Heart Choices: November Giving Thanks Challenge -->

Theme Layout

Boxed or Wide or Framed

Theme Translation

Display Featured Slider

Featured Slider Styles

Display Grid Slider

Grid Slider Styles

Display Trending Posts

Display Author Bio

Display Instagram Footer

Dark or Light Style

November Giving Thanks Challenge


http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2008/10/thankful-month.html

The "Giving Thanks Challenge" was hosted by South Breeze Farm in Iowa. This is the second year it's been done and the idea was to encourage the attitude of thankfulness.

If you turn on the TV or read the newspaper today, there's plenty of bad news and reasons to become anxious. That's the reality of our world today. But we can make the choice to take time to focus on what's good and the things for which we are thankful. I've enjoyed writing blog posts on Thankful Thursdays and I know for a fact, that it's helped me with my own attitude. So, why not a whole month? After all, God has blessed me with much to be thankful for.

As you can read from my latest posts, I had the opportunity to attend the Women of Faith Conference last weekend. A very special thanks goes to my friend Helen who made this possible. Helen is my Elizabeth. You can read what that means by reading this blog post.

I'm also very thankful for Marlene who included us in her group. We were so blessed with excellent seats on the floor level. I couldn't believe it but ...we got to sit in the 1st row!!!

I'm so thankful for: my husband Greg, family, good health, strength and stamina, turkey and the fixings, my church family, bloggy friends, Twitter, Facebook, Classmates, coffee in the morning, good books, friends, freedom of speech and the ability to worship freely and the beauty of God's creation.

Living in Phoenix, the sun does shine most days but I was thrilled with the change in weather we had over the Thanksgiving holiday. It actually rained in Phoenix.

I took this picture from my upstairs patio. Isn't the sky beautiful?

This month, I also had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with one of my favorite families; my friends from San Antonio, TX. They were visiting relatives and took an afternoon to spend with me!

Jamie and Todd introduced me to their newest arrival; little Rachel. They now have five children and I can't believe the wonderful job they're doing. Jamie is home schooling and ... the results speak for themselves. Way to go, Jamie!

I'm also thankful for all the prayers for my friend Jeanie and her new husband Duane. You can link here to read about their situation. I spoke with Jeanie yesterday and she was pleased to report that Duane is now alert and responsive. He knows his new wife and can respond to verbal commands. This is a big thing! He's still on the ventilator and will require more surgery but at least this is positive news. Jeanie said to me, "God is working a miracle." So, keep on praying and thank you.

I'm really enjoying this thankfulness thing. The focus of the Heart Choices blog is to encourage people to make healthy choices; body, mind and spirit. And remember that our day to day choices determine what our tomorrows will become.

Will you make the choice to list what you're thankful for? I'd love to hear from you.

QuickEdit
Debbie Petras
13 Comments
Share This Post :

You Might Also Like

13 comments:

  1. My Thanksgiving list is here: http://social-media-university-global.org/2008/11/27/thanksgiving-reflections-2008/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for visiting and also commenting on my blog, Lee. I'll be checking out your list.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I enjoyed reading your thankful list. I praise God about Duane!!! I am so thankful God brought your friendship into my life this year! I do miss the AZ sunsets, there is nothing like them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Debbie,

    What a great thankful post! I loved the sunset...just beautiful!

    And I am so encouraged about Duane. I have prayed for him...what a great miracle that he is responsive to his new bride! Praise the Lord!!

    Hope you have had fabulous Saturday!

    ((hugs)) to you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey girlfriend!
    I love reading your posts -- and today a special blessing with pictures of loving friends, a
    wonderful sunset, news about Duane, and so
    many things for which to be thankful! You've put a smile on my face once again!
    Love, Carol (I think I'm signed on as our son! oops)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dear Debbie,
    Your are doing the right thing. We should never stop counting our blessings.
    Over my bed in my old girlie room at my parents, I have written "I will never leave you nor forsake you. Signed God."
    Till this day he has kept his words.
    Isn't that amazing?
    From Felisol

    ReplyDelete
  7. Laurel- I'm so glad you felt well enough to read my blog; thanks my friend.

    Debra- We share a name and our love for the Lord. Thanks for visiting.

    Joshua aka Carol- I know it's you and I'm so happy you came to visit. I miss you.

    Felisol- I'm so glad to have another friend from Norway, the land of my ancestors. May God bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for being such an encourager. Giving thanks does something deep in our soul... I think that's why God says to give thanks for ALL things.

    Thanks for sharing a great post!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great list!! I too am so thankful for the many connections I've made through facebook and blogs! It's such a neat and incredible thing!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Here in Tromsø, Norway all the Americans, Canadians (and some Australians too...lol) celebrate Thanksgiving together at a big feast in the city.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I too enjoyed the nice rain we got here recently. I love the desert, but I do wish it would rain more often. The sky is so pretty here this time of year. The picture you took is stunning.
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, I enjoyed your thankful post. Such a beutiful sky picture you shared!

    I'm excited about Women of Faith. I've never been to it and have always thought it would be fun to go.

    I guess I don't have your blog in my google reader,I thought I did! I better do that.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh yeah, I forgot to say Praise God on the good news for your friend, that is so great and encouraging to hear.

    ReplyDelete

I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

[name=DEBBIE PETRAS] [img=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CDrwq9-7eo/WV6tdbP-QgI/AAAAAAACfb0/ViqQSnSVaDsMLXyz3AEEzZ5-78luBHOGgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Debbie%2BFace%2Bblog.JPG] [description=]