Being Thankful

I bet you thought I had forgot to finish my 40 days of Thankfulness. 
 

So here goes a whole month of
 

I am thankful because . . . .

Day 8

God has called me to serve Him in the country of Japan.

 

Day 9

 I can always find something to smile about.

Even silly vegetables that smile!!

 

Day 10

I am an American

 

Day 11

I have food to eat. 

 

Day 12

 Noah is finally healthy and growing.

 

Day 13

For rain.

 Without the rain we would have no growth.

 

 

Day 14

For letters in the mail. 

Writing letters is a lost art and

I LOVE to get a letter in the mail.

 

Day 15

For the gift of sight. 

 I love to see beautiful colors.

 

Day 16

 God uses the simple everyday things to speak to me.

 

Day 17

For our churches in America who love and support us.

Some by prayer and some with gifts and for both I am very thankful.

 

Day 18

God always takes care of us.

(This is from a blow-out we had on deputation.)

 

Day 19

For the great state of TEXAS!

(can I get an amen?)

 

Day 20

For our military and the protection they provide.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

 

Day 21

I was able to travel around the United States

and see some really awesome stuff!

 

 

Day 22

For laughter.

This is my Mom.  She locked herself in my Dad's pickup.

Every time she would try to open the door the alarm would go off. 

We sat in the parking lot and laughed and laughed, because really,

who locks themselves IN the car??

 

Day 23

For Barbie.

She didn't grow in my tummy but she grew in my heart.

She will always be apart of our family.

 

Day 24

For the little things in life, like a hummingbird.

 

Day 25

For cousins!!

I love each of my nieces and nephew!!

Miss you all so much!

Day 26

For Mister Donut

Bible Study, Date night and point cards

that earn you FREE donuts!!!

 

 

Day 27

For the different kind of food and drink we get to try.

(I hope this one does not take off.  It was not the best idea.)

 

Day 28

For the flowers and all the things that grow after the rain.

 

 

 

Day 29

My kids have friends here in Japan.

 

Day 30

God gave me a talent that I can use for Him.

 

Day 31

For our mode of transportation.

It may not be what I want but it does

get us where we need to be.

 

Day 32

For Noah

Noah is an amazingly talented young man. 

He makes us laugh and drives us crazy.

 

Day 33

For Rachal

She is a beautiful young lady 

and a great helper around the house.

She has become an awesome little cook.

 

Day 34

For Jonah

He is growing up so fast. 

Each day he amazes me with his quest for knowledge.

Always reading, always asking questions. 

 

Day 35

For Eli

He has a kind heart and is always trying to please others.

He is growing up so fast.

My baby is not a baby anymore!!

 

 Day 36

For family time

Right not my kids are sitting around the table,

 putting a puzzle together and laughing.

Mike and I have no idea why they are laughing.

I don't even think they know.

But I love it and I am thankful for it!!

 

Day 37

For date night

Every week Mike and I are able to go out. 

Most of the time we just go get a 100 yen donut and walk around. 

I am thankful that after 15 years of marriage we still have fun together.

 

Day 38

For technology

Because of facebook and Skype I can keep

in touch with my friends and family. 

 I know I sometimes feel so far away but really

I am only seconds away from being with you all!!

 

Day 39

For home school

I am very thankful that I get to be involved in educating my kids. 

 At times I am overwhelmed but really I love it. 

I love helping them learn something new. 

 I love that I get to spend all day with them.

 

.

Day 40

For still believing in Santa

If you don't believe you don't receive!!

Merry Christmas!!

5% . . . . really is it worth it?

I love a good sale.  I really love a good sale. 

There is just something exciting when you walk into a store and see SALE! 

 But as much as I love a good sale, I will usually not even

stop if the mark down is less than 20%.  

I just feel like it's useless for 15%, 10%, and

they might as well not even put up the signs for 5%. 

Because if it's not at least 20%, then really,

 they have not given up very much.

I have not written on the blog in a while.  My life has been crazy.  Things are changing.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner.  I am trying to keep my head above water.  I am only giving 5% to everything I am doing.

We have been sick.  I have been sick.  The kids have been sick.  We all have this barking cough and runny nose.  It's hard to go see a doctor.  I can't really explain what's going on with us.  So I have to wait until it is convenient for someone to take me.  I have not been sleeping well, about 5% of my night is sleeping and the rest is me coughing. 

We have changed the way we are doing home school.  We went from having everyone on the same program to "a little bit of this and a little bit of that".  I think in the long run it will work out and be great for us.  It's just the change and new routine that has taken some time to get used to.  I feel like I am only giving 5% to school right now.  I feel each day that I am one or two steps behind and running around like crazy trying to catch up with this schedule in my head. 

I started a new language school a few months back.  I am loving the new class.  I love the teaching style.  I feel like I am learning how to speak.  I am now making sentences, first grade simple sentences, but sentences none the less.  I know I am not practicing my new vocabulary words like I should.  I know I am not looking for ways to use my language.  I know I am only giving 5% in this area too.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are quickly coming. I have been wishing them away.  Not that I am a Scrooge or hate the holidays.  I just don't want to be away from home, from family.  PLUS,  I have nothing for the holidays.  We came to Japan almost a year ago with 12 boxes and 6 carry on bags.  We brought what we knew we would need to survive.  Christmas decorations did not make the list.  Fall wreaths did not make the list.  Candy Canes did not make the list (can't find candy canes in the stores.  How do you have Christmas with no candy canes?)  So, I have been planning Christmas since September.  I have been trying to make stockings, I have been thinking about decorations I can make here and missing MY ornaments.  Our family traditions and our Christmas things.  I know it is silly, but it's true.  So I feel that I am only giving 5%  toward Christmas. 

Really, 5% stinks.  It's the worst.  I mean really who wants just 5%.  God wants more than that.   My family needs more of me than just 5%.  

Bring ye all the tithes (10%) into the storehouse,

that there may be meat in mine house,

and prove me now herewith,

saith the Lord of hosts,

if I will not open you the windows of heaven,

and pour you out a blessing,

that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 

Malachi 3:10

 

 

So today, I am putting God first, I am giving him my day (at the beginning of the day).  I am asking him to show me how to give 100% to my husband and to my kids.  If I get that right, then the rest will just fall into place {home school, language, Christmas and Thanksgiving}  I don't have to always have a perfect house, and it will be OK if we don't get everything done today in school.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming even if I don't have the stockings finished.  All that really matters, at the end of the day, is that I gave 100% of my day to glorify God and love my family.