessons and it's sometimes so difficult I don't want to talk about it. I am making baby steps in admitting that I can't take it anymore and want life change to come about through this lesson. Continuing to praise You Lord through this patch of focusing of You to help me make better choices when it comes to food.

May you be a blessing today!

Soaking Him Up!

--Karen

21 comments:

Christina said...

Great list! :-)

Have a wonderful week!

Alycia said...

What a beautiful TT post Karen!! I agree with you that fireworks from your living room are often the best view and best way to spend the evening!! I also loved your story about shopping! I miss it so!! I can't wait to return to the States for some fun outlet shopping :) Congratulationson debt-free living!! That is awesome and an amazing, freeing feeling! Blessings to you today!

Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads said...

Happy 6th Anniversary!! Being debt-free is a great way to celebrate. ;)

We stayed at home this year for the 4th as well. We didn't feel like battling the traffic. lol! We still had a great time though.

May God bless you this week!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful list! Happy 6th Anniversary :) Have a wonderful week!

Susanne said...

Debt free living is an AWESOME thing to be thankful for. My husband and I are working very hard towards our own financial freedom, and I can't wait!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful list. Happy Anniversary!!

Amber said...

Happy Anniversary! And thanks for stopping by my blog. I LOVE your blog title and I remember seeing it when I was looking for someone to design mine. It's lovely.

God Bless,
Amber

Denise said...

Enjoyed your thankful list, bless you.

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

A wonderful thankful list! Happy Thursday :)

Pearls of Wisdom said...

Dear Karen,
Happy Anniversary. Wonderful post. Being debt free is a wonderful way to celebrate. May the Lord bless you this week and always.

In his endless love,

Angel Mama ():)

Shelly said...

Cracking up at the little one in the dressing room 'checking himself out'...don't we all :)

And praise the Lord for your debt-free new life! girl...that is serious reason to give Him praise!!

Terri | Sugar Free Glow said...

I'm laughing about the two pair of jeans!
I love what you said about following the Lord's will--I'm really working at that.
You were very brave to go to the outlets on a holiday!

Boo sounds so cute--I love that age!

Janis Rodgers said...

Debt free living is indeed a blessing. We are on track to be there next spring after being in debt over 30,000 dollars, so it will be quite a time of jubilee. Lessons from God are often difficult, but they can make us better women. He has been working on me, too. Blessings to you!

Nise' said...

Happy 6th Anniversary! I am so thankful for debt free living too! And a husband who is so much smarter than me with things pertaining to the financial!

Brenda said...

Beautiful list! Congratulations on being debt-free!! And, Happy 6th Wedding Anniversary!!!!!! :)

Lyndy said...

Great list and all wonderful things to be thankful for. Thanks for sharing.

Have a blessed day.

~Lyndy~

eph2810 said...

Blessing Him through the storms is sometimes not easy, but at the end it is total freedom -- don't you agree. I know that I have had my fair shares, and I know that He is not done with refining me...But I also thrust that He will see us/me through what ever comes our/my way.
I am so glad that you had some fun time at the outlet mall. We have a couple around this area, but we haven't been in years :)

Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week.

Be blessed today and always.

Anonymous said...

So many wonderful happenings!

Ann said...

Congrats on paying off the debt! I've been learning lessons too...painful at times, but good :)

Anonymous said...

I came over to thank you for visiting my blog. Congrats on paying off your debt! That is so wonderful!

Hopeful Spirit said...

Congrats on your many blessings, including being debt-free. Isn't it a wonderful feeling? I remember the monthly struggles and don't miss them!

Terri | Sugar Free Glow said...

I tagged you!