Grateful Journal 7/6

Just what I was looking for. . This CD!!

What a day!! We did some serious shopping this evening hitting: Family Christian Store, Barnes and Noble, Kohl's, TJ Maxx, Target, Costco, Borders and Movie Gallery. All in the course of three hours. Yes, we are speed shoppers!

Today I'm grateful for the following:
-Finding the Shekinah Glory Ministry Live CD I'd been looking for (on sale, too)
-Meeting Bill for dinner at St. Louis Bread Company with the kids.
-Buying Mandissa's book. . can't wait to "dig in"
-Kelly's PM on WCW
-Laughing at the email from Lisa
-Sharing a "tender" moment with Sammie
-Physically making it through the marathon of shopping.
-Relaxing on my nice, soft couch after shopping.
-Sammie loading my new music on my Ipod. Woo hoo. . I'm excited.
-Buying the Alchemist. . can't wait to read it too.
-Having the freedom to "read" stuff that I want during the summer.
-Finding out that KN likes Sammie. . they were childhood buddies.
-Drinking ice cold Water Joe!!
-Listening to Barlow Girls and Music and Lyrics in the car.
-The teller at the bank complimenting me.
-Sleeping in this morning.
-Bath and Body Works shampoo and conditioner.
-Flax seed waffles and hazelnut coffee for breakfast.
-My summer paycheck!
-Another email from Nona.
-Finding "smoothie" flavored Jelly Belly's at TJ Maxx.
-Simpson's PJ's for Matthew.
-Good "hair" day.
-Listening to my Ipod.
-Reading AJ's blog about "blowing chunks"--too funny.
-Payton grooming me
-My Finn Comfort Sandles.
-The necklace my mom gave me.
-Finding the Music Man on DVD for Andrew.
-Reading an article on the benefits of Chocolate on the brain in Psychology Today.
-Prayer!
-Laughter
-A carmel machiotto from Starbucks
-Sharing a piece of Lemon/Raspberry Cheesecake (from the Cheesecake Factory) with Sammie.
-Plans for tomorrow with Sammie after her class.
-The smell of popcorn popping in the microwave (do I sense a theme in these blogs?)

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 6/15

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