Thankful Thursdays--Church

So this thursday I'll fill everyone in on whats been going on in my world the past several days and why I'm feeling grateful tonight!!  Monday was the start of vacation bible school down at our church and I've been helping out in the kitchen everyday since it started.  The last day was today (thursday) and we ended it all with a big cookout for all the kids, their parents, the teachers, and anyone and everyone else who was involved.  We had a great week overall and it was so nice to see all the kids come out to hear and learn about Jesus!!  My only regret?  I forgot my camera today!!!!!  So sorry I have no pictures to post of our good time (I've had alot going on and my head hasnt all been here!). 

We have a wonderful mission group that comes each year from Georgia that helps in our vacation bible school.  This year we saw many familiar faces with the team as well as some new faces!  The kids really enjoys the enthusiasm this group brings and they have such a fun time as well.  The team from Georgia is such a blessing to our church and a wonderful group of adults, teens, and young people.  I look forward to seeing them all again next year! 

Its such a thing to be thankful for..seeing young people in church..enjoying themselves and learning about what God has done for us.  Something I hope that we see more of as time goes on.  Its so crutial and important to get young people into church today..because they are the churches future.  I hope and pray that our church is filled with children in the future. 

*side note*..I wont be posting this weekend..needing some time w/family and rest as well..hope everyone has a blessed weekend and I'll see you back either sunday or monday!

Thankful Thursdays--"Old-Fashioned-ness"

I have to say, I'm going to say something I probably thought I'd never say oh, 15 years ago or so.  I am so thankful and glad that I was raised 'old fashioned'.  Growing up, my parents ALWAYS raised a garden and when I was very little we even had chickens, a goat, pigs, rabbits, etc.  My parents showed me how to grow produce instead of always relying on a grocery stores inventory.  You know how it is when your young..everything like that feels like a "total waste of time" and would rather be spent out with friends or whatever the case may be.  But now that I'm older, I can really appreciate the things I was taught.  Even my husband is old fashioned..so it even shaped my image of my ideal mate!!  LOL! 

The reason I bring all of this up today you may ask?  Wednesday was my first "canning" day of the season thus far and I canned 9 pints of pickled beets, my first attempt at doing beets.  I'm pretty proud of the way they have turned out and found they were very easy to do compared to some other things I've canned in the past years.  Granted, my dear sweet hubby was kind enough to boil and peel them for me beforehand..so that took alot of the hard part aside from my duties!!  :-)  Here are a few pictures of the process....

                                       (Apple cider vinegar/sugar/pickling spice mixture boiling)

(The beets!!)

(Simmering in the liquid)

(Finished product!)

Have a very thankful thursday today!!

Thankful Thursday

"And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God."  Ecc. 3:13

"Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him:for it is his portion.
Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God."
Ecc. 5:18-19

I bring these bible passages to you today because I have been busy this week outside..working diligently to get my storage building #1 painted in the hot summer sun!  I am almost completed with it and I have to say..after working some long hours in the heat, nothing is more gratifying than standing back and taking in something you've accomplished.  It truely is a gift of God to have the ability to rejoice in our labors.  I am so very thankful that I am able to do such a task..because there are many who are not able but wish that they could.  Be thankful today that your able to do the things you can do!!

Before

(Smurf-ish..wouldn't you say?!)

After

(Ahh..much better, wouldn't you say?)

 

Thankful Thursdays--Marriage

I have to say..I love being married!  Its been the best years of my life being married to Damon and I couldn't imagine my life without him in it.  I thought marriage would be a good topic for this weeks thankful thursdays.  We had the priviledge to attend a wedding over this past weekend..what a blessed event!  Two people we've both known for a long time and attend church with as well..were united in marriage.  I am so happy for the newleyweds!  It was a simple ceremony but very fitting for them. 

Makes me think back to our wedding!  What a special day!

I am so thankful that God brought Damon into my life when He did..I'm so thankful that we're happily married after 8 (almost 9!) years..and I'm very thankful that God is the center of our marriage! 

Would you like to share why your thankful for your marriage today?

Thankful Thursdays

I thought coming up with something to be thankful for today might be a little hard.  I had such aggrevation on wednesday (which this is still wed. night for me as I type this) with putting a big scratch on my glasses.  Its just been on my mind constantly of how careless I was.  Something I've always done is to take good care of my glasses.  I guess you could say it was my first major mishap I've had with any pair I've ever owned (and I've worn glasses since 6th grade, btw)..so I've done nothing but kick myself for not paying close attention to what I was doing.  Anyways though..there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for, right?  I have to say..I'm very thankful I started this blog a little over a month ago.  So far, I've met some great people, and I'm really hoping to meet more of you bloggers out there!!!  Please stop by..and if you do..please leave me a comment!  You don't know how much it makes my day!!  I'm currently getting it set up so I have a page on facebook just so I can link up a networked connection..hopefully that will help draw more people over to Country Roads.  I'm thankful God led me to start a blog..cause honestly..it gives me something to really look forward to each night.  I'm hopeful to meet new people, to share some laughs, and our adventures in life along the way!

Coal Miners Tribute

I guess most of you have heard the song "Coal Miner's Daughter"..it is a song that runs true for many here where I live!  I am a coal miners daughter (though my dad is retired now)..and most currently..a coal miners wife.  Coal mining is in most everyone's bloodline in southern WV and is something all are proud of as well.  This week..we are celebrating coal mining in my county with the annual Coal Festival!  Damon and I headed down this evening to walk around for a bit like we always do.  Its not a huge festival by any means, we usually go just to see who we can run into and chat with for a bit, and of course see the mining displays they have each year.  This year, with the tragedy that struck that unfortunately took 29 miners lives, they set up a display in front of the courthouse as a tribute to those who had fallen. 

I have to say I'm very proud and thankful for every coal miner.  I'm thankful they put their lives on the line each day not only for their own families to provide for them..but for everyone so we can have electricity for our everyday needs.  I can't put into words how proud I am of my husband for working in the career he does.  Its not one most would want to choose by any means..and isn't cut out for most.  It does, however, provide for my family, and for that I am most thankful.  Here is a piece of machinery that Damon has operated in the past..to give you an idea of the type of machinery it takes to do their jobs.

Hope everyone found something to be thankful for this thursday!  :-)

Thankful Thursdays

Welcome to another edition of thankful thursdays!  Hope everyone has had a great week thus far!  As I'm trying to plan a mini-getaway at the moment..something I can definately say I'm thankful for this thursday is that me and my hubby are able to take a getaway this year..even though it may be inexpensive and brief!  This time last year..we were in the middle of a layoff..he was laid off from his job in the coal mines as a supply man from April to late August.  Not long in some people's eyes..but definately long enough for us and a first for us in our then 7 years of marriage.  We had never faced anything of that nature before, so it was definately a challenge in more ways than one.  It was the whole "not knowing" what the future would hold that got to me the most.  I'm the type that loves a schedule and can plan around it, etc.  While he was laid off..we had NO schedule and it just seemed that those few months were totally up in the air!  On top of the stresses that comes anytime someone is unemployed..we had literally just bought our home.  We had been moved in for a mere 2 weeks (give or take a few days) when we got the bad news.  Talk about REALLY bad timing!  I was totally devestated and even doubted God.  It was a time in my life I felt I had nobody to turn to for support..because I had felt like even the One who is there, regardless, had let me down. I had prayed for months that his job wouldn't be lost (so many mines were laying off at the time)..and I had such faith that we would be spared.  When we weren't though..my faith seemed to dwindle.  I am SO thankful though that my spirits were lifted in those dark hours..that I realized that God DID care..and that we would be ok again, in time.  Though it was a difficult few months and very lonely at the same time..I had hope after that first hard weekend of reality hitting me.  To anyone out there..don't ever lose hope in God..even in your darkest hours..be assured..He does care and feels for you and what you are dealing with!

We were still able to smile despite our circumstances!!!!

Thankful Thursdays

Welcome to another installment of "thankful thursdays" here at Country Roads!  I have to say after the weekend I had..even though it was stressful at times..I still can find many things to be thankful for despite some of the crazy circumstances!  I am so thankful that my step-daughter, Beth, wasnt injured in the fender bender she was involved in on her way here to see us.  The situation could have been ALOT worse than it was and I Praise God that she was ok.  I think its important that in life, to try to find the good in every situation no matter what.  I fail at this many times..but its definately something I'm working on!  We're all a 'work in progress' all through our lives I believe..striving to be what God wants us to be.  So..anyone else dealt with a difficult situation lately but manage to find something to be 'thankful' for despite the circumstances?

Thankful Thursdays

Hello to everyone!  I thought I'd try something new this week and maybe see how a "thankful thursday" goes for a change!  How does that sound?  We all have something to be thankful for each and every day..I know I definately do!  So lets get the ball started...

One thing I'm definately thankful for is my husband.  I know without a doubt in my mind, I couldn't have picked a better man for me!  Even though I think a few people thought we were an "odd" match when we first started dating because of our age (we are 11 years apart)..its something I never noticed then or now.  Our personalities blend so well its like we are on the save wave length all the time!  We share so many of the same interests, he's old-fashioned like I am, he's sweet, loving, caring, kind, romantic (when he wants to be!), silly, and did I mention..hard working?!  I think Damon works harder than anyone I've ever met at times..and sometimes I wish he'd slow down a little more cause I worry about him over-doing it.  But I know thats just "him" and its what he enjoys is being busy.  :-)  I know he is my soul-mate and that God placed him in my life.  After we started dating, we talked and found that we had both been praying for God to bring the right person into our lives, so I knew it was meant to be from very early on!  I couldn't be happier..and I'm so thankful for him.  :-)

So what are you thankful for today?  Maybe its someone special in your life, an event that changed your life, or something else!  I'd love to hear from you!