It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with The Gypsy Mama.  We receive a one word writing prompt and get to write for five minutes flat.  Our word for this week is: TRUTH.

GO

I have to admit there are days when I wonder how or why things turned out the way they did. I never imagined my life would be this way.

I thought life would go on and only get better.  But disappointments come along. And life doesn't always go as I plan.  Seasons come and seasons go.  I remember hearing that voice in my head for as many years as I can remember.

But then I open up my journals and my Bible; the places where I pour out my heart to the Lord.  As I read, I see His hand at work in my life.  I see answers to prayers that I prayed years ago.  The answers may not be what I envisioned.  But I realize they are for my good and His glory.

So I choose to listen to the voice of truth.  I may look around and see others living life in a different way. But I will trust the voice of truth.  The chorus to Casting Crowns song "The Voice of Truth" plays over and over in my head as my doubt turns to praise and thankfulness.



STOP

Blessings and love,

There are days when life seems a bit overwhelming.  I had one of those days on Saturday.  One thing after another and before I knew it ...my emotions had taken over.

On Sunday morning, I awakened still feeling groggy. So I jumped on my treadmill, hoping to stimulate my body and get moving.  I wanted to go to church as I knew that would help me in my current emotional state.

How thankful I am that I pushed myself to go.  Our pastor has been preaching for the last few months on the book of Colossians verse by verse.  We are up to the 4th chapter verses 2-6.  I had to laugh as Pastor Jason loves to interject examples and humor as he explains basic principles from God's Word.  I found myself smiling and nodding.

There's something so amazing about praying, reading the Bible and singing praises to the Lord that energizes me and sets me in a better direction. Singing "through the storm He is Lord of all" from Hillsong's Cornerstone was just what I needed to be reminded of.  By the end of the service, I was able to ...give thanks in all things.  God is so good!

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Our school celebrated Halloween with the little children getting dressed up.  Yes, I am aware of the negative aspects of this holiday.  But working in Pre-K 3 and a school that includes children of many faiths, I wanted to help make this a fun time for all.  Heidi and I used many of the cute decorations the children made to hang up in our classroom.  The little ones were so excited about dressing up in their princess and fairy costumes.  We had a few super powers and a butterfly; very innocent and cute.

Yesterday was Greg and my 29th wedding anniversary.  We made dinner together at home and it was a quiet time of celebration for us.  I wrote a blog post about our anniversary, including a song I dedicated to Greg.  If you missed it, you can read about it here.

So I continue to count my every day blessings.

#1001  29 years of marriage to Greg
#1002  God is faithful
#1003  A church who loves people and cares about them
#1004  Songs that inspire me
#1005  Amazing friends who encouraged me with their comments on Facebook
#1006  So many kind messages in response to Greg and my anniversary
#1007  My love for reading and writing
#1008  His mercies are new every morning.
#1009  Smiling faces of people who truly care
#1010  The excitement of the children in their costumes
#1011  All of the Pre-K teachers dressed up as crayons; I was a blue crayon
#1012  Resisting all the sweets that were before me except one

I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy A Holy Experience for Multitudes on Mondays.


Blessings and love,

Greg and I were married 29 years ago today.  The years have gone by so quickly. It seems like only yesterday we were in Vail, Colorado with our families for that special day.  We said our vows in a small chapel in the village.  We celebrated at The Lodge. Greg had searched high and low for the perfect song to play for me. He choose Lou Rawls "Forever I Do".  I cry every time I hear that song and ...remember.

After 29 years, I have a new song for Greg.  I love the lyrics to Steven Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here".

Greg and I have had our ups and downs as most couples will understand (if they're honest).  But we've hung in there with each other.  I love how far we've come in understanding one another.  That really is a life long commitment.  I recall the vows we exchanged in that chapel ...'for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part'.

How thankful I am that Greg understands me better today than when we first began. He makes me breakfast in bed.  He rubs my back after a long day at work.  He has our home prepared with lighting and music for when I get home.  So here's my song ...

If you cannot view the video, click here.

Blessings and love,