Catching Up

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It has been a busy, busy summer and a lot has happened. God has been present and guiding me through all of it.

I have spent a lot of time in God's word, reading, studying, praying, which has led to growing and sometimes growing pains as He brings new challenges for me to face. I have not always been successful in meeting the challenges. I lose my patience and get frustrated with a situation I am placed in instead of immediately turning to Him, or I get frustrated and turn to Him at the same time but it makes for an emotional, self-centered pleading and demanding session of prayer. Sometimes I even do the wrong thing and complain about what is going on to family and friends. But, I am growing and learning and everyday I grow closer to Him and trust Him more.

So, one new thing going on is a new job. I now work with some wonderful Christians at our local Christian radio station. I am loving my job. I am a production assistant and announcer. I have learned a lot and honed some skills I haven't used in a while on the computer. If you would ever like to listen in you can listen online here. I read the news on Mondays and Tuesdays at 5 p.m. Pacific time.

I believe this is going to be a great season in my life. God is guiding one step at a time as I spend time in His word and in prayer. I have gone back to my church's ladies Bible study (since I'm not working during that time) and we are currently working through Colossians. My daughter is attending with me. I am doing a couple of Bible studies online as well. One is through Good Morning Girls at Women Living Well Ministries. We are going through the book of Acts. Check it out it is free. I am also doing a study through Stone Soup For Five. I am currently working on Colossians to go along with the other Bible study at church.

Father,
I thank You for all You have blessed me with. Please continue to guide me and grow me.
In Jesus Name
Amen

Waiting

Waiting.  Waiting is not something I am good at.  In fact  you could say I hate to wait.  I can be very impatient.  Sometimes I jump into things before really checking them out or seeking God's counsel.   But, waiting is something that God asks us to do at times.  He says in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not grow weary; and they shall walk and not grow faint."  This verse has popped into my head a lot lately as I have been seeking God for guidance in my job. 

Well, I have left my job, so the waiting is over.  Now there is a new waiting period.  A period or rest and seeking and growing.  I know God has something for me, I'm just waiting to find out what it is. That is the hard part, waiting.  It is weird not having to get up every morning and go to work.  To have nothing to prepare for the kiddos to do.  Instead I wake up and get into God's Word and find direction for my day.  I exercise my faith that He will show me the next step as I am stepping forward in the dark.  

I find it interesting how God has interwoven everything.  Listening, doing, waiting, having faith to go and do what He asks, even if we don't have the whole picture.  Trusting that He won't let us fall off the mountain into the abyss.  There are times during the day the thoughts in my head turn to worry and fretting about the drop in our budget and God will put a song in my mind:

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,

God will take care of you!

Beneath His wings of love abide,

God will take care of you!

God will take care of you,

Through every day o’er all the way;

He will take care of you;

God will take care of you!

Through days of toil when heart doth fail,

God will take care of you!

When dangers fierce your path assail,

God will take care of you!

All you may need He will provide,

God will take care of you!

Trust Him, and you will be satisfied,

God will take care of you!

Lonely and sad, from friends apart,

God will take care of you!

He will give peace to your aching heart,

God will take care of you!

No matter what may be the test,

God will take care of you!

Lean, weary one, upon His breast,

God will take care of you!

(by Civilla Durfee Martin)

I particularly like verse three, 

"All you may need He will provide,

God will take care of you!

Trust Him, and you will be satisfied,

God will take care of you!"

And this involves waiting.  Waiting for the new adventure, wondering what it will be.  Will it be in ministry again?  Children or adults?  Will I be waiting long or is something just around the corner.  It is exciting and scary at the same time.  But, I'm working on my listening skills and my waiting skills and my doing skills. They all work together.  I just need to remember that it is in God's time, not mine.  

Here is a video of a beautiful version of "God Will Take Care of You" performed by the Oakridge Boys.

Father,

Thank you for Your patience with me, for guiding me, and teaching me.  

In Jesus Name

Amen

Hearers and Doers

While I was teaching preschool, we would always say, "Use your listening ears" or "You need to be a good listener".  Well one day, as I was talking to one of the children, it dawned on me that they were listening, they just weren't doing what we were asking them to do.  So, I started saying be a good listener and a doer.  It helped, somewhat, but as teachers we would still see the same thing happening day after day from the same child(ren).  Why won't they learn?  Why do they keep doing the same thing, over and over, even after we have talked to them?

One day at school as I was pondering this while talking to the same child for the upteenth time, a thought popped into my head, why do I constantly mess up and not do what God wants me to do. Hmmm...James tells us in chapter 1 verses 22 to 25, "But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  (23) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: (24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  (25) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

How many times have I sat and had my devotions, read God's word, heard what He has to say to me and I say, "Yes LORD, I will do that" and then I get up and go about my day, sometimes without a second thought as to what God has directed me to do.  Or, I repent of something, like mismanagement of my finances, and ask for help and take the Dave Ramsey workshop, but time and time again, I spend money on frivolous things that I don't need or really want.  Makes me feel a bit of a hypocrite when I am not being a doer but expecting the children to.  But God is patient and merciful and continues to give me opportunities to be a doer.

While teaching preschool I probably learned more than what the children did.  God would show me things every day.  Mostly how much like a preschooler we all are.  We are His children after all, and we do not always act like "adult" children, but like little children.  Which would be good if it were in the faith department and we had the faith of a child.  But we tend to be good listeners but poor doers. I know I'm that way.

But I'm learning, and I'm growing, just like my preschoolers.  They eventually learn what they are supposed to, how to treat their friends, sit in group time, and walk down the hall.  They become better doers.  Now, I need to work on me.  I need to do more than spend time reading and studying God's Word and praying.  I need to be a doer.  I need to forgive the person who hurt me and move on, I need to guide my children, who are adults, in a way that respects their adulthood and the right to make their own choices and shows them God's love, but show them His Word as well.  I need to keep walking in faith, like God has been showing me He wants me to do, even if I can only take one step at a time.

Father,
Thank you for your grace and mercy.  Thank you for your forgiveness when I mess up, when I'm not a good doer.  Please help me to learn and grow and do in You.

In Jesus Name
Amen

Journaling

I have always been a journaler.  I like writing my thoughts down, getting them out of my head, getting rid of the ugly in a safe way.  That is probably why I like to blog, I get to share what is on my mind.  I'm an introvert so it is hard to get those thoughts out of my mouth at times.  Although I have found as I get older some of those thoughts come out of my mouth even when I don't want them to.  James 3 tells us a lot about that tongue.

But I digress, this is about journaling, we will discuss the tongue in another post.  As I was saying, I like to journal.  Right now I have three journals going.  They all have a purpose.  I have my Bible study journal, my creative journal, and my whiner journal.

My Bible Study Journal (the green one):  This journal is where I record what I am gleaning from my Bible study.  It is usually not fancy, just a way to record my thoughts on the passage and anything that the LORD has shown me.

 I have discovered journal art and I would like to add that in as well.  If you are not familiar with it, check out this blog.  I used to doodle in my notes but sometimes life gets in my way and I get boring.  I don't like to be boring so I think I'm going to spice it up a bit.  I sometimes journal in my Bible as well.  There are always notes and insights and what God is speaking to me.  I love looking through my old Bibles and finding all my notes and reading them.  I enjoy looking back and seeing how much I've learned and grown.

My Creative Journal (the blue one):  This is where I keep ideas for projects, designs for projects, plans for my projects, pictures.  I like to keep it handy in case inspiration strikes.  If I don't write it down, I will forget about it.

My Whiner Journal (the floral one):  This is my private journal where I get everything off my chest.  I have found if I don't get the ugly out I get depressed, grumpy, and very hard to live with.  I write my feelings here.  When I'm having a hard time I journal to process what is going on.  I also use it as a sort of prayer journal.  I write out my prayers as I pray them.  This seems to help me focus on God.  These are the journals I destroy after they are full.

Do you journal?  What does it look like?  Do you use art?  Share your techniques and ideas with me, I would love to see them.

Father,
I pray you will continue to guide me as go through YOUR word.  Help me to understand what You want for me.  Father, as I go through this life lead me step by step.  I lift up my readers to you.  Bless them and protect them.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.  I pray you have a blessed day and that your children will rise up and call YOU blessed.

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies,
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands;
She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it:
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens ehr arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her;
"Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Father,
Thank you for creating the family.  I thank you for my family.  I ask, Father, that you bless each mom who reads this with the words from YOUR word.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Strength

I will love thee, O LORD, my STRENGTH

The LORD is my ROCK and my FORTRESS, and my DELIVERER;

My God, my STRENGTH, in whom I will trust;

My BUCKLER, and the horn of my SALVATION, and my high tower.

I will call upon the LORD, who is WORTHY to be PRAISED: so shall I be saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:1-3

Father,

Thank you for Your strength and protection.  I praise You for Your mighty works, for Your protection, for Your love, for Salvation.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.

Sunshine in My Soul

There is Sunshine in my Soul today,

more glorious and bright

than glows in any earthly sky,

for Jesus is my light.

O, there's Sunshine, blessed Sunshine,

While the Peaceful, Happy moments roll;

When Jesus shows His smiling face

there is Sunshine in my soul.

There is music in my Soul today,

A Carol to my King;

And Jesus, listening, can hear

the Song I cannot sing.

There is Springtime in my Soul today,

for when the LORD is near

the Dove of Peace sings in my heart,

the Flowers of Grace appear.

There is Gladness in my Soul today,

and Hope, and Praise, and Love,

for Blessings which He gives me now,

for Joys laid up above.
Eliza E. Hewitt

Father,

Your mercy and grace are bountiful and I thank you for them.  Thank you for all you have done.  Thank you for showering me with Your love.  

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Faithfulness

Therefore know that the LORD your God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love and keep His commandments; Deuteronomy 7: 9.

I am so blessed.  Blessed by God's faithfulness. I am amazed at His love and care for me. Even though sometimes it seems like He is so far away, He is faithfully waiting for me to go to Him with everything that is going on in my life. He just wants us to make the choice to leave all our cares, wants, and desires with Him. I tend to try to take care of things on my own, which usually doesn't turn out well.  I don't know why I try to do things on my own, you would think I would have learned by now.

But, even though I try to take control God is ever faithful.  Even though I mess up it tells me in 1 John 1:9 that "If we confess our sins HE is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness".  How awesome is that.  Not that we should go out and sin because we are forgiven, that isn't right.  But we aren't perfect and do mess up on occasion and it is comforting to know that if we admit we did something wrong and confess it to God, He will forgive us.  My God is so awesome.

Psalm 36:5 says, "Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds".  To know that God loves me is amazing, but to know that He loves me to the heavens...WOW.  I get all warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about it.  He not only loves me but is faithful to the clouds.  I have had a desire that I have been praying about.  I have been wanting my daughter to come back and live closer, especially now that she has blessed with a grandson.  Well, after it not working out for her and her husband to come here, the doors have opened and they are here.  God has blessed me beyond measure.

I so love having them here, holding my grandson, spending time with my daughter and son-in-law.  I am looking forward to sharing my God with my grandson.  My daughter and I are going to do a Bible study together.  There are people in our church who are looking forward to meeting them and getting to know them, to bless them.  It is exciting to to see all this happening.

Father,
I thank you so much for all that you have blessed me with, for my family and friends.  Father, I pray that you will bless them abundantly and draw them closer to You.

In Jesus Name,
Amen.

Repeat

Here is a re-post of a post on my old blog, which is no more in cyberland.  I let it lapse because, frankly, I ran out of things to say.  I became too consumed with my job and that is all I wanted to talk about or do, and my blog wast not a preschool blog.  So, I let it go.  I loved that blog.  I enjoyed sharing on it.  But, now a new adventure and maybe I will share some of the old once in a while, like now.

Ramblings

Sometimes I wonder why I started blogging.  I mean really, what do I really have to say?  I hold a lot back because, truthfully, it isn't usually worth saying out loud much less writing down.

When I think back to when I started this blog, I remember why I started it.  I started it to share my tea room and my experiences with it.  Since it closed, I have pretty much rambled on about anything.

I suppose I should pick a topic to write about.  All the good bloggers do that ya know.  I just hate to be pinned down.  What if I get tired of knitting, cooking, my dogs, my rabbit, chickens...blah, blah, blah.  I doubt I ever will get tired of these things, but ya never know.

I guess I will just keep rambling on and if you see something you like...enjoy.

Thanks for stopping by,

Beth

I am enjoying my new blog, even though sometimes it is hard to be so open.  Not many people (now they do) get to see this from me.  I tend to hold people off at arms length.  I don't want them to get too close to see what a mess I really am.  Now I'm putting it out there for the world to see.  Funny how God works.  I guess we need to get the mess cleaned up and what better way to do it than to invite company over...am I right?

I hope you enjoy this new venture as much as I am.  If you read something you like leave a comment. Comments are good.  If you disagree with something I wrote, leave a comment, but please be nice.  We can discuss it and perhaps agree to disagree.  

Father,

Thank You for this new venture and guiding me with each and every post.  Please give me the words to say and always let it glorify You.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Submitting

I have been doing a lot of Bible study lately, and I mean a lot.  It is about the only book I read, other than good books by Beth Moore or Lysa Terkeurst.  These are not the only good authors out there, they just happen to have books and Bible studies that I am currently or have done recently.  Right now my daughter and I are going through "A Confident Heart" by Renee Swope.  It is dealing with things I have been thinking about for a while.  Now if I would just hit the parts that make me want to lay prostrate on the floor praying while at home instead of work that would be awesome.  Not that it would be a bad thing, it is just hard to pray that sincerely when people interrupt you.

It seems lately that how I (referring to posture) pray is becoming more important as I work through things with God.  Beth Moore touched on it a little in the last study of hers I did.  I know we can pray any where, any way we want.  God likes it when we talk to Him.  But, I have been feeling led to take it deeper, a more submissive posture.  I noticed a few months ago that when I actually kneel to pray my day goes better.  Does God hear me more clearly in that position?  No.  I think it is my attitude.  I am coming before my LORD and Saviour in a humble attitude, one of submitting to His will.  Have you ever tried it?  How does it work for you if you have?

Another posture, which I have not yet done, is prostrate on the floor.  That is very humbling.  Why haven't I done it?  I feel like that is what I need to do.  I believe that in my quest for a closer relationship with  Jesus I really need to humble myself and submit fully.  But, I come up with a million excuses like, I haven't swept the floor yet today (I have dogs, eww), I'm at work, I don't have time.  Yet if I am truly submitting to His will, like a servant of yore, I would be face down in the dirt if I were to come in to my LORD's presence.  I think I just have not been willing to submit yet.

Submission, what a dirty word.  Who really wants to submit, put ourselves in a subservient manner or attitude.  I don't know about you, but I don't want anyone telling me what to do or how to live, Lording it over me.  I want to be top dog who is submitted to.  That is not how it works with God, who is sovereign.  Plus, I really want THAT relationship, that closeness.  I'm craving it.

I read today in "A Confident Heart" (Renee Swope), "Salvation is a one-time decision, but finding satisfaction in Christ and living in the security of His promises is daily process".  I have been questioning my salvation lately.  Wondering why if I am saved do I not have a closer relationship with Jesus.  Why do I feel the way I do.  I know I have given my life to Him.  I remember the day.  But, still, somehow I feel empty and alone.  I keep searching for things to make me happy.  Swope's statement opened my eyes to what I am missing.  Jesus needs to be my satisfaction and I need to commit to that daily and live and believe His promises.

I am excited to be on this journey of developing a closer, more meaningful relationship with Jesus.  He loves me, He died for me, He rose for me.  He has done so much for me, AND you.  That kind of love is unfathomable.  The closest I can come to it is the love I have for my children and my grandson.  A love that would do anything in my power to protect them, care for them, yes, even die for them.  But I am fallible and can't always live up to my love, not like Jesus did.

I am so thankful for what He did and that He is faithful to pursue me and  you to the ends of the earth to have a deep relationship with us.  As with all relationships for us mere mortals, it takes work and submitting to His will rather than our own.

Father,
I praise Your Holy Name.  I thank You for sending Your precious Son to die on the cross for my sins. Thank You for the borrowed tomb He was buried in.  Thank You for raising Him from the dead.  Thank You for seeing what He did for me, and not what I do or don't do that displeases You.  Father, I ask for strength in my weakness to submit to Your will and draw closer to You.

In Jesus Name,
Amen 

Failure

Sometimes I still feel like crying, a lot.  I can control it now, but I don't always want to.  Sometimes I just want to sit in a quiet corner and cry and pour my heart out to my LORD, my heavenly Father.  I don't think it is the SAD, I think it is grief.  Grief over what I have lost.  Grief over my failure.  In fact, I feel like a failure.  I feel like I not only let myself down, but a lot of other people as well.  Now in my head, I know it wasn't all me, but in my heart I feel it is true.  Yes there are some things I should have done and said differently many months ago, but choices were made for me that I had no control over.  Even if I had said things differently the events would have still taken place.  I had no control over that.  So, why do I internalize it and turn all back on me.  That I don't understand.

Every day I am reminded about my failure.  Every day I see someone else doing what I love to do.  Every day more and more is taken from me.  Every day the voices in my head get louder, telling me I'm worthless, I'm a failure.  My heart breaks because I lost what I loved and was passionate about. BUT, all that self-talk, those voices in my head are lying to me.  I am NOT worthless.  I am NOT a failure.  My Father tells me I am fearfully and wonderfully made, that I am made in His image.  Hebrews 2: 6-7 says, "But one in a certain place testified saying, what is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitist him? (7) Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and did set him over the works of thy hands".  How can I be worthless or a failure if God did that for me?

In Romans 8:28 tells me, "and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose".  There is a reason this mess happened, several reasons, and me being a failure isn't one of them.  I may have failed to listen to God as well as I should have, but we have become even closer as I cling to Him for comfort and strength.  And He does comfort me.  Through His word, through songs, through this beautiful place I live, He comforts me.  

Through this situation that I have been placed in, God has been faithful.  He has shown me small things that are really quite amazing when you think about them, like this next picture.

Believe it or not this is a snail trail.  Who knew snails were musical, God does.  This helps me see that God is in control.  He cares for me.  He LOVES me.  He loves ME.  So, that means I need to stifle those nasty voices in my head, which isn't easy.  We have, after all, been together for a very long time.  But I need to listen to God's voice, follow His lead, wherever it takes me, because that is going to be the most awesome journey I will ever take.

Father,
I love You so much.  You make my heart so full.  How marvelous are Your works.  Thank You for showing me these small things.  Thank You for lightening my heart.  Thank You for loving Me, even when I am unloveable.  Father, direct my every step to walk on Your path.  Guide my heart.  Renew Your Holy Spirit in me each day.  Father, help me to stop listening to the wrong voices.  Please help me to not only believe in You, but believe You.  I praise Your Holy Name.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Peace

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14: 27


That is what I experienced for the first time in a long time the other day.  I had been praying for a situation that didn't really involve me, but concerned me because I love those involved. So I faithfully prayed and was rewarded with a wonderful peace about the situation.  

What a wonderful feeling to feel that wonderful peace that passes all understanding.  Why don't I listen and follow directions more often?  Hmmmm, kids do the same thing and I wonder the same about them.  I guess it is the human condition.  Think about the Israelites wandering in the desert for forty years.  Plus they added whining and complaining.  Wow, the Bible really steps on my toes. But, that is a good thing because it makes me grow in Christ and that is what I want most of all. 

Now I don't know exactly how my prayer was answered, but it really doesn't matter.  God has let me know that He will take care of it and I don't need to worry, which I tend to do. Even if it is something that is not my problem.  In Philippians 4:6-7 it says, "Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  (7)  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus".  I have to remind myself of this verse a lot.

Why is it that we read God's promises, and the Bible tells us over and over again, don't worry, God will take care of it; and then we worry about everything?  I don't understand me or anyone else for that matter.  Again, looking back at the Israelites, they were constantly worrying about where the food would come from, which God provided abundantly.  Then, where is the water, which God made available out of rocks.  They worried about protection from the other people whose lands they were pass through, God protected them.

Even Abraham and Issac worried.  When Abraham went through Egypt he told Sarah to tell everyone she was his sister so he would be treated well and not killed for her because she was a beautiful woman.  Issac did the same thing.  God would have protected them, in face He still did because the king was a little upset about it since he did think she was beautiful and wanted her for his own.

I guess this is something I really need to work on and I need God's help to do it.

Dear Father,
Thank you for the peace and the answer to my prayer.  Help me Father to not worry but take it to You and leave it with Your. 

In Jesus Name,
Amen

To Leap or Not to Leap...

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter weekend.  Our church service was amazing.  The whole thing really spoke to me and confirmed, yet again, that I am to step out in faith.

Now normally I'm a leap before I look kinda gal, but lately I have been very cautious.  I would like to say I don't know why, but I do.  I like how things are going in my life, at least most of them.  I like being able to do what I want to do.

God has been speaking.  A lot.  I have been seeing things in scripture, books I've been reading, sermons I have listened to, all saying the same thing.  Trust me, step out in faith.  So I am.  One step at a time.  I am creating a studio in my home so that I will have a place to do some creating.  I haven't done any in a while.  I miss it.  Since I have an extra bedroom in my house, I thought it would make a lovely studio.  Right now it is a storage room.  So goodbye junk, hello pretty room with a window with a great inspiring view.

What do I create?  I sew quilts and clothes, I knit and crochet, and I'm learning bookbinding.  I think it will be so cool to make journals.  All kinds of journals.  That is something else I like to do, journaling.  Now I can make my own journals.  Maybe someday I will post a few pictures of my creations.  For now, I need to get busy in that room.

Father,
Thank you for not giving up on me, for continuing to speak to me and guide me.  Father, I ask for inspiration and time to do the things I love.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey...

Since I mentioned what this blog was originally intended to be, I decided to share a little of what we have here in the Umpqua Valley. It is actually more than one valley and is called the 100 Valleys of the Umpqua.  It is really quite gorgeous.  It is my promised land.

So there you have it, a little taste of what the Umpqua Valley has to offer, and believe me this is just a taste.  There is so much more.

Gracious Father,
Thank you for blessing me with such a beautiful and bountiful place to live.

In Jesus Name,
Amen