Thankful for Much

All month I have reflected on things I am thankful for. There are so many things, too numerous to name, but I'll list a few.

Above all else, I am thankful for God's undying love for me and my family and His complete faithfulness to us. It is because of this that I have received all else to be thankful for.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13

That we are chosen and saved, despite the fact that we fall short.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7

And that He has always had a plan for me.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4

When one of my sons joined this family, he asked me to read to him about love from the bible. He had never felt loved, had never known love, and wanted to know what God had to say about it. I read him this:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

It was then I realized just how much I all fall short of this standard. I certainly am not very patient or kind, at times, and I certainly can be rude, self-seeking, and easily angered! My tongue is not still! Certainly, love has not always protected him, he could never trust in it, and love has failed him many times in his young life. So, we had a little discussion about how we all fall short of this and that God is the only one who loves this perfectly. We are called to love. Above all else, love. Deeply.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

We can never love perfectly on our own but we can love if we let Jesus's love pass through us, then others will know of it.

For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

I am thankful that we are God seekers. I have known no greater peace in my life before knowing Him, even though life around me hasn't changed a great deal, I am changed, my perspective is changed, and I see much less anxiety, hyperactivity, and fear in my children as they learn who God is and Trust in Him.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-8

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

I am so very thankful that I have not had to enlist the aid of any police officers, psychiatrists, therapists, mobile response units, or crisis hospitals for over 3 months now. That is a record and truly a blessing as a result of God's love and grace as we seek to know Him and obey His Word. I'm also thankful that most of my children no longer require medication to function on a day-to-day basis. Most of my adopted children came to me taking several medications per day. Usually 2-5; however, one came at 7 years old taking 21 pills per day of 4-5 different medications! At first, I was afraid to mention it. I didn't want to 'jinx' it, but I trust in the Lord that all will continue according to His good plan because He loves my children more perfectly than I ever could.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:4-7

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

For all His blessings, I hope I remain forever thankful.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalms 63:3-5

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Thankful for Fulltime Families and Dads

      Although we are a FTF member, we are not *yet* a FULLtime family. We are a family with a "sticks and bricks" house who RVs several months of the year. We attend FTF rallies and meet up with other FTF members as often as we can in our travels.

some families at the PA RenFest

      It occurred to me during our last 'outing' to PA, as my boys were giving me the play-by-play of every move one of our male members made at his camper, how much the FTF dads mean to my children. My current 8 are all adopted & got only a mom out of the deal. In some ways, it was better for some of them not to have 2 parents, as expert triangulators will pit one parent against another to manipulate to get their way, but one of my boys cried when he met me and found out there was no dad in this family. They know God as their dad, and He's the only one I ever had, as well.

Some families at game time

      The FTF dads who spend time with my children provide a good example of what a dad should be. My children have truly enjoyed playing football, playing instruments, exploring, riding rides at theme parks, sharing pot luck suppers, sitting around the campfire, and just chatting about Christianity, music, sports, motors, and whatever else it is you guys have chatted with my children about. They are learning so much about a man's/father's role in life. Thank you to all the FTF community and the dads who will knowingly, or unknowingly, exert a positive influence on my children as we travel.

my daughter's drawing of our RV

Life in a Dealership Lot

While on the road, silly me let the RV run out of gas. Then, I allowed some "nice passerby" to try to "help" me move off to the side of the road. He popped my steering box and Good Sam couldn't find a tow service so the police had to secure one. After 3 hours we were towed back to the campground. After 2 days of searching for a mechanic to fix the RV, we were towed to a dealership for the repairs; however, Good Sam, again, took forever to secure a tow company then we were towed to the wrong place. By the time we arrived at the right place Friday afternoon, it was too late to start work on the RV. So, our 5 days living at a dealership began. We've stayed at gas stations, truck stops, rest areas, and Walmarts overnight before, so it wasn't completely new for us.

this was 'home' for 5 days



So many things went wrong. I'll spare you the details but, suffice it to say, it could've been way worse than it was. We were given food and a heater by other RVing family friends for our stay. We were greeted Sat. morning by the dealership workers and 18 McDonald's breakfast sandwiches. We had free popcorn, cookies and cakes, water, tea, coffee and hot chocolate daily, free electricity, and free wi-fi. So, we were able to eat, drink, homeschool, and keep in touch with others online for the duration. I actually got a lot of homeschooling done while there. We were fixed and ready to leave Mon., and a few kiddos were not happy about leaving there and one even had a tantrum, but we broke down 7 miles up the road and had to be towed back for an additional night and day. The kiddos rejoiced, even though we still weren't at a campground with the families we had been with. The dealership needed to replace the ignition assembly and that night we were sent pizza by the dealership workers.

our home



We finally left Hershey Tue. afternoon, stopped by Chocolate World for a bit, stopped at home base for necessities, then headed to Lancaster to meet up with the friends we had been with in Hershey. We went trick-or-treating and had pot luck dinners around the campfire, roasted marshmallows, played instruments, and laughed the night away with other FTF. We had a great time and forged new friendships along the way. I so value our FTF community. God is good. He provided for our needs and what could have been a stressful, hectic, negative experience turned out to be quite a pleasant one even though it didn't work out exactly as originally planned (as if it ever does). The kiddos even handled all of the unexpected disappointments very well.