"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Him" (Luke 17:15,16).

When we're going through difficult times in our lives, it is so difficult to remember to say thanks or to feel thankful.  Yet, it is during those low moments in our lives that God is holding our hands and carrying us through our struggles.  He provides our every need through the good times and the bad times.  I need to be reminded to always give thanks for the many, many things that God has done for me and continues to do for me.  His love never fails and He promises to go with us wherever we may go.  Every day, He showers us with gifts and His never ending love.

Progress.
I love that word because it has such optimistic connotations.  I was reminded by a very sweet, compassionate adoption therapist, to focus more on progress.  We have seen so much progress in many things in our lives and in our children's lives.  I need to remember to say thank-you to God for the progress (in all areas of our lives) that is being made as we run this race and learn to live more Christ-like.

Continuing to give thanks...
-celebrating early Father's Day with my in-laws
-news from Ethiopia that our adoption is continuing to move forward, slowly, but it's moving!  Progress!!
-the love, support, and encouragement from my fellow adoptive mommies
-progress with some challenging behaviour
-progress as I gain renewed hope and encouragement
-progress with our children as they complete another year of school and grow academically, as well as spiritually

-learning the beatitudes throughout the school year at the monthly assemblies

-concluding the assemblies with a tribute to the graduating class
-the challenge from the principal to the graduates to be peace makers and to continue to be positive Christ-like examples to others

-his humours grade 8 slide show/description of the students and grade 8 skit
-how he is a godly example to his students

-having fun presenting their skit in front of the school

-the hard work and enjoyment Nicole had making the graduation slide show

-having a picnic outside, and enjoying a fun day in JK (although every day is a fun day with her awesome teacher)!!

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"Great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies" (Psalm 108:4).

I had the privilege of attending the grade 8 June assembly.  It was not only humours (copying many lines from the movie "Frozen"), but it was also a time of reflection.  Each student spoke into the microphone and shared with the audience something about the past school year.  By reflecting and reminiscing, we remember God's faithfulness and we can live a more grateful life.

At times, my covetous heart has inhibited my ability to be grateful.  It's so easy to look at what others have, do, or look like and feel that tinge of envy.  So, here are a few ways to help me live a life of gratitude:
1.  reflect on the past and remember God's goodness and His faithfulness through all generations (Psalm 100:5)
2.  be purposeful; find things to be thankful for EVERY day;  God is good, all the time!
3.  read and meditate on God's Word
4.  go to the cross;  reflect on God's amazing love for me that He would send His son for me to die on the cross for our sins
5.  have an attitude of gratitude and confess my covetous heart to my heavenly Father who "is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
6.  let it go and give it to Jesus;  knowing that God holds all things in His hands and trusting in His perfect will is comforting and allows me to be thankful in all circumstances

Continuing to give thanks...
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-the grade 8's musical performance (after only 1 year of band)

-the amazing, talented band teacher

-listening to each eighth grader reminisce about the past school

-praying together and enjoying each other's company at their grade 8 class party

-great host and hostess

-a great day for baseball
-enjoying one last team sport with his classmates from PCS

-a fun day of physical activity and winning the baseball tournament (both boys and girls!)

-celebrating Sunday School graduation and learning more about what an amazing God we have by reading more about who He is in "God's Names"

-his first piano recital
-his many gifts and talents!
-a very gifted and passionate piano teacher

-"scrapbooking" together
-how she teachers her little sister so many things!

-celebrating "Father's Day" with family and with my husband who is such an amazing, Godly father to our children
-having fun with my boys picking out "gifts for Dad" (gifts that they would enjoy too!!)

-enjoying his new gift with his son

-a time to relax

-Sundays!

-family pictures

-the fun she has with her friends

-a fun day at Canada's Wonderland with our family and Uncle Pete (for half the day!)

-how the children were so excited to have their uncle join them

-safety

-thrill rides and relaxing rides (like the Swan ride- love that one!)

-how they stuck together so nicely and were able to compromise where to go and which rides to go on

-how I am still able to impress my children with my shooting skills (although it takes a few more attempts than it used to!!)

-how he enjoyed going on rides with his little sister
-overcoming another fear (going on a non-kiddie roller coaster for the first time)

-learning a new game and new skills

-how she was so excited to finally start soccer, especially since it was the same place as Curty
-her loving, patient coach

-his excitement at almost getting a hole in one and winning a boat!
-the fun we had with golfing with our close friends
-a successful fundraiser
-for all the work that the committee did to make it successful

-fun day of golf with my sister
-proudly wearying our Dutch hats and remembering our heritage and God's faithfulness