Thankful For ...

Day 30

That I can count all these blessings and post them. I enjoy recounting all the things that God has given to me. Anytime I make a list like this, I feel so full and blessed. Besides I know that this is just scratching the surface of all I have to be thankful for.     

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Day 29

Movies. They are so fun, relaxing, sometimes encouraging, and enjoyable. 

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Day 28

Bibles. I have 3 different translations and I enjoy all of them. 

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Day 27

The ability to relax. Time to kick back, play a game, watch a movie, enjoy a walk, or do a fun project. 

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Day 26 

Cookbooks. I love going through them and trying new things or pulling out an old favorite and whipping up something fun for my family. 

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Day 25 

Sundays. I’m thankful for days to just relax, take a break, and spend time with God and my family. 

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Day 24

Jewelry. To remember fun memories, or someone’s love, or to accent an outfit. I love the collection I have. 

Audiobook Review: Between Heaven and Ground Zero

I received this book courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review.

Narrator Thoughts - I had mixed thoughts about the voice. Normally, I love it when authors read their own works because they can put their own emphasis into the words. But for this woman, the words came hard and slowly. Her emotions at times overwhelmed her. While it did garner sympathy, I'm not sure that she was ready to read her own words yet. Also for any quotes and scripture readings they had a different lady read them. All of those had poor recording quality which detracted from the message.

Book Thoughts - Overall I wasn't very pleased with the book. Even though she survived the horror of Tower 1 on 9/11, she seemed to look back on it all with a deep depression. She suffered from PTSD and looking back was very hard for her.
Maybe it was that I had hoped that faith would play a more central part in her accounts. Now by her own admission she has struggled in her faith and God had been put on a back burner, Until 9/11 came and shattered her world. Yet even as she was remembering, I felt like she didn't infuse the memories with hope. I know that 9/11 was a horrible tragedy, but I also know that through it God showed us some amazing examples of love.
She did however do an amazing job of showing you what it was like to be in one of the world trade centers as they fell. It also gave me more of a sense of what it was like before the towers fell. That aspect I enjoyed.
Some of her description of her walks with God since 9/11 were beautiful and thought-provoking.
Yet again I didn't like some of her conclusions about 9/11 and what it meant for Christians. She claims that with 9/11 the Apocalypse has began. I think that Biblically that is unsound, but will leave it to you to decide.
One final note is that I didn't think she organized her thoughts very well. Scriptures seemed to be thrown in for no apparent reason. Some stories didn't connect to what she was going through. I just seemed a little off to me.
As I said, overall I wasn't pleased with the book, but that may have been a matter of opinion. I leave it to you to make the final call.

To buy this or other titles, please visit the book site www.christianaudio.com

Thankful For ...

Day 23

Grandparents. They are very kind and I enjoy the time I’ve had with them.

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Day 22

Calendars and sticky notes. To help remind me of things I need to do and keep me on track. 

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Day 21

My blogs. Meditations of His Love, I’ve really enjoy writing for you and seeing people be encouraged and strengthen through those posts.Homemade Ministry, you were my first blog and I still enjoy having you around to encourage girl in their craft lives. A Christian Playwright, I enjoy dreaming about all the things I plan to do with you. I love writing plays to put on you and seeing what God will do with you. Simple Thoughts, you in many ways are my personal blog. In you I share my heart and stories of what God has been teaching. And for all these blogs, I pray that God will continue to bless and encourage other through you. 

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Day 20

Music. To encourage, to inspire, to lift my spirit, to go with my mood, to enhance my writing, to dance to, and to work to. For every time in my life there has been a song. And I enjoy every one of them. 

Grace: An Audiobook Review

I received this audiobook was given to me courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of doing a review.

Narrator thoughts - I like Wayne Shepherd. I've heard several books read by him before and I have enjoyed each one. His deep clear voice helps set the mood for the message of the book. It was a perfect match.

Book Thoughts - I have always loved Max Lucado. His unique writing style and ability to touch the heart of the listener combine to make this a truly beautiful work. Through story and scripture Lucado gives you a picture of the grace of God draw on the canvas of His love.

Grace is lavished on us by a loving God. Will we take it? It's there, it's waiting. Waiting to cover us. Will we accept this wonderful and lavish gift called Grace?

To buy Grace by Max Lucado, head over to http://christianaudio.com/grace-max-lucado

Thankful For ...

Day 19

Time. Gregg Harris once said, “God gave us time so that everything wouldn’t happen at once.” And I am so thankful that it doesn’t all happen at once. Dealing with it as it comes is hard enough; I can’t imagine dealing with it all at once. Thankfully with the gift of time I can celebrate the victories and work through the hard times. 

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Day 18

Food. Not only food that nourishes my body, but also tastes good. I know that in many countries people go hungry every day. I’m so thankful for food. 

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Day 17

Spiritual mentors. My parents, Brennan Manning, Wayne Jacobson, Gayle Erwin, Pastors, Max Lucado, and Nancy Leigh DeMoss have all had a profound impact on my walk with God. They’ve helped me see new things about Him and encouraged me to walk forward in Him. I owe them more than I can ever repay. 

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Day 16

Plants. I love flowers, grass, ferns, and bushes. I enjoy the color and life they add to my day. 

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Day 15

Crafty things. I love making something new out of canvas, yarn, or paper. It’s so much fun to create.

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Day 14

Dreams that God has allowed me to live out, small and big. Being in a movie, getting a kitchenaid mixer, acting in a play, writing plays, having close friends, making a lovely cross stitched nativity, learning ASL, and growing in the knowledge and love of God. And I’m grateful for the dreams that I still have to live out.    

Thankful For ...

Day 13

Writing. Whether writing a play, blog posts, a skit, or a film script, I enjoy writing. Being able to take something from my head and put it onto paper, is an great feeling. 

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Day 12

Living in the country. All my life I’ve lived out in middle of nowhere, but I loved it. Surrounded by trees and nature, it’s a perfect place. And I love being able to call it home. 

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Day 11

Clothes. Not just something to cover our bodies, but clothes that make us feel pretty. A pink flowery shirt, a pleated white skirt, fun handbag, a lovely blue dress, dangle earrings, or a pair of white sandals.  I’ve been blessed with lots of clothes and fun ones at that. 

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Day 10

Pictures. To bring back fond memories. To savor the flowers of spring. To help us capture beauty. To enjoy moments for years. And to capture the beauty of our family. 

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Day 9

Books and Audiobooks. I enjoy and challenging my mind. Besides it’s fun to get caught up in a good story, especially a good romance ;). 

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Day 8

Each new day. A fresh day. With new possibilities and dreams. 

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Day 7

American Sign Language classes. ASL is like doing a dance with your hands. And I’ve so enjoyed learning how to do it better. 

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Day 6

Friends. My Texas Friends, my blogging friends, my film-making, and my facebook friends. I am blessed and encouraged by you every day.

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Day 5

My laptop. I could live without it, but it makes so many things so much easier. It helps me to communicate with friends and helps me do a lot of writing. 

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Day 4

Mail. Isn’t it so fun that we everyday can get letters and packages from all over the world? I enjoy it so much whenever I get mail. 

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Day 3

For an amazing Family. Dad, Mom, Nicole, Sarah, Michael, Rebekkah, and Mikayla, you mean the world to me. You make my day brighter. You love me and care for me like no one else does. You are the best friends I have. 

Thankful for …

Day 2

Seasons. Both in weather and in life. Times of rest and business. Times of work and of relaxation. Times of cool and of warm. Times of sunshine and of rain. Times when I have a lot to say and times to be quiet. Times to be with friends and times to be alone. And most of all, spiritual seasons. 

Thankful for …

Because of thanksgiving, for the next 30 days, I'll be counting down my blessings. Here we go ...

Day 1

A God who loved me enough to call me His own. Throughout my whole life I have seen His love and care for me. And as I walk on His hand guides me.