20-Day Gratitude Challenge

20-Day "Choosing Gratitude" Challenge 2019Your Challenge: For twenty days, Ask God to show you the many ways in which He has blessed you. Keep track of what He shows you and express gratitude to Him and others *daily* for specific praises. 

DAY ONE: A Declaration of Thanksgiving and Praise

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.       ~ Ezra 3:11

As God's people, we need to dedicate each day for Thanksgiving and praise for all that God has done for us---even in the midst of conflict and trials. Be an igniter of gratitude by encouraging those you love and care about to cultivate a thankful heart too.


Lord, teach me to cultivate a thankful heart. Help me choose to give thanks in the places I most want to complain. I want my life, my heart, and my attitude to have gratitude for Your provision each and every day. 

MY GOD IS........ (A Thanksgiving Reflection)

reading 'Satisfy My Thirsty Soul'
one of the excercises ~ making a list of the attributes of God from A to Z.
Some letters are easier than others, some take no time to list, some I can only think of one word, others.....wow. Takes some time (after half an hour my brain was fried, and yet after I laid it aside and did other things, words still came to mind....faster than I could write them down!)ere it is, even weeks after I started my list and as I type this, words are coming to mind. I thought I would post it here, as it seemed somehow fitting for Thanksgiving.
(Some letters were more difficult than others)

MY GOD IS........
Awesome, my All In All, Amazing, Annointed One, Adored, Adonai, Abba, Anchor, Ancient of Days, Alpha, Able,
Beautiful,Beginning and End, Blessed, Beloved, Brilliant, Breath
Christ, Creator, Coming, Caring, Chosen, Compassionate, Captivating, Conqueror, Comforting, Counselor,
Deliverer, my Delight, Destiny, Defender Divine,
Eternal, Excellent, Everlasting, Ever-Present,Emmanuel(God with us),
Father, Forever, Faithful, Forgiving, Friend, Freedom, First and the Last, Fabulous, Fantastic,
God, Great, Glorious, Giver, Good, Grace,
Helper, Healer, Holy, High-and-exalted, Holy, Hosannah,
Immeasurable, Infallible, Immutable, Impartial, Infinite, Incomprehensible,
Just, Joy, Jealous, Jehovah,
King, Kinsman Redeemer, Kind,
Lord, Lover, Listener, Leader, Laughter, Life,
Master, Maker, Messiah, Mentor, Mercy, Mighty, Motivator, Messenger,
Never-sleeping
Omniscient, Omnipresent, Overwhelming, On-time,
Present, Patient, Papa, Passionate, Pure, Prince of Peace, Powerful, Pursuer,
Quiet
Rescue, Radiant, Redeemer,
Savior, Sovereign, Sweet, Searcher of Hearts, Sufficient,
Truth, Trust, Timely, Transcendant of time and space, Tremendous,
Understanding, Unfathomable, Unchanging,
Victorious
Wreckless love, Wellspring of life, Wonderful, Worthy,
X
YHWH
Z

New Condo!

One week before this past Thanksgiving I was blessed to be able to move into a condominium (=thanks to my aunt and my parents =). We had been looking since it was decided I was moving back to So. Cal., and whilst unfortunately I did not find one in the same complex as my best friend (:'() (believe me, I tried), I did manage to find one relatively close.

The Remington (reminds me of a stuffed bear I had as a kid with the same name). I prayed for and low and behold got a tennis court, weightroom and swimming pool/hot tub. (Now if it would just warm up so that I could actually USE the pool! I can see it from my livingroom window, and its beckoning!)

The community college is relatively close to the condo, so we advertised for a PCA through the college. A few people were interviewed and found a young gal that I really liked as a live-in. We get along great, and have had fun together. There is a Denney's down the road and we've gone out to eat a few times. Sometimes just the two of us, or on occasion with her fiance' and his friend (we are a riot!). If for any reason I ever needed a back-up, there is another young gal who lives in the same complex who is willing to help when needed. There is even an RN who lives outside the complex but still close enough she could help out if need be. (thank You Lord!)

It's been great so far, the gal I hired as a live-in is also into horses, has a 2 year-old Jack Russel/Blue Heeler mix (named Miley), and goes to church near-by. Miley and Alehe tolerate eachother. On a very rare occasion you can catch them playing.

Lawn maintenance is going to love me - Ah yes, I have managed to tear up the grass with the powerchair on a few occassions now. I had to call home for assistance in getting me out those times too. It had rained, and the ground was extremely soft because of the rain. I did ge to meet a few of our neighbors, however, it was SO nto the way I wanted to be introduced, having to be rescued from the clutches of a soggy wet/muddy lawn. *SIGH*

Come visit me sometime! (pretty please!?)

Deep Fried Turkey!

It was my first Thanksgiving with extended family in fifteen years, I was excited! Even more so Thanksgiving day. I couldn't wait to spend time with family. I was stuffed to the gills with lamb, mashed potatoes, Christmas salad (family tradition, yes, done at Christmas too), gumbo (My aunt and uncle lived in Louisiana for a while), green beans (bleh)... I'm sure I am forgetting something. I even went back for seconds - did I REALLY need to? HAHA (no), and yet STILL had a slice of pecan pie AND chiffon pumpkin pie! (oofdah!) Afterward we drew names for Christmas. In times past we have drawn names and bought a gift just for that person, this year and in years past we have exchanged Christmas ornaments. I am painting mine for my person this year. :)

The next day 2nd cousin Otis invited friends to his family's house for a Thanksgiving lunch/dinner. Sadly, none of his friends showed. He did invite his aunt and three-year-old cousin from is dads side who did make it. He had fashioned a deep fryer from an old outdoor heater. Forty-five minutes and we had deep fried turkey! YUM!!!!
Deep fried turkey, amazing!!!!! We stuffed ourselves yet again. And then snacked on leftovers all day.

Friday night cousins Tracy and Jim and I went to and outdoor ampitheatre @ Viejas casino to watch "Legend of the Ice Princess"
It was about a young fairy princess named Crystal who has magical powers bringing winter to the holiday season. Pyrotechnics, choreographed fountains, lasers, lights and special effects brought this story to life. It was good, although I thought it to be geared more toward younger audiences. Although, the last line in teh story stuck out to me which was
~ "Believe in yourself, and hold onto your dreams"

Afterward, we went nearby to teh iceskating rink and sat watching the three boys was rather entertaining. I know my cousin Tracy was laughing at 'em. I had a great time just watching them and knowing they were having a great time. I forgot how cold Alpine can be! Felt a little like Montana. Just a little.

Sermon - A Simple Thanksgiving

Dr. David Jeremiah – Shadow Mountain Community Church

Everything in my life is filtered through the loving hands of God
Humbled…or hardened?
Beauty in the simplest elements of life
When it’s dark enough, you see the stars
Consistency of God’s blessings dulls our attitude
2 Corinthians 11 – Apostle Paul, great teacher of gratitude
Giving thanks for our FAITH
2Cor. 9:15 – spontaneous praise; Ephesians 1:3
I know Jesus, therefore I am rich
The greatest thing God can do, bring me to Himself
Giving thanks for our FAMILY
2Timothy 1: 3, 5
One day you may wake up and realize the things you so desperately wanted are the things in which you already have
Giving thanks for your FRIENDS
Paul’s Epistles
Philippians 1:4 ; Romans 1:8 ; Ephesians 1:15, 16 ; Colossians 12:3, 4 ; 2Timothy 1:3 ; 1 Corinthians 1:4 ; Phil. 1:3 ; 1Thess. 1:2 ; 2Thess. 1:3
Giving thanks for our FINANCES
Phil. 4:10, 19 – 20 ; Psalm 68:19 ; Psalm 107:21 – 22
What is your perspective? (Book: Paradox of Choice – Why More is Less)
Giving thanks for our FUTURE
Col. 1:12 – 13
I have an incredible future; the BEST is yet to come!
Loss and pain open the door to gratitude