#441. On Monday, I had an incredible ride with my husband, Breezy and Harley. Thank you, Lord, for keeping me safe. For the joy that welled up in my spirit as I was outside in the beautiful weather with the love of my life (Bob) and the equine loves of my life too! (Breezy and Harley).

#442. On that ride, God gave us a calm ride along the river...our calmest yet. It allowed me to truly enjoy the wonder of His creation.

#443. On that ride, we were able to trot and canter together and laugh together. Even Bob and Breezy! LOL!

#444. Afterwards, I hung out with the horses in the corral and Harley was so silly. Oh, Lord, you have made the horses with such personality. How did you do that? I know that part of it is merely to delight us humans! And oh how it does!

#445. Yesterday's arena ride with Harley wasn't nearly so peaceful, Lord. You know something was definitely wrong...yet as I prepared to get Harley in the trailer I gave him a stern talking to. "Now Harley, I have done a good job not getting angry with you today, but I am really close to anger right now. You just get in that trailer. I know you aren't afraid to do that...so just do it. I don't want to blow up over this little thing...but I am near my boiling point!" And Harley gave me a "kiss" on the face at just that moment. I do believe he knows what I am saying...(I taught him to "kiss" and he uses it at the most bizarre moments...)

#437. For the privilege of being invited to step in to lead worship at church yesterday. The person scheduled to do it had the flu...I was overwhelmed, had to depend on God, but was in awe that it was *HIS* idea for me to do this...how ironic.

#438. All the things that I prayed for seemed to happen at some level. I prayed that Tony, the worship pastor--who couldn't lead because he was presenting the morning's message--would be able to just worship the Lord prior to giving his message. He called and told me he had been blessed by having a chance to do that.

#439. I prayed that the people who normally are in the band, but who wouldn't have to worry about playing, might be refreshed and encouraged by not having to come for an early practice...the drummer told me last night what a blessing it was not to be "on" yesterday for a change...that he was able to kick back and it was a good thing. Thank you, Lord.

#440. I had prayed also that in spite of not having the big worship team, someone(s) would be able to worship God in a special way...that maybe it would actually be a *good* thing for someone...and a lady came up to me after the service and shared how nice it was for her...that she could really worship with just the guitar and the voice...that it was a good thing for her...Thank you, Lord, for that encouragement...

I just so much wanted to worship God myself...and I did...and wanted others to be able to do so as well...I hope and pray they did.

#431. For an incredibly wonderful time for my whole family at my accountability partner's home last night. We had such fun playing Taboo together and Wii tennis! What wonderful laughter and joy there was. ALL of us had a great time. It is such a blessing to have fun together the four of us (my family), but when we can have fun being together AND be with another family--all of us at the same time, instead of the kids off in another room or something--that is just beyond perfect! THANK you, Lord!

#432. For grace, forgiveness, that His mercies are new each morning.

#433. For safety working in the forest yesterday--and that the mud was soft when the rope broke and I landed backside into the 6 inch deep muck!

#434. For a sunny day yesterday without rain. We have needed the rain, but the world is so waterlogged!

#435. For the view coming down into the valley...all the way to the Sutter Buttes! Amazing how crisp and clear and beautiful!

#436. For a good time with extended family (my side) yesterday at Chevy's and that I didn't eat outside of my boundaries. The food was good and the interaction pleasant!

#427. For a wonderful time with extended family yesterday.

#428. That there is no post-Christmas let-down! The very things that we have focused on this Christmas that have made Christmas feel so special continue with us today and every day. I love this! Thank you, Lord!

#429. For authenticity amongst extended family members who all love the Lord.

#430. For calling family members out even when it was difficult for them. Thank you for rescuing them, Lord.

#423. For ping pong with the family in the garage on Christmas Eve.

#424. For giggles and silliness -- that our family enjoys eachother so much. Oh, Lord, thank you!

#425. For family "group hug."

#426. For family SINGING! Lord, the miracle you have done in our family continues to floor me. I PRAISE YOU!!!!

#419. For beautiful music to enjoy and to help remind me of all Jesus has done.

#420. For a home that I have that is warm, safe, and dry.

#421. For my husband's job.

#422. For the amazing encouragement that God has given me through others.

#415. For a warm fire.

#416. For abundance.

#417. For festive music the lifts the spirits.

#418. For quiet time alone with God in the early morning.

#411. For the confirmation at the church I shared with yesterday that I had heard God's leading in preparing. He confirmed through the message shared in the worship service...it totally dovetailed with what I shared with the TW class and I felt so loved and encouraged by God!



#412. The joy I have when I get to share with women about God and His Word and how He changes our lives! Oh! I feel SO much joy! I feel so selfish wanting to do this more...but I know HE has put it in my heart to desire this so much.



#413. Michaela is feeling better. Thank you, Lord.



#414. Bob has been working on being joyful and practicing gratitude. I see a HUGE difference. Thank you, Lord!

#406. For my husband's joy. I don't understand it, but it is a blessing.

#407. That my family and I enjoy one another so much. I never would have dreamed that family life with two teenagers could be like this. Thank you, Lord!

#408. For the privilege of sharing with a Thin Within group in Roseville this morning. I get such joy from sharing. May what YOU have to say shine through, Lord...and nothing of my flesh.

#409. For a beautiful day and wonderful weather and a great horse beneath me yesterday as I rode out on the trail inbetween storm systems. Thank you!

#410. For my accountability partner who has helped me process things as you have called me to go deeper and press on further still.

#401. I made it through watching It's A Wonderful Life last night with the family and it really was a wonderful movie. I could never make it past certain parts in it before. Thank you, Lord, for the healing that you have done that enabled me to get past the parts that troubled me so much before.



#402. That Bob is healthy enough now that he doesn't cough all night. Yay!



#403. We got a LOT of rain (well, we seemed to) and have needed it so much. There is more in the forecast, too.



#404. We have kept a lid on spending this Christmas. It will be challenging for us not to have a ton of packages to open, but it will be a relief not to have bills to pay.



#405. That the kids haven't outwardly fussed about Christmas being so NON-present oriented. Lord, please pour out a special blessing on them so that they sense deep within, the priceless gift of Christ.

#395. For an incredible lesson with Melissa Pelletier and Harley (and Breezy) on the trail yesterday.

#396. For the rain here in dry California (though I loved that I snuck a ride in yesterday before it started).

#397. For a warm, cozy fire in our wood stove.

#398. That my husband comes home to me...to us...(when he isn't out of town). I am so thankful for him.

#399. For the precious Word of God...it is sweeter to me than anything sweet I could ever taste. Lord, may I ever eat of it, ingest and be nourished...thank you that it is my soul's delight.

#400. That God is most glorified in me, when I am most satisfied in Him. Oh, amazing thought!

#391. The time that Daniel had with Pastor Mike yesterday. He felt like a million bucks that the pastor spent time with him. :-)

#392. The continued freedom I have with fasting sweets to the Lord. It is amazing to me that with this "restriction" I could experience such freedom, such a sense that a load has been lifted!

#393. That I am able to sleep so much better now that I don't drink diet soda any more. HUGE difference! And my kidneys aren't aching all the time trying to process all the chemicals. I feel better than I have in over 20 years!

#394. This year Christmas isn't about spending a ton of money on the kids and my husband...so I am having a deeper awareness of what this season is REALLY about. Again, freedom is coming through restriction. Go figure!

#382. For fun on the worship team at practice. I have enjoyed getting to know our worship pastor and seeing his heart.

#383. Daniel's new blog.

#384. That I have been outrunning the cold my family members have passed around.

#385. My family stayed safe when hubby's car broke down last night.

#386. Bible study continued last night even after I had to leave to go pick up hubby and kids. The women at study were so willing to share and connect. It was our last meeting and what I got to enjoy of it was very sweet.

#387. That I get to go to a Harry Whitney bible horsemanship camp in August.

#388. For steady and fun clients to design websites for. I love having one a month and I love having it be trainers that I enjoy learning from.

#389. That God led me and has enabled me to get off and stay off of aspartame. I feel so much better!

#390. The joy that has come in being off sweets. I am making room for the Lord Jesus in my heart this Christmas. Sweets had become all consuming...a passion that flooded my heart...there was no room for Jesus, just like there was no room for him in the inn so many years ago. Lord, be at home in my heart. I welcome you.

#376. Daniel is praying about being in the ministry some day. (GOODNESS! Lord! You are doing a work in him!)

#377. For Pastor Mike who called Daniel to follow up on a prayer request. He asked Daniel if he will go to lunch with him. This is our LEAD pastor! I am so touched!

#378. That I FEEL GREAT physically...better than I have in 20 years! (I am not kidding!). Thank you, Lord, for leading me to get rid of the diet soda completely. Aspartame was driving me into the ground!

#379. California may need rain, but the weather has been beautiful. Thank you, Lord, for how gorgeous it is.

#380. For a wonderful time out to dinner last night with a dear friend I hadn't connected with in months! HOW PRECIOUS, Lord! Thank you!

#381. For depth in my daughter's prayer last night at bedtime. Thank you, Lord!

375. For an amazing time on a trail ride with my friend, Terri, and my main steed, Harley. The weather was wonderful and with the rain on Saturday, everything looked so crisp--the colors so much richer.

364. Daisy is soft. How did you make her so soft, Lord? Why did you make her so soft? And the fact that I have the ability to FEEL that subtle softness in my hands...it amazes me that my hands have "softness receptors" in them.

365. Jordan smiles. I have never had a dog that smiles. I love that, Lord. He literally lifts his gums up and shows us his teethies, just like a human...and he wiggles that bottom all over the place and even talks to us when we have been gone too long. He has been adopted into our family for a year now, Lord. Thank you that he no longer seems to be waiting for someone to come get him...I think he accepts that we are his family now.

366. The sound of the neighbor's wind chimes carrying on the breeze. The chimes are so far down the hill, yet carry...how did you make my ears to catch sound like that, Lord? How is it that you thought of creating a way for the molecules of air to vibrate in such a way that they would vibrate and vibrate until the tiny bones in my ear would vibrate and my brain would interpret that as music? It astounds me....

367. The touch of the breeze on my skin...fall is in the air...

368. The Stepping Up ladies are meeting tonight. I praise you for a group of women who want to meet to study your word and to celebrate and fellowship! Lord, I feel like Cool, California may be home at last...Thank you.

369. The boys (my husband and son) had an AWESOME time at Taladega during the past week. Now, in just a couple of hours, we get to greet them as they arrive back at the airport in Sacramento. I can't wait to hug my men...and kiss my husband. Thank you for safety and enjoyment on their trip Lord. It sounds like it was ripe with teaching and discipling moments.

370. That even though my laptop died, you enabled me to take it in stride. In the past, I would have died a thousand deaths. Lord, could it be...have I grown? I do hope so! I am not nearly so dependent on my computer as I once was.

371. This week while the boys were gone and my truck was in the shop (I couldn't trailer my horses anywhere to go riding) was actually very relaxing and laid back. Thank you for the respite, Lord.

372. Thank you for safety. My brakes were WAY past needing to be done and you kept us safe. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

373. A new sliding glass door! Now we can look out to the beauty of the world without the stains on the glass! It looks like there isn't even a door there it is so clear! Thank you!

374. The Chimichanga that I got at Main St. Pizza lasted me for THREE MEALS! Wow! I got to enjoy the last bit of it tonight for dinner. YUM. Thank you that by learning to eat between hunger and satisfaction, when I eat out, I actually get more than just one meal. It makes it so much more feasible to eat out than it used to when I would eat everything served to me. Thank you that you have changed my thinking, Lord. You have changed me physically, emotionally and spiritually. I know there is yet work to be done, but I know better than ever that you are completing that which you have begun and you ARE doing a new thing! I praise you!

354. For the tender hearts of the women at the Thin Within forums...Lord, you are awesome!

355. That even when I don't feel thankFULL, God receives my thanksGIVING and I am lifted up even by giving thanks with an act of my will.

356. For a deer friend who makes me appreciate afresh God's amazing creativity and tenderness. As the deer pants for the water, Lord, so my soul pants for you...I see this lived out...as she has made paths that take her to refreshment by her continuous use, may I make paths, Lord, going to you...thank you for welcoming me, meeting with me, for being my life-giving water.

357. The coolness of the morning...

358. The privilege of going on a vacation with my daughter and seeing my dear friend and her daughter. WOW!

359. That I can spend time with God in the morning, just sitting at his feet...that I even want to and that he even wants me to...what a blessing

360. For nutsy dogs that remind me that God has a sense of humor!

361. People with gifts so willing to share their gifts with me and with others. God is amazing how he made us need one another!

362. The smell of my horses' breath

363. The health of my kids and husband. Thank you, Lord!

343. Thank you, Lord, for bringing my husband home safe. What joy to awaken next to him.

344. For the joy in my daughter this week as she has had the pleasure of serving at VBS.

345. For the amazing note sent to me by my friend, Diane...wow, Lord...thank you for the encouragement. I so needed it and you knew it!

346. For the smell of Doc's mane.

347. For Harley and Dodger's nickers even *after* being served breakfast (it wasn't just for food!)

348. For Daniel's wonderful hugs and kisses. Even at 16 years of age, my baby still is affectionate. THANK YOU.

349. That while I am frustrated with myself, Lord, there ARE changes that are yet evident. Thank you for the changes you have worked in me to date and that you continue to do.

350. For the pleasure of having a wonderful spiritual mentor and "mom" in Christ.9. For the confidence of friends burdened...thank you for their trust, Lord. It astonishes me that you could use me to pray for them. Let me be faithful to that call.

351. The breeze outside this morning...the leaves are dancing ever so slightly.

352. I live in one of the most beautiful places possible, Lord. Thank you that when I look out the windows, I see trees, hillsides, deer, turkeys and sometimes a fox or two...I love it, Lord!

353. Thank you that I had a dad that, in spite of all his flaws, was used of you to plant in me a love for the natural world that you have made. All of creation shouts your praises and I am so glad that I know that and appreciate the creation as evidence of an amazing, majestic, powerful, sovereign Creator!

338. I have been a mom for 16 years today. Thank you, Lord.

339. That so many ladies in Cool, CA are reading/doing a bible study called No Other Gods and gathering together every two weeks to enjoy a meal and to talk about it and to pray together.

340. For the SIX daughters that were in attendance at the bible study last night. Seven if you count baby Grace! Thank you, Lord!

341. For revealing so much to us through Your Word, Lord, and your patience with me/us in doing what you say.

342. The distinction between needing something, wanting something, and craving something. Thank you for exposing this in my life, Lord.

328. A wonderful husband to sleep next to most nights (when he isn't traveling).

329. A relaxing (surprisingly) time at the Thin Within retreat. What refreshment God supplied!

330. The blessing of looking forward to DisneyWorld at the end of this month with my daughter, my dear friend and her daughter. OH SUCH FUN!

331. Getting to go to New Orleans for the video taping of the updated edition of Breaking Free by Beth Moore! WHOO HOO!

332. Our NOG Siesta group WON the video contest Beth Moore had going on! We can't WAIT to get the care package for being the grand prize winners! WHOO HOO!

333. The most amazing NOG Siesta group on the face of God's green earth. We meet every other Tuesday and it is just SO encouraging and fun. I never imagined 19 people would show an interest in doing this study...but they have!

334. The Breezy's diagnosis of Cushings Disease was discovered at an early stage and he is being treated. I know I need to commit this to prayer.

335. I know the Lord will show us answers to some questions that we have about important decisions. I have confidence, though I am impatient!

336. That God has allowed me to release my extra weight and to keep it off for the better part of 9 or 10 months. I still struggle with fear, but He is teaching me to fix my eyes on HIM the authoer and perfector of my faith.

337. A developing friendship with someone I first met over 5 years ago...it is so strange how our friendship has deepened so much. I love that our husbads seem to enjoy time together, too.

323. Harley's desire to canter on the trail. He has such amazing heart and spirit and the softest, sweetest canter I have ever had the pleasure to ride!

324. The love, companionship, and partnership of a wonderful man.

325. That Leslie, my cousin, has defeated all "odds" and is still alive in spite of brain cancer diagnosed almost 2 years ago. She even came to the kids' birthday get-together today!

326. Family time spent watching old Andy Griffith reruns (yes, good ol' Mayberry!).

327. Jordan, our dog is doing much better.

Entry #29

#314 - For the coolness of the morning--what a lovely change!

#315 - That I didn't get poison oak while weedwhacking the south 40!

#316 - A friend's unexpected visit yesterday--oh, how I have missed her so! We haven't been riding together. She came by and there in the driveway, as we chatted, I felt a connection again. I had become so insecure. Lord, thank you for that reassurance!

#317 - For the deep (though challenging) conversation with my daughter yesterday.

#318 - For Neighborhood Fellowship Group on Saturday night--the group enjoyed eachother and our study time in Colossians was rich.

#319 - The blessing I have of speaking one session at the women's retreat in September ...on a Heart of Gratitude! Thank you, Lord for this honor!

#320 - For the bible study I just started. Oh, how I have missed doing a Beth Moore study. While I wish I was in a study group with other women doing it, this is precious to me. I finished watching the Intro video session of "Stepping Up - A study of the Psalms of Ascent" yesterday. My first lesson was this morning. What joy floods my heart to spend time this way. Thank you, Lord!

#321 - The Lord is FUN!

#322 - For Daniel's joy yesterday. It may be because he is excited that today is the last English class for the school year. But regardless of the reason, it was a delight to me to see how different he is when he feels joy. He told his sister he loved her, he cuddled us on the couch...I just wanted time to stand still!

Entry #28

#306 - It wasn't with silver or gold that I was redeemed from my former empty way of life, but with the precious blood of Jesus - Thank You, Lord.

#307 - I am not my own, I was bought at a price. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord, that you have chosen to indwell me, to call me your own, to purchase me.

#308 - The amazing music made by 100 homeschool students and their parents last night at the end of the year recital. It is astonishing what people can do, even without "professionals" to train and guide them. Thank you that Michaela has such an amazing privilege of learning the flute and being in orchestras and in such an amazing choir.

#309 - For sustaining me last night while I did my co-op job...I asked for joy and strength and you supplied both. Thank you, Lord, so much for that. That I could do my job with joy.

#310 - Thank you for my husband's support and help last night in doing my co-op job, too, Lord.

#311 - For time with my friend, Kris, yesterday on our horses. Breezy did so well on a long-ish ride. The weather was amazing...just perfect. The conversation was far from superficial. Thank you for my friendship with Kris, Lord. May it be all you desire it to be.

#312 - For one more week with my live Thin Within group. I am so glad I have had this season to enjoy with these ladies. I truly hope that we can continue to connect. What a blessing this group has been to me. I want to do your will for what is next, Lord.

#313 - I fuss and fret and grip and complain so often about all the standards we have to meet to live here in Auburn Lake Trails, Lord. Please forgive me. Right now I am thankful that I even have horses at all...that I have a trailer to take them places in. I am thankful that I have a trailer that even needs to be "screened." I am thankful that I have the beautiful foliage and plants surrounding my home, even though I know we must do some work to comply with wildfire prevention standards. Thank you that we can live up here in a beautiful place, Lord.

Entry #27

#299 - For racers in NASCAR that aren't afraid to speak up for their faith in Jesus!

#300 - That while we were gone, Gail Ivey did something magical to transform Crazy Daisy, the Golden Retriever, into a sane dog! Thank you, Lord, for working in and through Gail, to answer prayers for Daisy we have prayed a long time!

#301 - That I could encourage someone at church yesterday who was really downcast. What a privilege it was to be Jesus with skin on for a few moments. Lord, please comfort my friend today. Help her to have strength to do what she needs to do!

#302 - For the power of praise!

#303 - My three horses here at home yesterday were so solicitous. They almost made me feel like they missed me while I was gone. I know they were all just itchy with the heat and their fur shedding out, but it was fun, nevertheless. Thank you, Lord, for that blessing of lots of pony kisses and cuddles. I am still amazed at how amazing their scent is!

#304 - My friend's horse Pete, a big Percheron cross, visited with Michaela and me on Saturday. How fun that was.

#305 - Success on the shopping trip that Michaela and I were on. We had some hard to find items and you provided them so we didn't have to drive all the way to the mall to look. THANK YOU!

Entry #26 - More Vacation Blessings!

My husband read today's entry and reminded me of things I had forgotten to include! HOW GOOD the Lord has been to us!

#285 - Almost without fail, when we drove ANYwhere, even during "rush hour," the bad traffic was going the *opposite* direction, including out of major cities!

#286 - Bob stayed healthy. This is SO unusual. He typically is THE first to get sick. In fact, he never has caught our cold at all! THANK you, Lord!

#287 - Bob kept the most amazing attitude no matter what we threw at him. We weren't always easy to get along with, but he was SO energetic and positive the entire time.

#288 - On the way to our home once we landed in Sacramento after a VERY long day of air travel, the four of us were actually talking about "the next time we go to Virginia!" That speaks for itself about how wonderful this trip was! If you can be on vacation for 8 days and come back talking eagerly and with expectation about the *next* trip, you know things went well! In spite of the sickness and rain! God did a work!

#289 - As we sat in the parking garage in Philadelphia with crazy drivers heading out of the city and NO idea how to get where we intended to go (Bob had inadvertantly left the directions from Mapquest that he had printed out at home! oops!), he called his secretary. BLESS ANGIE's HEART!!!! God blessed us by causing Angie, Bob's secretary, to be available to Mapquest the directions from where we were in the parking in downtown Philadelphia to the hotel we wanted to arrive at...and she was able to send the directions to us on his Blackberry phone thingummie! THANK YOU, LORD!

#290 - For cameras and batteries that were functional for the entire trip and lots of great photos of our family and the sights!

#291 - Angie, Bob's secretary, came to the rescue ALL week, taking care of all the things that came up so that Bob NEVER had to answer a work call or email! He was with us, heart, soul, mind and body ALL week! That has NEVER happened before!

#292 - For Christ's Church in downtown Philadelphia. It was established in the late 1600s and had an amazing history including many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence who were buried in the foundation (and their graves were evident). What was SO incredible was there was a gentleman who worked there who gave us his undivided attention and filled us in on some amazing facts about this church and it's history. This was a HUGE highlight for Bob and Michaela especially. He made the history really come *alive*.

#293 - The breakfasts made available at the suites where we stayed always had something that Daniel was willing to eat. That was a miracle, too. One of the foods was something he hasn't eaten in a long time, but began to eat again with gusto. Even with protein in it! THANK YOU, Lord!

#294 - Internet access so many times...this helped a lot because we could access directions to our next stop in the intinerary...THANK YOU, LORD!

#295 - During the days when our family members were the sickest and the weather was the worst (pouring rain--Richmond Virginia got FOUR inches in one day!), we were in a very spacious 2 bedroom condominum. If we had to be confined to quarters, what GREAT quarters to be confined to!

#296 - The HUGE jetted bathtub that almost every member of the family got to enjoy at least once!!!

#297 - For the ease of finding WALMARTS where we could get things that we "needed." It was amazing how relatively easy it was to get things that we would have missed had we been without. (Like cold medicines!)

#298 - For the ease of finding potties all along the way. PHEW!!!

Entry #25

I am going to go back over our family vacation in my mind and take time to praise God specifically for blessings I can recall on our trip.


#246 - That Daniel set aside his terror about leaving home for so long (and so far) and traveled like a trooper!


#247 - There were no flight delays or cancellations going or coming. Everything worked like clock-work!


#248 - Getting through security going and returning was not a problem. The morning of our return, Michaela was so anxious about security. We prayed for friendly people to be working security and God gave us the most friendly people we have ever experienced at security! What a blessing that was! Thank you, Lord.


#249 - Praying about a LOT of things (even the "little" things) caused us to see God's answers to prayer that we often miss. Thanking him for all of these "small things" ministered to my daughter, too. Thank you, Lord!

#250 - The rental car pick up was so easy. What a surprise that was! Then, to see that we had "somehow" been upgraded to an SUV...oh wow! What a blessing that was! There was room for all 12 pieces of our luggage and tons of leg room for everyone! The little Chevrolet Equinox was a dream for our entire trip. Thank you, Lord!


#251 - Thank you, Lord, that my husband's concerns about the car being broken into (since it didn't have a normal trunk) never came to fruition. You kept our luggage safe the entire time.


#252 - We saw so much of Washington, D.C. on our first of two days there that the second day, when we got delayed getting back to DC by a terrible accident on the highway, we weren't missing as much as we would have been otherwise.


#253 - The timing of our trip to DC was perfect...the day AFTER the Pope had left! The crowds while he was there were, no doubt, much thicker than they were when we were there.


#254 - The warm weather in DC was a delightful surprise and the trees were beautiful and still in bloom!


#255 - Our first two nights spent in a single hotel room, I heard NO complaints from the kids about that...and the beds were wonderfully soft with luxurious quilts and pillows. I slept so well those two nights. So did everyone!


#256 - The drive to Williamsburg was uneventful...a GOOD thing!


#257 - The kids got along so well on the entire trip. MUCH better than I ever would have dreamed. Sure, there were squabbles here and there, but over all, they really did a great job of getting along with one another. Thank you, Lord. You know my stress level escalates when they bicker.


#258 - For the convenience of food places that served what even the pickiest of our family members could enjoy...and Daniel's stomach stayed settled! WHOO HOO!

#259 - Again, as I think back, I was thrilled that Daniel even tried NEW foods in NEW places...who would have thought he would have enjoyed food at Dennys or Chilis? But he did! He TRIED new foods. His pickiness isn't an act of rebellion as many might assume. It has to do with the unique way God has wired Daniel and he is sensitive too changes in ANYthing, including textures and tastes. He did SO well this entire trip!

#260 - In Virginia, I was bowled over by the lush green growth. The trees were so different than "my part of the country."

#261 - That I got to see some of historic Jamestown on foot before I got too sick and the rain was coming down in buckets! This was one of the aspects of our vacation I had been looking forward to. We planned this trip back in October 2001, but changed those plans when 911 happened. I was too nervous back then to fly to places that I felt terrorists might target for another strike against our country and our country's morale. I was blessed that my fears never materialized and even more blessed not to feel any fear about terrorism while traveling to these amazing parts of our country!

#262 - The kids were up to a driving tour of Jamestown our second of two days we were there. They had good attitudes even though by that time they were sick. That was when we saw the turtle I wrote about at my God Is Doing a New Thing blog. Such wonderful blessings we got to enjoy...showing up in surprising moments. Thank you, Lord!

#263 - That I got to work on Melissa Pelletier's website while on the road so that I could get it up and running. She is such a blessing to me that not having her website running to proclaim her God-given gifts at working with horses and people, seemed like a crime! Thank you, Lord, for causing me to be able to get it going!

#264 - We prayed for the weather to clear, for driving to be without concern of storms and the weather as we traveled through Delaware and Maryland was AMAZINGLY perfect! Thank you!

#265 - "George" at Dover Speedway gave the boys (and us girls, too) a GREAT time at the Speedway. He drove us at highway speed around those banking turns and we had a taste of what it might like to be a NASCAR driver (well, not quite). It was DEFINITELY more than I could take had he gone any faster! Daniel and Bob LOVED it. We had so many wonderful photo opportunities. I know the next time there is a NASCAR race on TV at Dover, we will eagerly gather around the TV to see if we can spot "George" who has the job of telling the winner where Winners Alley is. His stories of over 50 years being involved behind the scenes of NASCAR were fascinating! Thank you, Lord, for providing "George," another "unexpected" blessing and a freebie, too! WOW!

#267 - As we arrived in Chincoteague, we were able to go for a short walk to see wild ponies. I was so thankful--more than ever--for the great weather and that God sustained Michaela (especially) to be able to walk the half mile out and back. It was so interesting to see the wild horses out there.

#268 - The hotel we stayed at in Ocean City had an amazing view that night of the ocean. While it is different than the Pacific (the only ocean I had ever seen before this trip!) in that the sun doesn't *set* on the ocean, but rises there...it was still gorgeous to have the ocean shore right outside our 11th story hotel room window.

#269 - That Bob was able to find a restaurant in Ocean City where he and I could slip out and have a "date" night. The kids were happy back at the hotel (I am thankful they are old enough to leave like that!). He had crab cake that he said was WONDERFUL. I am so glad that he got to enjoy the "local fare" at least once on this trip!

#270 - Travel to Philadephia went smoothly as the fog parted and the skies cleared. We had an uneventful drive to Philadelphia...Thank you, Lord! You know I was nervous about navigating us to where we needed to be, but you directed our steps!

#271 - For SAFETY getting OUT of Philadelphia with all those drivers willing to put their lives and others on the line to get out in a hurry! Lord, please protect those people! They all seemed crazy! (Even compared to California standards!)

#272 - For keeping us safe as we traveled to Amish country. We had a near miss and I knew you had kept us safe, Lord.

#273 - For Caleb, our Amish wagon driver. He was warm, candid, and amazingly articulate. He was authentic, having been raised Amish, but choosing to go to public highschool and now awaiting his chance to go to Vet school, his story was not "typical." Daniel really connected with Caleb, making something Daniel hadn't been eager to do (going on the wagon ride) something Daniel actually enjoyed!

#274 - The amazing photo opportunities we had traveling through the countryside of Pennsylvania! How BEAUTIFUL! I have never seen anything like that before except in photographs! Being able to take our own photographs of such amazing beauty was a lot of fun!

#275 - Another unexpected surprise - finding "by accident," one of the famous filming sites of Daniel's model train videos. The boys were able to pay a small fee and go in and see an amazing "layout" of toy trains. They really were delighted and surprised by this and we know it was yet another example of your care and concern for us, Lord! THANK YOU!

#276 - That the Railroad museum in Strasburg had a simulator that Daniel enjoyed. That was another surprise gift from God.

#277 - Michaela maintained a wonderfully joyful attitude throughout all the train stuff, Lord! Thank you for her joy.

#278 - That we were able to be flexible enough to travel the back roads of Pennsylvania enough to see more farmland, Amish, and covered bridges! Thank you for the meandering country roads!

#279 - For all the Amish buggies and horses we saw. What an impressive site to see those horses blitzing at a trot along the asphalt roads. It was astonishing! Those Amish people like to rip snort along!

#280 - I forgot in my chronology to mention the place we stayed in Pennsylvania overnight before seeing the Amish countryside...another "surprise" was the TWO room suite we got to enjoy! Again, I saw your hand in that, giving us ample opportunity for more rest, more space. Thank you for the "mix up" that caused the folks at the hotel to give us a bigger suite than we ordered, Lord!

#281 - For safety when we got back to Baltimore and stopped quickly to "rest." We found ourselves in a depressed area of town...it was clear, Lord, that there was gang activity there, but we didn't realize it was potentially an unsafe lcoation until we were out, using "the facilities"--even in our "tourist regalia" (camera attached to belt, shirt that said "Ocean City", hat that said "Chincoteague Island" etc., etc...like a walking billboard saying "Rob me!") you kept us safe. Be with those folks, Lord...bring your truth to them...my heart broke when, with my bladder finally emptied, my eyes were opened... Help us to train our children not to have hearts of fear, but of compassion.

#282 - The room we stayed in the last night was wonderful...comfortable sheets and pillows...so nice and clean--newly updated, I guess...and with restaurants so close we could walk to them AND a gas station right next door where we could fill the rental car with gas before driving the 10 minutes to return it. It was WONDERFUL!

#283 - For Gail Ivey staying with our critters and even taking the time to train them a bit (especially Daisy, the Crazy Golden Retriever...who Gail says she "LOVES."). What a HUGE blessing that was, Lord, as it was THE FIRST time I was EVER able to go on a vacation with my family and NOT worry about the animals for some reason...Thank you for healthy animals we were able to leave and a wonderful caretaker for them.

#284 - Our home, Lord...thank you.

Entry #24

#236 - The lush vegetation here in Virginia.

#237 - The sound of the rain outside.

#238 - The freedom to vacation with my family.

#239 - A job that allows my husband to provide for us and to vacation with us.

#240 - Gail Ivey taking care of all the critters at home while we are gone.

#241 - That I slept some last night!

#242 - The mercies of God are new every morning...great is Your faithfulness, O God!

#243 - Prayers of friends and acquaintances that sustain us even while on vacation.

#244 - Daniel sleeping peacefully even still.

#245 - A loving, patient, kind husband and father for my kids.

Entry #23

#232 For a dreamy, snowy (a little), ride amongst the cows on Tuesday...aboard Harley! God brought so many things together, caused so many things to happen. Melissa Pelletier...oh, Lord, you know how thankful I am for her, that I have her friendship, her talents, gifts, and skills available to help me with my horses, to be able to pray with her...I am so thankful that she is a Christian! How perfect that is, Lord. That she is able to guide me through things with Harley, enabling us to experience "success!" Even with cows and white stuff flitting from the sky!

#233 For an amazing group of women who meet each week at church to discuss Thin Within and to draw closer to one another and to you. What a blessing the group was to me last night, Lord. Thank you so very much. Again, I am so thankful for my co-leader, Pat Rickard.

#234 For Daniel allowing me to wrap him in my arms at bedtime and cuddle him close as I pray with and for him.

#235 For my daughter, too, Lord. I love her so much. I love how she loves to be held on my lap, still. Thank you so much for that.

Entry #22

#226 - For people in our Neighborhood Fellowship Group, hearts with which we can laugh and connect, pray and study scripture.

#227 - Down comforters on a rainy day nestled around my body as I fall into a deep sleep, a delightfully restful nap.

#228 - Wondrous time of plunging the depths of God's Word, studying a rich passage of scripture, even in the afternoon hour--when I would normally busy myself with some other task.

#229 - Prayers of email friends.

#230 - California needs the rain we are getting. When I can cease from my myopia for a moment, I am thankful for the rain.

#231 - Cozy fire in our wood-burning stove...the crackling, popping, settling of the wood as it burns, the slight smell of smoke on my clothes...the warmth in the living room...

Entry #21

#221 - With an act of my will I can choose to praise and thank God. I praise Him for the miraculous way that as I choose to lift Him up, *I* get lifted up. It boggles the mind.

#222 - For the Setting Captives Free ministry - that thousands of people can experience rich bible teaching that will challenge and support them in being set free from besetting sins and addictions by doing free online bible studies and that this includes the support of a mentor who has been there. It is an amazing ministry.

#223 - That the wind whistles through the pine trees, adding their own unique sound to the music of the storm.

#224 - God is faithful to bring to the surface character defects, flaws, weaknesses that he wants to cull and change.

#225 - He uses my horses to teach me about my life at a deep level, my struggle with Harley to show me things to change about relating to Daniel.

Entry #20

#211 - The wonderful quiet, restorative retreat I was blessed with while my family was gone. God used it to enable me to write the Introduction and Chapter 1 for a new writing project. Done ahead of schedule! How efficient you are, Lord! Thank you for the way you met me in this time of "work!"

#212 - That "work" can be such joy!

#213 - My family is home safe--the delightful hugs and smiles, kisses and tickles that my teenagers even enjoy!

#214 - Daniel's sense of humor. Oh, Lord, he sure does keep trying! :-)

#215 - Michaela's cheerfulness...her joy seems to know now boundaries, Lord, but just overflows and affects everyone.

#216 - My wonderful husband is READING Thin Within!!!! He is actually doing the material and releasing weight! I love the things he says as he processes the material. Oh, Lord, this has been SO long in coming! THANK YOU!!!!

#217 - That God is changing me, sifting me of old thought habits and patterns and transforming me by the renewing of my mind. I am (thankfully) different because of His touch.

#218 - God has chosen that a dirty 1000 pound animal would have a smell with such wonderful restorative ability for my soul...oh, how I love inhaling the scent of my horses, Lord!

#219 - God is faithful to continue to show me changes yet needing to be made. Changes that He is working. I am so grateful for the faithfulness and skill of the Potter. I am the clay. Lord, do your work.

#220 - Lord, you surprised me last night. Ever since I have been involved with Thin Within I have wanted to be in a class where I could be ministered to and receive what you have for me. Last night, my coleader and I took turns sharing what you had laid on our hearts as we led the Thin Within class. We had planned ahead of time who would do what, but I was taken so by surprise by your love! As Pat shared, Lord, you stirred my heart afresh. You ministered to me. Not only do I have the overwhelming joy of participating in leading another TW class, Lord, but with Pat co-leading (our first time together), I get the inestimable blessing of feeling for those moments like I am IN a TW class...I mean...someone else is doing the ministering! Well, that is incredible, but then even beyond that...the interaction with the group members last night--our first group meeting...it was INCREDIBLE! It was such a rich time. THANK YOU SO MUCH!