"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some." –Charles Dickens

Cultivate thankfulness in your lives with this character study from Homeschool Helper

Thankfulness Character Study

1. Look up thankful in the dictionary.
2. Read Exodus 15:1-21
3. Bible Memory Verse: Ephesians 5:19-20

Discussion Questions:

• What things in your life are you thankful for?
• Read on in Chapter 15. Were the Israelites always thankful, or did they complain at times?
• Are there times when you complain about things instead of being thankful for what you have?
• What should you remember when you are feeling grumpy about what you don't have?
• What had just happened to cause the Israelites to sing a song of thanksgiving to God?

Activity:

• Write down ten things for which you are thankful in a journal; look back on it when you are feeling down or add to it when you think of new things.
• Have a special plate at dinner. Rotate nightly who gets the plate and everyone can say why they are thankful for that person.
• For young children: have them trace their hand. Help them write 5 things (one on each finger) for which they are thankful. Then they can remember by looking at their fingers.
• Write a song or poem expressing your gratitude for something you are thankful for.

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Ever have this aha-moment: “Wow! I have received an answer to a prayer I never dared to share!” Perhaps it was something h-u-g-e or simply something you tucked away because you declared it impossible — or so far ahead in the distance, that you would never “get there” …

I have routinely believed in miracles my entire life; and, until recently, I would routinely back away and wonder why I ever got my hopes up for such wondrous blessings. My belief was shallow and could not stand the drought of time.

But ever-so slowly I came to trust in the LORD with all my heart.

It was like the LORD secured my wounded and reluctant heart by wrapping it with His love and soothing cords of faith. Then He added nubby, vibrantly-colored woolen cords of Courage and Possibility into the tapestry of my life, to comfort me with a beautiful covering and the glorious assurance of His amazing grace.

"With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." Mark 10:27

Believing God for what we deem impossible is so very different from “being positive.” It is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1) because of what God can do — not what we can do.

All too often we busy ourselves with the ragged underside view of our tapestries; the knots and threads appearing random and without design. We lock into the default mode of daily routines, demands of real-life and doing our best to run as fast we can; and we completely lose sight of the topside of our tapestry of Life. Its brightly-colored cords being carefully planned and woven by God.

When we do this, we rob ourselves of the vibrancy — the amazing grace — God is faithfully adding to our tapestries. Then we become uncertain of what we hoped for and certain we shall never experience the desires of our hearts.

However, there is hope when that happens. We can put our trust back in Him, wrap ourselves in Grace and apply the healing salve of Proverbs 3:5-6.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

⁶In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

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I had already become an Unintentional Semi-Vegetarian and going meatless wasn’t as difficult as I had expected. When the 30 days were over and I realized how little I missed hamburgers, pork roasts and chicken breasts, I decided to leave meat out of my menu plans for the foreseeable future. I’ve been following a pescetarian diet ever since. I don’t eat beef, pork or poultry, but I do still eat seafood, eggs and dairy products. I chose this diet for various reasons, but the assumptions when I tell people I don’t eat meat are generally that I am either A) trying to lose weight or B) a convert to some sort of militant cult of animal lovers. In fact, I haven’t lost a pound, and while I do love animals I have not joined a cult and am not militant in my opinions on animal consumption.

I am also not completely against eating meat in the future. I take this stance for two reasons: (1) If I tell myself I can’t have it—ever—it’s all I’ll want; and (2) I like meat and think if it is raised responsibly there’s nothing wrong with eating it occasionally. I guess that makes me more of a “flexitarian” than a “pescetarian”, but I don’t really care about the label*. What I care about is that I am consciously choosing what I eat and where it comes from, whether it is meat, chocolate or an apple.

After the initial panic of having to provide turkey for my family, it occurred to me that I might want turkey, too. It is Thanksgiving, after all. So I’m planning to prepare both a vegetarian main dish and two small, locally and sustainably raised roast chickens. That way, I am free to choose whatever my body wants when we sit down at the table. I won’t feel pressured to eat meat if I’m not hungry for it, and my family won’t be pressured to forgo tradition and eat solely vegetarian dishes.

After years of strict diet rules and regulations, I want my diet to be flexible. Rather than letting my obsessive tendencies take over and turn a healthy choice into an unhealthy compulsion—and potentially ruin my Thanksgiving—I am choosing to allow myself everything and anything, so long as I am comfortable with my choice.

* You can read more details about vegetarianism in its many forms at Wikipedia.

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Lips, Lashes and More: Cargo Cosmetics

The eyes are the windows of the soul.

Our eyes are often the first things people notice about us. Sometimes they tell what we're feeling and far too many times reveal what we're thinking; but at the end of the day our eyes still give the outside world a glimpse of something phenomenal: us.

Your eyes are a window to your inner self. Why not help them to look their best with Cargo's LashActivator? This lightweight, non-clumpy black mascara stimulates the growth of lash follicles, promotes lash vitality, and reduces lash loss. That's right, in as little as 30 days, your lashes can look longer and more beautiful without all the fuss or mess that comes with lash extensions. LashActivator is non-irritating and safe to use. My take: I used LashActivator for 21 days and I noticed a difference, so did my BFF who wanted to know what new brand of lashes I bought. That was the best compliment I ever got–on my eyes that is!

Love, LOVE, LOVE this lip gloss. Cargo's blu-ray High Definition Lip Gloss with Timestrip Technology is a definite must have for those who are serious about lip gloss–all others need not apply. Cargo's blu-ray has a plumping effect that makes lips look full and smooth. The technology-driven plumping formula delivers instantly fuller and smoother lips with long-term results. My take: this lip gloss glides on smooth, is longlasting,  has a high gloss finish and it doesn't "cake-up" or crack even after 6 hours!! 

If you think Cargo Cosmetics is all about the eyes and lips, think again. They boast a line of products from bronzers to blushes and applicators. If your face has it, chances are Cargo Cosmetics makes it. Check here to find the product that's right for you.

Note: I received a complimentary sample of LashActivator and blu-ray High Definition Lip Gloss from Cargo Cosmetics.

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"I love the Lord because he hears and answers my prayers. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!"

Psalm 116:1-2

"Speak to Him, Thou, for he hears

And spirit with spirit can meet –

Closer is He than breathing,

and nearer than hands and feet

~Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809 – 1892)

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It's pretty easy to find organic wine and beer these days, buy what about hard alcohol?  Happily, there are a lot of great options out there so you can still have your favorite mixed drink.

Rain Vodka offers many flavors of organic vodka, including original, lavender lemon, honey mango melon, red grape hibiscus, and cucumber lime. Each bottle is also highly attractive.

Tru also has a range of organic vodkas like straight, lemon, and vanilla, and they also sell organic gin. Better yet, they plant a tree for each bottle sold!

Also try Papagayo Organic Spiced or White Rum; for Tequila try award winning 4Copas. It's sure to make a great organic margarita!  If your local liquor store isn't already carrying any of these be sure to ask if they will.

If you like to top your drink with a maraschino cherry, you can find all natural ones at the Natural Candy Store. And don't forget to put your drink in a real glass with a glass straw from Glass Dharma to keep your drink green and waste-free!

*Win one of four $25 gift certificates to Glass Dharma on Retro Housewife Goes Green! *

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Socializing is equally important to humans as exercise is, which is one of the reasons that working out in a social environment is a much harder routine to break than exercising alone. If you find this is true for you as well, there are ways you can work out in a social arena for cheap or free.

Several years ago I tried Jazzercise and I loved it. It was very social, included awesome music, great routines and did I mention, very social. After I got pregnant, though, I just couldn’t bounce around for an hour at a time anymore and I dropped out. Nearly three years ago, though, a friend of mine convinced me to join her at Jazzercise again and I rekindled that delight I had with the program. The problem was, as inexpensive as it was to do, I just felt like I couldn’t justify the expense just to go listen to cool music and chat with my friends. My husband convinced me that it was worth it for me to go, at any price, because it was just for me and it made me happy (I think the 40 pounds I lost the first year had something to do with it, too), but I wasn’t convinced.

When my friend, Kim, decided to become an instructor she mentioned that she needed a class manager: to which I rolled my eyes at – just what I needed, ONE MORE responsibility. But then I learned that by being class manager I get to work out for free, not just at her classes, but at any class I want. And in return I commit myself to showing up about 20 minutes early to open up the center and leave a few minutes later to close it up. Since I have the time, it was really no big deal for me to put in a little extra time and be able to work out for free.

I understand that not every Jazzercise center offers that great exchange, but the point is, if you really look into it, you can probably find a way to make a similar deal with any exercise center or gym. See if they have a work exchange program, or better yet, if you need a job, too, you can probably get paid to work and get free access to the center as a job perk

If there’s not a center, gym, or program you can get into for cheap or free, check at your local community center or YMCA to see if they have any inexpensive or free exercise programs or scholarships for the programs they do have for community members.

The important thing is to find a social dynamic that you fit into comfortably. Chances are if you’re having a good time socializing with the other people in your work out arena then you’ll be more apt to stick with the program. Some say it’s the pressure of knowing that there are people expecting you and counting on you that keeps you in that type of routine, but personally I think it’s just the enjoyment of it.

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From Williams-Sonoma Home

Snuggled under layers of covers this morning, I smiled through shuttered, sand-filled eyes, awakened to a soggy Morse code of "good morning".   I'm a rain lover, and though I can't explain it, it infuses a certain "soul peace"; at times I crave it, and to me, it is at it's best when it arrives at daybreak.  I said, "Thank you, Lord" as if He had specifically gifted me, and I smiled to think my husband would think this a curse.

Sleep-blurred thoughts suddenly filled with an awareness that took me by surprise:  my romanticism of rain is a luxury.

A tweet from Shaun Groves came to mind; he linked to an article that detailed the destruction–the deaths–caused by Hurricane Ida in El Salvador.  He wondered how that would affect the Compassion Bloggers' trip there this week…and how it might have affected Compassion's ministry…and because I know him, I'm sure his biggest concern was if any children were hurt…or worse.

Rain to people living in poverty doubtfully produces the "soul peace" that compels me to wax poetic at six in the morning.

Thankfully, after a quick check of Shaun's Twitter stream, I learned the hurricane wasn't affecting their trip (so far), and no Compassion-sponsored children had been hurt.

As I prayed for Shaun, the team of bloggers, and those giving and receiving through Compassion's work in El Salvador, my heart raced back to India, to my own experience there.

I will never forget the depth and reach of the poverty I saw…

An urban slum in Calcutta, photographed during my trip with Compassion International.

And yet the hope seen in faces of children in every Compassion project we visited.

The children worked on crafts to sell, made out of recycled materials.

Their joy for life never ceased; they welcomed us with open arms, enjoying the simplest of pleasures.

I've given up some things I'll never miss in order to sponsor two children through Compassion International; my daughter uses baby sitting money to sponsor her own little girl in Guatemala.

PLEASE–read the stories of the bloggers who saw first hand last week how Compassion is able to "release children from poverty in the name of Jesus."  It's with confidence I know in advance, their testimonies will be compelling and moving and at times, heart wrenching.

Because lives are being touched for eternity's sake and for the advance of the Gospel.

Are you feeling a gentle nudging?  Might you at least consider sponsoring a child?

I'd love to hear your questions, your experiences, your own stories related to Compassion International.  Get chatty in comments, k?

{And thanks to Blissfully Domestic's founder, Allison Worthington, for her support of Compassion International by donating a percentage of sales from "The Smart Girl's Guide to Twitter".}

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"And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God."

- I Samuel 23:16 (NIV)

I've been listening to Spiritual Friendships, a series with Mindy Caliguire on Midday Connection.

Women are well known for our friendships.  Girl Talk, Girls Night Out, Soul Sisters, YaYa Sisterhood and all that.  We need each other, but much of our friendships remain on a superficial level. Have you ever wanted more?  Have you ever needed more?

"You can sit around and chat and feel a certain measure of relief, or you can be a part of God transforming someone's life," says Caliguire.   That pierced my heart.   I desire the deeper friendship of a spiritual friendship, one where we can mirror each other — point out growth and changes in each other, especially when we feel there is no growth.

David, the friend, was at odds with King Saul, Jonathan's father.  When David knew Saul was out to kill him, he ran away and hid in a cave.  Jonathan found David and helped him focus on God.  When my friend, like David, runs and hides, am I able to help her find strength in God?  Do I even notice?

• Do I know what my friend is afraid of?
• Do I know where my friend hides?
• Do I know how to find her?
• Would I be willing to go?
• When I get there, do I know how to help her reconnect with God?
• Do I know what would help her find strength in God?

Click here to  find all the "Spiritual Friendships" past programs in Midday Connection's archives.  This is an excellent series with challenging thoughts and great tips to make your friendships better.

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There's No Mistaking It…You ARE Beautiful! 

Beauty is mastery. Whether it’s the symmetry of a rare rose petal or the implicit awe of a newborn’s beating heart, beauty is splendor. Beauty is the intrinsic power of a mother’s kiss to heal wounds and erase fears. Whether it’s the fictional boogie man hiding in the closet or the perpetual pang of life’s vexing sorrows, beauty restores. Beauty is the embodiment of inner grace and compassion. Whether it’s the miracle of an entreating smile or the warmth of a listening ear, beauty comforts. Beauty is the evidence of things not seen and the hope of things yet to come. It is the seat of the soul’s inner strength and the power of its unfailing love. Whether the splendor of a shimmering sunset or the thunder of rolling waves, beauty is glory. ~ S. Cochran

Beauty is defined as “the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).” It is “a beautiful person, thing, or something excellent of its kind; grace; charm.”

Regardless of your age, size or where you are in life–mother, single, unemployed or entrepreneur–beauty in its purest form is STILL found in this most sacred place: YOU.  Let no one tell you differently.

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