November

Bet that picture got your attention!

It's been too long since I posted, my friends! So much has been going on. We had Halloween and my dear parents-in-law visited. Man, October was one busy month!

This month I want to keep special track of the blessings of the Lord. I want to foster a heart of gratitude each and every day. Tonight, as I write, I've been struggling with a very ungrateful and angry spirit. And the verse that rang in my ears as I cursed under my breath was from Jonah, the book that we've been taught from at church.

Twice God asks Jonah, the reluctant prophet, this question: "Do you do well to be angry?"

I felt God asking me that same question tonight, as I raged in my heart about my perception of how my children provoke me, ignore my instruction, blah, blah, blah. Me, me, me. Forgetting, like Jonah, that I am a sinner.

Forgetting, like Jonah, that before I was in Christ, I was fully deserving the righteous wrath of God.

Forgetting, like Jonah, that my own anger is VERY RARELY righteous or justified.

Again, I turn to giving thanks, a surefire way to experience a change of heart, a foolproof method of finding my joy again.

Let me not delay to remember, and give thanks. On our way to 1000 Blessings!

#0112 - 0120

0112
the words of the Lord coming back to me, "Do you do well to be angry?" Gulp.

0113
our community group from church

0114
being able to get up earlier than usual the past several weeks. I hope make it earlier still in the coming weeks

0115
time with the grandparents. So good to be with them and miss them while we're apart.

0116
my special friend, M. I love being her friend and am so grateful for her and her family. They are really and truly gifts to us.

0117
real enjoyment in classroom teaching these days. And today I received some great feedback from a highly respected colleague. I yearn for feedback! And positive feedback makes me feel so good.

0118
that the Lord can use anyone, even me, even Jonah, even you!

0119
the last brilliant days of fall. I love leaves swirling through the air

0120
looking ahead to February when I will travel to Dominican Republic with my students. Lots to pray about and plan for!

For more potent reminders about gratitude, finding beauty, giving thanks and walking with the Lord, may I highly recommend A Holy Experience, written by Ann Voskamp? She says it all so much more eloquently than I do.

More tomorrow! Don't miss these last two pictures...