A Thankful Heart and THRIVE!!!

I do a lot of praying in the shower.  No, I really do.  It's quiet, I'm alone, I think the shower is a great place to pray. 

So this morning I started praying for all of my family (which I do every day), praying for the son of a co-worker who had surgery yesterday.  Praying for the sons of two ladies whose blogs I follow (both boys are named Grayson and I'm sure their mamas would appreciate your praying for healing for them too).  Praying, praying praying.  I mean, we're supposed to pray about everything, right??  The Bible says in I Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

And as I was praying this morning, the thought came into my mind "why don't you give thanks for what you have before you pray for what you need."

Wow.

So I started praising God, thanking Him for my husband and my kids, for my parents, for my sisters and their families.  I thanked Him for my house and for my job and for the beautiful sunrise this morning.  I thanked Him for health, and for being so good to me when I don't deserve any of it.

And I thanked Him for salvation, and for the promise of eternal life.

I'm still praying today.  I'm still praying for everything I started praying about this morning.

But I'm PRAISING too.  

And I bet, if you think about it, you have much to be thankful for as well.  And I know that God loves to hear us say thank you. 

If you have a moment, click on the video below and listen to a song that I just can't get out of my head lately. It's called THRIVE by one of my favorite groups, Casting Crowns:

Have a blessed day!!

Worship

Amen.

The Graduates

On Saturday our son, Cole, graduated from Lincoln University, Cum Laude, with a Bachelor's in AgriBusiness. 

On Sunday our daughter, Alex, graduated from Eldon High School in the Top Ten Percent of her class.

We are more than proud.

Just so you know, I pray for everyone who reads my blog.  And I am certain some of you who read my blog pray for me and my family. And for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.   I would ask that, as the Lord brings my family to your mind, that you would lift my children before the Lord.  Please pray that, as they both move into the next season of their lives, their hearts would stay close to God.  That He would watch over them, protect them, lead them, and guide them every day of their lives.  And say a prayer for two parents who love their children more than life itself, and have shed a few tears these past few days. 

My cup runneth over.  Thanks for allowing me to brag on my family. 

Top Ten

My beautiful daughter, Alex is in the Top Ten Percent of her graduating class academically.

I am so proud.

I use that phrase a lot on this blog.  "I am so proud."

But I am.  

I am proud of my son, and proud of my daughter.

Just to let you in on what's happening Down On The Farm this weekend . . . . TWO GRADUATIONS!

Yep, our son graduates from college on Saturday, and our daughter graduates from high school on Sunday.

So just warning you.  There will be PICTURES and SHAMELESS BRAGGING going on next week.

I am so proud :).

The Last Day

Today is my son's last day of college.  Ever.

Today he gives his final presentation in class.

And next Saturday he will walk across a stage in a navy blue cap and gown and walk off the stage a college graduate.

I am beyond proud.

And beyond sad because I miss him already.

He is moving out of our house this weekend.  He has gone to college locally and lived at home the past 3 years, but he has recently purchased a house, and by this time next week he will be living on his own.

There will only be 3 plates on the supper table from now on.

No more doing his laundry.

No more waiting up to make sure he's home. 

I know every parent goes through this in their life.  My head tells me that.

But my heart sure doesn't realize that. 

I miss him already.