Monday, September 15, 2008

Thankful

I am thankful for...
...A beautiful house that is still standing. Windows that are where they should be. Trees that are still in the ground. Patio furniture that we forgot to put inside that didn't become projectiles. Electricity that is cooling my house and letting me get online.

...A husband who boarded up our windows, who drove us 7 hours to West Texas and back, who was in a small house with my family for 5 days and had a great attitude the whole time, who let us stop every hour on the way home to have mercy on my pregnant bladder, who cleaned up our yard after an already long day, who loves me and Jackson and especially Jesus.

...My two-year-old who was a super champ on our long road trip, who was happy (if not always obedient) the entire time we were at the ranch, who is so stinking funny, and who is so sweet to snuggle when he's just had a bath.

...My parents who showed us amazing hospitality at the ranch, who served us and loved us tirelessly, and who never made us feel like we were exhausting them with our...energy. They are awesome. We get to return the favor tonight since they don't have electricity yet.

...God giving us the chance to detach from our possessions and think about what is really important. And for the opportunity to consider whether I would still praise God if I returned to my home and found that it had been flooded, destroyed by fire, looted, or swept away in the wind. I hope that I will be faithful to praise Him if I'm ever counted among those who have lost everything.

48 comments:

Immeasurably More Mama said...

So glad you are home safely and found that all was well with your home. It's so important for us to remember to praise God in ALL circumstances!

Kristen said...

Glad you guys are okay! What a great reminder to not take the things God has blessed us with for granted!

Momma-of-5 said...

So glad you guys are home and safe! Your whole family has been in my prayers all weekend.

Jenna said...

This list was just beautiful. Loved it, and so glad ya'll faired well against Ike!

Melinda said...

Amen.

May the counting of these blessings lull you into blissful slumber in the sweetness of your own bed.

Praising Him with you this night,
Melinda

Angela said...

Glad you are safe at home. Praise God for putting His hedge of protection around your house.

ocean mommy said...

So glad you are all home safe and sound. I'm quite sure your parents were glad you were there with them!

Praying for you!
steph.

Unknown said...

I'm thankful that you are home and all is well!

Kelly said...

Amanda - I'm so glad ya'll are okay and everything is okay.
That last paragraph is so right on. I spent so much time this weekend thinking about how horrible it would be to lose your home or all your things and I kept needing to remember that all I need is my family - nothing else matters and that I have to praise God no matter what. That's been my theme for the last year - praising God in any circumstance.

creative gal said...

Glad you are home, safe and sound! Thankful for many blessings!

Susan said...

So glad ya'll are okay. I hope your parent's power is on soon. Love this sweet, thankful list.

MamaCass said...

I am so glad to hear everything is fine at your home. I was thinking about you and your family over the weekend and praying for your homes. Glad ya'll were safe in West Texas!

Love, Cassi

Unknown said...

I am so glad that you, and your home, are safe...and especially glad that you have power. Can't wait to find out what the new baby is going to be!!!

Unknown said...

Amen, Amanda. A beautiful post, and I am praising God for His faithfulness. So glad you all made it back safe and praying all returns to normal in Houston in some record time.

My husband may be headed South to help with phone service restoration in the badly hit areas. We will see.

I'm praying for all affected by IKE and his windy whippersnapper of a storm. Praying for those on Bolivar Island --- watching the news just saddens me deeply.

Bless Ya'll and be rested - I'm praying for healthy and joyful baby and pregnancy for you, Curt and Jackson. May He bless you richly as you enjoy the next few months. Many blessings.

Heather said...

We serve an incredible God. When we're not strong enough to praise Him, He comes and helps us with His neverending love and strength.

We're so glad your family and home are safe. We prayed for you all.

Love you all.

Anonymous said...

I am thankful all is well in your part of Houston-land. The past few months I have had to learn that it's okay for God to take what I never dreamed He would, at least not NOW. But He is faithful. I never thought I would ever have so much peace as I do faced with "this" situation. I really don't think you know how you'll act until it happens. What I've come to find out is that we do know how our precious God will act. Praise His name!

Angie @ Flibbertigibberish said...

I'm so glad you're all safe. I thought of you and your family often over the weekend. I believe God would still be faithful to give you many reasons to praise Him, even if all was lost. I love that you have such a great perspective.

twinkle said...

Trust me...you would love Jesus all the more.
And yes, you do have lots to be thankful for. Blessings on all of you and glad you've made it back home. I will be praying!

Susan B. said...

Welcome home! I am so glad your home was not damaged. God is good!

Darlene R. said...

I am very happy to hear that you are home and all is well.

Thank you for reminding me to be thankful daily for all that I have been blessed with.

Love you,
Darlene

Jill said...

happy to know you all are home and safe...wish I would have known on Friday that the ranch was 7 hours west...but it was a great time to lift you and your family up in prayer. Wonder what the bump is?

Fran said...

Thankful with you Amanda. Praying for your day today.

Blessings,
Fran

Anonymous said...

Glad you came home to a house still standing. I've often wondered if I would praise Him in the midst of hardship and heartache. We can be in the practice now so that if that time were to ever come, we would be prepared to act on what we know is true-His unfailing love never ceases. Enjoy your time with your family. Love, Amy in OK

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

So glad all is well. We're on day 3 of no electricity (I'm stealing a friend's). The winds were wicked. I can't imagine the damage right BY the hurricane if we're impacted this much in land-locked Indiana!

connorcolesmom said...

Absolutely - AMEN!
Thanks for the update :)
Still praying for all those affected in Texas
Blessings
Kim

Lauren said...

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Patty said...

It is so great to hear from you. I prayed as we all did that you all would be safe and that God would protect your homes! He is Good.

Praising God that you have electricity. My heart goes out to all those who lost everything. Who are without electricity, water. May God intervene for all of them in a BIG way today.

Love,
Patty

Unknown said...

Hey AJ,

I got the word this AM, my husband is going down to work on the telecom end of the recovery process in the morning.

Again, I'm praying for all to go speedily as everyone recovers.

As I watched the news this morning I thought, "Where are they going to stay?"

But, God thru Verizon will provide.

He was down when Rita hit three years ago and they ended up finishing early, I pray the same is true this trip.

Blessings.

Anonymous said...

So glad everyone is safe and sound! Was praying for all of you! What a good boy Jackson was! I'm almost certain my boys would've been bouncing off the walls:)

Unknown said...

Welcome back! So glad everything is a-ok!

valerie said...

What a sweet post. You do have a wonderful family and are blessed.
It's so nice to read of your gratefulness to God for each of these blessings.
I'm so glad you all are ok.
I can relate a little. This past winter we had a terrible ice storm and were w/out electricity for a week. God took perfect care of us through it all!
Love and prayers go out to all who are affected by this storm.
Valerie

MITZI said...

Praising God that everything is well with the Jones' and Moore's. I was thinking of y'all and watching CNN nonstop. I feel like you're my family and I was concerned for you.

Janelle and Ella said...

I was so glad to hear that everything is good with you guys! Sounds like it was very scary and intense!

Ashley said...

I am with you. I feel so blessed right now to have electricity and a roof over my head.

Emmy said...

Beautiful Blessings!

I prayed for you all! (especially Jackson with the long car ride! ...I remember those days! : )

So thankful you are home safely! And everything is ok!

God Bless- Emmy : )

Mel @ Studio MCA Designs said...

It is good to hear from you and that everything is okay! Perspective, yes?

Ashton said...

Hi Amanda,
Thankful too that my car was ok and my apartment was fine. Trees down and uprooted around my neighborhood, some of the carpots were damaged in my apartment complex. No lights yet in my apartment complex. I'm with my Mom right now and she lives downtown in a condo and she has lights! Slept in my apartment last night and it was very pleasant. The city of Houston and Galveston was certainly humbled.
Allison

Deborah said...

Amen. So true, Amanda! I've been praying for you...and praising with you.

~Deborah

Gran Jan said...

Amanda: What a wise young woman you are...how precious a post - your grateful heart shines in your blog and I'm so thankful with you and especially for your genuine words.

I read the last paragraph out loud to my pastor-husband...he said, "wow, that's strong, Praise Jesus."

Love you girl,
Georgia Jan

Praise and Coffee said...

I am so glad you are all ok, I've been thinking about you and praying since you left!
Hugs,
Sue

bethany said...

I am so glad that you guys are ok and that your home is still in good shape...also glad that you are getting to spend some quality time with your mom and dad...they probably have loved spending this time with Jackson around!
The Lord is so good to us...I am especially thankful that I've found these blogs...they've been encouraging!

Teresa said...

Praising the Lord for your safety and for the blessings you so beautifully listed!! :)

LeighAnne said...

I am so glad you are all safe and sound. God is so faithful to provide his protection! :)

katiegfromtennessee said...

Little Momma!

I am soo glad your house is intact, and that you were blessed during your time at the ranch! Being thankful for what we do have and learning to be content in any situation is a very valuable lesson, isn't it?...VERY THANKFUL to GOD! Hope your parent's electricity is up by now:)

katiegfromtennessee

lavonda said...

Thankful with you!

My husband has been out there (Houston area) working since last week. He has about 40 blackhawks and chinooks helping with the aftermath. From the things he's telling me he's seeing, and hearing how you found things when you got home, you are definitely blessed!
(and your grateful heart shows through so sweetly).

kari said...

amen.

Amy T said...

Glad your place made it through ok and that your parents have a place to stay until their power's back on!

Three Fold Cord said...

Thankful lists always change the way I am looking at things. Thanks for the reminder to be thankful!