Friday, November 1, 2013

Friday Randomness (Vol. 3)


My husband and I are blown away by the love and support we have received through emails, text-messages, cards and gifts. God is showering us with blessings through our family and friends. How will we ever come close to expressing how grateful we are? I believe the best way to show are gratitude is to shower others with blessings. More to come on this.

Please know you have had an impact on our lives. We enter this new season with a strengthened faith in God and confidence in knowing we are not alone. He is with us always. And He has given us this beautiful thing called community!

Our cup runneth over. Thank you!


Scripture speaking to my heart

"For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. ~ Psalm 33:4-5, NLT

Thank you to my friend Joanne of Days and Thoughts for her beautiful reminder of how God holds true. "We can trust Him because ~~ He holds true." Amen!

"The Lord takes pleasure in those who hope in His love." ~ Psalm 147:11

The verse from Psalm 147:11 was shared by Missional Women on their Facebook page and the words leaped off the screen as ones I needed to hear.

More from Let Hope In

"You can't breathe out what you haven't breathed in. Breathing grace totally hinges on your moment-to-moment dependence on God. We have to find ways to continually "breath in" God's grace." ~ Pastor Pete Wilson

How appropriate to read those words shortly after sharing the lyrics to the song "Your Grace Finds Me" by, Matt Redman in my post Three Word Wednesday: Your Great Grace.

"So I'm breathing in Your grace
And I'm breathing out Your praise."

I can't get this song out of my head...a good thing I'd say.

God moments

Oh there were two amazing God moments this week.

1) Son #2 received a call from his teacher cancelling class this past Monday and we were then able to spend the day together as a family before Son #1 departed. Oh such grace!


2) American Advantage bonus points applied to my account right before booking a flight to spend Thanksgiving with my husband. The trip will be our last visit before he leaves. The flight would have cost over $700; I paid only $10.00. Thank you, God!

Favorite blog read from the week

There have been many favorite reads this week. I'm encouraging you to stop on over to visit the lovely ladies who linked up for Three Word Wednesday. Skip over my post and go directly to the end. Pick one, two or all of them and I promise you will be blessed.

You've never heard of Three Word Wednesday? Find out more here and then join in on the fun.

A Prayer Warrior

I've heard her referred to as a "Prayer Warrior" several times. Susan Stilwell is a "prayer warrior" but there is something more about her inspiring me recently. Even though Susan has had "tech-y" issues with her website she continues to bless others with comment and twitter love, encouraging status updates and her beautiful giving heart. Small things can make a big impact. If you don't know Susan you really should take some time to get to know her.

(Alene Snodgrass: If you happen to stop in, have you noticed a theme with names shared recently? I love the friends made as a result of your Graffiti Summer Challenge!)

A numbers girl (a bit about me)

For someone who hated math in school, I wonder how God led me to this place of spending so much time working with numbers. I've been immersed in them recently. My days are spent explaining expenses and several evenings a week I handle another man's financial life (scary for him). I typically complain about all things numbers related. I'm starting to think I actually enjoy the challenge. Thank goodness for calculators and formulas.

Countdowns

Countdowns are only fun when counting down days until coming home. I'm not a fan right now. But....

I'm finding blessings in a deployment


~ Family photos
~ The many prayers from family and friends
~ Love and support received through emails, text-messages, cards and gifts
~ Stopping to look at each other just because we can
~ Seeing my soldier in uniform (as of today he's an active duty soldier)
~ Yellow Ribbon event with his fellow soldiers and their families
~ God holds all our tears
~ A deeper dependence in Him

11 comments :

  1. Your spirit encourages me. I love the family photo :) Much love to your family.

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  2. Beth - There are no words. None. I am sitting here, tears welling & spilling. Thank you for mentioning my post. I am so grateful to our God that it spoke to your heart. I am especially grateful for the connections He brings to my life as you have surely been a gift! I just love this picture of your family. You are all so beautiful together. AND, I am thankful that $10. bought you a gift that is priceless!!!
    Thank you for your friendship & encouragement!
    Love,
    Joanne

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  3. Beth: I have so appreciated following your journey here on the blog. I am continually encouraged by your strength and courage as you prepare to say "see you later" to your husband and son so they can serve. An amazing sacrifice many of us cannot comprehend! I love to hear the stories of how God has provided for your family during this difficult time. The airplane ticket and the day off to be together are lovely reminders that He is with you in this. Thank you for sharing!

    Christy @ A Heartening Life
    www.ahearteninglife.com

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  4. Sister you are so full of encouragement. I love your heart.

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  5. Beautiful Beth!! God ALWAYS has our best interest at heart, doesn't He my friend?! Case in point...#s 1 and 2 "God Moments"...AWESOME!! Continuing to pray for you and your family! Blessings!!

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  6. Always love your randomness here!!! My hearts is with your family and those men close to your heart at this time. Prayers for all. Summer Graffiti was the best group anywhere. I miss our challenges and time together. I'll be doing another study in January. Can't wait! Love you friend.

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  7. Beth,
    Love the fun pic of you and your family ...it makes me smile :). Praying that God will continue to bring you good quality time before your husband deploys. Your Thanksgiving trip - what a praise! God is good! Love, ((hugs)) and blessings coming your way...
    Always,
    Bev

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  8. You ooze Him! You inspire me! Love you!

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  9. Oh gosh, I'm heading out of town and hopped on to check out the new post. GRACIOUS, girl -- you bless me! Yes, I'm tired of dealing with techy problems and have enjoyed visiting my friends :) But I'm worn out from a whole bunch of October, so The Man and I are taking some time away to regroup. And read. And do nothing!

    Blessings on your week, sweet Beth!

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  10. So happy for all the lovely surprises He's given you this week, Beth! The extra day together as a family with your son must have been such a joy :-) "Breathing in grace, breathing out praise" ~ wonderful, I take this with me! Blessings to you and yours for the week to come!

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  11. Very encouraging and inspiring!! Blessings :)

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Much love to you.