31 days of Thanks with 31 days of Homeschool Encouragement

Guess what? I have a little 
big fat surprise for you! 
(I love surprises - don't you?) Well, this kind anyway. 

This is the really GOOD kind 
of surprise. 

For today's homeschool encouragement - I'm teaming 
up with a wonderful group of bloggers to bring you   
over $1450 worth 
of Happy Happy Joy Joy big time Homeschool Mama - you deserve it - Encouragement! Yup  REALLY! 



31 Days of Thanks leading up to Thanksgiving - of course. 31 bloggers bringing you Thanksgiving each day leading up to the holiday combined with the fabulous giveaway is sure to keep our hearts and minds in the right place as we approach the big day. 

It isn't so difficult to remember to be thankful as we gather around the table for a big Thanksgiving feast. This time of year, folks remember to bring out the "thankful trees" where they hang notes about the things they are thankful for in their lives. 

I think that is a wonderful idea! Last year - we used a "gratitude calender" leading up to the holiday - when we gathered around as a family and then read them out loud - from Mommy and Daddy and from each of the boys in their own words as we shared what we are grateful for in our lives. It's a good thing to do. 

It's not usually much longer after that when the stress of the Christmas holidays begins to creep its way in. I've tried hard not to get swept up in it all. But, I've never completely succeeded at getting through this time of the year without a fair amount of hustle bustle and s.t.r.e.s.s.

This year I am determined to do better. But, I cannot do it without a plan. 
What, you ask, is my plan? I'm glad you asked.

What if I were to take this whole gratitude thing a bit further? I know - crazy. If I were to intentionally focus, set my mind each day, on the things I'm most grateful for - perhaps - just maybe - I can hold on to it through the pressure of the season. 

I have a tendency to run out of energy. I have physical pain to contend with daily. When I add shopping, extra food shopping, cleaning the house for company, cleaning the house in general, cooking in general - never mind homeschooling the kids and holiday parties - 
I . get . tired. 

I need to plan ahead to combat this problem. I have a list going of things to take care of now - immediately. I will clear those things before the end of the month so that I go into November with my mind on things above! I'm going to use the first couple of weeks of November to go ahead with the cleaning and organizing - just little at a time. And, you know what I'm going to be thinking about? I'm going to be thinking about how thankful I am to have a house to clean - and children to clean up after - over and over again. 

I'm going to be thankful I have children to teach, and a family to feed. When I forget to be thankful, when I begin to get caught up - I'm going to stop in my tracks and quote my mantra. Are you ready? 

Colossians 3:17 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

If I keep my eyes on Jesus, I can be thankful as I unload the dishwasher for the umpteenth time.
I have a dishwasher. I have dishes. I have running water.  

Psalm 23:5

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine 

enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; 

my cup runneth over. 

When my body hurts and I cannot finish what needs to be done, I can be thankful I have medicine. I have a bed to rest in. I have a husband and family willing to help me. I am loved.

Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

 for his steadfast love endures forever.

When my children make a mess all over the house or put their dirty hands on the walls or the glass I've just worked hard to clean (and they will - oh, they will) I can give thanks to the Lord  
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  They are creative? . . . . . ok- I'm still working on this one. 

Acts 24:3

In every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.

Even the mess. Maybe even - especially the mess! 

Do you have a plan to remember to stay thankful when life gets messy? 

Now for the fun - check out the fun loot in the giveaway: 

Isn't it awesome? New prizes each week so be sure to follow along from here. 

Now use the Rafflecopter below to enter giveaway - winners announced on Saturday 

a Rafflecopter giveaway



linking with:  God Bumps Welcome Home  The Wellspring #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday -  Gratituesday   Soli Deo Gloria         From My Mountain View     Titus 2's Days - Good Morning Girls  Thankful Thurs  Thursday Quick Tip   What Works Wed   Works-4-Me