With Thanks

This week has flown by!
I cannot believe it's Thursday already! I guess it's because we are just ending our first full week of school and with the new year, we are back into our busy-ness with church/ministries, after-school clubs, dance, orchestra, homework, chores, errands, open houses, and trying to establish a good routine!

I am thankful that it has been a fairly easy start to the school year. Both girls got right up last week on the first day of school, made their beds (altho my oldest tends to wait until she gets home...sigh...I have learned to pick my battles....it's more important for her to eat breakfast I guess than to make her bed......sigh....!). My husband and I have a good a.m. routine going...he has blessed our oldest with offering to bring her to the high school each day, rather than taking the bus which comes at 6:40 a.m.! This way she gets to sleep 15 extra minutes (which teens really need) and actually EAT breakfast. So........here's my list of thanks to God:

• a godly husband who helps out with our daughters. He even attended Open House on Tuesday nite with me (for Claire, 5th grade). He plans on attending Courtney's Open House next week at the high school. Which is great because I will be totally lost in Pre-Calculus, Chemistry and American History/Government. My eyes tend to glaze in those classes, especially the math and science.

• a teaching job that still allows me to work part-time. I LOVE the class....we have 15 kindergarten students (10 boys, 5 girls, and 7 out of the 10 boys have special needs....we are busy this year in the classroom!).

• our church: I am very thankful for our church as I have often mentioned before. Particularly this past week because the latest sermon series our pastor is doing is practical, simple and yet challenging.......we are blessed to have a pastor who knows how to preach to the unbeliever and yet challenge the seasoned believer, all at the same time! I thank the Lord for him and the other leadership!

• Our youth pastor: he has a tough job. He has great vision....I'll be sharing more on that at a future date.

• Good friends: I am very thankful for the friends God has placed in my life. From my oldest friend from way back in 2nd grade in 1967 (yes, Cheryl B, that's you if you're reading this!) to my newest friend (just since like June) who encourages, prays, listens, and is oh so patient......(thanks, Candace!). I am also thankful for fellow blogging friends whom I hope to one day meet (Susanne, Amy, Connie-Marie, Sandy, Christy Rose, and many others.....)

• This Scripture: "...He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17b. This verse has been "in my face" all summer long and even last nite it was listed in my evening devotional. God rejoices over us! His Love will quiet our spirits and He sings over us.......amazing....His mercy and grace are true gifts.

What are you thankful for this week? Feel free to share.........