I am thankful for many things today. The Lord is good! It has been a fairly busy week so far and the weekend will be even busier. But, my eyes are stayed on Him and I am thankful for His Presence in my life and my family's life!

• The Sunshine: after a week of dreary, damp and dismal days, we see sun and warmer temps finally! Snow is gone from most of my yard and soon I will see the little yellow and purple crocuses shooting through the brown earth.

• My In-Laws: they are driving 4 hours today from the Boston area to get here in time for dinner with us and then to attend Courtney's strings concert. The freshmen strings from the high school Symphony Orchestra will be performing tonite along with 1 of the 2 choruses, and the Percussion Ensemble. They really want to hear Courtney play her violin so I am very thankful that they take time out to attend the events. It means alot to us.

• My women's small group leader, Shelly. What a dear person. I am thankful for her encouraging notes, her willingness to lead us in the book study and for opening up her home to us each month. She sends notes the "old-fashioned" way: mailing! It is great to get something personal in the "snail mail"!

• My daughter's spunk: she came down this a.m. (the 14 yr old) with a shirt on that at first looked like it said "American Idol". Same type logo. It actually says "Amazing Grace" and in smaller letters it says something like "I don't need an idol, I have the Savior". (she bought it at the Youth for Christ retreat). She is wearing this to school. Now technically, according to the student handbook, she is not supposed to wear tee-shirts with slogans on them that promote religion, sex, gangs, etc etc. BUT....I am now home from work and the hall principal hasn't called yet, so....must be the shirt was ok! I asked her if she was worried at all about the possibility of getting "bullied" verbally for making a statement like that. Her answer? "No, Mom, remember our district makes a big thing about tolerance" And...she is probably right: some kids might poke fun at it...but...she is the type that it won't bother her one bit. Way to go Courtney! (I confessed to her that I never would have had the nerve to wear that in high school and that I now regret not taking a bolder stand for Christ while in my teen years).

• The Scriptures: I am thankful that they hold all the answers to life. We have a purpose here on earth: to worship the one true God. I am thankful for being able to read and hear His Word each day and to try and apply the Scriptures to my life and to help my children learn the Truths found in the Word.

What are some things you are most thankful for today?? Do you talk about them with your spouse or your children? I am encouraging my children to find at least 2 things each day to be thankful for....it is a great way to begin prayer time as well!
OH! and please keep my husband Dave in your prayers? He is co-leading the junior high Youth for Christ retreat this weekend. He has 45 6th-8th graders going from our youth group!!!! He wants prayer for physical health, and for emotional stamina. It is a big group. About 10 of the kids go to different churches but are joining ours for the weekend retreat; he doesn't know these kids as well and is praying all things run smoothly. Thanks for your prayers!