Thanksgiving

God is so good.

There are so many people that we know that are hurting, and people being attacked - and yet, I still have to say, "God is SO good".

Why do I say that? How can I say that? Well, because it's true.

I have a writer friend who just found out she has a malignant brain tumor - and to read her blog (www.christianlovestories.blogspot.com ) you see how they are still praising God. What a testimony! I have another friend who lost a child a few years ago, our own daughter went through brain surgery and has an incurable rare nerve disorder, and through it all, we all can say - God is so good.

Why? How? Think about a really tough time in your life. Did you come out of it stronger? Did you learn some valuable lessons through it? I know I have. And it was during all of the really tough times that I totally relied upon Him and He showed me His incredible grace and goodness. I also know going through those tough times, shows you how unimportant all of the other "stuff" really is. I'm thankful for the really tough times. I'm thankful for the trials. I'm thankful for His goodness. I'm thankful that He loves us so much that He sacrificed everything for you and me. I'm thankful that our time here on earth is not eternity. And that all the junk, lies, gossip, sin and hard times will vanish one day.

As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, we look forward to family and friends, fun and food. But, this season is my favorite because it stands for the greatest Gift of all. I'm thankful for all that God has done, is doing, and will do in my life. I look forward to being able to share with more people what He really means to me.

God is so good.
And I am so thankful.
Proverbs 3:5,6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

THANK YOU

... to all who gave of themselves, their time, their love, their sweat, their tears, their supplies, their hard work, and everything else I can't think of - THANK YOU!!!!

I'm completely amazed every day at the outpouring of love and friendship we are still receiving.

In a note given to us - it sums it up: "It's not about getting on TV or meeting someone famous or even feeling good about ourselves for participating. It's about people and caring about people. There was a need, and the need was met. That's what community is supposed to be about."

THANK YOU. From my heart to yours.

Our Builder

I had the urge to blog about this - so here I go:

We have had the most incredible experience with our builder Matt and his guys from Premier Homes. It has been so neat to get to know all these wonderful people and they have embraced us like family and taken care of us every step of the way.

Let me tell you, we've had several brand new homes before and never have we had such a great thing. I'm amazed at the craftmanship and all the love poured into this home.

Anyway, I was sitting here thinking about all of the things we have to be thankful for and I am so thankful for and privileged to know people like Matt and his family, Tony and Daniel. They'll probably never see this, but I had to let everyone know. Thanks guys!

Blessings and Forgiveness

We have been so very blessed! (And I'm not just talking about the incredible home thing that just happened!)

We have been blessed to receive the free gift of salvation. Do you ever take this for granted? Do you ever take forgiveness for granted? Wow - really think about that one . . .

Let me give you a few of my thoughts. The Lord has blessed us through ABC, EMHE, and our INCREDIBLE community. We have tried with all our might to make sure that He is glorified through it - but we are also imperfect, sinful creatures - we are not perfect. The enemy has been on the attack - and we haven't even had the chance to let it sink in because it has been so hard. I keep thinking that one of these days I'll get to breathe a deep sigh of relief :)

In the process of all of this, I am really working hard on forgiveness. There have been lies said and deceitful things done that have hurt deeply, and guess what? It was "Christians" who did it - but, isn't that the best way to attack? The enemy wants to see us divided and wounded, angry and not getting along. Are we going to let him win at his little game? Or are we going to keep going, working at it, forgiving no matter what?

I wrote a post a while back about how we might need to love one another a little more. I have had so much positive feedback from that post :) it made me realize that that is what is happening to the body of Christ - we've stopped loving one another and instead get jealous or angry. Petty things like, "everybody likes you more than me," or "you get more attention than me" are ruining the church. Trying to get rid of the people that disagree with you rather than working out your conflicts are leading innocent people astray and why non-Christians don't want to have anything to do with Christianity. Legalism is sucking the life out of believers.

I'm going to reiterate what I wrote a while back:
"So, my question is this: What can we be doing for each other that would help us come together to make the beautiful creation He has intended us to be? Maybe we need to spend a little more time encouraging one another. Maybe we need to spend a little more time praying for one another. And maybe, we need to spend a little more time loving one another."