Grateful Journal 6/28

What a great day today. . a day spent at home. I'm realizing this summer just how much I like being at home. . even with the chaos that three teens can sometimes provide. Tomorrow Bill and I leave for a trip to Illinois State University. I'm on the alumni band board at ISU and we're sponsoring an event--a dinner (meet and great) before the DCI regionals. So yes, I have to "come clean;" I'm a band "geek"--all through high school and college! Whew, that feels good to get off my chest (tee hee). I'm not sure if I'll have any internet access while I'm traveling so. . this may be my last post for a couple of days. I will, however try and take some pictures and post here later.

Today, I'm grateful for the following:
-A day at home
-Thinking about my favorite "cheesey" movies (thanks, Travis)
-Sleeping in late.
-Healthy Flax seed waffles for breakfast (yum)
-Music, music, music (just lovin' it today)!!!
-Catching the last 1/2 hour of Iyanla's radio show
-Watching Beth Moore on Life Today.
-My shorter, wash and go hair cut (much different from my LONG hair last summer)
-Seeing humor in the little things.
-Reading others' blogs, especially those of young moms--makes me reflect on my own kids when they were young.
-Prayer for my friend Inky--her faith and courage.
-Melissa giving Andrew a ride tonight!
-Rain that provided "good sleeping weather" as my mother would say.
-Talking with Anita.
-Our phone and DSL problems (from the weather) being fixed!!
-Anita's decision to slow things down in her life before making any decisions
-Praying for Anita! I so want her to feel God's love as a refuge.
-Payton riding in the car today with me to pick up Andrew.
-Movie night with Sammie (and Payton). . the boys were all out of the house.
-Pizza from Imo's (for Sammie)
-Toased ravioli (it's a St. Louis thing, trust me) for me!
-Emailing my friend Nona from WWW.
-No class to teach tonight.
-Arizona Green Tea.
-Spiritual clarity. . daily I'm getting more.
-My "overflowing" cup; God is so good (all the time!)
-Knowing. without a doubt that God is active and alive in my life.
-Patience, the attribute I'm learning to embrace.

Grateful Journal 6/27

Well, today or shall I say tonight brought another 4 1/2 hour class to teach. Although I'm a night person, I've gotta say, these late night classes (6-10:30) two days in a row are challenging!!

Today I'm grateful for the following:
-Caffeine (hey, I'm teaching night classes!! Caffeine and I are best buds!)
-Garfield, my favorite "fat" cat!!
-a Starbuck's run (yum!!!)
-the bottled water Bill brought to me this afternoon when my stomach was hurting.
-Time to catch up on the computer
-The smell outside after it rained.
-Taking a power nap.
-Bill driving me to work (my car is in the shop)
-Matthew and Sammie picking me up.
-My Wednesday night class; They're such a "hoot!"
-Laughing with my class. . deep "crack up" laughter.
-Reading some more blogs and responding to a young mother who's going back to work in July.
-Sharing some restoration scripture on the WCW website.
-Chatting with Inky via the shout-out IM board.
-CP's hubby made it through surgery
-prayer--that I can approach the God of the Universe at any time and that He hears me!!
-wearing new pants and a new shirt today; very "cute" outfit (my inner girly girl again!!)
-small talk with the students in my Wed. night class.
-the picture of my nieces (triplets)
-thank you note I got from Samantha
-Letter (yup. . snail mail) from Stephanie.
-Check from my mom.
-Sleeping in late.
-Payton's greeting every time I walk in the door.
-Seeing Andrew, although briefly before I left for work.
-My WCW sisters that are planning the Chicago trip.
-the LPM, TCM and AJ blogs and the comments--it's a real blessing reading them
-My comfy slippers.
-Relaxing after class. . .waiting for my ride.
-listening to my Ipod.
-God's sense of humor!!
-excitement/anticipation of our trip this weekend.
-FBU's South County site; it's so much closer to home (and to Starbuck's)
-Another day "migraine free!!"
-the tools I learned at the WWW weekend.

Grateful Journal 6/26

I'm a bit late in posting this journal. I was too exhausted after teaching last night. So, the post date and day displayed won't match. (Look at Payton's picture to the right. She's all clean and extra fluffy!)

Today, I'm grateful for the following:
-Sammie gave Payton a bath to SUPRISE ME!!
-How pretty Payton looks.
-Writing a good midterm exam (although my class last night may not have agreed)
-Bill driving me to work
-Matthew and Sammie picking me up from work
-Appetizers at Applebee's-
-How soft Payton feels when I pet her
-Melissa's e-mail
-Comfortable t-shirts
-Adapting an outline to show in class
-My computer working (eventually)
-Seeing Rose today
-Good, deep sleep.
-Reading the LPM, TCM, and AJ blogs; they bless me so!
-Spontaneous laughter
-Rock Star Juiced (I know, I know. . I continue to list this. . but I LOVE it right now)
-Payton sleeping at my side.
-Sammie and Matthew laughing at Applebee's
-Sneaking a "treat" into Bill's lunch/dinner to take to work.
-Feeling great all day long.
-Another day Migraine-free!!!
-God's Word--He's continuuing to speak (lots) through it.
-This season of my life
-That God's mercy and blessings are "new" every morning
-Reading "Until Today" for Tuesday (this month is on forgiveness)
-Air conditioning (it was HOT here today)
-The upcoming weekend in Bloomington/Normal; I'm so excited!
-Jamie (our alumni rep) who has the little details taken care of for the DCI event.
-For how Christ continues to work through this blog/journal--I'm so completely amazed that I'm almost (key word almost) speechless!!
-A relationship that's "on the mend."

Grateful Journal 6/25

Praise the LORD for providing prayer and meditation as a way to communicate with Him.

Oh boy folks! Today has been one heck of a day. God has blessed me so tremendously by sharing this blog; you wouldn't believe me if I told you. And to think I was worried about what people would think. "Trust, Cheryl, trust." Yep, I'm learning, LORD.

Today I'm grateful for the following:
-A day at home
-Talking to Melissa on the phone on her way home.
-Payton sleeping at the foot of my bed; I LOVE that mutt!
-LPM blog; it continues to bless me daily.
-Amanda Jones (her work on the LPM blog).
-Reconnecting with a dear friend and clearing up confusion. I've missed her so much.
-A migraine that was stopped in its tracks by Maxalt!!
-Taking good care of my body
-Fitting into a size smaller in pants. Woo hoo!
-Forgiving myself for my shortcomings; I'm not perfect (except in Christ)
-laughing with Sammie about "phone" confusion.
-Reading Matthew's request for prayer on Facebook and the responses by his GC classmates.
-my comfy pink UGG boots (I wear them as slippers, even in the summer).
-Sammie's enthusiasm about her Intro to Life Science at FBU (and how she did on the midterm)
-Wearing my "Get Real" (Real Life Methodist) shirt.
-an e-mail "just checking in" from Ashley at FBU. She's such a wonderful, strong Christian young woman.
-Melissa's friendship--which never waivers, even when I do.
-Anita's e-mail/clarity for her life.
-Watching Bill interact with Payton. . that pup has him wrapped around her paw. . and to think he's not a dog person (tee hee)
-Andrew charging my Ipod. I will learn how it works. . . eventually.
-The opportunity to do some on-line communication (relationship/environment) research on a Christian site--praying for more opportunities come to come.
-Reading Nancy's e-mail. It brought a *smile* :-)
to my face and reminded me just how much she means to me an an encourager and sister in Christ.
-Being able to share my faith through this blog.
-God's unmerited blessing in my life. . yup my cup is even more overflowing!! Can you believe it?
-Not feeling so "isolated" and "alone"
-Learning to communicate my needs in a more direct manner and not keeping things bottled up inside.
-Rebuking "fear" in my life
-A call from my sister!!!!
-Talking to my (triplet) nieces who are five. They're growing up so fast.
-Leftovers from Uno's for dinner. Yum!!!
-Moderating what I'm eating (nope.. not going to say the "d" word).
-Cold bottled water.
-Having time to talk with Bill today during lunch.
-Keeping up on the volume of e-mail. . and I thought it would get easier during the summer!!
-Spiritual clarity.

Grateful Journal 6/24

Have you ever had one of those days? You know the kind that challenges you at every bend? Today was one of those types of days. While I know I'm in process of being shaped for something, this "in-between" time is tough. In the meantime (thanks Iyanla for that terminology), I'll wait expectantly and patiently. Enough rambling. Today I'm grateful for the following:

-Lunch with Melissa. . . it's been much too long since we've talked.
-Sammie's laugh
-Talking with Jeremy at lunch today.
-Andrew "talking" at lunch instead of remaining quiet.
-Payton eating "frosty paws" (again, too funny).
-Getting my "butt" kicked in church (not literally, but it still hurts)
-Pastor Ray's sermon.
-Scripture, which is definitely sharper than any double-edged sword.
-Eugene Peterson's "The Message"
-The soul surgery that Holy Spirit is performing on my heart; it cut deep today.
-Two family meals together!!
-Beth Moore's "Praying God's Word, Day by Day"
-Sharing today's message (from PGW) with my WCW sisters.
-Reading Inky's journal and celebrating her progress
-Seeing Candace tonight at Applebee's.
-Sherry's encouraging e-mail
-Seeing lots of folks wearing "Get Real!" shirts
-Worship in church this morning
-My Real Life family, especially those serving in the parade today.
-Listening to Dennis Jernigan's I Surrender--What great lyrics!
-Rock Star Juiced to drink this morning. . It has ZING!!
-Barb's offer to drive Sammie to Fontbonne next Saturday while Bill and I are gone.
-Bill's (Sammie too) gentleness with Payton
-Seeing Matthew and Andrew side by side.
-A quick power nap
-Cute new shoes (I know. . I know. . I'm such a "girl")
-Planned chat with Jodi tomorrow night; I'm so excited!!
-God's great mercy and grace in my life; my cup is overflowing!!
-Anita's Vision Quest; can't wait to hear from her.

Grateful Journal 6/23

April 2007--WWW graduates: Anita, Nona, Andrea and me



Today has been a LONG day. . . . even so, I'm grateful for the following:

-lunch and shopping with Sammie at the Galleria
-waking up just in time to drive Andrew to "Music Man" practice
-feeling physically great-no migraine today
-talking with Anita for hours last night
-reading and commenting on the LPM blog
-finding my WWW pictures downloaded on the home computer
-hot cofee with cream from McDonald this morning
-wearing my Finn Comfort sandles
-listening to Travis Cottrell's Unashamed Love (can't get enough of that CD)
-finding some early b-day presents for Matthew
-Patyon riding in the car with me (too funny)
-being refreshed by the LORD when I really needed it
-stopping by Whole Foods for "real" yogurt
-having the family together for dinner tonight
-pizza from Uno's
-stopping at Starbucks (need I say more)
-Cath's e-mail correcting the URL for this blog
-Finding just the right words (thank you LORD) to respond to a friend's heart breaking e-mail.
-my spiritual lifecoach--"the rev"
-reflecting on WWW
-loading more music on my iPod
-sending the link to this blog out to friends
-listening to the ending of S is for Silence in the car
-my bed and pillows

Grateful Journal 6/22

Payton our pup is so cute!!

Today, I'm grateful for the following:

-Sleeping in late--Bill picked up Sammie from school
-a nice organized purse (yes, I've put this off for a while)
-Bill making an appointment for my car (brakes)
-IM with Anita on yahoo.
-having Anita as a friend
-Laura's ability as a lifecoach
-Anita's courage to choose her heart over her head
-Call from my parents
-card from Eddie. . inviting me to dinner for my mom and dad's birthdays
-music from my iPod
-reading the TCM blog
-God's grace and love that are overflowing in my life
-connecting with the Holy Spirit through music
-extended time in prayer and worship today
-taking care of my body
-God's answer to my prayers
-laughter at the little things
-being in the LORD presence. Glory!!!
-working on my exercises for healing
-waking up in time to hear/see Chicago on the today show!!
-Our House chicken salad sandwich
-fresh clean water
-Amanda's blog to Jackson (at 16 months)--my heart is so full
-God's Word--that never changes but is ALIVE
-Act of Faith meditation
-Payton playing with a wash cloth (too funny)
-all three kids are home
-feeling stronger today than yesterday.
-Andrew's sheepish smile
-watching Payton sleep
-Travis Cottrell's CD Unashmed Love

Grateful Journal 6/21

It's been a couple of days since I posted here. . .so to catch up, I'm grateful for:

-two "energetic" fun nights of teaching public speaking
-my pup, Payton sleeping on the couch
-my son Andrew's "caring" questions
-having my e-mail read on air by Iyanla Vanzant
-my friend Anita. What a blessing she is to me
-my friends at WCW. Their on-line support amazes me.
-watching Sammie learn how to drive (an NOT crashing the car)
-music and all it does for my soul.
-listening to "S, is for Silence" on CD as I drive.
-air conditioning. It's hot here in St. Louis!
-my spiritual life coach, Laura who helps me see the parts of me I don't want to see.
-the LPM blog. It continues to bless me day after day.
-the possibilities that God brings daily to my life.
-having work this and paying bills
-taking good care of myself and knowing my limits
-my comfy sandles
-quiet time at home
-my Real Life church family
-NO migraine today--pain free!! Hallelujah!!

Grateful Journal for June 16-17

I traveled to Chicago to see my parents this weekend. I'm thankful for the following:

-safe travel
-spending time with my parents
-taking my dad out to breakfast on Father's Day
-talking to my sister on the phone
-cold, bottled water while I drove
-having dinner with our friend Ed
-time "away" from the internet (on-line classes)
-insight from the LORD
-my children. . seeing their faith at work!
-God's great mercy
-Listening to "S is for Silence" as I traveled
-coming home!
-sleeping in my own bed
-Payton's greeting as I walked through the door
~Andrew's sensitive side

Grateful Journal 6/15

I'm grateful for:

-reading the LPM blog
-having lunch with my pastor, Ray
-spending extended time in praise and worship
-Sammie's excitement for getting her driver's permit (although I'm a bit scared too!!)
-getting ready to travel
-taking care of my body
-my iPOD--listening to all my CCM and worship music
-watching my dog Payton sleep; she's so cute!! Just gotta love her
-time alone with my son Andrew
-God's Word--and new insight!!
-FIJI bottled water
-Starbucks (need I say more??)
listening to James Patterson's, Maximum Ride on CD in the car
-my friends at WCW
-praying for my friend Anita
-being open to doing youth ministry at my church--God does have a sense of humor!!
-finding the perfect father's day gift for my hubby

Grateful Journal 6/10/07

Well today I'm grateful for:

Cheesecake for my birthday
Reading Anita's PM on WCW
Getting out of bed
Watching Payton sleep
Talking to Mom on the phone
Time by myself at home
The home computer is fixed