Thankful . . . .

I know it has been a while since I have properly posted anything on here, but that's what happens when it's Thanksgiving and your laptop crashes. Nevertheless, my brain is overloaded of wonderful thanksgiving memories and thoughts.

This Thanksgiving was a compilation of emotions. I was extremely excited that my best friends were coming to town, and yet on the other hand I was so sad because I was not with my family for the holidays. I was jealous (yes, I said jealous), that my sisters, parents and grandparents were in the Norongoro Crater with all the animals for Thanksgiving, and I was stuck in freezing cold Missouri wearing sweaters with homemade turkeys pinned on with safety pins (if you want to know that story ask me later). I was thrilled to spend the entire day with my best friends because I knew that laughter would not be a problem. Yet on the other hand, my heart was heavy because there is just no place like home.

Great food (compliments to the Shirleys), laughter, too much desert, laughter, diet coke, laughter, sitting around the kitchen table on myspace, laughter, prayer meetings in the middle of the kitchen, laughter, laughter, laughter, laughter. Did I mention that we laughed alot? All of these thoughts were going through my head as I drifted off to sleep that night. There was no room for sadness, no room for jealousy, no room for gloominess.

My heart is truly full and overflowing for the people He has placed in my life. He knew from the beginning that I would need an extended family to comfort me on such days as the one mentioned above. I am so grateful for His faithfulness to me! He knows what I need even before it even crosses my mind. I am thankful for the little things that I don't usually notice right away. I am thankful that I am blessed beyond measure!!!

Just Say NO

If the Peanut Butter said NO to the Jelly would there be a PB&J?


If the Honey said NO to the Nut would there be HONEY NUT CHEERIOS?


If the Ham said NO to the Burger would there be a HAMBURGER?



If the Diet said NO to the Coke would there be DIET COKE?



If the Dr. said NO to the Pepper would there be DR. PEPPER?



If the Sweet said NO to the Tea would there be SWEET TEA?



If the Salt said NO to the Vinegar would there be SALT & VINEGAR CHIPS?


If the Pop said NO to the Corn would there be POPCORN?


If the Taco said NO to the Chip would there be TACO CHIPS?

Yes, I have weird thought patterns. However, humor me and see how creative this list can become. Sometimes it's good to be goofy - it really does relieve the stress.

Even though this blog started out goofy - there really is a thought behind all of this.

How many times do we take on tasks knowing that we will stress out completely before it gets done. We know our plate is full and overflowing, we feel overloaded and overwhelmed, and yet we just keep piling on more. Instead of asking for two plates at the buffet, we say to ourselves oh it will fit right over here, and before long we have a huge mess of something that no longer looks appetizing and or attractive.

I encourage you today - take time for yourself.

Learn to say no when you know that the task is greater than you have strength.

If the Lord promised to never put more on us than we can bear - then why do we do it to ourselves.

The power of two little letters is so liberating.

Just say no - light a candle - grab a book - turn on some soft music - take time for YOU!!!