Day 24

Today, I am rejoicing in the fact that I will be able to simplify my life due to all the changes in the past few months; I am actually getting a raise in a sense. Now, that Greg is working at Pearson's, I will no longer have to make estimated monthly payments to the IRS. That money can now go to other things. We also know longer need a FAX machine or even our home phone line, so I am considering getting rid of that. I will no longer have to keep up with every little thing we spend money on, for income tax. Greg will not be on the road all the time and he will be getting more exercise doing physical work. I will know where he is during the day and won't have to wonder if he is somewhere having an insulin reaction when I can't get him on the phone. I can now get rid of all the stacks and stacks of boxes, papers, computers, printers, and old parts used for Hunter Engineering. Doing away with all that stuff will actually give me a whole extra room in my house. I will be able to cut Greg's cell phone minutes down because he won't need so many anymore. There won't be as much money coming into the bank account, but there won't be near as much going out, either. I have learned in the past few years, that for me all the hassles of making more money haven't been worth it. Oh, don't get me wrong it has been nice, but now this will be a challenge that I gladly embrace. Thank you, Lord.
P.S. Courtney told us once that we used to have more and more fun before Greg went to work for Hunter Engineering. I think she meant more of what really mattered. I look forward to that simplicity again.

Day 23

Monday, December 27, was day 23
We received a phone call from Gary that Shannon and James had walked off the job, quit. Next, Rhiannon called and asked if Mike should go out there. Greg jumped up and got dressed and headed to Pearson's. By 10:00 or 10:30 Craig and Susan were there. We spent the day working out the details to keep the family business going. Greg started doing the front-end work. Mike was the extra hands and Rhiannon took over the office. Susan and I went to the bank.
At the end of the day. We all ate dinner together and had a business meeting. What started out a horrible day ended quite well. Greg has decided to go back to work full time at Pearson's, which is something he was wanting to do, but just didn't know how to approach it with Shannon and James there. Greg just told me Saturday he was tired of doing what he was doing. Rhiannon has her old job back and the business is back in the hands of the owners, which is where is should have always been anyway.
Now, we are praying for wisdom in what needs to be done for the business to be truly a success. Thank you, Lord for working these things out for us and that it happened at a time when everyone was off work and free to pitch in and help.

Days 20,21,22

Day 20-Friday 24, 2010

I am so very grateful that the Lord is blessing us with another grandchild, to be born in late June.
This is what I opened tonight as an announcement of the up and coming event.



Day 21-Saturday 25, 2010
I am grateful for all the Pearson's. We spent the day with most of them and missed the ones who weren't with us.
Jordan playing with Sean in the toy basket.

Darrell and Craig playing with "Buckey Balls" (?)

The Pearson women plus Gwen Stockholm.

James and Billie Jean

Susan and Craig's family

Gwen and Gary

Day 22 Sunday 26, 2010 I am grateful that Christmas is over. I was not looking forward to it, but it turned out great. I think it is because I had no expectations this year, I was just grateful for whatever happened and I wasn't disappointed. It is time to get on with "real" life now.

Day 19

I am grateful that I am almost finished with Courtney's Christmas presents. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. I still want to make Sean and Darrell some matching sleeping pants. Maybe in the morning.

Day 18

Day 18, which was yesterday, I didn't post
because Greg came in before I had the chance.
I am grateful for Kristen allowing me to watch her girls and make cupcakes and cookies. I was also able to help her out by doing some laundry for her. She thinks the blessing was all hers, but I was blessed as well. Thank you, Kristen for sharing your beautiful little ladies with me.

Today I am thinking about how grateful I am

for my mother, Alice Louise Smith Smith. That

sure caused a lot of confusion through the years. We would be asked our mother's maiden name and when we said Smith we would have to explain.

Mom is the one who has kept our family together, being mediator and getting us all together. Growing up she was like a friend. We always had so much fun together and she wasn't always bossy trying to fit me into a mold.

Once I remember a friend and I wanted to go to Shreveport and buy tickets for an ELO concert. We skipped school and the next day I just told Mom what I had done and she wrote me a note for school.

I think her giving me freedom kept me from wanting to rebel.

A good Monday

Greg and I were able to spend some time together today. We rode past this painting in downtown Kirbyville and I took a picture. Greg's great grandfather use to sit on a bench that was located on the side of this building. A few years back some took an old photo of the men and painted them on the side of the building. Greg's great grandfather is the second from the right.




Today, I made three of these aprons. Wednesday I am going to keep Kristen's girls and we are going to bake cookies.
Every good cook needs an apron.

Day 15 and 16

I am half way through my month of gratitude.
Day 15 I am grateful for Jesus who loves me and has called me to be His. I don't have to work to earn His love, He just freely gives it. When I mess up He isn't waiting to hammer on me or expecting me to do penance. He delights in me. Thank you, Jesus

Day 16 Today I was at a used bookstore in Jasper. I have been looking for the book "The Gingerbread Man". As I was digging through the books I mentioned to the Lord that I would sure like to find that little book. No begging, just mentioned it and in a few minutes as I flipped through the books there it was. Thank you, Lord. Later, Greg came to Jasper to help me with the truck. It had been making a noise. He started driving it and it wouldn't make the noise much. I asked the Lord to let the truck make the noise so Greg could hear it and sure enough it did. Thank you, again Lord.

Days 10 - 14

The assignment was to write in my gratefulness journal every night. I have been keeping up with it on my blog and I haven't been on for a while. Greg doesn't like me to be on the computer when he is home. I will catch up now.

Day 10 I am grateful for all the students God has brought into my life. It challenges me every day to have to talk to and relate to other people. I am rather anti-social alot of times. I could stay home for days and not leave. I even avoid people I know when I see them in public because I don't want to have to talk.. Courtney thinks I am a snob.

Day 11 I am grateful for the East Texas winters. I can not imagine living in a place where it snows and stays freezing for most of the winter. I enjoy a break in the cold for a few days here and there.

Day 12 I am grateful for my bed. I smile just thinking about climbing in under the covers. I was reading a book and it was saying the people slept on straw mats on the floor. If I had to do that I would be so sore and probably have a headache. It might be good thought because I wouldn't want to stay in a cozy bed for too long.

Day 13 I am grateful for the things the Lord is teaching me. I must give of myself more and more and allow Him to use me. What is the purpose in living if all I do is indulge in things that are all for me. There are so many hurting, needy people out there and many times all I think about is going to the store and buying things I don't really need.

Day 14 I am grateful I have a job that gets two weeks off at Christmas, a week in the spring, plus other days here and there, and three months off in the summer.

Day 9

Today, I am grateful that I can wake up tomorrow and go to work at Newton High School. I have contact with so many people and it is a great ministry field.

Day 8

God has blessed me with so many friends and for that I am truly grateful. There are Shari and Don Gunter, Billy and Cathy Gallop, Toppy and Jeanette McLemore, Debbie and Allen Duncan, Mike and Linda Haley, and others. I know if I had a need any of these people would be there for me. If I just called them up to visit we could have great fellowship. Thanks to all my friends.

Our of order

Oops! my journaling pages got out of order and I don't know how to switch them. Oh, well.

Day 6

Today, I am grateful for my home. It is small, old and needs a lot of repairs, but I can still come in, shut the door and spent time alone or with Greg. I can be me. It is my Fairhaven; my safe harbor.

Day 5

I am behind on posting in my gratitude journal, but each day I think about what I am thankful for. Day five it is Greg again. We had a family meeting with some of Greg's family; I am always amazed that Greg knows just what to say and has such insight. I am always proud that he is my husband.

Day 7

I am grateful today for the ability to create things.
I am so glad that through the years I learned how to sew and do crafts. I get joy out of making things especially when I am able to make something for someone else. This is my great niece, Josie's, birthday present. I bought the turtleneck and leggings and made the too too.(I don't think that is how it is spelled.) I glued fuzzy black balls on it. Some ladies at Hobby Lobby were saying they are all the rage and kids are wearing them over their clothes. I thought it was cute, I hope she does.

Day 4

Today, I am grateful for Courtney. I am so very blessed that she
was never rebellious or made bad choices that ruined her life. She is a wonderful wife and mother, she has a sound mind, loves the Lord and wants the best of life. Thank you, Courtney, for being such a blessing.

Day 3

I am so grateful that I finished college like my father desired for me. He always wanted for me
to have a way to make a living if ever necessary. My junior year I wanted to quit for a while, but something drove me on. Now, I am able to work and provide medical insurance through my job. I hear women talking who work minimum wage jobs and I am so very glad I can work and make a decent amount of money for my time. I know it was the Lord that directed my steps, I am so grateful that he leads me despite my ignorance. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Day 2

Today, I am grateful that Greg finally told the young lady down the street that he couldn't take her to the store. One of our neighbors is a young single mom. She is always calling Greg needing this or that or wanting a ride somewhere. He finally told her that from now on if she needed something to call me and ask. He told her it wasn't right for a married man to be taking her places and doing things for her. It isn't a good witness. Thank you, Greg

Gratitude Journal Entry One "My Dad"

I am now an official member of the Farmgirl Sisterhood. One of the merit badges is on gratitude. The project is to write in a journal everyday for a month about something I am grateful for and nothing can be repeated. I thought I would keep up with some of them here. I wanted to start yesterday, but never had time to slow down and write, but I know what I am grateful for. So, here is yesterday's entry.

12/4/2010

I am grateful for my father who was always there for me, with my best interest in mind. When I graduated from high school he wrote me a letter and in it he told me that as a baby he had dedicated me to the Lord. I know that this has been the number one factor in making me who I am today. I have not or am not now perfect, but my entire life I have had a heart to seek the Lord.

Dad was always willing to pay for lessons or let me try new things or go places and do things that would make my life full. I know now, there were times in which we didn't have the money for these things, but back then I didn't know it. Once I asked if I could take ice skating lessons and he told me, yes. Even though the skating rink wasn't close to our house and it would cost he still was willing to let me if that was what I wanted. I ended up thinking about it and decided not to, but the fact that he was willing has always impressed me.

He made our lives very full with family vacations and weekend trips. I have so many fond memories.

I love you, Dad. Thank you

Courtney and Darrell came in for Thanksgiving. It was nice to see them and Sean, too.