Gratitude Friday

Good morning! Coffee is on....grab a cup and join me in Gratitude Friday! What are you thankful for this week?

1. coffee! David roasted coffee beans last night and the coffee smells A-M-A-Z-I-N-G this morning.

2. kindergarten hugs! I taught Kindergarten yesterday and the kids swarmed all over me to give hugs when they arrived. Cherished moments. Talk about feeling loved!

3. the ability to still learn! I took a big midterm last night and even though I stressed over it (and don't think I did well!), imagine what would happen if I no longer could be a life time learner?

4. travel time! I spent the last week with my mom in Hansville, I served Lutefisk in Poulsbo, a quick overnight with my aunt & uncle in Auburn, a few nights in San Francisco with Ian and another quick overnight with Jen in Goldendale. That's a lot of miles. I LOVE traveling, though!!! (and all of the Starbucks that are waiting for me to visit!)

5. friends that continue to give me encouragement. Life hasn't been very fun lately. I can't explain everything that's going on, but it's been a sad journey since camp got over.

Thinking on Psalm 61 this morning: "O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings." (vs 1-4)

Hope you have a wonderful Friday. I'm off to teach those sweet kindergartners again!!

(In)Courage -- What Encourages Me?

Courage –noun
1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
2. Obsolete. the heart as the source of emotion.—Idiom
3. have the courage of one's convictions, to act in accordance with one's beliefs, esp. in spite of criticism.

This new website (In)Courage is launching tomorrow! (their button is on the left sidebar) Taking hope to heart is the site's motto and I can't wait to read about what courage and encouragement looks like in others' lives. "Imagine all of us sitting around the kitchen table at a beach house, coffee in our hands, listening to stories as different as each one telling them." I'm excited! Imagine, the beach, coffee and girlfriends from all over sharing stories. AMAZING!

What does courage look in my life? Courage is being a military wife for over 24 years and being brave during unsettling times in the world. Courage is my fight against MS and the unknowns. Courage is going back to college at age 40 and getting my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Courage is stepping out in faith to try to become the best in what God has for me and learning to "Be Still!" It isn't easy. I fall, often and hard! But I'm thankful for my friends who encourage me in my journeys. I couldn't make it without encouragement!

Encouragement to me is taking time to share a cup of coffee to talk about the struggles and successes of life, my friends and family , an email or handwritten note that uplifts me, laughter with tears for the good times and bad, elementary kids who remind me daily how important my job is. Encouragement gives me extra strength to have the courage to face today and tomorrow without fear! What encourages you?

From another blog friend, I found this quote:

Spread love everywhere you go.

Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

~Mother Teresa

I can't wait to become friends with the (In)Courage girls! Check out the (in)courage website for yourself and be blessed~

I'm (IN!)

Another round of "Just a thought"...

I don't understand...but I want to do this! "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him,and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6

David works for a non profit organization here in town and after seeing a posting on the website that employment applications are being accepted for his position, it's very disheartening. I don't know the whole story yet. My heart is very heavy as we come to the end of a school year where I don't have a teaching income. We are not ready for another round of unemployment, either.

I just really don't understand this time!!!! Would you please pray for us and share words of encouragement with us?