19 Thankful Thoughts from Elena

This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving prints, and I can't even remember the name of the artist. Ah well, thank you, Unknown Artist :)

19. Peonies,

Yes, peonies :)

There is just something about this delicate, beautiful flower

that makes each room brighter.

A vase of tulips, as cheerful as they are, just wouldn't have the same effect.

18. The healing and soothing lavender

I discovered my great love of it last week when 1/4 c. of boiling oil

jumped out of the french fry pan.

Now, my hand looks almost as good as new :)

17. Good Books

It's been said in very many wonderful quotes that a man is

moulded by the books he reads (And if you happen to know of a good quote pertaining this, please comment!)

I firmly believe this is true. What a person chooses to read has a tremendous amount of influence over that persons thoughts and ideas, yes, even in the midst of films and entertainment.

Which is why I am thankful for the wonderful amount of inspiring authors, who articulated themselves and their thoughts very well.

Speaking of inspiring authors...

16. Corrie and Betsie Ten Boom

1900 to 1948 is one of my very favorite time periods in history,

particularly during World War's I and II.

And even I must admit that this can be one of the most depressing periods to read.

So, I was very happy to read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom; it is dreadful and sobering to read her story, and it puts things into a different perspective. But amidst all of her sorrow and pain, each of her cries of anguish is followed by a praise of God's sovereignty.

Reading her and Betsie's story made this dreadful time

period have a sense of hope and peace in Him.

(Number 15 comes from on of my favorite parts in the book)

15. That there are no "If's" in God's kingdom

Through different things that have happened in the past few months, I have come to hold this truth very dear: God is sovereign.

There are no questions or gray areas when it comes to His hand in our lives.

Everything has a purpose, no matter how difficult or stormy the time of your life may seem.

He knows and is in control.

14. It's A Wonderful Life

This time of the year would be lacking without some good old Christmas movies.

Every year we make time to watch this one, whether we are sewing or ironing, it's so fun to watch the wonderful James Stewart in this classic Capra film.

13. Music

Particularly Bach's cello concerto's, Frank Sinatra, Soundtrack music, John Mayer, Mozart's symphonies, Martha Wainwright, music from Sovereign Grace Ministries, and Ella Fitzgerald.

12. Scones

With or without a hot cup of tea, scones are yummy.

11. John Piper

He is another one of my new favorite authors and I have really enjoyed each of the books I've read, including: Desiring God, A Hunger For God, The Dangerous Duty of Delight,

and Future Grace.

He has one consistent and powerful message.

10. His tender Mercies that are new every morning

9. Turkey and Cranberry Sauce

8.Cooler Weather

So, I have never been a fan of hot weather; most often I would rather be too cold than too hot. And I think growing up in central and western Texas has a lot to do with my opinion.

7. Valleys of the Shadow

6. Godly Examples

Like the Beach family

5. Warm biscuits with butter and honey

4. The Church
And this isn't limited to Grace Family Baptist but to the Body of Christ as a whole. It has been so neat to me to witness and be apart of the instant bonding you have with complete strangers, and all because you are both believers.

There is a sweet warmth and familiarity that comes with meeting other believers.

3. Supportive family

Including but not limited to the sweet Apodaca Family

2. The Webbs

1. Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday Elena!

Happy Birthday from all of us!

The Girl and the Beanbag

I would like to announce two things:

First, the beginning of an art blog that I have recently started called,

Lemons and Blueberries!

Please head over there for more information, but to put it briefly, I started this blog strictly as an art blog for a future shop on Etsy.com, and I am very excited to be posting different recipes, show you a few of my projects, and be able to share what it is that I am doing at home!

Also, a thought provoking video by Joshua Harris.
Enjoy!

Passionate Housewives: a book reccomendation

This past week I have been reading Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald (Available online through Vision Forum).

I was first interested in it because of the interesting title and because I have been interested in reading something of Mrs. Chancey's. Although I've seen her featured in Return of the Daughters, and read one of the books she has edited, I haven't read anything she has written yet. And I must say that after reading this book I really enjoyed and was convicted by what she had to say.

I was also interested in the questions that this book addresses about Biblical womanhood and feminism.
And even though I'm not a wife and mother, I found several parts of the book to be helpful and encouraging. Not only for the future but even things I can be working on for now. Honestly, it was a bit more than can fit in one post, but here is a quote that I love from the book,

"You see, homemaking isn't about the house itself or the things it contains.

Being keepers at home is about focusing upon the Lord in all the everydayness so that our houses become centers of hospitality, forgiveness, training, business, welfare, charity, shared mourning and celebration, and-oh, yes-lots of tracked-in mud, crumbs under the chairs,

and everything else that goes with human beings.

We must not lose sight of the fact that our homes are God-given tools to bless other.

They aren't the end goal; they are simply, one of the means to the end.

And what is the end? Dying to self, laying down our lives, serving others that

Christ may grow His kingdom and transform the world and ourselves as we do things His way."

Any thoughts or helpful, encouraging books that you would reccommend?

A quote from a book

"To know a soul's proportions you need to know its passions. The true dimensions of a soul are seen in its delights. Not what we dutifully will but what we passionately want reveals our excellence or evil."

-John Piper, The Pleasures of God