December 3, 2020

Thankful Thursday

I know I haven't been around this week. I'm not in a funk or anything, but it has just felt like there's nothing new going on that's of any interest and it's not feeling like it's going to get any better on that front any time soon. PA keeps "suggesting" restrictions to try and curb Covid, which is running rampant here. Seriously. We are supposed to be one of the worst states new case-wise right now and they are already making noises about restricting Christmas gatherings even more than they did for Thanksgiving. 

All that said, it's more important than ever to focus on the blessings in life and express gratitude for them. This is one area where science has proved the church has been right all along. You can defeat negative thought patterns by training your brain to look at the positive and practicing gratitude. Brain scans have shown it actually changes brain activity.

So....

This week I am thankful...

** for my sweet grandbabies. They bring so much joy into our lives and it's impossible to feel down looking at their smiles.


** my friend and hair stylist. She did a wonderful job touching up my color, adding a little extra zip for the holidays...and of course, it was fun to chat and catch up.

** the new casino that just opened about 15 minutes from us has a Guy Fieri restaurant in it. I'm following on Facebook and oh. my. goodness. All the dishes they've shown look absolutely scrumptious! I can't wait to go try it out in person. 



** we survived the first snow storm of the winter. Tuesday was frigid, windy and dumped about 8 inches of snow on us. The roads and sidewalks were still warm enough that I didn't have to do much shoveling...just a bit around my car and a lot of that was from what I knocked off the car. A couple of days of highs in the 40's should clear most of it away. It was pretty for a day or two. Plenty for me.

** I finished up Beth Moore's study on the apostle Paul yesterday. It was soooo very good and Beth's spin on things helped me to see a lot of things I'd not seen before. 

** after several years of only attending a home study group, I went to a church service on Sunday! A couple of girls I went to school with attend and I was to meet them, but when an email went out Sunday morning letting people know that masks were now mandatory, they decided not to go. Not really a surprise since they only started going there a few months back specifically because they didn't have to wear masks. I thought about not going, but decided to be brave and go on my own. I am so glad I did. The man doing the greeting at the door introduced me to his wife when he heard I was new and I talked with her before the service and sat with them during. It was so wonderful to worship in that setting again. I have missed that. Of course, I was paying attention to everything to see if what was taught was biblically sound and it was. I plan to go back this Sunday. I hope it works out that I feel comfortable staying and I'm looking forward to the time when small groups can start back up.



** after all of last weekend's "fun" with a kidney stone, Tim continues to be pain free. Hopeful that means he passed it and that it isn't lurking in his bladder waiting to cause more problems.

** I ordered the next Bible study I'm going to do. It's a verse mapping study of Luke. Has anyone done verse mapping? I've done Precepts and have been trained to teach it to children, but it's not my favorite thing. I only use elements of it. The description I read of verse mapping sounds like something I will like.



** the urge to bake and create that is kicking in. I hadn't done any baking or candy making the last couple of years because of my work schedule. I've tagged several new cookie recipes to try this year and one for Oreo balls (crushed oreos mixed with cream cheese, formed into balls and covered with chocolate). I also plan to go tomorrow and stock up on melting disks in lots of colors and get started on making candy and chocolate covered pretzels. Our daughter may help, but our planned day of baking with my mom probably isn't happening.



** a friend's recommendation for a book about the societal trend of adult children disowning their parents. It's heartbreaking that we've had this happen with our son, but even more heartbreaking that we are not alone in this. It is very wide spread and the incidence of it is growing. Just do a search on Amazon and see how many books on the subject turn up. I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise to those of us who are Christians. We are seeing 2 Timothy 2 playing out. The book arrives tomorrow. I'm looking forward to gaining some insight.



** this season of bright lights, happiness, love, good cheer, and celebration of the Savior's birth. The world needs something good. The world needs a Savior more than ever.



** the continued health of my family and friends.

** for all of you, of course. Your sweet comments, advice, and guidance are a blessing! 


Linking up with Rebecca Jo @

Knit By God's Hand.



17 comments:

  1. Oh, that grandbabies picture!
    I am planning a Christmas cookies day with 2 of mine, and so looking forward to it!

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    1. My daughter and I will have at least one joint baking day and I'm sure I will have several on my own. I'm glad to be getting back to it.

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  2. Grandbabies sure have a way of bringing joy in a crazy time.
    I love me some Beth Moore- she's so gifted at giving that new insight in the Bible.
    That new one you are doing... that sounds DEEP! Good for you!
    It's a crazy year, isn't it. I'm hoping it really takes focus of events & the spending of Christmas & keeps families tight & celebrating the important things. ... what a year to remember.

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    1. I'm hoping the new study is deep. At least as deep as Beth Moore's. I tried to do a Max Lucado I had picked up at a yard sale or something and it was so..."fluffy" by comparison. I just wanted to roll my eyes as awful as that sounds. Oh yes, praying Christmas draws our eyes off the storm and onto the One who calms the storms.

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  3. Hi Stacy:
    2020 has been a tough year for everyone. I agree about focus on the blessings in life. Hopefully 2021 will be a better year.
    Have a good day.

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  4. Your grandbabies are so sweet, love that picture. I've done several Beth Moore studies and enjoyed them all!!

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    1. Thanks, Mary! Yes, Beth Moore is a wonderful teacher. She has such a gift of insight into how the people were probably feeling and thinking. She always gives me a fresh perspective to think about.

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  5. Grandkids are the absolute best. Currently I'm doing an Advent Study by She Reads Truth and hubby is doing the He Reads Truth. We are enjoying it. I have never heard of verse mapping. Let me know if you like it.

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    1. It's wonderful that you and your husband can work on studies side-by-side and talk about them. My hubby is just not a reading/book study kind of person. I tried for years before giving up. I still pray about it, but I leave him alone. I will be sure to do a post about verse mapping once I learn it.

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  6. It's so good to 'see' you here! I've not heard of verse mapping; making a mental note to bring that up at Monday's study. I was attending in-person services for while -- but considering the 'no singing' mandate and other restrictions, I'm back to watching online.
    Loving that image of Leah and Colton!

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    1. You can Google verse mapping. There are a ton of books and studies out there. I just recently heard of it myself. If you wait until January 26 there is a line of NIV Bibles coming out that are devoted to it. I'm guessing maybe they guide you in studies and possibly have room to do the work right in the Bible?

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  7. I haven't heard of verse mapping so will go to check it out on Google. We love our new church and I am so glad we had a year of small group meetings before COVID hit. Now we Zoom and I think we are all getting tired of it... I know we are. It's just not the same as being able to hug and share a meal with others in the group. It will come back. I hope your new church gives you what you need. It is great being able to worship with other believers. xo

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    1. The home study group I'm part of had gone back to in-person meetings back in July or August. We haven't had any problems or scares, but now that everything is really heating up we have gone back to Zoom meetings. We are going to meet for a Christmas gathering, though. I hear you on the hugging thing. While everyone at the church was very nice, it's weird to go to a church and not get/give hugs or even shake hands. You can't really get to know people all that well from a distance through a mask. :/

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  8. Aww your grandkids are cute. You are blessed to have children in your life. It does make the holidays nicer.

    I know Guy Fieri - he grew up in Ferndale, Ca in Humboldt county and he helps our counties when we have fires. He comes and cooks for the firefighters. He's a good "guy."

    I just heard our Gov is locking us down even more...it just never ends.

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    1. You know Guy?! That is so cool! I love watching his shows. It's also very cool that he helps out the firefighters. :)

      No, there just doesn't seem to be an end to all this does there? I'm sure it will end some day, but still...

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  9. Hi Stacy - your grandkids are so darn cute! We decided just to wear our masks and go back to church in person, even though the service is now available via zoom. There is just a warm spirit in the actual church that isn't there so much at home. It makes a difference in our week. I hope you like the book. Please let me know what you think of it. I am excited because I got an actual Christmas card from my youngest daughter with an actual picture of my grandkids on it. They are growing up so much and I really miss seeing them, but I am praying hard that one day the relationship with that daughter can be "normal" again. Still nothing from our oldest daughter, which makes me sad, but God is in control and knows my heart's desire for all to be well in the family. Lovely post. See you again soon.

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