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.

Headed Home

Wednesday morning my mom had total hip replacement surgery.  It was all she could do to get in the truck to ride to the hospital, and then limp to the wheelchair to be wheeled up to the surgery floor.  Her pain has been horrendous.

Today, she is walking out of the hospital and heading home on her brand new right hip (with the help of a walker) nearly pain free.

We are just PRAISING GOD for His healing.  We are trusting Him that over the next few days and weeks she will continue to get stronger and stronger.  We are praying against any infection and blood clots, and I would love it if you would agree with me for complete recovery for my mother.

I seriously want to thank EACH of you for praying for my mother.  I am humbled.  And today we are giving ALL GLORY to God for touching my mother.  We praise His Holy Name.

Blessings to each and every one of you as we celebrate Easter and the resurrection of the King, the Name Above All Names.  I thank Him for salvation, and the gift of Eternal Life.  I am so thankful that He is my Savior.

Surgery on Wednesday

Tomorrow morning my mom will have her right hip replaced.  We don't yet have a time for the surgery, but it will be early in the morning.

I would ask each of you to lift my mother in prayer before The Healer before, during and after her surgery. 

She is very frightened to have the surgery.  Christians know that fear is not of God, and we are praying for PEACE.

Please pray for the doctors and nurses and every health care provider that will come in contact with my mother.  Pray for wisdom and direction as they make decisions before, during and after the surgery.

Pray against any infection, blood clots, excessive pain, etc.  We are praying for a speed recovery,

Barring any complications, mom will be released to come home from the hospital on Friday.  Yes, just two nights in the hospital and they will send her home.

Please pray for me and my two sisters, and my dad as we take care of her over the next few weeks.
 
My mom's name is Donna, so you can pray for her by name.

Thanks so much to each of you for praying.  It means the world to me.  I KNOW that God will go before us and make a way through this trial.  And that our faith will be made stronger through all of this.  I love you my friends.