Thankful

I use the micro-blogging site, Twitter, and one person who calls himself an "atheist" made this statement: "I'm thankful for my nephew!".

I laughed to myself and shook my head. What I wanted to ask was, "Just who exactly are you thanking?"

I don't profess to be the smartest girl. I don't profess to be biblically sound, and prophetic. However, on Thanksgiving I am thankful for the truth; I know that I must repent of my sins, be baptized in Jesus' name, receive the Holy Ghost, and live an overcoming life in order to be saved. Furthermore, Jesus is God manifested in the flesh and in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead (Col 2:9).

I've mentioned before that our church has footwashing & communion on Thanksgiving Day. Many churches take communion multiple times throughout the year, and have footwashing on New Year's Eve. I always feel like I have a fresh start every Thanksgiving. Our FW&C service is special & tight knit. It's not a time for games and laughing; we are reminded weeks in advance to prepare for the service by making sure our lives are right. We do not want to take communion in jest.

As my pastor read from the book of 2 Timothy this verse stuck with me: "Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" v 7 NIV.

Wow! There are people that pride themselves on being well versed on a number of subjects; these are smart people! Yet they deny the power of God because they have yet to experience His power (made me think of the "thankful" atheist!)

2 Tim Chap 3 is great chapter, and I suggest you read it.

I try my best to be thankful on a daily basis and not just on Thanksgiving Day. In a time where people gripe, complain, and are rarely thankful, I am glad to set aside 24 hours to celebrate Thanksgiving as a Christian who knows who God is.

He is my provider--I quit my social work position in April without another job in order. Bye, health benefits & bi-weekly salary! Right when my savings got pretty low, God blessed me with a teaching job.

He is my protector--I have over 105k miles on my car, and have never been in a car accident.

He has extended grace & mercy towards me--He has given me what I do not deserve, and held back what I do deserve.

He has given me strength--I made a career change, and was nervous about the transition. I completed a teaching program in less than 7 months with a 4.0 GPA and couldn't have done it without Him.

I can go on...and...on...and on! We all can! In everything give thanks. God has our best interests in mind and we should always be cognizant of this!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Ps. 1 pic is in my front yard & the other is of me & my sis before church this morning.

PPS. I'm thankful that I can blog from my phone, because I rarely get on my computer!

Christmas Gift Ideas

I am in need of Christmas gift ideas for my Sunday School bus riders. Every year the three of us (those apart of the bus team) usually buy cloths/toys, but I'm trying to focus on something a little more memorable. We have about 60 kids total. I saw some KJV Bibles at Dollar Tree and was considering getting each of their names engraved on the Bibles. However, I am open to better suggestions! The ages of the kids range from 3 1/2 to 17, with the bulk of our kids falling in the 6-10 category.

Sigh

I'm faced with a decision: continue "blogging" or set my blog to private? Do you read private blogs? The hassle of signing in/out can get old. At any rate, let me know.

New York! (& a 2nd grade teacher)

Woo! In NYC celebrating Brandon's bday (Nov 4 btw! Happy 26th, Brandon!)! Us Californians (B, Carissa, & Fabe (now living in NYC)) are walking, walking, walking, eating, eating, eating, and shopping, shopping, shopping. Well, Carissa & I are shopping. I tried on some Christian Louboutins, Lanvin heels, Gucci pumps, & other designer duds but could not force myself to splurge (i.e. Go bankrupt). Carissa bought some amazing Betsey Johnson heels (last pair in her size) & they are beauties. I was going to be a copy cat, but my size was too big!! BOOOO!

This is not my 1st time to NYC, but I'm not jaded yet! We saw Mary Poppins on Broadway (6th row seats!), and the show was PHENOMENAL! I was like a little girl; my mouth was agape, I was pointing, singing, and not acting 24 years old.

Have I mentioned my feet? They are in pain. Walking uptown, downtown, all around!

Today is department store day. B & Fabe are NOT thrilled. Carissa and I are happy. Century 21 makes my head hurt (massive dept. Store), but we're going to dive right in at Macy's, Lord & Taylor, & Barney's (ha! Mostly looking). We hit up a few sample sales, will be going to a JCrew sample sale today, & will go thrifting tomorrow & Saturday. Church in Brooklyn on Sunday!!

While here in NYC, I got word that I was selected for a 2nd grade teaching position, and I accepted. I recently declined an intervention teacher position in Gilroy, and that was a hard decision. I've been wanting to move to the bay area/northern cal for many, many, many, many, many years (5+) & thought this was my chance! But I instead accepted a job here in Delano. I am excited to be a 2nd grade teacher!

Hasta Luego!