So Much to Be Thankful For.

The past few weeks had been kind of rough. . . with family issues to work out, important decisions needed to be made, a schedule that wouldn't quit, and weather that fluctuated every day, sometimes moment to moment. 

But it seems to me, even with the difficult and DOWN times, God provides the UP times, too. He gives us rest when we really need it. And He even blesses our lives in so many ways! All we have to do is look around us. . .

For some reason, I had been feeling down and a little neglected, lately. 

I missed my son, who lives 4 hours away.

I missed seeing my long-time friend, who lives 2 hours away.

 God knew that, even though time was short, all I needed was a small tidbit of time with my far away loved ones.

It almost wasn't going to happen, but then God provided!

What a blessed weekend I got to spend with family and friends!! I hope each of you, my bloggy friends, had a blessed weekend, as well!!

 Continuing to count my blessings, one by one at  

"Multitude on Mondays".

 

1,343 -  God has blessed me with an amazing, loving, kindhearted son. (at Lake Monroe, Bloomington, IN)

 1,344 - A loving hubby, who after some persuasion, was willing to go with me to spend a few hours with our son, even though the drive is very long.

 1,345 - A beautiful warm, sunny day and a gorgeous setting among nature and man-made structures...(Lake Monroe Dam in Bloomington, IN.)

 1,346 - Beautiful movement and power of water. It provides nourishment to man and nature, yet has strength when put under pressure.

 1,347 - Much needed time with my son.

   1,348 - That each step in life is a step of faith,  adventure, and hope in Christ...

 1,349 - Life can often be an uphill struggle...knowing that God walks with us every step...even when our legs ache from the steep climb up.

 1,350 - Sometimes life can seem so distant and vague, but we need to stand in faith in the moment, knowing God will help us get to the top of our hill.

1,351 - He helps us focus on what we truly need...what's important in this life...and where He directs us to go and what He calls us to do.

 1,352 - Ice cream and summertime!

1,353 - Best friends, who love you thru thick or thin!

1,354 - Just a little time with my best friend of 30+ years!(at her two son's graduation open house).

1,355 - This song that came to mind, as I look at this sweet picture of me and my best friend.

To see more great pictures and find out what other blessings I am so thankful for, head on over to my other blog post,
"Lake Living is Grand at Cairn Cottage"

Also linking over to these blog hops:

Hear It on Sunday/Use It on Monday (Michelle DeRusha)
Weekend Brew (My Freshly Brewed Life) 
 Soli Deo Gloria Party (Finding Heaven)  
 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
Titus2sdays (Time-Warp Wife)
Gratituesday (Heavenly Homemakers)
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace) 
Wednesday's Word (He Cares for Us)
UNITE (Rich Faith Rising)
Thrilling Thursday (The Family Blog)
T.G.I.F. (Bible Love Notes) 

Ever Lifting Me On Eagle's Wings

As Memorial Day Weekend approaches, I contemplate what this holiday means to me. . .

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season in the United States. 

Memorial Day Weekend is a three-day holiday that is typified by the first family picnics and barbecues of the year. 

The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race takes place on the Sunday before Memorial Day.  

It also is a time for families to get together for ball games, swimming, and other early summer activities

Memorial Day is also a time to remember those who have passed on, whether in war or otherwise. Parades and memorial services take place all over the country. Many, many prayers are said for those who have lost a child, spouse, parent, or family member who died in the Armed Forces. 

My heart aches for those who have felt this great loss!!! 

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Prayer on  Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day
Grant peace to the souls
of all those soldiers who died in war.
We remember the tears and grief of their families,
 

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The pain of mothers, wives, husbands and children
Who lost precious loved ones.

To build a meaningful memorial to them,
We ask God to give us all the will
To work for peace around the world
So no more sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, nor mothers
Are slaughtered by the guns and bombs of war.

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To grant us the compassion and wisdom to affirm life
And honor the dead through forgiveness and peace making.

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May God have mercy on the souls of the departed.
Grant them peace, O Lord.

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May we have mercy on the living.
Grant us peace, O Lord.
In Your name we pray.
Amen.

We also remember and pray for those presently in the military.

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Prayer for Our Troops

Lord, please hold our troops in
your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for
the selfless act they perform
for us in our time of need.

We ask this in the name of
Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.

This week, I'm reminded of God's great and awesome strength that carries me when I feel helpless and weak. My hubby and I were out trolling around in our boat, when we saw THE LAKE EAGLE! Everyone on our lake knows about the lake eagle; some have had the privilege of seeing him. And now I am one of the few who have caught him on my camera. He was hiding in a tree, but I did get a few great shots . . .

 As we continued around the lake, we rode by this carved pole in someones yard. . . a great image of an eagle in flight. It reminded me, not only those who have fallen, but of our God who lifts us up on His wings of love and strength.

I recently heard this song "Ever Lifting" by Christy Nockels

It encouraged me, and I hope it encourages you.

What does Memorial Day weekend mean to me?

 rest, relaxation, family, and friends. . . and

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Linking over to these blog hops:
Multitudes on Monday (A Holy Experience) 
 Soli Deo Gloria Party (Finding Heaven)  
 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
Titus2sdays (Time-Warp Wife)
Gratituesday (Heavenly Homemakers)
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace)
Wednesday's Word (He Cares for Us)
UNITE (Rich Faith Rising)

Thrilling Thursday (The Family Blog)
Concrete Words (Six in the Sticks) 
T.G.I.F. (Bible Love Notes) 

When the Small Things Start to Be Big

The past few days have been a bit of a challenge for me...
No big, drastic, life changing issues, mind you;
Just the little annoyances that pound away at me...

• Repeated mistakes;  
• Getting stuck in long, drawn out discussions with people who like to gossip and start arguments.
• A headache that won't go away. 
• A messy house that I can't seem to get caught up on cleaning.
• Those little things that my husband does/doesn't do that seem to bother me more than usual.

It is easy for Satan to use my emotions against God and others, which is why Paul instructs us to "not give the devil a foothold."

Sometimes I wonder...is this another test from God?
Is He checking to see if I can handle the little things in life that wear me slowly down?

I start to wonder that if the little things in life start to become the big things, how can I ever become a true disciple of God? How can He trust me with the big things, if I fail so miserably with the small things that so easily upset me?

I know that through the Holy Spirit's leading, I can overcome the small things that start to be big. I'm reminded of the saying:

 

This is why; 
I refuse to let anger; disobedience; wrath; hurt, etc, remain on the inside of me.
I immediately; began to pray.
I don’t know about you.
I can feel; when an ill-feeling is rising up in me.
If it is not the fruits; that the Lord speaks about:

• Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

I must stop allowing the enemy to control how I let my emotions take over and how I respond to these distractions/annoyances:

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.—Proverbs 15:18 (NIV) 

"Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tem"pered displays folly." - Proverbs 14:29 

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." —Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Below is a perfect song for my week!!!!!! 

(Maybe your week was like this too.)

It's a great reminder that God uses even the little things to help us grow in Him each day!

Today, I choose to have patience and I pray I will be the person who does the things that make life more positive. 

Lord remind me to keep things in perspective and not turn the small things into big things.   Amen.

Continuing to list all the blessings(gifts) Christ has shown me and rejoicing in Him alone!!!   at  "Multitude on Mondays"

  
1,334 - Two families of Canadian geese that stopped in our yard to have dinner.
1,335 - Catching fish off of our pier at our lakehouse.
1,336 - A fun Friday afternoon, shopping with my friend!
1,337 - Time with my parents and in-laws.
1,338 - Cool weather for Mother's Day...slowing me down to enjoy family time together
1,339 - My hubby, who bought me flowers, a sweet card, and made me french toast for breakfast for Mother's Day....even though he has had allergies the past week.
1,340 - A phone call from my son, who couldn't be with me for the first time ever on Mother's Day.(Oh, how I miss him!)
1,341 - Learning to daily live out the fruit of the Spirit, even with the small things.
1,342 - Enjoying a few minutes taking in a sunny afternoon, without any pressures or a tight schedule.

Also linking over to these blog hops:
Hear It on Sunday/Use It on Monday (Michelle DeRusha)
Weekend Brew (My Freshly Brewed Life) 
 Soli Deo Gloria Party (Finding Heaven)  
 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
Titus2sdays (Time-Warp Wife)
Gratituesday (Heavenly Homemakers)
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace) 
Wednesday's Word (He Cares for Us)
UNITE (Rich Faith Rising)
Thrilling Thursday (The Family Blog)
T.G.I.F. (Bible Love Notes) 

The Phases of a Mother's Life

It seems like just yesterday I was changing diapers, up for nighttime feedings, and rocking my son to sleep. 

Before I knew it, he was going off to school...first preschool, then kindergarten. Those were emotional times for this young mom.

Of course, when middle school and the teenage years hit, I wasn't as sad, as I was anxious and frustrated...as his emotions and unpredictable behaviors kicked in overdrive!

High school was more of a time of honing in on his interests, gifts, and talents. Encouraging more responsibility and preparing him to be an independent young man.

High school graduation was more of a relief...we got him through his basic schooling. Then it was time for seeking out a college and career path...

There were many side-tracks before making a decision about what he wanted to do with his life. Patience,  loving advice, and encouragement were top on my list. Sometimes, I wondered if he was ever going to make a decision about his future.

Moving out, getting his full independence from us, his parents was what I had anticipated for so long. But it surprised me how great an effect his absence had on me.(on us) 

Now, we are officially "empty-nesters". It sounded great to me at first, but there definitely have been some changes and adjustments that I have had to get used to... am still getting used to. 

Why, on some days, do I feel so old? Maybe it's because my baby is now 20, going on 21. Our oldest, in her 30s now, and has made me a grandma 3 times over, and her oldest is a teenager, now! (Unforturnately, we don't see them much.)

Maybe it's because, it seems like the days, months, years, just seem to spin out of control and are gone so quickly, now-a-days.

 

I know there are more phases yet to come in my life as a mother. But, I look back and see each phase I've gone through was unique, special, and  had a purpose. Some were more pleasant than others. Some years were a true test of my faith, patience, love, perseverance, and trust in the Lord. 

 

 

I spent many days and nights on my knees in prayer, pleading with God to guide and protect my children, my son especially, since he was with us from birth. 

 

Such an array of emotions and memories for this mother! What joys and sorrows...the phases of a mother's life! 

As Mother's Day approaches, I am reminded of each of these phases, thanking God for all He has provided! He has walked with me through each one of them and answered many of my prayers, some not how I would have chosen, but how He chose for me and my children. Thank you, Jesus!

Also linking over to these blog hops:
Hear It on Sunday/Use It on Monday (Michelle DeRusha)
Weekend Brew (My Freshly Brewed Life) 
 Soli Deo Gloria Party (Finding Heaven)  
 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
Titus2sdays (Time-Warp Wife)
Gratituesday (Heavenly Homemakers)
 UNITE (Rich Faith Rising)
Wordless Wednesday @ BlogShe 
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace)
Wednesday's Word (He Cares for Us)
Faith Filled Friday @ Missional Women