#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!