Thanksgiving...So Abundant

My heart is so full today! I am amazed at our God! His faithfulness endures.

Some of you may remember this. I read through them over the last couple of days. God has heard. He has moved. I continually ask myself, "Why am I surprised?"

Over the next month, I am focusing on thanksgiving and a heart of gratitude.

So today I am thankful for:

1. Salvation - Without Christ, I am nothing.
2. Sanctification - Without Christ, I could not keep on keeping on.
3. My gracious husband who works so hard so I can do my job in teaching and training these little (and big) lambs.
4. My beautiful children. I have learned so much of my Savior's love through loving these children. 
5. God's grace that pushes and pursues.
6. Hoss' new job at Subway! YAY!!!
7. Hoss' enrollment at our community college to start in January.
8. Inger's love of animals. (Please add your prayers to this list! That I would be able to say no! LOL! Foster care for animals???? Really???)
9. Marie's love for the Lord. She has such a tender heart.
10. Little Joe's love of music. God has gifted him with such talent. Love it that he prefers spotify to television. Love hearing those guitars! (Most of the time :)
11. The ability to make decisions apart from fearing man. Fear God alone!!!!

Lamentations 3:22-24 
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will hope in him.”

A Special Visit

It's been a tad crazy here at the Ponderosa. I pray you all had a great Thanksgiving and time of fellowship with family and friends. We certainly did.

 The day after Thanksgiving we traveled a couple of hours away and went to see my grandfather, the kids' great-grandfather. He was admitted to hospice as he had internal bleeding and his body was shutting down. I don't know about you, but this grandfather was one of those who everyone loved. I am so thankful we were able to see him a few days ago and he recognized the kids and they were able to say goodbye. We received word this morning that he passed away peacefully without pain. He will be sorely missed.

(These pictures were taken in January of 2011)

On another note, our big "Hoss" is scheduled to come home for his first home visit this Christmas. He will also be turning 16 at that time. We look forward to making lots of new memories. But I would ask that you please be praying, dear friends, for a peaceful time. Please pray for my emotions. I am fighting anxiety right now, but consciously keep going back to God's Word, His promises and aiming my heart to the cross. 

My thought for each day: "Lord, help me not to live in fear of the possible dangers, but in true peace and joy knowing You are in complete control."

Filled With Gratitude

'Tis the season.

And as Thanksgiving creeps closer, my heart swells with all my Lord has done for me. 

* The person of Jesus; his life, death and resurrection makes my life what it is today.

* My amazing husband; he is the world to me. He makes this journey of life so much more 

bearable.

* My four beautiful children; God's amazing love in placing them all from different places and people into this home called the Ponderosa.

* God's mercy and grace; I could not bear to breath or live each day without this.

* Forgiveness from God and others; this reminds me of how much I must choose this path towards others too.

* Financial provision; each turn of path of life brings areas of need. God always shows up and provides exactly what we need. (If you haven't read about this, please do and be amazed!)

* Agape Boarding School; an amazing place that has kept my boy-man safe; that has provided exactly what he needs for such a time is this; that are God's hands and feet of love and mercy when we can't be there.

* Memories; this time of year brings many memories of my childhood and makes me miss Mom lots. (Just eating dinner tonight was one of those moments. She always served meatloaf with mashed potatoes and butternut or acorn squash. I was just telling my kiddos about this.)

* God's Word; it is a lamp unto my path and a light unto my feet.

My heart is filled with thankfulness. May this continue forever, not just this month.

Hearts of Thankfulness

Happy Thanksgiving from the Puebla Ponderosa!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 103

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are likegrass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the LORD, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving Tree is done, as done as it can be this year. There have been many things we have noted that we are thankful for, yet so many more that we haven't had time to comment on.

This year Thanksgiving falls on a very special day in my life, and because of that I am posting my Happy Thanksgiving to you all a day early so I can dedicate tomorrow to this occasion. "Mr. Cartwright" and I were married 15 years ago. For this I am eternally grateful. More on this tomorrow...

Friends, Happy Thanksgiving.

Tears

There are many tears this week. I think to myself,"When will the tears stop?" They seem so close to the edge that most times I don't have to think much more than a second about him and the saltiness appears on my cheeks. Please pray for him too. Life seems so empty many days.

Lord, please fill it with you and help me to attempt to serve others. I know this is the cure. Thanks to a friend who has helped me by giving me these thoughts to think on:

Thank God you were able to get him in a good Godly place.
Thank God that he is getting the help that he needs.
Thank God that he never committed suicide.
Thank God he never really harmed himself or anyone else physically.
Thank God he has admitted some things, even if it has only been to others.
Thank God you'll get to see him in a few more weeks.
Thank God he is not getting in trouble while away.
Focus on the positive things of him being where he is.

I pray one day the tears will flow with rejoicing over this one coming to the Savior.

Great Craft for kids!

This week, we are making this to prepare for Thanksgiving!

Have fun with your children too!