Day 8 ~ 30 Days of Thanks

It's election day!

What an opportunity to exercise a wonderful freedom ...
the freedom to cast your vote!
Furthermore, it's not just an opportunity, it's a responsibility, one that accompanies American citizenship.
Voting is one of the many important duties and privileges we have as Americans.

If you don't like the direction your city or country is moving in, cast your vote.
It's what makes the difference!

Garrett, our oldest son, has always had an interest in history ...
& has an amazing ability to retain it.
American history, World history, Biblical history ... he can rattle off events,
dates, & quotes with no trouble at all.
For the last few years, his interest in politics has grown & he's venturing out a bit
within our community.
James & I, along with Garrett, have been praying for the Lord to give him the right connections & open doors.
We've seen God's hand at work since the beginning of this year & we are so thankful!
We know God has a plan for Garrett {& all of our sons} ... how exciting to see it
begin to unfold.

Today, Garrett & Gunnar are volunteering at the polls.
I snapped this at 5:45 this morning.

Garrett has been working with Ron Bates, Greenwood City Councilman.
He's a Christian man, teaches at a Christian school & a Baptist college.
He's the first man that Garrett met when he attended a town hall meeting.
Coincidence ... ?
We don't think so.

Garrett has also been campaigning for Mark Myers, the Republican candidate for mayor.
The more we began to learn about Mr. Myers, the more pleasantly surprised we became.
We were so excited to learn that Mr. Myers, father of 6, was a missionary to Paraguay
for several years.
During that time, they were a homeschool family!
He's a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan & Wesley Biblical Seminar.
We were delighted to see evidence of many values & principles that we hold dear
in common with Mr. Myers & his family.
We are praying for his win!

IN GOD WE TRUST

Day 7 ~ 30 Days of Thanks

Have I not commanded thee? 
Be strong & of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:
for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 
--Joshua 1:9

I never cease being amazed at how the Word of God speaks to my heart.
It's true.  It's relevant.  It's accurate ... & it's right on time.
It's life.  It's strength.  It's healing.

Whatever I need, God is ... & I find it again & again in His Word.

James, my sweet husband, is strong in the Word & he is forever encouraging us
to be faithful in our Bible reading.
He firmly believes in the doctrine of sola scriptura, that the Bible contains all the knowledge
needed for salvation & holiness, & that the Bible is the final authority.
I'm so thankful for his walk with the Lord & his dedication for discipling his family.
He'll never know the strength he is for me.

Day 6 ~ 30 Days of Thanks

I know the scripture says he that findeth a wife findeth a good thing.
I say {Angie commentary}, he that findeth a husband also findeth a good thing!

Not only did James, my beloved, bring forth a wonderful sermon at church,
he baked 'from scratch' cookies for us this evening!
Spiritual food & natural food, all in one day's work.

I came into the kitchen to find him with Amish cookbook, the salt shaker
holding open the page.
He had decided to bake some cookies.

In no time, he stirred together a batch of Soft Sugar Cookies.

Delicious.

Indeed, Sunday was sweet ... from start to finish.

Day 4 & 5 ~ 30 Days of Thanks

TGIF ... and S!

James says TGIF nearly every Friday, bless his heart.
He has a very physically & mentally demanding job ...
so, I know his TGIF really means ' SO glad that I have a couple days at home!'
When he says 'thank God it's Friday,' he realllly means it.

I love Fridays too ... my favorite day of the week.
It's nice to have that break in routine for a couple of days.


Last night, we ordered pizza & watched a Christmas movie.
Nothing better than spending a Friday night with the people I love the most.

For the 'TGIS part' of the post, I love the Saturdays where there's nothing on
the agenda ... a day completely free to do whatever.
Today was just that kind of day.
We decided to get outside & enjoy the beautiful fall day, knowing there
may not be too many more of these 'warm' days left.
We ran to the grocery, picked up 'grill out' meats & headed to the park for an
impromptu cookout.
Our friends were available {& spontaneous} & joined us.
Fall, food, & fellowship made for a great day.


I snapped this picture right before we left.

Day 3 ~ 30 Days of Thanks

James took this on the Isle of Palms, SC ~ vacation 2011

Ever been worried or anxious for the future?
We've all been there, probably more than we'd like to admit.
Whether it be concerning our own life or the lives of our children,
we want to know the plan.
We want it all laid out in front of us, every twist & turn on this journey of life.
Nothing unexpected.
No surprises.

During times of distress or in those situations when we don't have the answers,
we can turn to the Word for comfort.

2 Samuel reminds me that God is my strength & power, & HE makes my way perfect!
The way that seems so unclear ... he promises to make perfect.

I am so thankful for God's perfect plan.
My best intentions fail.
My plans often unravel & come up short ... but never the plans of the Almighty.

I love the scripture in Jeremiah 29:11 that says 'I know the thoughts that
I think toward you ... thoughts of peace & not of evil, to give you a future & a hope.'
I can be glad that my hope is in the Lord!

I can trust my life into the hands of a God who has been making arrangements
for me since long before I was born.
He's never unprepared.
My past does not worry Him ... nor my present surprise Him.
And my future, it's no mystery to Him.
I have a part in His plan ... one with eternal purpose.

How precious also are Your thoughts toward me, O God! 
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more  in number than the sand.
Psalm 139:17-18

Day 2 ~ 30 Days of Thanks

We LOVE Christmas music around our house!

My love for Christmas music started early.
I remember, throughout the season, my mom would have Christmas music
playing on the radio.
When I got a bit older, I had my own tape recorder...yes, I said tape recorder!
I would sit at our kitchen counter & 'tape' Christmas songs off the radio.
And you know what's even funnier than that, I still have some of those tapes!!
That makes me giggle, for so many reasons.
I played those tapes so much when I was younger that I knew where all the
background noise was ...
you know, the sound of Dad coming in the door, the creek of the cabinet door opening,
the telephone ringing.
What funny memories!

For several days here at the Pennington home, we've been counting down to the
start of Christmas music!
Our cable provider, Comcast, has a nice selection of music stations ...
ranging from classical, jazz, contemporary Christian, black gospel, & about 20 others.
The one we LOVE during this time of year is called Sounds of the Season ...
& that's what we were counting down for.
At midnight, it switched over to CHRISTMAS music!!


During our school days here at home, we play music all day long.
While we usually have on Gunnar's favorite, Soundscapes {perfect for school ...
soft & soothing music that doesn't provide distractions while reading & learning},
for the next couple months, it'll be Christmas music round the clock {perfect for school ...
jolly & joyful music to spread Christmas cheer to hard-working homeschoolers}!

So today, I'm thankful for Christmas music!

My favorite song {with about 20 others as a close second}:
Nat King Cole singing The Christmas Song

And my favorite CD of all time {that I play year-round}:
Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi
If you don't own this, you must!
Buy it for yourself ... give it as a gift!

Day 1 ~ 30 Days of Thanks

Gunnar beneath this gorgeous tree ~ taken at Spring Mill State Park

Today is the first day of the month of November.
What a beautiful ending to autumn, my favorite season of all.

The trees are gloriously colorful & the air is crisp.
There almost seems to be an air of expectancy during November...
as if it's just waiting to announce the beginning of a season of holiday festivities.
November seems to be the prelude, of sorts.

Often times, this month seems to get lost in the shuffle.
The fall season ends & we sometimes jump straight into Christmas.
The retailers do, that's for certain.

But let's give November it's due!
It is, after all, the season of THANKSGIVING.
Not just the holiday at the end of the month where we consume lots
of pumpkin & turkey either ...
rather, a whole month to give thanks for the many blessings that have been
bestowed on us!


It's a time to give an extra-long hug to our loved ones & to tell them
how much they mean ... & how much they matter.
It's time to be grateful for home, health, & happiness.
It's a time to count blessings ...
& acknowledge God, from whom all blessings flow.

Each day, during the month of November, I will post a blog in the series called
30 Days of Thanks.
Each day, I'll focus on something for which I am thankful.
Some days, the blog may be spiritual ...
& other days I may share a funny moment or a story.
I'll even have to find a way to stick in a recipe or two.

I want to challenge you to do the same.
Each day, focus on something that you are thankful for ... and share it with your family.
Encourage them to do the same.

G.B. Stern said that 'silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.'
I guarantee, at the end of this month, our hearts & homes will be affected by the spirit of thanksgiving.


Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever ... Psalm 118:1

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus ... 1Corinthians 1:4