Thankful Thursday - 10/29/09

Can you believe it? This is the last Thursday in October! Do you know what that means? No?? Well, let me just share with you. That means the next Thursday will be.... in November. ahahahaha I just crack myself up. Anyhoo, since it's Thursday that means it's time to join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey and list five things for which I am thankful. They can be silly or serious, big or small because God honors them all.

1. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. He is doing everything he can to make sure our new home is comfortable. God bless that man.

2. I'm thankful that another year has passed with a clean mammogram report. This is a huge milestone.

3. I'm thankful the kitchen cabinets and new counter top are installed. The appliances arrive today! I'll be cooking in my own kitchen again. woooohoooo!

4. I'm thankful for my job and my boss. He has been so understanding and flexible with my comings and goings these past few weeks as I've taken off to move, paint, and meet installers and deliveries. I have not worked one single Thursday or Friday this entire month.

5. I'm thankful that God is concerned with that which concerns us. Several weeks ago, we selected and paid for our new kitchen sink. After the installers cut the counter top and dropped in the sink I went to see their progress. GASP! That sink is the wrong color. Oh no. How did that happen? The stock person is the one who pulled it from the shelf for us. No worries. The husband took it back to the home improvement store for an exchange. They received one....that morning....in a shipment. God was definitely looking out for us. The right sink is in and it looks beautiful.

That's my list for this week. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment here and be sure to hop on over to Sonya's to link up with your own list.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Peter 1:24-25 (NIV)²⁴For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,  ²⁵but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.

Y-A-Y for Internet!

Greetings Friends! It's wonderful to have internet service back. I felt very disconnected from you and have missed visiting. There are pictures posted on my photo blog Shutter Clicks of the last two weeks. You can get glimpses of some of the colors and rooms in our new home.

We are completely moved out of the rented house! Wooohoooo! Praise the Lord!!! We are still figuring out where things go and how to arrange furniture. The living room furniture is set up and it's wonderful to be able to sit down and relax.

The cabinet makers started installing the cabinets today. Oh my! They are absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to show you. The appliances will be delivered on Thursday. It will be so good to cook in my own kitchen again. Honestly, it will just be good to cook. Eating out all the time has gotten old. We still need to pick tile for the back splash and a couple of light fixtures. It's fun tho.

We've made lots of memories and God has sustained us through it all with lots of laughs. What brings a smile to you today, This Day?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Thankful Thursday - 10/15/09

Another week has flown by and it's Thankful Thursday. This is the time each week that I join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey to list five things for which I am thankful. The can be silly or serious, big or small because God honors them all. Let's get right at it.

1. I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband. He is tenacious about accomplishing a task. I love that about him.

2. I'm so thankful for the house God has provided to us as our new home.

3. I'm so thankful that today is MOVING DAY! That's right, after months of searching and weeks of painting and fixing, we are moving in our new home. I actually scheduled this to post because I'M MOVING TODAY!

4. I'm so thankful for friends who volunteer to help us move.....and mean it. We have some pretty large pieces of furniture that without the help of friends, we'd have to pay movers to get the job done.

5. I'm so thankful for you! That's right, YOU! For your friendship, encouragement, and prayers.

So today, This Day, is the day we start a new season in our life; a new adventure; a new mission field. Please pray that we are open and receptive to all that God has planned for this house and for us.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Esther 4:14b (New King James Version) Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Monday Musing - A Place of Rest

That's so what I need today.....a place of rest. Painting four days in a row has exhausted me and the hubby. It's pretty sad when you go to work to get a break. We have made tremendous progress with the painting. The upstairs is completely done. WooooHoooo! The walls in three rooms downstairs are painted. Only two left, then we start painting the trim. It's really a shame that years ago someone thought it was a good idea to paint the trim in every single room on the first floor. I'd much rather have the natural wood. 


Are you taking on any projects this fall? What are some changes you'd like to make to your home today, This Day? 


Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Menopause Parking and Project 365

Project 365 - if you haven't stopped by my photo blog by sure to hop on over to see the latest pictures. There are several of us participating in this project....taking a picture a day for 2009. Sara is hosting this project and there are some very talented photographers out there. You can click here to see them.

Now for today's funny: Menopause Parking by Chonda Pierce



My postings will be hit and miss for the next couple weeks as we close, paint, and move into our new home. I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures and update when I can.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Matthew 6:33 (NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Thankful Thursday - 09/24/09

Welcome to Thankful Thursday. If you'd like to participate, hop on over to Sonya's at Truth 4 the Journey, copy the T.T. button on the sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy! They can be silly or serious, big or small because God honors them all.


1. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. I love bouncing ideas off him. planning for the new house, and just talking about whatever.


2. I'm thankful for our new home. That's right peeps....WE HAVE A HOME!!!! Everything finally fell into place yesterday and we close on Tuesday. 


3. I'm thankful we get to make some changes to the kitchen by updating the cabinets, counter top, and fixtures.


4. I'm thankful we are buying new appliances from a separate budget than the cabinets.


5. I'm thankful for you. You have prayed for this house and are as excited as I am to see how God is going to use this home for His glory and kingdom.


That's my five. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment and hop on over to Sonya's to participate.


Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Samuel 7:29 (NIV) Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever."

We Finally Have A New Home!!!

I just got off the phone with our Realtor and the sellers have agreed to the fixes that were noted in the home inspection. The appraisal has been ordered. Now we wait to close at the end of the month.

This is so not the house we set out looking for, but this is clearly the house God had prepared for us. He has planted a seed in my heart that this home will be a "magic" house; a haven where the love of Christ will be felt and realized by all who enter. Praise His wonderful name.

Here's a slide show of the house. These photos came from the listing and are kind of fuzzy when enlarged. I just couldn't wait to share. Once I have better pictures, I'll post them.

Thank you so much for all your prayers during our search. You are the best besties a friend could have because I know that today, This Day, you rejoice with me at God's provision.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Thankful Thursday - 8/27/09

It's Thursday again......already! Can you believe it? Where does the time get to? Seriously?! This is the day each week where I pause and list five things for which I am thankful. They can be silly or serious, big or small because God honors them all.

1. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. He encouraged me when contracts fell through to purchase a house. He assured me that for whatever the reason, the house God prepared for us was still out there. And, you know what? He was right. See #2.

2. I'm thankful that WE HAVE A HOUSE!!!!! Ok, we still have to get through the inspection, appraisal, and closing....but WE HAVE A HOUSE!!!! Can you tell I'm super excited? It is so not what we started out looking for and I can't wait to see how God is going to use it for His glory. My desire is for it to be a miracle house.

3. I'm thankful for each and every one of you. You encourage me, pray for me, teach me, and love me. Thank you for your prayers about our house search.

4. I'm thankful for my new peep, Kat at Heart 2 Heart. She's a very special woman of God. She seeks out bloggers to interview and she recently chose me. That's right! I earned "Blog of the Week" award. If you missed that interview, you can read it here. You might be surprised by some of my answers.

5. I'm thankful for Sonya @ Truth 4 the Journey who hosts Thankful Thursday. She is an amazing Christian woman who I've grown to love and respect. Just a few short days ago, she lost her dad unexpectedly to a heart attack. Please join me in praying for her and her family during this difficult time; and stop by her site to express your condolences.

That's my list. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment and tell me.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 12:4-5 (NIV) ⁴Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

30 x 5 Challenge

I and several of the Challengettes have been working together to get moving. Lidna over at 2nd Cup of Coffee started this as a two week challenge on March 26. We each pledged to get moving 30 minutes a day for 5 days each week for two weeks. Easy enough.



After that came a second challenge and Phase 2. We were still moving 30 minutes a day during the two weeks from April 14 - 28 with one major change. Cut out 100 calories a day. A little tougher, but still doable.


We took a brief break and then came Phase 3 on May 12. The goal was to keep moving and drink enough ounces water that was to equal half your weight. Really? Really, Lidna? How can you not move and drink that much water? Seriously? I feel like the Energizer Bunny! Day and night, never stopping!


On Friday, May 15, my hubby and I took a two hour drive. This is my picture of him after the third time I needed to make a pit stop. He's telling me to stop drinking so much water so we could get there before the end of the day. lol


Now, Lidna has come up with Phase 4. That's right....the saga continues. This time it's the ole switcheroo. We're to switch up our routine, change our foods, do something different so our bodies won't be able to slack with the same ole same ole routine.

Now comes the hard part for me. What to do? What to do? My workout routine is different every time. So.....I'm going to starting riding my bicycle (as weather permits). I'm also going to change my eating pattern. I currently have an oat/nut snack in the morning. I'm going to have fruit/yogurt instead. The oat/nut snack will be after workout....with water of course.



Are you up for the challenge? Stop by Lidna's and sign up today, This Day! You'll be glad you did.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 85:11 (NIV) Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

30 x 5 - 100 Finale, Project 365, Moving Update

First, let me just say..... THANK YOU, LINDA! for hosting the 30 x 5 - 100 challenge. It was more difficult to meet my own goals during Phase 2 but that's what happens when you set the bar too high. Because of my grueling schedule of finals, final projects, presentations, a conference in Chicago, and getting settled in a "new" house, I didn't meet w/my personal trainer regularly for my 30 minutes/day workout. I am not stressin over it. Most days I surpassed my goal of 7000 or more steps on my step counter. There were even several days that I logged over 12,000. Most days I made wiser food choices, well....except for the three days I was in Chicago..... I was in Chicago for cryin out loud! The food was fabulous!

The challenge has motivated me to keep moving. The other ladies, The Challengettes, who are doing this with me are inspiring. Yep, sign me up for Phase 3 (and I don't even know what it is yet). Maybe I should rethink this.....hahahaha.

I'm also participating in Project 365 hosted by Sara. Taking a picture a day is more difficult than you think. We have just completed week 17 in 2009 and my pictures are posted on my picture blog.....Shutter Clicks. You can link up here or on the icon located in the side bar.

Several of you have inquired about house hunting and how the move is going. The closing for the house we sold was on April 15, and we are completely moved in to a rental house. The rental house was not lived in for over a year (that's a story in itself) and there have been several problems arise as a result of this. Small electrical issues, phone problems, and plumbing catastrophes have plagued getting settled. Yet, my goal has been to make this house a place of comfort and a refuge from the outside world. A place that when you enter, you can feel the love and peace of God. Thank you Robin for your posts of Living a Legacy. You have encouraged and motivated me to do this in my own life. I applaud you.

We are actively looking for a house to purchase. I'm not stressin over not finding something either. God has a house for us and in His time, it will be revealed. It is difficult to not be anxious about it, but just as He brought a buyer for the house that sold.....He will provide a house for us to buy. Heartfelt thanks to each of you who are praying about this with us.

What do you stress over? Do you put energy into worrying about things which you have no control over? Give them over to the LORD today, This Day. He will turn your worries into triumphs.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

James 1:2-3 (NIV) ²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Project 365, Challenge 30 X 5 - 100

Greetings to everyone! Two weeks worth of pictures are posted on my photo blog, Shutter Clicks. Whenever you get the chance, hop on over and check them out. I'll be posting some other pictures from my Chicago trip as time permits. Thanks to Sara for hosting Project 365. Be sure to visit her blog and see other's photos too.

Linda @ 2nd Cup of Coffee is hosting "phase 2" of a challenge to get moving. The first two weeks were pretty easy for me. This first week of phase 2 started on 4/14 and I haven't been moving as much. I'm still wearing my step counter and logged over 9000 steps on the 14th, 15th, and 16th. On Friday the 17th, I logged over 17,000 steps. That was my shopping day in downtown Chicago. Yesterday I logged about 7800 steps even with the train ride. I did get to do more shopping before catching the train. The second part of this challenge is to knock out 100 calories each day. That hasn't been too easy with all the great food in Chicago. Let's just say.....this week I'll do better.

I'm off to get caught up on chores and homework. It's good to be home and I'm thankful for safe traveling. Most of all, I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. We celebrated our 6th anniversary today. We're thankful for every day God allows us to spend together. Be sure to tell your family how much they are loved today, This Day.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV) ²⁴ " ' "The LORD bless you and keep you;

²⁵ the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." '

Our House

On April 19, we will celebrate six wonderful years of marriage. God has so richly blessed us, I can't even begin to describe it in words to you. My heart actually swells just thinking about it. This beautiful house is one of those blessings. We love our home, but as I stated in an earlier post, "Even though we just sold our house and are moving, wherever God takes us we will be at home because He will be with us."

The selling of our home started back in 2007 when we felt God was urging us to put our house on the market. At that time, the housing market was just getting ready to bust. Our beautiful home sat on the market for 15 months with not a single offer. Had we misunderstood? There were so many houses on the market those last nine months, it was definitely a buyer's market. Yet, people weren't buying. They were losing jobs and struggling to get out from under mortgages they could no longer afford. So, we took our house off the market at the end of October.

We continued to pray about selling and, again, felt we were being led to put our house on the market. So....on Monday, March 9, we signed a contract to sell our house. On Saturday, March 14 we had an offer. The next day we made a counter offer and on Monday, March 16 we signed an agreement to sell.

OH MY! Now we needed a place to go because we're closing on April 15! No worries. Since God brought us a buyer, He would also provide a place for us to go. Sure enough! We found a house to rent that met our needs with a landlord willing to rent it to us on a month-to-month basis while we search for a new home.

So, here's a slide show of the beautiful home we're leaving. Soon, we'll have a new home that will meet our needs. Please pray in agreement with us for that house. Enjoy the show.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

John 14:2 (NKJV) In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

30 x 5 - Week 2 Challengettes

You read that right....."Challengettes" how cute is that for a nickname? One of my fellow workout blogsters, Skoots1Mom @ My Hands...His Glory dubbed us that name. I love it. Stop on over to her spot and see how she's doing with the challenge. Her take on it is quite entertaining. I'm sure you'll be up-lifted. (pun intended) lol

I'm finishing up my second day of week two. I'm surprised my feet didn't boycott me yesterday with as many miles as I put on them. My step counter logged over 14,000 steps. Those steps included my 30 minute walk at noon, plus errands and grocery shopping after work. Of course, Miss Over Achiever still worked out with her personal trainer, Gilad. I'm so thankful for DVR which allows me to get that work out in on my schedule. Today, I took it a little easier. I didn't walk at noon and only logged 9372 at the time of this writing. I did work out with my personal trainer. Here he is:


Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee who is the host of this little challenge asked us to mention some of our snacks, so here's my daily snack. Almonds, walnuts, and oat cereal.


Lent has been a time of doing without and challenging myself to improve physically and be more knowledgeable about God. How He sees other people....and me. No meat Friday's are probably the most difficult for me during this Lenten season cause I like that meat protein. Seriously....who doesn't like a good steak? Sara over at GitzenGirl has a great story about no meat Fridays. It's a good read. Anyway, to help me through, I've concocted this wonderful no meat Mexican dish that tastes awesome and is very filling. I just sauteed some onion and grated carrots, added chunky salsa, black beans, cooked basmati rice, and corn. I keep my own blend of spice when I'm cooking Mexican of cumin, corriander, chili powder, white pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and ground ceyenne. It needed some liquid at different points during cooking and I just added some broth. Wrapped it up in a multi-grain tortilla topped with light sour cream, salsa, and cheese. A little bit of avocado and, can I just say, YUMMMMMM!



How are you doing with your challenge? Are you ready today, This Day, to make that commitment to get healthy? Don't wait until your health is in jeoprady. Take the challenge and get moving.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Matthew 9:12 (NIV) On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

30 x 5 x 2 - Update

Since I get two days of my choice off with this program (thank you Linda), Sunday and Monday were the two days I chose. Besides being my hubby's days off, I was in class on Sunday -- I know....crazy, right? The 30 minutes of working out were off limits, but I did wear the step counter and still logged over 7000 steps each day.

Today, my workout included my regular personal trainer, Gilad, from Fit TV. My step counter has logged almost 9000 steps at about 6pm. With all the packing and laundry on my schedule tonight, I figure I'll break 10K. Sweet!

How are you doing with the challenge? Do you find it motivating that there are so many of us in the program? I sure do. Maybe I'm an over achiever, but I am determined to complete this by all the guidelines. Remember, even if you haven't started, you still have time today, This Day, to make that commitment.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

30 x 5 x 2 Day 3 AND Project 365

My photos for last weeks Project 365 are posted @ Shutter Clicks. Please stop by and let me know what you think of them. If you haven't stopped by our host Sara's blog lately to see her photos or those of the other participants in this project, please do so. Sara lost a precious aunt today. I'm sure she would appreciate a word of encouragement.

Day three of our moving 30 minutes a day for five days for two weeks was yesterday. Again, I worked out 30 minutes with Gilad. If you haven't worked out with him, let me just tell you, he wears you out! Plus a logged over 7700 steps on my counter. That's pretty impressive, considering I was in class from 8 - 3 yesterday.

Yesterday's class included taking a mid-term, giving a presentation plus listening to classmates present, and listening to lecture. After class is when I worked out, ate, then packed. By 9 o'clock, I was exhausted. Actually, I was probably exhausted way before then. That's just when I gave in to it.

When do you give in to the Spirit's tugging? Have you heard Him calling you today, This Day? Sometimes we are so busy trying to accomplish so many tasks that we either neglect or squelch His small, still voice. Don't be too busy to hearken to His call. He has a sweet message of love to share with you.

Peace and Joy,
SusanD

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) ²¹God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

30 x 5 x 2 - Day 2

It's been a very hectic day with more ahead of me this evening. I decided to go ahead and get my post done because I'm studying for a mid-term tonight and in class this weekend. I know, you're envious of my wonderful, fun-filled life. :)

For today's 30 minutes, I exercised with Gilad when I got home. If you're not familiar with him, he has a couple different programs on Fit TV. Plus, I'm wearing my step counter. Even though I didn't get a 30 minute walk in today, I've logged over 8300 steps. Pretty good considering it's not quite 5pm.

I'll keep track of my progress over the weekend and post as time allows. There's an over abundance of activity happening right now and hopefully I'll have some down time to share with you. Scripture says that God never puts on us more than we can bear. I'm thinkin I'd like to divvy up some of it. What are your burdens today, This Day? Take them to the Lord and cast your cares on Him for He cares for you.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 62:7 (NIV) My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

30 x 5 x 2

So, if my higher math skills serve me correctly, that's ummmmm WOW! 300! And no, I didn't have to use the calculator to arrive at that number.....but I did use it to make sure it was right. lol -- But 300 what, you ask? Well, Linda at 2nd cup of coffee is hosting this marvelous challenge that goes like this:

"Beginning on the 26th, I'm pledging to move for 30 minutes at least 5 days a week for two weeks. Thus my cleverly named project: "30 x 5." Did I mention its only for 2 weeks? Did I mention a bathroom scale in this effort? I didn't??? That's right; I didn't!

"Now, you can do this however you want; if you love the scales (are you from another planet?) or feel that you must keep track of your calories, that's your call. But don't hold the rest of us to that. Insert group whine: "That's too haaaaard."

As for me and my house :), we will not be writing down foods or checking pulse rates or focusing on muscle groups. Just movin'."

It's that simple! Let's get moving! Won't you join us today, This Day? I was able to use part of my lunch time and walk for 30 minutes. Plus, I'm using a step counter and at 6pm I had over 10K steps for the day. I figure anything over that is a bonus so I took it off.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Wordless Wednesday - Moving Day

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.