Loving and Celebrating My Boy as He Loves and Celebrates Us.

Two days ago, my oldest son, Blake, graduated from the University of Texas.  

Today he turns 22 years old.  

This tow headed little guy with the wispy, fly away hair now has a full beard and deep voice; 

and he thinks and acts like a man.

At his graduation party, Blake and his fellow graduates turned the party around.  

Instead of celebrating themselves, they threw a party to celebrate 

their friends and family and the blessings they have received from those relationships.  

It was remarkable. 

 They climbed up on the picnic table and gave little speeches of gratitude to all who attended.

Then they ended their time with this prayer.

I'm still teary-eyed thinking about it.   

Thanks, Blake {and all your precious friends} for showing us what it looks like to show gratitude.

Next time we'll be more inclined to pause and realize that we live a blessed life

and we have a loving God and lots of people to thank for it.


{The next little video is kind of silly, but I wanted the grandparents and family who couldn't be there for the ceremony to get a glimpse of it...}

Need Perspective? A Glimpse at Third World Living

I know how to live on almost nothing 

or with everything. I have learned the 

secret of living in every situation, 

whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

Philippians 4:12

Last week we had dinner with our friend, Kokeh Kotee, from Liberia.  

He came in town to continue to build his ministry~ Lead Liberia.

He trains local pastors in Liberia and hopes to create a seed project that would allow the pastors to learn to farm so they can feed their families and congregations.

I captured a bit of our conversation at dinner. 

{I turned the camera on and let it roll; it was a bit sneaky}
I love that you can get a glimpse of this sweet man's heart for God 
and his amazing attitude.    

Liberia was destroyed in a year civil war that lasted from 1989-2003.  A peace agreement was signed 8 years ago, and they have been trying to rebuild their infrastructure; it has been a very slow process.  85% of the country is unemployed.
Kokeh is fighting for the hearts of the people there and loving them in Jesus name. 
On this memorial Day, I find myself grateful for the freedoms we have in our country and the men and women who lost their lives protecting it.  
Enjoy the clean water, electricity and abundance which is yours this Memorial Day and remember to say "thank you!" to those who fought to protect us!    

Practicing Gratitude~ Free sweet ideas for saying thank you.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.  

~G.K. Chesterton

The other day I was challenged when Chuck Swindol reminded me that there is no 

power in good intentions.  When it comes to being being thankful, there are many days 

when I reflect on the kindness of others, but neglect to say thank you.   

The great news is, we have the tools to show gratitude quickly and easily, 

right at our fingertips.  

My heart skipped a beat when I got this text from a friend this week~ 

how sweet it is to be loved in this way!

Lately, when I wake up in the morning, I have been using my iphone as a tool for prayer and gratitude.  I scroll through my texts and pray over my friends, and when I feel led, I simply send a text of thanks or encouragement.  By the time I've scrolled through the list, my heart is centered and grateful, the morning fog has lifted, and I'm ready for my feet to hit the floor!  

My phone, which can so easily distract and disconnect, can also be used to help me offer prayers and thanks!

Below you will find some {free} sweet and easy tools for helping you express gratitude to the people in your life...  

Free "Thank you" flash card tag downloadable from Eat, Drink, Chic:

Free downloadable Sweet Treat Tag from Living Locurto:

Say "thank you" in many languages with these downloadable cards by Daily Suze.

Wanna go all the way?  You could take the 365 day challenge like John Kralik:

Need to alter your perspective?

Toss your inner cynic aside 

with this three word cure:

Thanks. Gratitude. Praise.