Giving Thanks . . . Alphabetically ~ "B"

Attributes of God
God is Beautiful!

One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4

People
Bethany - my cousin-in-law :)
Betty - my grandmother
Bill - my uncle
Bob - my grandfather
Bruce - my uncle
Bryce - my father-in-law
Bryan & Betty Ann - our pastor and his wife

Things
the Bible - this one bears a longer explanation! How amazing, that the Lord of all creation would lower himself to communicate with me through his written Word! What a blessing!
Books - I adore reading
Blogs - what fun!
my Bike - keeps me healthy, and so fun to ride with my hubby

What's on your "B" list?


Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34

Giving Thanks . . . Alphabetically ~ "A"

Attributes of God
God is Almighty!

And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory." ~ Isaiah 6:3

People
Austin (of course!) - My sweet, amazing husband!
Ashley - my sister-in-law
Anna - my wonderful friend!
Anna - my cousin!

Things
Apples, Apricots - seriously, they're good!
Airplanes - make travel soooooo much quicker!
American Cleaning Services - Austin's employer
America - my earthly homeland :)

What "A's" are you thankful for?


Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
1 Chronicles 16:8

Thanksgiving Alphabetically :)

I've often thought that Thanksgiving doesn't get near enough press. Halloween ads and merchandise seem to show up earlier and earlier (like the middle of July, lol) and the Christmas hullabaloo gets revved up even before the Halloween stuff has been clearanced out! And stuck right there in the middle is poor, little Thanksgiving!

I LOVE Thanksgiving! I think it is one of the most wonderful holidays, not only because you get a couple days off work and get to spend time with your friends and family, but because it is such a wonderful reminder to slow down and thank the Lord for all of the wonderful blessings in our lives!

Hence, a fun new series is born:

One of my dear friends on Facebook (and also in real life), had a great idea about preparing our hearts for Thanksgiving! And I liked it so much that I asked her if I could borrow it for the blog, and she said yes! So here we go . . .

This year, Thanksgiving falls on the 26th of the month. Which is convenient because there are 26 letters in the alphabet! (Do you see where I'm going with this?)



Each day of the month, we will list the things that we are thankful for which correspond with that day's letter. Now, I know I'm a couple of days behind, so I'll get "A," "B," and "C" up shortly, then after today we'll have only one letter per day. If you'd like to play along, I'll include a MckLinky at the end of each post, so you can link to your days' lists!

I'm thankful for you :)

~ My Husband Rocks! ~ ...the party...

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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The costume party, that is :)



This past weekend, Austin and I attended a costume party. He went as Walker, Texas Ranger, and I went as a gypsy :) We had a grand old time; I love how much he gets into these goofy, fun times! He's a very fun guy to be friends with, and I get the added benefit of being married to him! He rocks!!!

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

<a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn135/katylinvw/mosaicmhrf.jpg"/></a>

If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful weekend!

Wowza Poem

I found this poem months ago, and saved it in an un-sent e-mail. I ran across it while I was cleaning out my inbox and was struck anew by how true (and convicting) it is!

There's one sad truth in life I've found
While journeying east and west -
The only folks we really wound
Are those we love the best.
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those who love us best.
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I hope you like it, too!

PPW: His Work

Book Study
The Power of A Praying Wife: His Work
Pages 49-54



Happy Monday, everyone!

This week we're looking at Chapter 2 of The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian.

Our husbands' workis such a huge part of who they are. As Omartian puts it: "God recognizes that a man's work is a source of fulfillment to him. He says there is nothing better than for a man to 'enjoy the good of all his labor - it is the gift of God' (Ecclesiastes 3:13).

I love praying through the prayers that she has written. They are always so thorough and eloquent. My pattern is to usually pray through the prayer in the chapter we're currently studying, go back through the prayers from previous chapters, then pray about specific things that Austin and I are going through.

More great "power tools" in this chapter, and I'm going to focus on Psalm 90:17 "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and extablish the work of our hands for us; yes, establis the work of our hands."

If you're reading and praying and memorizing along with us, and you'd like to share your thoughts on chapter two, paste your link here:


Praying for my hubby, and for you all!

~ My Husband Rocks! ~ Balance

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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Austin and I, as most of you know, are preparing our lives for a HUGE change. And it feels like every move we make is just another leap of faith (or L.O.F. as Austin has taken to calling them, lol), and we most certainly have our up days and our down days.

What is so interesting to me is that it seems on the days I am down and frustrated and worried, Austin is up and excited and full of faith and vice versa. I think it's awesome that we are able to help each other in this way. Don't get me wrong, more often then not we are both so excited and amazed and expectant that we're jumping out of our skin, but it is such a blessing that we each offer the other some balanced perspective on those days when we feel so out of sorts :)

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

<a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn135/katylinvw/mosaicmhrf.jpg"/></a>

If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful weekend!

BBI Newsletter Mailing List

Happy Tuesday all!

Things have been hopping around here, and we are getting ready to mail out our very first Burden Bearers International newsletter! We will have three versions. 1) Snail mail, 2) e-mail, and 3) blog post. The specifics will be posted on the BBI Blog, but if you would like to be added to either the snail or e-mail contact list, please e-mail the particulars to hossandkatylin{at}gmail{dot}com

Thanks for all your prayers to get us this far!

PPW: His Wife

Book Study
The Power of A Praying Wife: His Wife
Pages 25-47



Good morning, all!

Today we tackle chapter 1 of The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian.

Each chapter of this book focusues on a unique aspect of your husband's life and appropriately enough, Omartian starts in chapter one with His Wife.

The first time I read this book, it struck me as odd that I should begin praying for my husband by praying for myself. But as Omartian so eloquently put it:

"My heart had to be softened, humbled, pummeled, molded and reconstructed before He even started working on my husband. I had to learn to see things according to the way GOd saw them - not how I thought they should be."

She goes on throughout the chapter to describe the way she used to pray for her husband, stating that her favorite three-word prayer was "Change him, Lord." I have to admit, that I have probably prayed that same prayer more times than enough times to be aboslutely humbled by the rest of her explanations that if I expect to see any positive change in my marriage, it's crucial to begin with my own heart and motivations and reactions to my husband and let God take care of it.

She speaks with so much wisdom throughout this whole chapter, and she gives such sound biblical advice on how to be a good wife.

"When you are praying for yourself - his wife - remember this model of a good wife from the Bible. It says she takes care of her home and runs it well. She knows how to buy and sell and make wise investments. She keeps herself healthy and strong and dresses attractively. She works diligently and has skills which are marketable. Sh is giving and conscientiously prepares for the future. She contributes to her husband's good reputation. She is strong, solid, honorable, and not afraid of growing older. She speaks wisely and kindly. She doesn't sit around doing nothing, but carefully watches what goes on in her home. Her children and her husband praise her. She doesn't rely on charm and beauty but knows that the fear of the Lord is what is most attractive. She supports her husband and still has a fruitful life of her own which speaks loudly for itself (Proverbs 31)."

As always she provides a pre-written prayer to guide us in praying for the traits she has described throughout the chapter, as well as several scriptures she calls "Power Tools."

For this week, I'm going to work on memorizing Mark 11:24, 25 "Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."

If you're reading and praying and memorizing along with us, and you'd like to share your thoughts on chapter one, past your link here:


Praying for my hubby, and for you all!

~ My Husband Rocks! ~ Passion!

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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...no...not that kind of passion...though that's great, too...today I want to talk about Austin's passionate nature and how that plays itself out in his faith.

Austin loves the Lord, and he has never been shy about sharing that fact with anyone who will listen. Lately, that passion has been directed toward getting everything rolling for BBI and preparing for our first trip in January. He is also becoming a very powerful preacher. Granted, he has yet to preach to an audience, and most of his "sermons" have been in the midst of conversations with just a few people - his passion and conviction is blatantly evident to anyone he talks to. Not in an abrasive, pushy way, but in a thought-provoking, heart-string-tugging kind of way.

It is so exciting - and stretching - to see how the Lord is developing his gifts and moving us forward on this amazing journey!

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

<a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn135/katylinvw/mosaicmhrf.jpg"/></a>

If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful weekend!

Psalm 23

I got this as an e-mail forward and thought it was GREAT! :) Hope you're all having a great week!

Psalm  23

The Lord is my Shepherd
That's Relationship!


I shall not want
That's Supply!


He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
That's  Rest!


He leadeth me beside the still waters
That's  Refreshment!


He restoreth my soul
That's Healing!


He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
That's Guidance!


For His name sake
That's Purpose!


Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
That's Testing! 


I will fear no evil
That's Protection!
 

For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness! 


Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
That's  Discipline!

 
Thou  preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
That's Hope!


Thou annointest my head with oil
That's  Consecration!


My cup  runneth over
That's Abundance! 


Surely  goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days  of my life
That's Blessing!  
 

And I will  dwell in the house of the Lord
That's  Security!


Forever  
That's Eternity!


Face it, the Lord is crazy about you! :)

<3,

PPW: The Power

RE-POST! Okay, we are going to try this again! I started this series, and then everything exploded with BBI - while we're still really busy, I think that this is an important series to finish, so that's what I'm gonna do! I thought I'd re-post the introduction post to get us moving again! :)

Book Study
The Power of A Praying Wife: The Power
pages 13-23



Good morning everyone!

I am so excited to start our book study of The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian.

This book is set up so that every chapter deals with a different aspect of your husband's life, with a specific prayer at the end of each chapter dealing with that particular characteristic.

This week, we're going to be looking at what is essentially the introduction to the book, a chapter Omartian has entitled The Power.

The Power emphasizes the absolute essential nature of praying for our husbands. On page 18, Omartian describes marriage in this way: "They are a team, one unit, unified in spirit. The strength of a man and wife joined together in God's sight is far greater than the sum of the strengths of each of the two individuals." She goes on to say that "the enemy" despises "this oneness" and "devises ways to weaken it." Which is why it is so crucial to cover our spouses and our marriage in prayer.

The final portion of this chapter covers an area that I have honestly wondered about, and I'm so glad that she highlights. The heading at the top of page 21 says, "What About Me? I Need Prayer, Too." Omartian lets us know that "it's natural to enter into this prayer venture wondering if your husband will ever be praying for you in the same way you're praying for him. . . .Regardless, whether he does or doesn't is not your concern, it's Gods. So release him from that obligation."

That is so tough for me, but it is so necessary for both my sanity and the sincerity of my prayers for him.

What it comes down to is we're all in different places in our marriages and in our walks with God. But no matter where we find ourselves, God longs to commune with us, and he longs to give us fullness of joy in every aspect of our lives. That does not mean that it will be easy, I don't think that anything worthwhile ever is. But it does mean that we do not have to do any of this under our own power. The Power to persevere comes from the One who is greater, and stronger, and more wonderful than we could ever ask or imagine. Praise the Lord!

"Keep in mind that you are both imperfect people. Only the Lord is perfect. Look to God as the source of all you want to see happen in your marriage, and don't worry about how it will happen. It's your responsibility to pray. It's God's job to answer. Leave it in His hands."

Praying for my hubby, and for you all!

Absence makes the heart grow . . .

Click here to read about why I started MHR Fridays!

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. . . fonder! <3

Austin has been travelling a lot for work lately. In fact, he just got home last night from a trip for which he left early Monday morning. This was the second (nearly) full week that he has been gone in a month.

Now I know in relation to many other professions this is not a high volume of time apart, but it is A LOT for us. The great side-effect of all the time apart is two-fold. A) We remember all the reasons why we wanted to be together in the first place. B) It makes the time we do get to spend together that much more precious. Okay, I guess there’s a third reason: it really makes us look forward to that time . . . getting closer all the time . . . when our full-time jobs will keep us together wherever we go! Praise the Lord!

Looking forward to a great weekend filled with hanging out with my hubby :)

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I am the only person who has the ability to add blogs to the MHR blogroll. If you are a MHR blogger, and have not been added to the blogroll, plase comment or e-mail me at katylinvw{at}yahoo{dot}com and I will gladly add you to our little group!!!

(if you would like to add the MHR Fridays button to your sidebar, use this code ).

<a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn135/katylinvw/mosaicmhrf.jpg"/></a>

If you're not a blogger, but still want the world to know about your amazing husband (or wife, or husband to be, or wife to be, etc.) leave a shout-out in the form of a comment! If you're unable to comment, e-mail me at katylinvw [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll add your shout out to this post!

As always, on Fridays Union 28 will refund your shipping on any order of two or more items if you mention the great adventure and ~my husband rocks! Fridays~ in the "how did you hear about us?" section of your order form, so run on over there and check them out, too! Thank you Union 28!

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and a wonderful weekend!