Tag Archives: 365 moments of gratitude

Jan19

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For The Heart Of A Child

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I am routinely thankful for the heart and innocence of children. I have three such beautiful kids. They amaze me on a very regular basis.

The heart and innocence of a child is something that just warms my heart.

As we were at the Air Force base, my son came running up to where I was standing, begging for a “Little Things” card. He told me that he wanted to use some of his very own money to help someone pay for their lunch there in the food court. So, I gave him a card I found, and he ran up and stopped a transaction in mid operation, and asked the elderly woman if he could pay for her food. Both she and the gentleman behind the counter were touched. It was a small amount, only a few dollars, but it had a priceless impact. It impacted all who saw it, but also impacted my son. The pure and innocent joy on his face was heartwarming. After he did that, he came back to where I was now sitting at the table and talked about the whole thing. He smiled and waved at the woman he had helped. She came up to our table and said that he didn’t have to do that, but that she wanted to say thank you very much. She asked if I was his mother. I told her I was, and she asked if she could give him a hug. It was cute – but she wouldn’t hug him without my permission. It was a beautiful sight to behold. God working on lots of hearts that meal.

That same evening, our family went out to eat. As we were eating with the kids, my youngest struck up a conversation (or attempted it) with the two year old at the table across the walkway from us. She and her dad were dining alone. For reasons still unknown to me, God put their family on my heart. As we were leaving, my oldest son (whispering in my ear) said that we should “little thing” them – that he thought they looked like they could use some happy. After walking away, I went and found a manager. I told him I’d like to take care of their meal, and also notified their server, as they were just attempting to pay. Before I could see a reaction, I decided to leave the situation anonymous. I found one more “little things” card, and asked the server to pass it along. I’m not sure what situation they were in, but it doesn’t matter. I followed after the heart of God and just shared love and a “little thing” with someone. I don’t know what it did for them, but I can tell you it brightened my day in a beautiful way.

What I love most about this, is that doing these intentional, though random act of kindness is making a really big impact on my family. I know the things we do touch the lives of those we reach out to, but seeing my children’s giving hearts, and seeing them follow after the heart of God with such passion is definitely a proud Mama moment.

Jan18

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger

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I am not the kind of person to buy all the newest gadgets. However, when I find one that makes sense, and will save me time and money – you better believe I’ll give it a shot if I can.

I was recently out shopping and came across this multi-gadget charger. Better yet, it came with a full charge, and is solar powered.

It works as well as any other charger I have, but is much more convenient.

So, yes – it sometimes really is the little things in life — but I’m grateful for one of those little things today!

Jan17

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Friends You Can Say Even Silly Things To

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I am thankful for all friends. Today, though, I just want to share my gratitude for those handful of friends you can turn to and say pretty much anything to.

This morning, I had a headache.

This afternoon, I had a really bad headache.

I went to lunch – thinking maybe, just maybe, food would help with that. I figured it a possibility since I hadn’t had much to eat prior to lunch. As I get ready to eat, and even eat a few bites, I realize this is the wrong answer. I didn’t feel sick or anything, but my body just was not happy with the idea of food either. So, after a while of pretending I was going to eat and not really eating much, lunch was over.

I should add that I also used some peppermint and balsam fir essential oils, and will do an entirely different post on those later. While they felt good, and helped, my headache would not budge.

So, realizing that God cares about even the small details, I reached out to a couple of friends for prayer. I felt silly, but I know that God answers prayers – even ones we feel are silly! This is a copy of an actual text message I sent to a friend of mine, “Hey, this may be a stupid / silly request, but I have this really bad headache and nothing is helping. I don’t get headaches often. Pray for my head? Haha” As I knew would be the response, they agreed.

Between laying down and getting a little rest, therapeutic grade essential oils, and especially the prayers of friends, I feel much MUCH better. I’m not 100% – but I am feeling a considerable amount better. In fact, I just ate a little of the leftover lunch from this afternoon. My body now thanks me instead of protests.

You see, I am thankful for these kind of friends. To those of you I reached out to today with this simple prayer request, please know you have my gratitude – simply for being one of those kind of friends in my life and especially for your willingness to pray. As we know, prayers make a difference. Thank you, friends!

Jan16

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Weight Loss Accountability

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I am thankful for accountability – in whatever form or shape it takes. With regards to weight loss, I find that I do much better with the accountability factor. I think it’s like that for most people.

This month, I have started in a local weight loss challenge: Winter 2013 Biggest Loser. For the next eight weeks, I will continue the path I have already chosen. I am eating healthier, drinking mostly water, and being more active. It will go beyond the eight weeks, but for the scope of the challenge, I’m just sharing my thoughts on right now.

Even if I don’t win (which obviously I hope I do – there is a monetary prize) the accountability alone will continue to be worth it’s weight in gold.

If you are struggling with weight loss, I urge you to find someone (or a group) to be accountable to. It does make a difference. I will try and update each week on how my Biggest Loser challenge is going. Along with finding an accountability partner, I suggest you take small steps. You need to make better / healthier decisions. You don’t have to starve yourself to be healthy. You can cut certain things (caffeine, carbonation, excess sweets, etc) and those alone will make an enormous difference. Give it a try? You’ve got nothing (except weight) to lose!

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to comment below, or send me a message via my “contact me” page.

Jan15

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful for Organic Bamboo Velour

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It’s true. I am thankful for fabric. Not just any fabric though, but Organic Bamboo Velour (OBV). If you’ve never felt it, you should. It’s soft and cuddly. More than that, it’s cozy and warm!

I have an adult size “baby blankie” made courtesy of a good friend. (I’ll do a separate blog post about her a different time. Let’s just say – she’s amazing.)

This blanket is a necessity around here – especially in these cold days/nights.

So, do you have a nice warm blanket you just can’t live without? I know I do now!

Jan14

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Good Results

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Today was my appointment to go over the results of the tumor removal, as well as to have the stitches removed.

First, I cannot tell you how happy I was to have those removed. To hear I didn’t heal properly, and that my body clearly didn’t like sutures wasn’t awesome, but paled in comparison to the news that came next.

It was good, no make that great news. Though there was concern, it was a benign / non-cancerous tumor – officially noted to be a lipoma.

I could go on and on – but sums it all up to just say I’m grateful to a God larger than life for having me (and my health) in the palm of His hand – and for me to be able to hear the good report from my doctor this morning.

I will restate something I’ve said before, and will likely say again. God is faithful 100% of the time – it’s just whether or not we choose to believe that!

Jan13

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful for God’s Provision

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More than any other time in my life, I am thankful to God for His provision. He is providing in and for every area of my life – my marriage, my health, my finances, my family, etc.

Today after church, our family went out to eat. My husband and I were discussing the church service. I was sharing with him about a family I know who has seen God’s provision in a big way. This family shared with me something very special. Through some pretty unsure times, God gave them a dream, and then provided for them to make it a reality. I told him (my husband) that I had the same level of faith, for a very similar situation in our lives.

It was almost as if God had a sense of humor mixed with teaching a lesson. He needed me to know that He indeed IS our provider. I had absolutely no idea that there were some friends of mine from church dining at the same place for lunch. It wasn’t until after the meal that they came over to speak. They asked how the food was, and if we’d paid yet. I gestured that my husband was up paying our bill at that very moment. They quickly ran up to the front desk where my husband was attempting to pay, and asked the cashier if she could cancel it (the credit card had already been swiped) and told her to add our entire bill to his. It was the sweetest and kindest gesture. My husband does not know this sweet family (yet) but was absolutely floored. They told my husband that it was a “little thing” and that they just wanted to bless us. To tell you that it blessed us would be an understatement. God used this situation to be so much more than a “random act of kindness” — it was more like an “intentional act of kindness, grown to a huge blessing all the way around” sort of thing.

Not only did God provide (through some very precious friends) for our meal, the “little things” situation also provided me with the opportunity to talk to my husband about God’s faithfulness and some of my heart on what had just happened. I was able to plant seeds, in and with faith, with my husband. It helped him see God’s love through a selfless act of friends.

So, to the faithful family who took care of my family’s lunch today – know that what may have been a little thing to you was much more to us. God used your kindness in multiple ways. Thank you for your giving heart. From my family to yours, we love you!

Jan12

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Hot Water

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As silly as it may sound, I’m tremendously thankful for hot water. Truth be told, I’m thankful for any kind of water. However, there is something healing and soothing on aches and pains / sore muscles that hot water makes feel so much better.

Yesterday, I went back to the YMCA (first time since the tumor removal) and took it easy. I did not want to pull out the stitches or otherwise cause damage/pain. Taking it easy or not, my muscles are letting me know I made them work! It’s the kind of pain that feels good – knowing you’ve done something! Even still, I love the soothing feeling of nice, hot water!

Jan11

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful for the YMCA

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Today will be the first time I’ve gone back to the YMCA since I had the tumor removed. The stitches are still there, but it seems to be healing nicely. I will be taking it easy, but need to continue my quest of healthier living and a greater level of fitness.

I am grateful for the YMCA. Our local YMCA is an amazing place, and truly a community. There are people from all walks of life, and all stages of fitness ability. I’m grateful for a place to belong, and somewhere that welcomes you as you are, and helps you on your fitness journey. It means a lot that someone is there with you every step of the way – always available to answer questions or give you direction.

Thank you YMCA for promoting an atmosphere for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The community and atmosphere that is available makes healthy life change not only a possibility, but a reality.

Jan10

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Reusable Water Bottles

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As silly as it sounds, I am grateful for these reusable water bottles. As I’m trying to become healthier, and give my body the proper nutrients, I’m finding the need to drink much more water. Many years ago, when I was in the military stationed overseas, I got dehydrated once. I had to go to the hospital. It was not fun. Now, I have water with me everywhere – even by my bed at night.

I’m finding I actually enjoy drinking water, even with meals. It’s the perfect answer when thirst is calling.

Do you drink a lot of water? Do you like to mix in little flavor packets? What’s your favorite? When passing out water recently, I learned that many people really enjoy their water at room temperature, as vs icy cold. What about you? How do you like yours?

Drink water. Stay hydrated. Get yourself a reusable water bottle – I’m thankful for mine!

Have a great day!