Happy Birthday Sheila!

Wednesday, Day 196:  Twenty eight years ago I received one of the most precious gifts of my life:  my baby girl, Sheila.  I was always more of a “guy person”, so I wasn’t sure what I’d do with a little girl.  I’ve never been “girly” myself and didn’t know how to teach a little girl all those things that most mom’s do.  We were a male dominated family, so most of our activities were hunting, fishing, camping, shooting and such like.  It wasn’t until Sheila became a teenager that we started spending “girl time” together.  Even though I had never really enjoyed shopping, when I did it with my girl, it was FUN!

As my little girl grew into a woman, I discovered that she was more than just a daughter…she was my best friend.  I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her grow and mature into an amazing woman…smart, capable, compassionate, and virtuous.  She has proven herself time and time again in the workplace…winning the respect and affection of her employers.  She is constantly trying to improve herself…currently studying long and hard to take the Series 7 (and Series 63)  exams to better serve her current employer.  She also makes time to be a CASA, and a good one.  She recently had an attorney ad litem commend her in court for a job well done (believe me, that just DOESN’T happen!).  She is currently waiting to be assigned a child with Big Brothers Big Sisters, so she can be more personally involved in a child’s life.  She is one of the most giving people I know.  But she isn’t all work and no play…she knows how to have fun!  Everything is more fun when I do it with my girl.  She has thrown some of the best parties I’ve ever been to.  Our mother/daughter trips have provided some of the best times I’ve ever had.

I’m sorry if I’m sounding too “braggy”.  I don’t mean for this to sound like I’m taking responsibility for the woman that Sheila has become.  I don’t claim credit for who she is.  She was born with certain God-given abilities.  She takes after her dad in MANY ways, which has served her well.  Then she has taken what she’s been given and multiplied it. 

So today, I am very thankful for having the blessing of such a wonderful daughter and friend!

Pr 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Half Way Point

Thursday, Day 183:  I’m half way through my 365 days of thanksgiving!  I have to admit that each day becomes more challenging.  Even though I have done a few “repeats”, I am trying to find something different each day.  Plus, rather than just grabbing something out of the air, I’m trying to notice something that I see or experience each day for which to give thanks.  So this next 182 days is going to be exponentially more difficult.  But that is part of the challenge…to GROW in my thankfulness.

I want to interject a little something here for those who may have thought to themselves that I’m not directing my thanksgiving to God.  (No one has complained about this to my knowledge, but I’m sure SOMEONE has thought it.)  It is true that I don’t mention in every post, or even in most of them, that I’m thankful to God for all of these blessings.  However, I recognize and acknowledge that ALL good and perfect gifts come from God.  (James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.)  If there has been any doubt, let it be eliminated!

That being said, today I want to give thanks for God adopting me as His child…and giving me all the blessings that I receive.  That is such an awesome principle in my mind!  That the creator of EVERYTHING, One who is all-powerful and all-knowing, chose to make me a part of His family…and loves me the way (only deeper) that I love my three kids…that He cares about what happens to me on a daily basis and intervenes when He sees best…that He sacrificed His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON so that I could be a child of His.  Please believe me when I say that all of my praise and thanksgiving go to my God and Father!

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Sisterhood of the traveling book

I am so excited about something I am a part of that I had to share!  I have talked about my current favorite author, Lisa Wingate, before in this blog.  She created this "sisterhood" for her new books being released.  There are 23 groups of 5 "sisters" each.  She mails out one of her new books (before they are released) to the first sister of each group.  They have the book for a couple of weeks to read and promote in their community.  While they are reading the book, they are to jot notes in the margins when they come across something that particularly inspires them or that they relate to.  They also take pictures of themselves reading the book (or just the book) in different settings.  When they finish, they mail the book on to the next sister...until it finally makes its way back to Lisa.  There is also a facebook page where all of the sisters can communicate with the whole group and share their pictures.  I've watched the process from afar (on facebook) and thought how much fun it would be to take part in it.  During the last selection process, I was chosen!  The book is supposed to be making its way to me this week.  (I'm #2 on the list in group 17.)  I can't wait to receive "our" copy of "The Story Keeper."  I love Lisa's books, and this will make reading one even more special!