"40 Years"

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."—Isaiah 61:3.

Happy 40th to me! YAYYYY!

I know some of you are younger than me, but a whole bunch of you are older than me and are probably cracking up at my 4oth year birthday. HA! What is it about getting older that makes us almost "boast" about our age? Perhaps it's because with age comes wisdom, or so it should. I love when older ones say to me: "Oh you're just a young spring chicken." I agree! I am as young as I feel and that is certainly not my age!

I love the fact that God saw me through another year, but more than that, 40 blessed years. I thank Him for His faithfulness to me. He has also been very faithful to those connected to me in my life. I am sure you can testify the same report for your home!

I just want to pause and thank the Lord for His goodness to me. I am super grateful for all that He has done for a nut like me. I am serious. He sees it all, yet He loves me--all of me. How amazing is that? No one can ever, ever compare to the Lord. He is worthy of all our praise and honor.

God bless you and happy Fall !!!

Anna

He is here!

Baby Jordan Ray has arrived to our family! 10/11/11 !!!

What a blessing! He was 9 pounds 10 ounces, 22 inches long. We are so happy and thankful to our Lord for the baby's safe arrival.

Thank you all for your prayers!

Anna

Waiting for my grandson to arrive :)

Hello everyone!

I am currently in Florida awaiting the arrival of my grandson, Jordan. My poor daughter is 40 weeks pregnant and ready to pop! She is sooo beautiful though and is doing well. She was supposed to have him two fridays ago now but the doctors don't want to rush the delivery since the baby is doing well. He just isn't ready to come out!

So we are enjoying our time together as a family. There isn't much money to do anything, and I truly thank God that we invested in our timeshare when we did have money! It costs peanuts to stay down here, compared to what it would have cost.

Check this out-I am more appreciative now than I ever have been before of the little things in life. I think when we have an abundance, we can take it for granted. For example, I was getting some exercise in Downtown Disney, a place filled with food and shopping. Since we had no extra money to eat there, we had packed a small lunch. We ate and then went walking for about an hour.

At first, I found myself so upset that I couldn't go into Gloria Estefan's restaurant, Bongos, or buy movie tickets, or even some candy at the candy store. But as I walked, I felt a gentle nudge to take a look at the flowers and the sun glistening off the water. I also took note that 100 dragon flies were gonna attack me at any moment! Seriously though, even the smells of delicious food cooking made me smile.

God turned my heavy heart into a heart of praise. It is something I won't forget. I thanked Him for the little things in life that I took for granted. I've been to this area tons of times with TONS of money and NEVER ever stopped to appreciate the "free" things that life has to offer.

Satan does his job by getting us to focus on what we DON'T have..but I have learned to give God the glory in what I DO have. I thought I had done that before, but it is easy to think that when there is an abundance in the bank. I now realize that I took a lot for granted and now I am in a peaceful place called being content, no matter what's in my pocket. I thank God alone for this victory in my life!

How about you? If there is anything that the enemy is trying to rob you of right now, stop and give GOD the PRAISE FOR WHAT YOU DO HAVE!!!

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Phil. 4:12

Lord, give us grace to walk through every area of life, no matter what we have or don't have. Grant us a contented, peaceful heart Jesus. Amen.