Monday Musing - 10/28/13

A quote from C.S. Lewis...

Monday Musings - 10/21/2013

Last week, I taught my homeschool manner class about flag etiquette. While searching through some things I came across the lyrics to The Star Spangled Banner. So I thought I would share them with you all. I think it is sad that we don't know all the verses.

The Star Spangled Banner

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I'm thankful for... Day 17 & 18

Day 17

Yesterday was one of the days that our local homeschool co-op meets. When I woke up yesterday, my alarm radio came on and the first thing I heard was that the station was giving away Newsboys CDs to the first caller when you heard their song play in the next couple of hours. Well that helped me wake up! So all morning as I was getting ready I was listening for their song, and listening, and listening. Then I would hear their song and call right away, but I would get a busy tone. So they finally announced they had one CD left to give away (by this time we were in the car on the way to co-op). So I tried once more and again...I got the busy tone. I couldn't believe it. I called so early and still missed it. So I thought I would try one more time anyway and...it rang. The lady on the radio answered and told me I was the first caller and I won the CD!!!! I was so excited! I think I may have kinda screamed! So I am thankful for the opportunity to win the CD and have such a great Christian radio station to listen to. 

I was also grateful for the manners class I was able to teach. It was on flag etiquette and being an American! It was great to hear the children say the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Day 18

Today I am thankful for the great concert we were able to attend tonight! We went to the Keith and Kristyn Getty concert! I love the fact that we are able to have bands come so close by.

I also enjoyed seeing some friends thati haven't seen in quite a while! 

   

I'm thankful for... Day 15 and 16

Day 15

I'm thankful for a text message from an old friend that I hadn't heard from in a while. It was nice to text back and forth a little and get an update on what was happening in her life!

Day 16

Today I am thankful for a voice mail message from my niece/god-daughter. She let me know where she had been that day and then said, "We miss you. We love you." It was so sweet and it melted my heart!

I'm thankful for... Day 14

Yay! Day 14 and I have only had to do a few catch up days! 

Today I am thankful for the first fire of the year in our wood stove. While I'm not looking forward to cooler weather, I am very thankful for the heat that the wood stove provides! 

Monday Musing - 10/14/13

http://pinterest.com/pin/532198880936709153/

I'm thankful for... Day 11, 12, & 13

I have fallen a little behind on my thankful posts, the the last couple of days have been quite busy. As I look back on them, I'm not positive what all consumed the hours, but I know I didn't get around to posting anything here. 

Ahhh, now I remember what I was up to. I worked on Saturday and Friday and what time I didn't use catching up on things, was spent reading! :) I read two novels in the last couple of days. So I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to spend some time reading. While I was in college, I didn't have a lot of time for pleasure reading. After I finished college, it took me a long time to get back to reading books that I wanted to read instead of just the books I had to read for my assignments. It is so nice to have found my love of reading again!

I saw this picture earlier today and thought it was very appropriate! Except I would probably be heading to the library. Oh, that is another thing I am thankful, my local library and the wonderful librarians there. I don't know what I would do without them!

What are you thankful for this weekend? 

I'm thankful for...Day 10

Today I am especially thankful for the people that God has put into my life over the years. Even if some of them were there for a short time, they still made a big impact on me. 

A few years ago, a pastor from the local community was one of those people. I barely knew him, but to see the way he truly lived out his faith to the people in his midst was incredible. He was bold for God! 

I also think of some of the friends that God put in my life throughout my childhood and school years. God put them in the places I needed someone to be. 

I am grateful for various family members that have supported me. My grandparents were some of my biggest cheerleaders. And many others in my family have shown support for me in various ways. 

I think of my political friends that have supported me and been such blessings in my life. Thank you, God, for putting them in my life. 

Finally, the last one that comes to mind today is my former boss that recently passed away. While he was only my boss for a short time, I have great respect for this person. He made an impact on me and on the people around him. While not everyone may have always agreed with him, I believe he had a lot of people's respect. 

So today, I am thankful for the people I have mentioned above. So many of them have impacted me in ways that they will never know. I am grateful to God for placing them in my life. 

Who has made an impact on your life? How have you seen God use someone in your life that you only knew for a short while? 

I'm thankful for... Day 9

This is for yesterday (10/9)! Yesterday I was thankful to be able to go shopping in town with my mom and sister. We went to one of our favorite little stores in town, then to the library, and Walmart. It was a fun outing. And even more fun because I got some great deals. At the library, I picked up a couple of books of their book sale cart for just a couple dollars I got 3 novels and a children's book. Then when we were at Walmart, they were marking most of their clearance clothes down...to $1! It was great to be able to get a few different things! I got a course skirts, pairs of shorts, and t-shirts. All for $1 each, such a great deal. 

It was such a fun time!

What are you thankful for? When was the last time you got a great deal on something?

I'm thankful for... Day 8

Today I am thankful to be home and for the little things like running water! After being in the woods (camping) for a few days, I am thankful for modern conveniences. 

Another thing I'm grateful for is having Internet access again! :) But at the same time, it was nice to get away from it all.

Book Review - Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren

I loved reading Lisa Tawn Bergren’s third book in her series called the Grand Tour Series. The series tells the story of a young lady and her recently discovered wealthy family as they go on the “grand tour” across Europe. Glittering Promises sums up the series as they come to the conclusion of their tour. As you are touring along with the family, you will wish you are really there!

I could not wait to read this book and after reading it, I was not disappointed. Lisa did a lovely job of wrapping up the series in Glittering Promises. I couldn't put the book down as the story completely held my attention. And there was even a few surprises at the end. I would highly recommend the whole series!

***Here is a link to purchase the book on Amazon. Also, the second book in the series is free on Kindle and other devices, so make sure you check it out! (I don't know how long that offer is good, so make sure you get it soon!)

I'm thankful for... Day 6 & 7

This past weekend, my family (including siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephews) went camping. Our Fall camping trips are usually fun family times and there are almost always memories that are made. And this year was no exception! Starting out and even part of the trip, I was not very thrilled to be there. The forecast was about 100% chance of rain and it did rain almost all day Saturday and part of Sunday. So we were all very thankful yesterday when the sun came out! We even got to go riding (4-wheelers and dirt bikes)!

After the sun came out, we all felt so much better. I am also thankful for all the beautiful Fall colors. 

This is looking out over the lake that we camped by. 

Looking at the lake through the trees. 

Did your weekend turn out to be what you planned? What did you do this past weekend? 

Monday Musing - 10/7/13

http://pinterest.com/pin/532198880936709133/

I'm thankful for... Day 5

So even though it rained almost all day today and we didn't get to do all we wanted to do, I will still find something to be grateful for! So today I'm thankful for being able to spend time with family. During this rainy day, I played with my nieces and nephews and also played cards with some of my siblings and in-laws. It may not have been time spent outside, but I think we were all able to have some fun family time anyway!

I'm thankful for... Day 4

Last night I was looking at the number of hits I have had on my blog and the numbers completely shocked me. Within a 24 hour period, I had close to 90 page view on my blog! And I also went over my total page views of 4,000. 

So today I am so thankful to God for all of you who are reading my blog. Sometimes I wonder if people are reading it and it still surprises me when people tell me they are reading it. I pray that in some way God will use my words to minister to each one of you. 

So to you, my faithful readers, thank you! 

I'm thankful for... Day 3

I'm thankful for the opportunity to teach at our local homeschool group. I'm teaching a manners class for K-4. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to give back to the co-op group that I was able to be a part of growing up. And I hope one day, when I have children, I'll be able to bring them to this same homeschool group! 

I'm thankful for... Day 2

Today I'm thankful for being able to meet and visit with Author Cynthia Ruchti yesterday. It was wonderful to be able to meet her right here in my small town. I had just recently finished reading When The Morning Glory Blooms by her and I loved the story. It was so inspiring and yet such a beautiful book! I would highly recommend it! 

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/142673543X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1380742265&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165 

I'm thankful for... Day 1

"...be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" 

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Today I am thankful for the fall weather and the pretty leaves that are starting to change. 

A little bit of red in the woods!