First of all, I would like to thank your wonderful participation over the last couple of weeks – you ladies are so wonderful sharing your grateful heart – you all ROCK!!!!

This week I will not really give you a list, but share my reflection on hope with you. I have looked up ‘hope’ in Webster: “to cherish a desire with anticipationâ€â€¦.Wow – what a definition that is.

As of lately, I only survive on the hope I have – a hope that all things will work out for the good. In Romans 5:4-5, Paul shares: “…and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.â€

What if I wouldn’t have that certain hope? What if I were hopeless like so many these days…It makes me shiver…I am glad that I can put my trust and hope in God. Even when the days don’t seem so sunny, I do always I have Sonshine. My Lord makes my journey lighter.

I so now can understand Christian teachers like Pastor Greg Laurie, who just lost his oldest son in a car accident. If the foundation is not Christ, but our own ability to make it through life – we would be lost. Lost in hopelessness.

I was never a great journal-writer, but over the last couple of months, I have shared – in writing – with my Lord the hope I have. The trust I put in Him. Although I always have prayed, I have never expressed my prayers in writing. As I am looking back over my prayer journal, I can see the changes. All I can say (as the Psalmist states) “For I shall again praise him, my salvation and my Godâ€.

One of my current favorite songs is “My Hope is You†by Third Day. I listen to it often. Let me share with you the chorus:
“My hope is in You – show me Your Ways – God being truth – In all my days…My hope is in You…â€

Yes, God is the only hope we can really hang on to, because He has a wonderful ‘record’. He has shown His faithfulness over thousands for years – and I know that He will be faithful until eternity…Hope in Him never disappoints …

Thank you so much for stopping by today. What are you thankful for this week? Please link your Thankful Thursday post below…

1. Gina’s Public Diary
2. Twinkle Mom
3. Heather@mommymonk
4. Angie
5. Cheryl
6. Denise
7. Tänia of Faith Prints
8. toknowhim
9. Felicity
10. Aisha
11. Susan @ Forever His
12. Ann/mom2HandH
13. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
14. Peggy
15. Peggy@3Ms..aMazing Grace
16. Nancie
17. Pia @ My Life’s Journey
18. Paula @ Refined By Him
19. Cheryl@Hope
20. Laurie @ womentakingastand
21. Cara Lynn
22. Linda
23. Millie
24. Willnette
25. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
26. LaDonna
27. Tracy @ Thirsty for Him
28. Sherry(@myjourney)
29. Amanda
30. Ladynred
31. Michelle
32. Lisa@blessedwithgrace
33. ari_1965
34. Ice Cream, Family and… Hope?
35. Joanne@ Blessed…
36. genny 37. Serendipity Park
38. alihsee @ remember the moments
39. Tami @ The Next Step
40. Colored Heart
41. Susanne
42. Schotzy
43. Renee @ In Christ Alone
44. Kim aka GoofyMamma
45. Stacy
46. Amanda Bowers
47. Heahter @ Not a DIY Life
48. Willow
49. Mary
50. Robyn@Overflowing Grace
51. Tammy
52. Brianna
53. Gina@chats with an old lady
54. Mama Bear
55. Kristi@ Kikis Corner
56. akash
57. flmom
58. Michele-ScreamFree Parenting(this works)
59. Erica
60. Mamasmurf (Chrissy)
61. Tracey @ Cheese and Whine
62. SharonB
63. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage
64. Karen
65. In Light if the Truth
66. mhstultz@hotmail.com
67. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts
68. Karen - Focusing on Relationships
69. Julie
70. Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
71. Rosheeda
72. Prairie Chick 73. Lea
74. Mommy Magee
75. Annabelle @ Christian Momma
76. Front Porch Legacy
77. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
78. Diane
79. Donetta at a life uncommon
80. jennifer’s joyride
81. Michele
82. Tea with Tiffany
83. Irene *The GreenGreek*
84. Bella Mama
85. Beverly
86. becky aka theRAV
87. Kathy C.
88. pam @ without fear
89. Laurie Ann
90. Kim @ Scattered Stones
91. Janet @ Daily Provision
92. Mariah
93. Heather
94. Linda aka Yellowroseli
95. Janera
96. Nessa @ Ramblings of a Texas Housewife
97. Marsha
98. Nette
99. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope
100. Kathy
101. Edie @ Rich Gifts
102. Kathy @ Joyful Journey Journal
103. Rocks-thankful for the HOpe
104. Kathleen
105. Pat
106. Blessedw5mom (Heather)
107. Kathy S

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Current Mood: Thankful

Over the last couple of weeks I reflected about relationships…My relationship with my Lord and Savior, with family and friends. The one thing that became clear is that if you speak out, share your heart, be honest with each other, things can be resolved…

So this week, my focus is on relationships…

Thank You Lord that I can share my heart with You. No matter what happens in my life, You always find a way to comfort me… I am thankful for the relationship I have with my beloved. Although we sometimes do not agree on all things, I can talk with him about everything. I am thankful that he listens to me and I have an ear for his concerns. I think that makes our marriage work… I am thankful that I have a good relationship with our son. Although we don’t see him often, we do talk on the phone often. I guess we did something right … I am thankful for the relationships I have with some gals across the country. Although I have not been on the ‘net’ the past couple of weeks too often, I know that I can count on them when I am in need… I am thankful for the relationship I have with my mom. Although 6,000 miles away, we have still a strong friendship… And I am thankful for the relationships that are not friendships, but that help me grow and stand firm in what I believe in. I think that our Lord puts some people in our lives to make us stronger - stronger in faith and reliance on Him (does that make sense?

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us. I want to thank all 113 women who participated last week - God is so AWESOME bringing us together here on the ‘net’. Just imagine all the people that are searching for hope and come across your blog. God is using you ladies to reach out to the hopeless …

Thank you for stopping by today…remember - YOU are HIS people - made holy through your relationship with Christ Jesus…

1. Stacy
2. Tammy
3. Melanie
4. the cookntchermom
5. Felicity
6. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts
7. Cheryl@Hope
8. Denise
9. Gina’s Public Diary
10. flmom
11. Ann/mom2HandH
12. Peggy@3Ms…aMazingGrace
13. Angie
14. Paula @ Refined By Him
15. toknowhim
16. Kathy
17. Tracy @ Thirsty for Him
18. SharonB
19. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
20. Karen - Thankful for God’s Work in My Life
21. Millie
22. Susan @ Forever His
23. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
24. Willnette
25. Serendipity Park
26. Twinkle Mom
27. Colleen
28. Beth@The Accidental Pharisee
29. Mamasmurf (Chrissy)
30. Nancie
31. Pia @ My Life’s Journey
32. ari_1965
33. sharon
34. Lisa@blessedwithgrace
35. Kristi @ Kikis Corner
36. Janera - My Garden Hat
37. Colored Heart
38. Miriam Pauline
39. candyQ 40. Kim aka GoofyMamma(hubby)
41. Tere {Blessings in Life}
42. Liza’s Eyeview
43. Renee @ In Christ Alone
44. Linda
45. sherry
46. Beverly (by Grace)
47. Heather @ Not a DIY Life
48. Aisha @ The Holley Herald
49. Nichole (Heart 4 My Home)
50. Heather@mommymonk
51. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings
52. Mary
53. Dawn’s Daily Life
54. Sarah @ Burgeon
55. Darlene
56. Peculiar
57. Laurie Ann
58. Mommy Magee
59. Prairie Chick
60. Bright Sunshiny Day!
61. Mary
62. Erica
63. Kim @ Scattered Stones
64. Chelsey at Joyfully Living
65. Bird Poop & Relationships
66. genny
67. in the masters hands
68. Kim @ cowhumor
69. Katy Lin
70. Tania
71. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
72. Tiffany @ The Faery Inn
73. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage
74. Susan (A Happy Heart at Home)
75. It’s All About Him!
76. Lea
77. Lalaine@Day to Day Miracles
78. Rosheeda 79. Tami @ The Next Step
80. LaDonna
81. Tracey @ Cheese and Whine
82. Susanne
83. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places
84. Linda aka Yellowroseli
85. Tara @ Feels like home
86. Irene *The GreenGreek*
87. Julie
88. Cara Lynn
89. Michele
90. Rabia
91. Pat
92. Tea with Tiffany
93. Donetta at a life uncommon
94. Dorothy Bowen Klass
95. Amanda Bowers
96. Kim @ An Artful Life
97. Chandy @ Out Standing in My Field
98. bvoylesal@aol.com
99. Cheryl
100. Janet @ Daily Provision
101. Nessa @ Ramblings of a TX Housewife
102. alihsee
103. HisFireFly
104. godschild
105. Edie
106. In Light of the Truth
107. Rocks
108. Abby
109. Heather
110. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope
111. Bella Mama
112. Stacy
113. Laurie @ womentakingastand
114. Trish @ Venturesome Sojourners
115. Jen–Scraps & Snippets

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Current Mood: Thankful

Oh my - I am telling you - the sea of life is sometimes a little choppy. Don’t you agree? Well, my sea has been on-and-off choppy for the past 9 months…but I don’t want to bore you with detail from the past 9 months …

I just know that our Lord is forever faithful - He will give us the strength that we need to make it to shore.

The last couple of weeks I had limited computer time…but I hope it will get better soon. Our latest bout with being a homeowner…water damage - what can I say. Our house is a mess - our family room can not be used until the adjuster will get back with us…Kind of hard to get things back in order when you work full-time.

But you know what? There is always something that I can be thankful for…so this week, my list will be a little shorter, but none the less my heart is grateful…

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us. Leave your link to your post below…I will stop by as the time permits during the cleanup…

Thank you so much for stopping by and your participation this week. Remember, no matter how high the water rises, He will always throw you a life-line to give you the strength to make it safely to shore…

1. Sharon
2. mama meji
3. Melanie
4. Stacy
5. maiylah
6. Twinkle Mom
7. Karen-Thankful for the small things
8. Denise
9. Felicity
10. Mariposa
11. Cheryl@Hope
12. Aisha
13. toknowhim
14. Laurie Ann
15. Janera
16. Susie (pink carnation)
17. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
18. Ann/mom2HandH
19. Lisa@blessedwithgrace
20. Nancie
21. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts
22. Serendipity Park
23. Gina@chats with an old lady
24. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
25. JesuLalaine
26. our family story
27. flmom
28. Lea
29. Beth@The Accidental Pharisee
30. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage
31. the cookntchrmom
32. CandyQ
33. Queen of the Click (Recipe & Cell Phone Trick)
34. Queen of the Click - Right link
35. Miriam Pauline
36. Liza’s Eyeview
37. Linda
38. Kim aka GoofyMamma 39. Mamasmurf (Chrissy)
40. Amanda Bowers
41. Tammy
42. Heather @ Not a DIY Life
43. Kristi @ Kiki\’s Corner
44. Tanja
45. Beverly
46. jen-mom to 15
47. Mary
48. Chelsey at Joyfully Living
49. Gina’s Public Diary
50. Carmen
51. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
52. Mary
53. Rosheeda
54. Susan (A Happy Heart at Home)
55. genny
56. Kari @ Just Another Day in Paradise
57. Erica
58. Colleen
59. Kim @ Cowhumor (formerly Hind’s Feet)
60. Mama Bear
61. sherry
62. Nichole (Heart 4 My Home)
63. Donetta at a life uncommon
64. Rhonda@LivingWaterChristianAcademy
65. Lisa B @ simply His (#4)
66. Darlene @ Everything to Me
67. Schotzy
68. It\’s All About Him!
69. Michelle
70. Blessedw5mom (Heather)
71. Liz (Discovering Liz)
72. Prairie Chick
73. Fields Of Heather
74. gail @ challenges and adventures
75. Forgetfulone
76. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings 77. Tracey @ Cheese & Whine
78. Angela
79. Peggy@3Ms…aMazingGrace
80. the cookntchermom
81. Irene *The Green Greek*
82. the cookntchermom
83. Leanne from Canada!
84. Tania
85. Cara Lynn
86. SharonB
87. Peggy
88. Jendi
89. Tami @ The Next Step
90. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings (free play clothes)
91. Annabelle @ Christian Momma
92. Barbie @ Leaving Footprints
93. Sam
94. Tammy @breaths of faith
95. Kim @ An Artful Life
96. Michele
97. Peculiar
98. pam @ without fear
99. Dori
100. Magee Baby
101. Cathy (Apparently, I’m Petulant!)
102. Ann Kroeker
103. Amy @ My Artful Heart
104. Kathy C.
105. Janet @ Daily Provision
106. Angie
107. Bella Mama
108. Marsha
109. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope
110. Rocks
111. Jane Anne @ Gravity of Motion
112. LaDonna
113. Colored Heart

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Current Mood: Thankful & Blessed †

Trust no one! Well, except the Lord and the ones that are very close to you or know you for a little while.

I really wavered between ‘Trust’ and ‘Gift’ for Thankful Thursday this week, but ‘Trust’ ‘won’…Again this week I was reminded that we really can trust only a handful people this side of heaven. There are a lot of mean-spirited people in this world. But I digress, so here is my thankful list for this week…

Before I let you go, I want to say publicly ‘thank you’ Mama Bear and Jenileigh for the wonderful gifts you have sent me. Yeah – can you believe that I won two drawings in the month of June/July . I hope to share a digital LO with you soon that feature the wonderful prizes.

So, what are you thankful for this week? If you have posted your own Thankful Thursday post, please link it below.

Thank you for stopping by today…and remember: even when you think there is nothing to be thankful for, just step back, take a deep breath — the Lord is always worthy of our thanks – no matter what

1. Felicity
2. Stacy
3. mama meji
4. Melanie
5. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
6. sharon
7. Denise
8. Ann/mom2HandH
9. Peggy@3Ms…aMazingGrace
10. Angela (sons & jobs)
11. Laurie Ann
12. Chelsey at Joyfully Living
13. Mary
14. Pia @ My Life\’s Journey
15. Gina\’s Public Diary
16. Angie
17. janet
18. lalaine
19. Laurie @ womentakingastand
20. Serendipity Park
21. Lisa@blessedwithgrace
22. Colleen
23. Susan @ Forever His
24. the cookntchrmom
25. Linda
26. Cheryl @Hope
27. Beth@TheAccidentalPharisee
28. Lynn
29. Marsha
30. Donetta at a life uncommon
31. Willnette
32. Rocks 33. CQ
34. Mari
35. Miriam Pauline
36. Kim aka GoofyMamma (my daughter)
37. Aisha @ The Holley Herald
38. Kim @ Scattered Stones
39. Beverly
40. Heather@mommymonk
41. Renee @ In Christ Alone
42. jen
43. Tammy
44. Kristi at Kiki\’s Corner
45. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum
46. sHaE-sHaE
47. Twinkle Mom
48. flmom
49. Tracey @ Cheese & Whine
50. lori@allyouhavetogive
51. Sarah
52. Rosheeda
53. Kathy
54. pam @without fear
55. TrustingDaily
56. It\’s All About Him!
57. Carrie @ A New Heart
58. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
59. Darlene
60. cowgirl for chirst
61. Millie
62. Prairie Chick
63. Nancy the Romancechick
64. Tami @ The Next Step 65. Peculiar
66. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts
67. toknowhim
68. Terri Sue
69. Mom Of Faith
70. genny
71. Cheryl
72. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
73. Irene *The GreenGreek*
74. gail (first time here)
75. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage
76. Susan (A Happy Heart at Home)
77. Erica
78. Paula
79. Mary
80. Michelle
81. Crystal
82. Sherry
83. Laura of Harvest Lane
84. Leanne from Canada!
85. Cathey
86. SharonB
87. Janet @ Daily Provision
88. Lea
89. Cathy (TRUST - the 5 letter word)
90. Tea with Tiffany
91. Barbie
92. Jane Anne@GravityofMotion
93. Peggy
94. Michele
95. Amy @ My Artful Heart

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.
View More Thankful Thursday Participants

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Current Mood: Thankful & Blessed †

I am sure you had one of those days where nothing seems to be fair to you…

Read the rest of my thoughts on the subject of “doing good” over at…

Thank you for stopping by today…be blessed today and always…

Current Mood: Okay

So, the Lord has been tugging on my heart since Wednesday night. Lea read my testimony, which was written almost 2 years ago. She left a kind comment, so I read my testimony over again - tears where just rolling down my face. No, not my story made me weep, but His incredible grace. How He, the almighty God, could love someone like me - take me back after years of wandering aimlessly…

As I said, He has been tugging my heart to republish my testimony. I have been arguing with Him - “It is old stuff - all who know me - read my blog - know my testimony”…This morning the tugging got stronger…”Republish it - someone needs to read it today”…So, if you are the someone who by any chance needs to read my story; here it is:

“Once upon a time, there was little girl that was born to two wonderful people. Peter and Kim loved this little girl very much. She was their pride and joy…

Really, God truly blessed me with wonderful parents. Although they did have their fair share on disagreements during their marriage — they put God at the center and that helped even through the rough times. My parents raised us girls knowing God — church on Sunday, Sunday School, confirmation classes - the whole nine yards. I was very active until I was about 18. Youth-group, summer-camps…It was great. Than more and more I distanced myself from the church. It was no fun hearing every Sunday how much I sinned! There was not much Gospel message involved - believe me. I still went to church — once-in-a-blue-moon. But the biggest problem was that I also was distance from God. Why would I need Him? I was doing well, on-my-own - thank you very much.

Than my dad got really sick; my Sweetheart couldn’t find work in Germany after he left the army…I was holding together the best I could. When completely desperate I would send up a prayer…Did I listen for an answer? No - of course not. Than the biggest decision had to be made. Are we staying in Germany? Are we going to move to the US? My dad (once again) was the driving force. He said: “Your life is already planned ~ don’t refuse to follow”…Yeah, okay dad - you are sick, you will miss Daniel a whole bunch and you are telling us that we need to go??? That was in 1990…Well, we moved and dad died a month after we moved to the States in February of 1991 - and by this time - I was not very happy with God…

Fast-forward…the first years after my dad’s death were hard for me, because he was the best encourager someone could ever have. Did I ever think about picking up my Bible during that time? - Nope!!!! I enjoyed my pity-party. Another fast forward…1995 my Sweetheart wanted to go back to school, I wasn’t able to control our son…here I was again - trying to hold it together. Someone from work invited my to attend church with her on Christmas Eve….I went and the rest is ‘history’…Not really. But God really got a hold of me than. He got my attention big time. He welcomed me back home…no questions asked. He took me in His arms and was glad to see me. Not a “I told you so”, no “What in the world were you doing?”…Just a simple: “Welcome home, little girl”…”

Yes - His grace is amazing - He is waiting for you to come home….Do you have your own testimony? Let me know in my comments - I love to read about His grace in your life…