Counting My Blessings: 1113 to 1127

Blessings

Every week, I share on the blog all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for.  If you’d like to know more, check out these blog posts on why I do it and how to get started.  Care to join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

1113. Work!

1114. A laptop charger that works when positioned just right.

1115. Getting acquainted with Twitter.

1116. A fun day out with friends.

1117. Being real, sharing struggles, offering hope…

1118. Cooking jeera rice for 20+ people that was actually edible!

1119. Fun and fellowship at our prayer group’s potluck dinner.

1120. An upcoming study of The Purpose Driven Life.

1121. Making do without running water (2 days and counting!)

1122. A strong husband.

1123. Outlining a homemaking schedule that might just work.

1124. Productivity apps.

1125. Pizza!

1126. Figuring out my strengths and weaknesses.

1127. Earning an income after 5 years… Heart overflowing with thanks!

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings?  I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey?  Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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Random Lessons Learnt On A Holiday

Caribbean near Tulum

This is just a random post to jot down all that’s swirling in my mind.  If you’re looking for some deep inspiration, you may not find it here today… 🙂

So, we went to my husband’s hometown for our summer vacation last week.  In no particular order, here are 10 things I learnt while there.

1. A ‘kinda’ vacation is (almost) as good as a real vacation.

I call it a ‘kinda’ vacation because my husband worked a few days and I had to be online to fulfill a few commitments I’d made.  That didn’t make it any less of a vacation though!

2. I stress out a lot.

I had planned to continue posting verses on Facebook and Twitter on the weekdays, and also blog while I was there.  Unfortunately, our laptop charger refused to cooperate.  I was not happy.  It kinda got on my nerves that all my plans were in vain, and sadly my husband bore the brunt of it.

3. My husband is awesome!

He is really good at figuring out when I’m stressed.  He enters a problem-solving mode and rattles off simple solutions to my seemingly complex problems.  I’m glad at least one parent in the family has a good head on their shoulders!

4. I over-complicate things.

Yup!  I am someone who makes a mountain out of a molehill.  Nothing much to add there.  I’m learning as I go that things aren’t always as bad as I think they are.

5. Backups save the day.

My father-in-law installed power backup to keep us going during the power cuts.  And the very slow computer helped me keep my online commitments when my laptop didn’t cooperate.

6. Quiet time helps.

I usually miss out on my quiet time when we’re travelling.  But this time, I was determined not to.  I lugged my journals and Bibles along with me on the trip and spent some quality time with God every day.  And when we go to God, He does not disappoint!  Love Him for that! <3

7. Family time rocks!

Whether it is praying together at bedtime or spending a rainy day at the beach, I’m glad to be able to spend time with my husband and sons.  So blessed!

8. Baby goats are cute.

My mother-in-law raises goats.  And she continues to do so knowing the little ones eat up her roses.  The boys visited the goats several times during the day and had fun feeding them.

9. Things I love to do aren’t always a priority.

I love to blog and hope to do so for years to come.  But when I’m short of time, and I have to fulfill my commitments to family, friends and church, blogging falls by the wayside.  I have to learn to be okay with that.

10. The days are long but the years are short.

My husband and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary last week.  I can’t believe we’ve been married that long.  Living life one day at a time makes each day seem long, but the years are flying by.

Photo Credit: mdanys

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Counting My Blessings: 1098 to 1112

Blessings

Every week, I share on the blog all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for.  If you’d like to know more, check out these blog posts on why I do it and how to get started.  Care to join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

1098. Cuddling beside my first-born on an overnight bus journey.

1099. An event-less bus journey. {A very good thing!}

1100. A vacation (kinda)!

1101. Attending a Tamil church after several months.

1102. Singing a Tamil song based on the verse, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” {The same our extended family sang at my grandfather’s memorial  service.}

1103. Lessons learnt from King Hezekiah’s life.

1104. Watching our home church service online.

1105. Making do without my laptop.

1106. Baby goats.

1107. Power backup – makes life with power cuts a tad easier.

1108. Our boys getting to experience life in a small village.

1109. Strolling along a wet sandy shore.

1110. 6 years of married life.

1111. Judah’s response on being told to wash his face: “Which face?” {That boy!}

1112. Schedules & routines – makes getting back to normal much easier.

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings?  I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey?  Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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Top 3 Thursday – Edition #24

Check these links that caught my eye, won’t you?

1. A Mile With Sorrow and Joy @ Family Matters {For those experiencing intense pain and sorrow, here’s some encouragement for you.}

2. Fine-Tuning the Balance for Missions & Family @ The Heart of Simplicity {How do we find balance between our family’s needs and heeding the call for missions?}

3. The #1 Thing a Christian Woman Should Look for In a Husband @ The Alabaster Jar {This one is for all the single ladies out there seeking a suitable life partner.}

If you have read or written an encouraging blog post during the week, share the link in the comments below.  I’d love to check it out!

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Counting My Blessings: 1082 to 1097

Blessings

Every week, I share on the blog all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for.  If you’d like to know more, check out these blog posts on why I do it and how to get started.  Care to join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

1082. Sons sharing and not fighting over different colored chalks.

1083. The boys running and somersaulting onto the couch.

1084. The concept of meal planning.

1085. The family at home on a weekday.

1086. God’s protection over me and the kids when my husband was away.

1087. Journey mercies.

1088. Watching our church service online.

1089. Story time with the kids.

1090. Purging and organizing toys with the boys.

1092. Electricity – I’ll definitely miss it during our vacation next week!

1093. An idea for a new blog series (or two).

1094. Insights from the book of Revelation.

1095. The thought of how glorious heaven will be.

1096. Physical strength to keep me going.

1097. Scheduled downtime during my day.

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings?  I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey?  Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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Five Minute Friday: Here

Five Minute Friday
Click to read about Five Minute Friday

Here

I’m here, my mind is not.  My brain is cluttered with a million things swirling around.  I’m restless and my husband is all too aware of what I’m going through.  It’s not the first time he’s seen me like this.  He tells me to go outside and get some fresh air while he takes care of the dirty dishes.  I hesitate, but eventually comply.

I open the front door and walk onto the balcony.  I hear the kids screaming, playing, fighting inside.  I inhale the cool breeze and look at the apartments looming across the road.  I wish we lived in a bigger apartment with a gym, a pool, our own private terrace.

I hear clanging as the sons try to help my husband with the dishes.  A dishwasher would make life so much simpler.  I gather the dried laundry from the clothesline and walk inside wondering how much time a clothes dryer would save me.

I dump the clothes onto the couch and walk back outside.  My eyes fall on a small thatched house.  My perspective changes as I wonder what the lady who lives there wishes for.  Running water?  A gas stove?  A comfortable mattress?

I am humbled.  I have enough.  I walk back into the house, into reality.  I am grateful.  I am here, fully present.  Happy.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

I have Him.  He is more than enough for me.

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Counting My Blessings: 1067 to 1081

Blessings

Every week, I share on the blog all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for.  If you’d like to know more, you can read these blog posts on why I do it and how to get started.  Care to join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

1067. A promotion.

1068. A new opportunity.

1069. Three boys down with a mild fever.

1070. God’s strength in my weakness.

1071. Peace of mind.

1072. A husband who keeps me from stressing myself out.

1073. Blogging tips from seasoned bloggers.

1074. Getting things done early.

1075. Winning a copy of Clean Enough from Grace-Full Intentions.

1076. A productive day, even if I didn’t get everything on my to-do list done!

1077. Deep cleaning our home – a little each day.

1078. Knowledge sharing.

1079. Kids in bed by 7:30!

1080. Watching 2/3rd of our sons performing onstage.

1081. Changes I’m unsure about, but thankful for.

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings? I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey? Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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Top 3 Thursday – Edition #23

Check these links out, won’t you?

1. A Faith in Need of Healing @ The Sweet and the Salty {If you’ve experienced a miscarriage, I pray these words will give you hope}

2. Following from Afar @ Proverbs 31 Ministries {Are you following Jesus from afar?}

3. Creative Ways to Get More Jesus in Your Day @ Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling {…for moms who have trouble finishing a cup of coffee!}

If you have read or written an encouraging blog post during the week, share the link in the comments below.  I’d love to check it out!

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The Upside-Down Kingdom of God

Upside-Down Kingdom

“…For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48)

I came across this verse during the Good Morning Girls Bible study last week and it immediately caught my eye.  The disciples were arguing about which of them was the greatest, and Jesus had to set them straight.  Surprisingly, the disciple argued again over the same matter on the eve of Jesus’ crucifixion!!!

These were the disciples who spent a lot of time with Jesus and were quite close to Him.  How easy it is to be side-tracked with things that honor us, rather than that which honors the One who made us who we are?!

The world tells us there is nothing wrong in seeking fame, popularity, fans, followers, likes, recognition…  We’re part of a rat race were every one wants to be the first, the best, the greatest…  But then Jesus tells us, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35).

In the upside-down kingdom of God, greatness is reserved for those who do not seek it.

When we humble ourselves, recognize we are nothing without God, He will lift us up.  Let us not seek to become great for our own selves, but for the glory of the One who has promised us greatness.  Whatever we are, we are because of Him.  And He has promised that as long as we walk in His ways, He will keep us on top!

“The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.” (Deuteronomy 28:13)

God will lift us up in due time, and everybody around us will recognize the hand of God in our lives.  To Him alone be the honor, glory and praise!

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Monthly Goals: April

At the beginning of each month, I share my goals for the month ahead and track my progress on the previous month’s goals.

My goals for March were:

  1. Complete the current Good Morning Girls study and begin a new study on March 25th. — Done
  2. Stay up to date with the Hello Mornings Bible study. — Done
  3. Read through the books of II Peter, I John, II John and III John. — Done
  4. Read Draw the Circle, Prayer, 42 Days to Fit, The Present Principle, A Hunger for God. — In Progress {I’m halfway through “Prayer” and “A Hunger for God”, but I finished the other three}
  5. Teach the kids 2 new verses. — Incomplete {We’re halfway through the second verse}
  6. Read at least 12 books to the kids. — Incomplete {We read only 10 books last month}
  7. Organize and backup photos. — Incomplete {I organized the photos and videos into appropriate folders; I still haven’t taken a backup though!}
  8. Purge and organize 2 wardrobe shelves. — Not Done {I didn’t even get started on this :(}
  9. Walk/Run at least 8 Km this month. — Incomplete {I walked only 4 Km last month… or 6 if you consider the 2 Km I speed-walked, searching the neighborhood for a lost wallet!}

Apparently, I didn’t do all that well on my goals in March. Well, it happens – all part of living an imperfect life :). I’m hoping to get back on track in April, but I’m not going to beat myself up if I don’t either ;)!

My goals for April are:

  1. Stay up to date with the Good Morning Girls and Hello Mornings Bible studies.
  2. Read through the book of Revelation.
  3. Read Prayer, A Hunger for God, Intentional Parenting, Unplug Your Mind and ReCharge Your Soul, Thin In 30 Minutes (a book on walking).
  4. Teach the kids 2 new verses.
  5. Read at least 12 books to the kids.
  6. Backup photos.
  7. Participate in the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge at Money Saving Mom.
  8. Walk at least 8 Km this month.

Are you in the habit of setting weekly/monthly goals? If you do, how did you do last month? If you don’t, how do you keep track of things you need to get done?

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