It's been a couple of months since I posted which means...  bullet style!

• I thought with the economy / recession going on that the counseling center I work for would be affected but quite the opposite is taking place as we are staying quite busy.   Too many people NOT trusting God and getting too stressed out over layoffs and family issues!  
• Esther and Ben moved back home a few weeks before Christmas.  It's great having them living close by again.  They are both looking for jobs which is quite challenging since so many companies here are on hiring freezes.  It's definitely a time to trust God and know His timing is perfect.  
• Rachel is staying very busy between cosmetology classes and working it seems I only see her coming and going.
• Caleb and Sarah are both finishing up their senior years of high school and college.  Our lives have certainly changed with the kids either gone out of the house or never at home.  It's definitely a taste of empty nest. 
• 2009 holds many celebrations for us...  Started off the year with Rachel and Brice's engagement - Caleb and Sarah graduate in May - Rachel graduates in June and in August Dave and I will celebrate 25 AMAZING years of marriage.  I'm so proud of my kids and their accomplishments.
• I've been keeping up with everyone mostly through Facebook.  It's amazing how many friends from the past that I've come in contact with again.  

With all the changes taking place in our society aren't we glad God never changes.   Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever."   As time moves on we move along with it.  We are constantly changing. Change is good. I want to change.  We need to desire change so we can become more like Jesus. We want to forsake our sins, to honor the Lord God, to be more loving and forgiving, and to let the world know what Jesus has done for us.  Change is good and sometimes necessary.  Though the world changes, circumstances change, people change, and we change, Jesus never does.

It's so important to remember to keep our country's leadership in prayer.  God is in control and just resting in that brings so much peace.

Hugs - Marla

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! --Henry Ward Beecher

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live. --Jackie Windspear

Who does not thank for little will not thank for much. --Estonian Proverb

You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. --Charles Haddon Spurgeon

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" --William A. Ward

O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness! -- William Shakespeare

Gratitude consists of being more aware of what you have, than what you don’t. –Unknown

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. --Cynthia Ozick

To know the value of generosity, it is necessary to have suffered from the cold indifference of others. --Eugene Cloutier

How wonderful it would be if we could help our children and grandchildren to learn thanksgiving at an early age. Thanksgiving opens the doors. It changes a child's personality. A child is resentful, negative—or thankful. Thankful children want to give, they radiate happiness, they draw people. -- Sir John Templeton

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. --Thornton Wilder

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it --William Arthur Ward

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. --Melody Beattie

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.” Phil. 4:6   God does not just say “do not worry”, but gives a road map. Pray (give it to God and gain perspective), petition (count your blessings: list your needs so you feel heard), and give thanks (show an attitude of gratitude, in word or deed!).

Remember to count your blessings!
love and hugs ~ Marla

From missing my family to the joy of getting to surprise them this weekend!

Today is my daddy's 78th birthday and my sister planned a small family surprise party for him yesterday.  Because of church obligations and other things we just didn't think we were going to be able to travel to St. Louis to attend.   Come Thursday, things came together and I texted my niece and told her to keep a secret  because we were heading to St. Louis on Friday to SURPRISE everyone!!!    LOL    We left very early Friday morning and arrived at my sister's house mid morning and quietly walked up to her door and rang the bell and ducked.... she answered the door and the look on her face was priceless!!!!   So she continued to keep the secret and then on Saturday, my brother (who came from Rhode Island), mom and dad all were surprised as well.   My mom burst into tears and was overwhelmed with emotion that her entire family was able to come together to celebrate my daddy's birthday!   Of course, since it was such a fast trip, it seemed the time went too fast.   We left out, once again early this morning to get back for our Sunday evening Financial Peace Class at church.  Thanks Amy, for giving up your room for us.   What a fun opportunity to spend some time with the family!   It won't be long and we'll be together again for Christmas!

 Mom and Daddy

My sister and brother

Another busy week ahead?   Remember to start each day with the Word and it's a guarantee to be ready to quickly do whatever the Lord leads you to!

Hugs ~ Marla