Thankfulness

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving and I also celebrated my 36th birthday. It was my in-laws' year, so we spent the day over at their house visiting and, of course, eating. It was a good day.
Since last Thanksgiving I have come to a point of being genuinely thankful for my current lot in life. I have it good. I'm healthy, I have a husband who loves me just the way I am, I have 5 healthy kids, and I am in good spirits. Life is a good thing for me right now, so it is easy to be thankful. I think back to 2 years ago and even last year. When I was at a sad, depressed point in my life and I needed to be constantly reminded of what I DO have, not what I don't, the following helped me.

Here's a small excerpt from the book "Traveling Light" by Max Lucado:
"Whatever the blessing is in our cup, it is sure to run over. With Him the calf is always the fatted calf; the robe is always the best robe; the joy is unspeakable; the peace passeth understanding.... There is no grudging in God's benevolence; He does not measure out His goodness as an apothecary counts his drops and measures his drams, slowly and exactly, drop by drop. God's way is always characterized by multitudinous and overflowing bounty." Quote by F. B. Meyer

Another excerpt from "Keep A Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot
"Blessings taken for granted are often forgotten. Yet our Heavenly Father 'daily loadeth us with benefits' (Psalm 68:19). Think of some of the common things which are nevertheless wonderful:
--the intricate, delicate mechanism of the lungs steadily and silently taking in fresh air 18 to 20 times a minute;
--the untiring heart, pumping great quantities of clean blood through the labyrinth of blood vessels;
--the constant body temperature, normally varying less than one degree;
--the atmospheric temperature, varying widely it is true, but never so much as to destroy human and animal life;
--the orderly succession of day and night, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, so that, with few exceptions, man can make his plans accordingly;
--the great variety of foods, from the farm, the field, the forest, and the sea, to suit our differing desires and physical needs;
--the beauties of each day--the morning star and growing light of sunrise, the white clouds of afternoon, the soft tints of a peaceful sunset, and the glory of the starry heavens;
--the symphony of early morning bird songs, ranging from the unmusical trill of the chirping sparrow to the lilting ecstasy of the goldfinch and the calm, rich, bell-like tones of the wood and hermit thrushes;
--the refreshment that sleep brings;
--the simple joys of home--the children's laughter and whimsical remarks, happy times around the table, the love and understanding of husband and wife, and the harmony of voices raised together in praise to God.
All these and many others come from the bountiful hand of Him 'who redeemeth my life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's' (Psalm 103: 4, 5)
'It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.' (Lamentations 3:22, 23)
'It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High' (Psalm 92:1)"

That is a good starting place for being thankful. Be thankful for the babies you have been pregnant with and the many lessons they have taught you: lessons in compassion toward others who face similar situations, in sensitivity, in knowing how precious unborn life is, and in looking forward to heaven.
Until next time,
Paula

Out of Fashion Sync

When my husband is on shift on Saturdays, I will often spend the night with my parents because I'm over at their house anyway and my church is only a couple of miles from where they live. I came over yesterday and discovered that I forgot to pack a shirt to wear today. Not wanting to go to church in only my bra, I thought this would give me an excuse to buy myself something new to wear. I like having new things, but I HATE to shop. I don't like the styles, I don't like how things look on me, and I just suck at it. After spending over an hour trying on different things, I decided on a pair of jeans and a black flowing long-sleeved shirt. I am wearing it as I type and have been extremely self conscious about it all day. Because of the long, flowing nature, I wonder if tongues at church are wagging and saying, "I thought Paula had a hysterectomy, but she sure looks pregnant!" I know this is the style, but for a woman who has been pregnant 8 times, it's not a good look for me. I do have a figure--not a great one yet, but a figure nonetheless. I don't like the muuumuu look or the thought that someone might mistake me for being pregnant.
When I graduated from high school in 1990, the style was big shirts and ripped jeans. At the time, I weighed 95 lbs. and had a pretty nice figure. After I had several kids, the style was form fitting shirts and skinny jeans. I wish that had been the style when I had the body for it. The high waist, flowing shirts would have been nice when I was pregnant early on and didn't have anything to wear. My body has always been out of fashion sync. I know this subject is off the miscarriage theme, but the whole idea of someone thinking I'm pregnant now when I'm not bothers me, so I guess it remotely relates.
Never the Fashion Queen,
Paula