Thankful Thursday

Today, I finally got the video of the progress on our house online. I am so thankful for all the amazing people who volunteered their time and generously donated toward our home makeover. We've been here for a few months now, and there's still a lot of work to do, but we are thankful for this opportunity God gave us to learn, grow, and persevere. He is truly glorious. Hop on over to our family blog to check it out! http://canusofamily.blogspot.com/

Thankful Thursday

I haven't done a TT for a long time. Not because I'm not thankful, but mostly because my days sometimes run together and by the time I remember it's Thursday, it's not anymore.
Today, I am truly thankful that my sister will call me when she's having a bad day.
Not necessarily because I can solve any of her problems, although I occasionally hand out free big-sister advice, but because she knows she can vent to me and (hopefully) feel better. I can usually make her laugh at least once. Plus, I usually have a story from my own life that is so over-the-top that her problem shrinks to a manageable size.

I happen to think my sister, Holly, is pretty amazing.
Thank you, God, for giving me a sister and blessing our relationship.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful that I got to participate in intercession for the Exodus Cry set - an end to Human Trafficking & modern slavery!

I'm thankful that my kids are healthy and pretty well behaved.
I'm thankful to be on the worship team tomorrow for the Awaken the Bride service at OHOP.
I am supremely thankful that God is always faithfull, even when I'm not. He is a good, good Father!

I am thankful to have a husband who works so hard to serve God and glorify Him.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful that my 8-year-old daughter joined me in singing on the Thursday morning worship with the word set at OHOP. We were singing out of Song of Solomon. It was beautiful! Draw me away...

I'm also thankful to my prayer partners for their prayers regarding out "house" situation. The house we're renting has apparently been foreclosed on. Without our knowledge. It's complicated & we need those prayers. We're believing that God has a home for us and we will find it in His timing.

Most of all, I am thankful for the sweet love of Jesus. I don't deserve it, but He is longing for my love too!

Thankful Thursday

Antonio, Rocky & Nick with their CUBE

Yes. I am back again. FINALLY!

I have been thinking and percolating and juicing up good thoughts for my blog home.

Today, I am thankful for my beautiful new iMac. It's a HUGE blessing!

I am also thankful that God is ever-present and ever-lovely to me. I don't deserve His attention. (But, He thinks I do.)

I am thankful for a longsuffering husband and loud crazy children.

I am thankful for the IHOP-KC webstream. What could be better than sitting at the feet of Jesus?

I am thankful to have this blog to pour out my thoughtstream before it escapes entirely.

Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Wow...you know, I have so much to be thankful for and I just don't spend enough time dwelling on that.

Today, I am thankful to be a part of an AMAZING worship with the Word set at OHOP on Thursday mornings. We sang out of Song of Solomon this morning, chapter 1, verses 2-4: "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - For your love is better than wine. Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you. Draw me away! I will run after you. The King has brought me into his chambers. I wil be glad and rejoice in you. I will remember your love more than wine. Rightly do we love you." (slightly paraphrased) Oh, I am so in love with Jesus! I am so blessed to be a part of this set, led by the awesome and anointed Edwin Botero. Thank you!

I am also thankful that my mother-in-law is flying in today! She is a true intercessor and Woman of God. This is her first time traveling alone, so I am praying for a smooth trip for her & looking forward to her arrival. Thank you, God, for Connie!

Tomorrow is Antonio's 12th birthday, so I have to say a word about my firstborn. He astounds me. I am so thankful for this young man of God. He is (mostly) very helpful and eager to please. He blesses my heart. Thank you, God, for allowing me to be a part of Antonio's life, and for keeping him in the palm of Your hand.

Thankful Thursday - ALREADY?!

Yes, it's true, I've been so consumed with house, home, children, homeschooling, Christmas hoopla, etc. that another week has flown by and I haven't posted! I'm so ashamed! I have pics from the much talked about trip to the beach, a funny story about Carlo, and some griping about hormones to do... But, all that will have to wait, because today is Thankful Thursday, and I am giving God center stage.
He deserves it.

Today, I am thankful for the Joy He pours out on me. What a great gift!

I am thankful for the Peace He restores to my soul when I (finally) turn to Him in the midst of my rebellious, thunderous, fuming moods.

I am thankful for God's great and all-consuming Love.

Finally, I am thankful that Jesus, in His pure humility and love for us, came as a baby: a small bundle of flesh and blood and sweetness, cries and sighs, so that we could KNOW HIM! So He could sacrifice Himself. So He could spend eternity with us.

What wondrous Light. I am so filled with awe and love. Thank you Lord.

Thankful Thursday

Wow... it's Thursday already? And I totally flaked last week. Alright here we go...

I am thankful for God's infinite mercy and good, good grace.

I'm thankful for Nick's safe flight home on Monday. He made it out of Nebraska before the super snow hit! YAY!

I'm thankful for the great fellowship I enjoyed tonight at the Ladies Christmas Cookie and Ornament exchange. It was so fun and all the cookies were delicious. Thank you Emily for being the super-hostess, it was amazing!

I am thankful for Andrea Bocelli's new Christmas CD. It is gorgeous, fun, and really made my baking frenzy easier. ;)

I'm thankful for the great JOY falling in the Spirit at the prayer room. Sweet, rich, love!

Be blessed everyone!

Thanksgiving Thankful Thursday!

Today, of all days, I am thankful for my amazing, beautiful, surprising, silly, wonder-full family. They are the delight of my life. I've been many-times blessed.

I am also thankful for God's great love. I would be lost without that. Thank you, Lord.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Many blessings to you and yours.

Thankful Thursday

Today is a simple one:

I am thankful for the sweet smell of the Holy Spirit.

It freshens my house and my stinking mind.

Verse for the day:
"My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty." Malachi 1:11

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for the kindness of friends and soon-to-be friends.

I'm thankful that I can receive such joy in intercession for the oppressed.

I'm thankful for full tummies and good health.

God is Good!

(I'm also thankful for a sweet husband who unexpectedly wisks me away to Barnes and Noble for some together time, hence my Thankful Thursday post is posted late. Yet again.)

Thankful Thursday - Belated

On Wednesday, the whole family was at the morning intercession watch from 10 - 12 noon at OHOP. That, in itself, is a huge task & momentous occasion! It's a blessing to be able to intercede for families (and our own) as a family.
During a quieter contemplative portion, Keliah (6) came and stood before me, put her hand on my forehead and started praying for me.
Then, later in the day, I was getting flustered and frustrated and she asked if I wanted her to pray for me again!

It's moments like these when I feel that I might be doing something right.
And, maybe just maybe, we're hearing the voice of God on this whole "living by faith" thing.

Birthday Girl Blogger & Thankful Thursday

Yes. Today is officially my birthday. Well, it is after midnight, so I'm calling it today.
And, even though I sat my kids down 2 weeks ago to tell them seriously that my birthday was coming up and they better start planning, it snuck up on them.
"What? TOmorrow's you're birthday?"
"yes."
So, we're blessed to have a friend who works at one of the Disney parks and she's getting Nick and I in tomorrow (today). This is going to be the first time we've been to Disney alone since our honeymoon! I'm excited and don't know what to wear! Tee-hee.
Then, we'll celebrate with family cake and ice cream time this weekend. Because, to the kids, it's just not a birthday without those 2 things. And presents, of course.

Thankful Thursday:
I am thankful for my health and awesome family.
I am thankful for our friend Jocelyn who never hesitates to let us in to Disney during her busy work day.
I am thankful to have the opportunity to intercede and sing in the Exodus Cry prayer watch every Thursday morning at OHOP. It's awesome!

Birthday Girl! & Thankful Thursday

Sabina was the Birthday Princess on the 5th!
She turned 2-years-old and her brother Rocky thought she needed her own tiara.
Here she's looking at the Family Fun cake book pretending to eat each page and trying to find the Puppy Cake.

Since we had a Puppy theme going on - because Sabina LOVES puppies - I got Scooby Snacks for everyone to munch. I'm sure they tasted better than the bone-shaped Pedigree dog food Luca tried a few days ago. EW!

A Few of her favorite things:
The cute headband Cecelia made her from the dollar kit we got at Michael's craft store.
The mirror & brush set I found at Goodwill - brand new people!
And this adorable "Boo" doll from Monster's, Inc. that talks and sings.
The Puppy Cake at last!
Sabina was thrilled to eat her cake at last. She didn't quite get the candle thing. She just blew a little puff of air in that general direction. I'm sure she'll get it next year!



It was a joy-filled celebration for the baby of the family who is officially no longer a baby. *sniff*

Since this is also Thankful Thursday I wanted to add this:

I am thankful for a healthy, adorable, happy 2-year-old daughter who brings joy to my life every day.
I am also thankful for God's provision - tune in tomorrow for a full report on what He gave His child.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for the hard places.

This is where we remember our blessings, remember other rocky times, and remember that God is Good ALL the Time.

I am also thankful for amazing women who use their limited time and resources to reach out to others. Busy moms like Lani and Debi who love others as themselves.

Today I am thankful that my children are safe, healthy, fed and clothed.

I am thankful for new friends who can share heart burdens in prayer.

Don't forget to join us in this incredible blog party:

Thankful Thursday

Today, I'm thankful for antibiotics and our dear doctor friend who got the prescription for Nick's strep throat. Why is it that it takes husbands twice as long to "get better" than wives? I'll be so glad when this mess has passed.

I'm thankful that the rest of the family is healthy! Praise God!

I'm thankful to be a part of the house of prayer. What an amazing thing to soak in the presence of God and petition Him with my concerns.

I am thankful for all of the wonderful prayer warriors (like you!) who are keeping my cousin Coleman lifted up in healing! Below is an update sent from my Aunt Nona (Coleman's grandma) giving a praise report and also further prayer points. You are all amazing!

Well good news, if anything about cancer can be good news.

Coleman is in stage 2. The cancer has only shown up in his neck. More on the right side (same side that the large tonsil was) than on the left.

He will be receiving 1 treatment a week for the next two months. They will put a port in this Friday around 10:00 a.m. and start his treatments at that time. They will be putting this in his spine. They do not feel that there will be any brain damage from this since his brain is developed. Please pray that this is so.

He will be missing school for a month and then they will see about him going back to school during the second month of treatment.

The type of cancer (Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma) that Coleman has is the easiest treatable cancer. The doctor believes that there is a very good chance of him being cured. Thank God for these answers to prayers.

Thank you for your prayers and I only ask that you keep praying that the treatments go will and that he will not be to sick from the medicine.
Love you all,
Nona

Thankful Thursday - JOY!

This is my picture of JOY! Children dancing and worshipping God! These girls pictured were participants in last years Signs and Wonders Camp hosted by OHOP's Children's Equipping Center. That's Cecelia (then 7) in the front, right - red shirt, pony-tail flying, big smile.

I am so thankful that my 3 oldest kids got to go to this camp last year. I am trying to gather funds for 3 of them to go again in just over a week. It is an amazing time of worship, prayer, and equipping for the boys and girls.

I am giving thanks for God's provision and the Joy He gives everyday. His faithfulness overwhelms me.

Verse for the Day:
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 1:4

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for my parents. We may not always communicate well, but I love them so much. And, now that I've grown out of my totally self-centered stage, I appreciate all they have done and continue to do for me. I even appreciate the advice they give which I may not agree with. I understand that they want the best for me - happiness, security, and love.

I am thankful for all the time and patience and love they pour into my children. My mom will read a bedtime story to each one. My dad will put bait on every hook, and take hooks out of every fish (if he must.) They gave Nick and I a much needed anniversary alone while they took care of all 7 AND cleaned out the vacation rental. They are the best Papa and Granny I know!

I am thankful that, despite our separation by half the country, my children hold their grandparents dear to their hearts. Those good-bye hugs are sad, but so, so sweet.

Thanksgiving Thursday

I am participating in a new blog party theme day because I think it rocks! This is hosted by Nicole over at What a Trip! She is a mom of 6, so she's a little behind me, but the youngest are triplets. I think she wins the prize. I thanked God every time I saw only one baby at the ultrasounds. He knew what I could (and couldn't) handle!

Anyway, I am thankful this week for many, many things. Little things like Sabina talking more completely: "I wanna banana." Also, big things like God making a way for me to spend mornings with Him at OHOP in the prayer room. He is meeting me there and starting me on journeys in the Word I never would have taken otherwise. I am thankful for libraries with Max and Ruby books by Rosemary Wells. I am so amazingly thankful for AIR CONDITIONING!!!

I also thank God that He brought us to Florida where we are having so many adventures. Outside & inside...