Thankful Thursday

I joined a Bible Study several weeks ago.  We are currently going through the life of David, looking at how he (and we) are anointed for a specific purpose.

I am thankful for:
1. The study...it is helping me to refocus my life in a way I've wanted to for a long time but haven't had the umph to do.
2. God's anointing...that He gives us a purpose and then prepares us for that purpose.
3. Forgiveness.  We all sin.  Daily.  And to know that I can, and SHOULD, let go of my past sins because they are already forgiven truly amazes me.  I don't need to "Moan and groan" about things I did in my past...I need to focus on preparation for my purpose as well as living fully today.
4. Redemption.

And I'm thankful for YOU.  

That you keep coming back, and you keep supporting me.  

And hopefully, in a small way, what you read here keeps supporting you.

ABC's of Swizz...

A - Age: 37
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: I hate laundry.  It makes my hands dry.
D - Dog(s') name: Hershey and Skittles, although technically I just live with them.  They're not mine.
E - Essential start your day item: Coffee!!!!! And a good book...
F - Favorite color: Purple
G - Gold or Silver or Platinum: Platinum
H - Height: 5'2"
I - Instruments you play(ed): viola, clarinet, piano
J - Job title: Previously, teacher.  Now, Momma!
K - Kid(s): JMonster (4)
L - Living arrangements: House, attached to another house.  But NOT a duplex!
M - Mom's name: Barbara
N - Nicknames: Swizz, Sticks, Swizzle Sticks
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Tonsillectomy when I was 10, horrible illness, GAVE birth, ???.
P - Pet Peeve: People who aren't REAL.
Q - Quote from a movie/show: Do or  do not.  There is no try.  (Yoda)
R - Right handed or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: 4.  I am the middle child.  I have 2 older brothers, an identical twin sister, and a younger sister.
T - Time you wake up: 8am.  I am NOT, I repeat NOT, a morning person.
U- Underwear: Yes.  I like them.  I wear them.  They must cover all pertinent parts.  That's all I'm saying about that...
V - Vegetable you dislike: Brussel Sprouts are okay.
W - Why you run late: I hate being early.
X - X-rays you've had: teeth of course, back after my accident, knee, wrists, foot, chest, head...
Y - Yummy food you make:  Homemade Guacamole.  And great cakes with yummy frosting.  And delicious muffins.  Do I need to go on?
Z - Zoo favorite: MONKEYS!!!  And snakes, but I hate to admit that one.

Funny stuff from our Atlanta trip...

Besides having to call Poison Control TWICE for one of the little girls whose family we were staying with (that's a whole other post!), there were several funnies that happened on our trip.  I'll be posting a recap over the next week or so.

And the answer to your question is YES, I eat deer meat.  And YES I like it!

Missional Monday

 

Every morning 13,000 people in the city of Atlanta wake up with no place to call home.
Approximately 2,500 of them are children. Founded in 1986, the Atlanta Children's Shelter provides free, quality day care, emotional support, an educational curriculum for homeless children, and focused social services for their families. Dedicated to helping families overcome the issues that contribute to homelessness, including domestic violence and job loss, the Atlanta Children's Shelter focuses on the long term self sufficiency of the family – which sets us apart from other Atlanta homeless shelters.

Fast Facts

• Our mission is to provide loving, high-quality child development and support services for homeless families striving for self-sufficiency.

• Since opening in 1986, the Atlanta Children's Shelter (ACS) has provided loving care for over 7,700 homeless children and helped guide more than 5,050 homeless families to stable, self-sufficiency.

• ACS provides developmentally-appropriate instruction and activities for children one-month to five years old, Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm.

• All childcare and social services are provided at no cost to families, including Case Management, JobTrack, Permanent Housing Resettlement, Life Skills Workshops and Aftercare Services for formerly-homeless families.

• Single mothers with 1-2 children comprise 85% of the families served. 

• In any given year, 30 to 50% of the families served are fleeing domestic violence or spousal abuse. Another 15% are homeless as a result of job loss.

• The agency’s funding sources are diverse. 90% of the funding comes from private sources including foundations, individuals, employee groups, faith-based institutions, the United Way, corporations and community groups. Only 10% comes from government agencies.

• ACS is accredited for high-quality Early Childcare Program by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a level reached by less than 5% of all childcare in this country.

Please take some time and check out this wonderful organization on their website! See if their mission can help you match your passion with your purpose.

Happy Mother's Day!

I thought I'd share a pic of me with my Mom and two sisters. 

Four Mommas.  

Four very blessed women.

Happy Mother's Day!

Really!?!

This is what I saw when I just checked weather.com.  

Really!?!  

It is MAY 7TH!!!!!  

How does this bode for the rest of the summer? 

I'm Back! And Thankful Thursday...

Yes, I am back!  Not that anyone will read this since I've been gone and now probably have a following in the range of a big goose egg.  But it feels good to be back!  And my camera will arrive in another day with The Rev (JMonster and I flew back while he is driving...) and then I will post to my heart's content about our trip.

And now for Thankful Thursday:
Truly I am thankful that the stomach virus The Rev had last night was just that.  A stomach virus.  Not a heart attack.  Not appendicitis.  Just a plain ol' stomach bug of the puke your guts out all night variety.  I'm also thankful he is well enough after resting all day today to make the drive back tomorrow.

What are YOU thankful for?