My grandson from out of state was staying with us 
while his parents got to spend some peaceful and restful time away.

It is always such a blessing to have family here…
Especially when the "family" is not even 2 years old.
 
I love the perspective that a toddler sheds on everyday events. 
There is joy in what an adult may consider the 
“everyday”, “Ho-Hum” and “mundane”. 

Through the eyes of a child everything is new and worth exploring…
but most of all rejoicing about.

Psalm 104:1-3, 
“I praise you, 
Lord God, 
with all my heart. 
You are glorious and majestic, 
dressed in royal robes and surrounded by light. 
You spread out the sky like a tent, 
and you built your home
 over the mighty ocean.

The clouds are your chariot 
with the wind as its wings.” 
(CEV)

My Grandson and I were in my kitchen in the afternoon 
when he discovered sunlight filtering in through the windows.

He stretched out his arms as his hands reached for the light... 
Then he started to grab the rays of sunlight with his chubby little fingers…

Echoing throughout the kitchen were squeals of joy and belly laughs  
as he attempted to catch the light.

"Oh, the joy of young ideas painted on the mind, 
in the warm, glowing colors fancy spreads on objects not yet known, 
when all is new and all is lovely!"
-  Hannah More

Remember this Thanksgiving to take a good look around…
To see with eyes that look with anticipation…
To grab a hold of the gifts from God with a joyful heart…
Everyday is a miracle from Lord!

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Caprice <><

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Help me to recognize the miracles of everyday! And this Thanksgiving Holiday, may I remember to reach out and grab a hold of the “Son” and remember to bask in the warmth of His light! 
With a very grateful heart, I praise and thank you for your love. Amen

But her little eyes "pop open" 
because she does not want to miss one thing that she is thankful for.

Psalms 100:4, 
“Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
 
Make yourselves at home, 
talking praise.
 
Thank him. 
Worship him.”
(MSG)

She searches all that is in front of her and then... 
with a joyful heart she says "thank-you".

"Concentrate on counting your blessings and you'll have little time to count anything else."
-   Woodrow Kroll

Psalms 100:5, 
“For the Lord is good. 
His unfailing love continues forever, 
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
(NLT)
 

To be thankful is to be grateful for the kindness that has been received 
and acknowledging the provider of that kindness and care. 

My granddaughter knows who is the source of all good things...

 Do you?

 You have restored my honor.
My heart is ready to explode, erupt in new songs!
    
It’s impossible to keep quiet!
    
Eternal One, my God, my Life-Giver, 
I will thank You forever.”
Psalm 30:11-12

(VOICE)

No more silence...Shout it out!
Give Thanks to the Lord for He is... 
Oh...so...magnificent!

Caprice <><

Her mama use to love to sit in the fall and bust open the hard exterior of the peel...
to reveal the ruby red seeds...bursting with sweet-tart juice…so syrupy...
that hands, face and cheeks would become a sticky sweetness. 
And now my little angel and I are sharing that same kind of a pause to our day…
a time of “we are special”…a time to enjoy!

Enjoy…why not?

Take a moment to feel the pleasure of a fall day
When the air is still warm and the colors of the world
take on that same warm feeling.

Relish the burst of flavor this world has to offer…
Partake in what has been gifted you by the Lord

And then as you do be sure to remember to speak up
and say with a sincere heart...

”Thank you Lord…this world is pretty special!”

Psalm 107:1 
“Give thanks to the Lord, 
for he is good!
 
His faithful love endures forever.” 
(NLT)

When Libby and I had finished our tour of the school grounds we went and sat on a bench in the back of the crowd. But then…unbeknown to us…we were escorted to the stage and were to become part of the honored guests. I cannot tell you how uncomfortable I felt. Here we sat in a place of honor for nothing we had done! Unprepared and not dressed properly. They gave us decorated medallions, sang songs to us and mentioned CSB-Dr and BGR in their speeches, thanking God for us.

Philippians 2:2, “I urge you, then, to make me completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being one in soul and mind.” (GNT)

As the ceremonies began, music crackled on a loud speaker powered by a generator loaned to them by our team, the crowd stilled, the parents then walked together with their child in the commencement; I began to see something so different than the schools in California. Honor, respect, and a love of family and God; was everywhere to be seen. These public schools were centered in the Lord. They opened in prayer, closed in prayer, gave out awards for honesty, trustworthy behavior, and outstanding pupils in kindness to others and on and on it went. The parents stood by their children pinning on ribbons and placing medallions around their necks…because schooling is a family effort entrusted to them by God.

These children at the first school sat in the morning sun for 2 1/2 hours without complaint as sweat poured down their hot precious faces. The girls wore their best dresses and stockings with heels. The boys had long sleeve shirts and slacks with shoes too big so there was room for growth. They presented speeches of gratitude to God and family praising Him for getting them through the trying year and thanking him for his faithfulness. Songs were sung of pursuing through the storm of Typhoon Yolanda and how it had made them stronger. I was amazed at the standard of respect, honor and integrity that I had the privilege to experience.

Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)

Libby and I were humbled beyond words that I cannot express due to the honors that were bestowed on us…but here is the reality we… did not do anything to complete these projects. We were there to represent those who had gone before us. The sweat, determination, skill and love they gave to the teachers and students of the two school graduations we attended.

James 2:24, ”You can now see that we please God by what we do and not only by what we believe.” (CEV)
Then came the most unexpected surprise…2 hours in they had us get up and we were then escorted to a classroom that was laid out with food. We sat down and visited with the teachers and then in walked two young men carrying a 4 foot long item that was dripping and wrapped in cardboard. They placed it on the center of the food table, unwrapped it and there before us…laid a whole roasted pig!! There was no way that we could leave or refuse this honor…we sat and as I choked back my tears of awe, I was struck by a scripture

1 Corinthians 9:25, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (NIV)

1 Peter 5:2-4, “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.” (NLT)

But then another verse came to me, and I know the type of team members that served before me…they would have thrown back their crowns too… and I wanted to throw back the crowns that I was receiving at the feet of those who had gone before us…

Revelation 4:9-11, “The four living creatures sing songs of glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever. When they do so, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. They throw their crowns down in front of the throne and say,

“Our Lord and God! You are worthy
 to receive glory, honor, and power. For you created all things, and by your will they were given existence and life.” (GNT)

"We Fall Down" by Chris Tomlin

We fall down

We lay our crowns

At the feet of Jesus

The greatness of

Mercy and love

At the feet of Jesus

And we cry holy, holy, holy

We cry holy, holy, holy

We cry holy, holy, holy

Is the lamb

When we do anything for those who are in need…no matter what part of the comfort or restoration we provide…we do it as one…all part of the mission serving as one body.

So thank you team’s 2&3 for the hearts of service; the Pork was great!

Acorns of Thanksgiving                  Part One

It is the little things that count in this world. Do you remember the saying, “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.” It means that great things often have small beginnings. When I was in nursing  school my mama gave me a golden acorn pendant, encouraging me that if I kept up at the little things…good things would be the result.
Prayer is like an acorn in that way; small and modest things can become very large and impressive with time via prayer. Or how about how you help others? A simple task can mean the world to someone in need.


Here is a list of some of my “Acorns of Thanksgiving”

Prayer and What it can Change and Mature:

Philippians 4:6, “Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come.” (VOICE)

 
Luke 11:9-10, “So I tell you, ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened.” (NCV)

Grace…a Free Gift:

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.” (GNT)

Mercy

1 Peter 1:3-4, “Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope, and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away.” (GNT) 

Matthew 5:7, “They are blessed who show mercy to others, for God will show mercy to them.” (NCV)

1 John 4:21, “The command that Christ has given us is this: whoever loves God must love others also.” (GNT)

Service & Love, How they can make a Difference

John 13:34-35, “So I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you, and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways. Everyone will know you as My followers if you demonstrate your love to others.” (VOICE)

Love is Like an Acorn…it Grows when Planted

James 1:21-22, “Therefore, with humility, set aside all moral filth and the growth of wickedness, and welcome the word planted deep inside you—the very word that is able to save you. You must be doers of the word and not only hearers who mislead themselves.” (CEB)

Luke 6:35, “If you want to be extraordinary—love your enemies! Do good without restraint! Lend with abandon! Don’t expect anything in return! Then you’ll receive the truly great reward—you will be children of the Most High—for God is kind to the ungrateful and those who are wicked.” (VOICE)

1 John 4:21, “The command that Christ has given us is this: whoever loves God must love others also.” (GNT)

Love Provided the Bridge to Heaven

John 3:16, “Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” (ERV)

John 3:17-18, “God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.” (MSG)


Happy Thanksgiving!
Caprice <><