The Thank You Note

Last Friday evening was a rare treasure. All the kids were able to clear their schedules for a few hours so we could BBQ and have a meal together. Even my son’s roommate was able to make it.

We ate, we laughed, we listened, and we just had a great time all being together. This mom was in mommy heaven!!!

Early the next morning my son dropped by and gave me the note above. It was a thank you note from his roommate. The note totally made my day because I couldn’t imagine a college age guy going home and writing a thank you! His kind words lifted my spirits for the day.

That thank you note got me to thinking about my own habits of thankfulness. Although I am very thankful and blessed I have to say at the moment – my habits of showing thankfulness are lacking. If I remember to thank friends it certainly isn’t the day after. The more I pondered my spirit of thankfulness, I realized I show the same lackadaisical attitude with God. I would fall in the category of the nine lepers on many days.

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and
Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Luke 17:11-19 NIV

Friend, I think it’s time I go write a thank you note to some very dear people, as well as to God.

Have you written a thank you note lately?

Get Revived

Join me this week at the Women's Online Conference - Get Revived! A four-day conference for $12.95. All in the comforts of your own home. Woo Hoo!!

This conference is about taking your foundation and building upon it according to God's design. We are not all the same. Each of us are unique in our gifts and talents and the way God would have us to use them. A Woman Inspired by God's Word and His design for her life is unstoppable in her pursuit of His destiny for her. For some that may be as a writer; a doctor; an arborist; a teacher; an organizer; a blogger; a hair stylist; an interior designer; a speaker; or anything else that God may have planned for you. We pray that the principles you are taught during this conference will help you to become closer to His design.God has brought together an incredible group of women to express these principles in practical ways. They will speak truth into your life while encouraging you to also seek it for yourself. This is a divine appointment. Will you be there?

Check it out and join us. It's not too late. Will you be there? I will!

Two-for-One Conference Special

How would you like a free ticket to be able to invite a friend to the Living the Life Women's Conference to be held in Corpus Christi, Texas September 18-19th at the Selena Auditorium?

Who wouldn't want a FREE ticket, right?

During the month of April if you order a ticket for $25 you will receive a free ticket. It's a twofer'! Woo Hoo

Check out Living the Life Ministries web site and register today. Sign up to receive monthly newsletters here.

God will do amazing things that weekend. You don't want to miss out.

Amaze a friend today with a free ticket. This offer expires April 30th.

If you don't live in Corpus Christi - don't fret. Contact me about hosting a Living the Life Conference in your area.

Third Day

I was treated to an awesome day last Sunday. My cousin, Leslie, asked if I wanted to join her and her mom at the Third Day concert. (Side note: thanks Brian for getting sick - sorry!) Of course, I said yes. We went and ate before hand and had a wonderul relaxing evening.


When we finished eating Leslie gets a phone call from another friend. She tells us that rows 1-5 are meet and greet. Our tickets were row 5. We couldn't believe it!



We hurried over and sure enough they ushered us back to meet the boys. We got a free CD and they each signed it! I could have even brought my big camera, but we didn't know. So instead I whipped out my little handy-dancy Kodak Easyshare I thought I was going to have to sneak in. haha



It was a day to remember for sure. But the best was when the band took the stage. There aren't words to describe the feelings of that moment.



Here's Leslie meeting the guys! And Mac Powell singing his heart out . . . on the third day HE rose again.

This is the Revelation tour. Third Day is touring with Revive (awesome, you have to check them out) and (Give Me Eyes) Brandon Heath.

Wrapping up the evening they all joined up on stage.

It was a glorious day. Tell me about one of your recent awesome days.

Friends

What a great week of friends! I love it. Of course, I’ve said before I’m a sanguine personality, which means I live for friends.

Friends have crossed my path in different ways this week. First off, I met some incredible women at the Women of Strength conference I spoke at. I was amazed at how God brought us together for that day. It was a pleasure to serve and encourage them. Girls, I look forward to hearing from you.

Plus, I love all my new friends from the UBP. (See UBP Post here.) Thanks guys and gals for stopping by. You brighten my day and I can’t wait to get to know you more. Your homes on the web are so inviting. I’ll be popping in often.

I’ve also been blessed by friends from the past, this week. If you haven’t heard of facebook.com, you might want to check it out. It’s a site where you can keep in contact with those you know. But this week I’ve been reconnected with friends I grew up with. What a nice surprise!

And then a precious friend who has moved to New Mexico came back to visit. We have spent the week just catching up, hanging out and encouraging one another. She is a wonderful friend with a heart of gold. I’m dragging, needless to say. We’ve had some very late nights, but I ain’t complainin’ . . .

I’m just amazed at the gift of friendship.

Don't forget to leave a comment this week to be entered into a random drawing for my book Dirty Laundry Secrets - A Journey to Meet the Launderer!

Potential Friends

This weekend my 15 year old daughter bounded up to me joyfully saying, “Mom, I’ve made a potential new friend.”

She was so excited and cute. Yes, you can guess, she is a sanguine just like her mom. To us, friends are life. We can never have enough.

This weekend I have the opportunity for more “potential” friends. I leave Thursday morning to speak at a conference in Dallas. This sanguine says, “Woo Hoo, new friends.”

New friends are precious. They make my day!

Old friends are gems. I can’t live without them!

Best of friends let:

You hang out at their home in your PJ’s.
You drive on road trips and enjoy the LONG drive.
You sit silently with them in times of crisis.
You hang out at their pool all summer.
You encourage and support them.
You stretch and push them to become more.
You agree to disagree.
You drink coffee late at night then stay up and visit with you.
You be yourself and still love you.
You blog about yourself and they read it!

Who wouldn’t want more friends like that?

The gift of friendship is an amazing gift from God.

Christmas Memories

This is one of my favorite snow globes. Hubby got it for me years ago. The three kids decorating the tree resembled our kids. (OK, Blake didn’t dress in knickers! Hubby made me quit dressing Blake like that when he turned two.)

I love this scene though. I gaze into it and it brings back wonderful memories. Snow globes – they capture a stand still moment where all is calm, peaceful and bright. But outside that snow globe is “real life”.

Real life filled with real memories. Memories. Some put a smile on your face, some bring a tear to your eye but all are worth having. Here are a couple of my favorites this season:

I love zebras. When I was growing up I collected them. Every year my best friend, Debbie, would get me one. Thanks Debbie. I bet you didn’t think I still had them.

This year I am really missing all the homemade ornaments the kids would make at school. Yarn crosses, decorated popsicle sticks and painted Christmas balls. I have a small tree decorated with all these treasures and I love to reminisce as I decorate.

One fun memory – actually we call it tradition now – is that Hubby leaves an envelope of money in the tree for me and the kids. It’s always the last thing we do on Christmas morning – ransack the tree for our hidden treasure. I’m not sure what Hubby is thinking this year, but he already but the envelope in the tree. He knows how I hate surprises and suspense. You think he’d notice if I opened it, looked inside, and resealed it?

Memories of family and friends are so precious!

Take time this holiday season to reminisce and recall days gone by.

It’s amazing what little things you can remember.

Merry Christmas!

Give-Aways

I am so thankful for each of you. I love your comments, emails and phone calls.

The three random give-aways from all the comments left last week go to Edie, Bonnie, and Darlene. Please email me a physical address where you'd like your give-aways sent.

I’m a little distressed today. I’ll share the horrible story tomorrow.

You'll be amazed. No, you'll be sad. No, maybe you'll laugh; chances are you might cry.

Blessings.

Speechless!

To Anonymous: The best book for individual personality testing is Personality Plus by Florence Littauer. Check out this post. Email me for more information.

What an incredible month! It has been a whirl wind here in the Snodgrass household, but such a great time. I’m left breathless, tired, and . . .

Speechless!

We kicked October off in the most incredible way with the Living the Life Women’s Conference. WOW – did God show up in big ways! (contact me if you'd like more information about hosting the LTL conference in your area) He moved powerfully in many women’s life that weekend – including mine.

Speechless!

I was touched by all those who contributed in some fashion to make the weekend a success, for those who came and worshipped with all their heart and for those who have shared with me afterwards how God has changed you! To my hubby and daughter - you rock! Sandra, Tamara, Shonda and Mary God used you to minister to me that weekend.

Speechless!

I can't describe the privilege I feel when any of you call, email or contact me when you are struggling, hurting, needing prayer or just looking to share ideas. Thank you for trusting me enough to share your heart and soul.

Speechless!

This weekend I had the honor of being the photographer at my little flower girls wedding! She’s grown up! She didn’t even pull her dress up over her head and dance around like she did at my wedding. Believe me – I was waiting with the camera in hand! No, she was absolutely breath-taking and I was left . . .

Speechless!

I’ve spent days in Photoshop. My brain is dead and I’m . . . ba-de, ba-de, ba-de

Speechless!

I'm so excited. Hubby and I get to sneak away to Canada. A friend is getting married there and we are taking extra time to do some traveling -- and rest. No kids, no phone, no computer -- just hubby! Life is grand. I absolutely can’t wait.

I'm Speechless!

October was Incredible!

God is Amazing!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses. Whiskers on kittens. NOT!!!

Brightly colored spirals. New friends. YES!

Friday I hit the jackpot. I received two of my favorite things in one day.

I had just filled up my last spiral with prayers, scriptures, messages from God and scribbles of to-do lists and it was time to search out the next spiral.

This is an exciting search for me. It all came to be because years before I would try to emulate what others did for personal growth, quiet, and prayer time. I would do exactly as they say and it just wouldn’t work for me. Hmph!

I finally realized I had to find what worked for ME! (Read here.) And it had to be something that fired me up and helped me keep my commitment to a daily time with God - to study, pray and listen.

What worked for me was figuring out how to incorporate brightly colored spirals into my daily routine. All through school, I loved the days when I got to pick out new school supplies and mainly my new colored spirals.

Yes, I love the bright colors! But the coolest is cracking that spiral open – it’s clean, unmarked, and unused – and wondering what God will reveal in the course of filling up this spiral. It’s an adventure waiting just for me!

Hmmm, I just remembered I loved colored paper too! Especially the pink. Is colored paper around still? Where? Tell me!
After finding the perfect spiral that is soon going to hold some precious prayers and personal nuggets from God, I met a new friend for lunch.

We visited and I was so encouraged! It is amazing who God will put in your path right when you need encouragement. (Read here.)


We had so much in common – passions, desires, backgrounds – that it felt like we had been friends forever.

I was lost in conversation when she says, “Alene, do you know how long we’ve been here?”

I had not a clue. I was just basking in her encouragement and the sun streaming through the windows. It seemed like minutes, but we had been visiting for over three hours. I can honestly say that is just what God ordered for me.

What are your favorite things?

Amazingly, through a new spiral and a new friend God lavished on me encouragement, focus, love and hope.

Should I Be Offended

After a glo-o-ri-ious weekend with many girlfriends from all over the city, my body has had a come-apart!

I woke up at 5:30am Monday to begin my prayer time and by 7am I was SO sick! I have come down with the stomach flu! Just in case you’re wondering – this is NOT fun. I’m not very good at doing things that aren’t fun. Ha

Each evening as hubby and my daughter tuck me in they insist we need to spray the house with Lysol Disinfectant. Hmmm? Don’t you think that’s a little rude?

I’m not sure whether I should be amazed that they are trying to protect themselves from my viruses or just plain offended.

What do you think?

Sshh – don’t tell them, I’ve been spraying myself with the stuff hoping to get well sooner!

Bloggin' Blessings

I realized this last week that I’ve missed two important dates. My anniversary and birthday!

OK – it was my blogiversary, birth date and 100th post. Just like me to miss something so very important.

Actually, what’s important is YOU! I have been blessed by YOU over the past year. This weekend alone truly proves that. I can’t thank YOU enough for your comments, phone calls, emails and text messages asking about my family’s safety. Your prayers and encouragement came always at just the right time.

As the storms path changed with each weather report, so did our plans. It was crazy but peaceful. Knowing you were praying was comforting. Please, please, please - pray for all those in the path of Hurricane Ike. We have wonderful friends living in the Houston area and it is BAD!!

YOU and your prayers got me through this weekend when my daughter up on the Texas/Louisiana border was experiencing tornadoes, power failure and hurricane force winds due to Hurricane Ike. Your messages and texts came at just the right time when I hadn’t heard from my son and come to find out he was out on the island. Surfing! OH, don't even get this mamma started on that one!

I remember asking my hubby earlier this year, “Do you think I’ll ever get to meet any of my bloggy friends?” Well, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some of YOU and I was blessed. For those of YOU I don’t know personally yet, I feel like I do! YOU are a precious blessin’ to me.

I’ve learned so much about YOU the past year:

YOU watched me become addicted.
YOU love to party.
YOU love to pray. Please pray for our friends in Galveston and Houston!
YOU love a good makeover.
YOU wished me happy anniversary when I forgot. Oops!
YOU love a great laugh. (and your personal space)
YOU are a great fashioniesta. (tv spot was rescheduled due to the storm)

YOU amaze me!

Perfect Timing for a Fiesta

It was perfect timing!

I arrived in San Antone just in time to swing by the airport and meet my ministry partner Ginger Moore, VP at Speaking Thru Me Ministries (STMM). What a treat! I felt like I already knew her as we visited for hours before the Living Proof and Siesta Fiesta event started.

“You must be another Leigh Gray!” Those were my welcoming words to the Siesta Fiesta. Not so perfect timing, ha!

It was time I explained. My name was Alene and I’m from Texas not Tennessee. Leigh had an accident days before the event and with agreement from all parties I was to take on her identity and use her tickets all weekend. I was found out upon arrival! (check Leigh’s blog and please pray for her recovery)

As I walked in I was greeted by Shonda with a warm hug and smile! Perfect timing! How cool to have blogging buddies and finally meet them in person. Shonda, love ya girl – can’t wait to work with you at the Living the Life Conference in Corpus.

The next WOW was meeting Leah! Another ministry partner at STMM. She was more precious than in blogland. Once again I felt I had known her forever. It is really a small world these days.

Participating in the Siesta Fiesta events was a hoot. Meeting girlfriends from all over the US was a huge blessing. The hilarious thing was we knew each other by our blogging names not our real names! Lopsided Halo, Crown Laid Down, Jenny Hope, The Simple Wife. Crack me up!!

As we arrived Saturday morning we had an opportunity to meet Amanda Moore Jones, Beth’s daughter. What a pleasure! Amanda is expecting their second and her husband, Curtis is booked to speak at the STMM conference in the Fall of 2009.

Spending two hours in a special Q&A session with Beth and her girls was definitely perfect timing. There were group pictures, girl talk (hair, make-up, boobs, daily schedules, babies, etc.) and lots of laughs. How I wish you all could have been there!

Beth’s word for the weekend was INHERITANCE! My mind reels as I take her message in. Not only do you and I have an inheritance waiting us in heaven, but God is waiting for His inheritance, His possession, US! That thought definitely leaves me speechless!

Speechless! You say, really? OK - I know you don’t think so after I’ve written so much. It’s hard to write about an awesome experience and not make it sound so cliché.

Seriously, I’m processing each and every amazing moment of the weekend. It was perfect timing!

Insurance Called Faith

The road of discipleship is not straight. There will be a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, and caution lights called Family. You will have flats called temptations. But if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, and a driver named Jesus, you will make it to your destination.

Amen!

I would ask your prayers these next couple of days as I travel to Houston with a friend and her 12 year old son for some medical testing. Pray for clear results from the tests, an extra measure of wisdom for the doctors; along with peace, comfort and strength for my precious friends.

Momma Mia!

As Hubby told you, we celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary last week. Thank you for your sweet comments and emails. It seems only a few months ago when the kids threw us a party for our 25th. We spent the day together and went to the movie Momma Mia! We both loved it. You certainly leave with a smile on your face. Just my kind of movie, for sure.

The girls and I met my oldest best friends and their moms in the hill country for a girl’s weekend. Just my kind of weekend, too!!!

We stayed on the lake. It was like heaven. If I could wake up to the sun rising over the lake every morning instead of an alarm I think I’d become a morning person. Well, maybe?

The friends we met were my daughter’s best friends in high school. They were and are great accountability partners for one another. Each of them are incredible Christians. They are true friends and speak the truth in love.

My daughters’ sophomore year she was seeing a guy who wasn’t – well, she just didn’t need to be seeing him. Of course my daughter wasn’t listening to her parents. We were oddballs and didn’t have a clue what she was going through. She was so wrapped up in this situation she couldn’t see straight.

Her best friends finally intervened and spoke the truth to her. Did it hurt? Yes. Did it almost cost them their relationship? Yes. Was it awkward and strained? Yes.

During that time, those girls earned my total respect. They were TRUE friends. (read this weeks devotional) They truly cared for my daughter. I admired their boldness and was on my knees praying God would open my daughters eyes and that God would heal their relationships eventually. Prayers were answered.

These are special friends. The three moms have been there for each other. Our daughters are scattered all over Texas at the moment. Our prayer is they will be close in distance again one day soon.

This weekend we all went to see Momma Mia! I had to see it again! We, moms, loved it. We are the singing and dancing kind of gals. Our girls were howling with laughter. They thought it was so corny it was hilarious.

There would have been no better movie for three moms to take their daughters to. You'll see why if you go see it . . .

I’m reminded today of the Michael W. Smith song Friends.

Chorus: And friends are friends forever, if the Lords the Lord of them.

What a blessing to have a true friend! It's amazing.

Summer Reading Program

Do you remember book mobiles? I do. I remember growing up and during the summer the Book Mobile would come by our neighborhood. The old library bus would come down our street and my best friend and I would be there waiting. It would be scorching hot and as we entered the bus it was cool, damp and smelt of old musty books. I can still smell it.

While I don’t have a Book Mobile that comes through my neighborhood, I still love summer reading. I usually stock up on a handful and count the days until I can laze by the pool with a book and highlighter. Pure heaven! (I have to have a pen or highlighter when I read, do you?)

My daily reads are:
The One Year Bible (I changed versions this year – love it!)
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
God Calling (edited by AJ Russell)

I just finished reading: (these are MUST reads – incredible)
The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus
Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley
Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby

My summer reading program:
Finding Our Way Again by Brian McLaren
The 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell
The Tabernacle: Shadows of the Messiah by David Levy
Irresistible Revolution - living as an ordinary radical by Shane Claiborne

While I take a few days to conquer some writing deadlines (prayers would be appreciated), please let me know what you’re reading. We can learn from each other. There are so many incredible books out there. Amazing!

Remember “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”

Join the summer reading program.

Gift of Friendship

I was reminded this past weekend how incredible the gift of friendship. There were many friends and family in town for Blake’s graduation. It was a whirlwind of activity and fun.

Blake and his friends met at IHOP before they led worship at BURN 24/7. Blake got food poisoning and had a rotten night. He was able to lead worship and his friends cared for him. He and his friends truly try to live out their Christian walk day-in and day-out before others.

Courtney, our oldest, was in town and her best friends from high school were here too. They hung out at the house all weekend. It was just like old times. I loved it. It was just as if no time had passed. We laughed, we giggled and we made plans for future meetings. This group of three girls has been there for each other through thick and thin. Distance didn’t matter as they went off to college; if one called they were there.

It has been amazing watching the kids grow-up. They have made phenomenal choices for friends. Even our youngest at fourteen has made wise choices chosing her friends. Each of our children have chosen friends to hold them accountable in their Christian walk. This mom has been most amazed and incredibly proud.

They have absolutely modeled and exemplified

Ecclesiastes 4:10, “If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

My eyes were opened to true friendship. Who are those that will be there for me when I need a friend? Who will be there to pick me up when I stumble? Or better yet confront me before I waiver?

Who will be there for you? Who has your back? Who can you count on through thick and thin?

Lord, thank you for the amazing people you put in our paths. I continue to be amazed at how blessed I am. Let me be a blessing to others.

Father's Day Request

Great news! Bryan and Leslie’s little boy, Will, who we’ve all been praying for is in the clear. All of his tests have come back negative! WOO HOO Praise God.

I saw Bryan and Leslie this weekend. They are the most encouraging people you’d ever want to meet. You always walk away with a perk in your step after you've been around them.

Bryan asked if you all would help him out. He is giving the Father’s Day sermon at his church and he’d like your feedback. What advice would you have for a new father?

God is amazing how He uses each of us to help each other.

Need a Laugh?

This video cracks me up!

The pore penguin. He must have been having an awful day. He's just walking along minding his own business, head hanging low and probably pondering over what to do.

Do I eat more fish or not? Do I have to dive in AGAIN and get supper for my little ones? When will they learn to fish for themselves?

Then there's his friend - whomp!!! He probably said, "get over it" as he pushed him down. Such encouragement?

Ever been there?

I'm still laughing. Hope you are too!

BTW - you are encouragement to me!!!

A Sanguine Needs Friends

Do you know your personality strengths? Or weaknesses? I hope you do. Ten years ago I took my first personality test and it was such an eye opener. I tested out a sanguine. Then I read Florence Littauer’s Personality Plus book and finally felt like somebody understood me. I wasn’t weird after all!

Over the years I’ve retaken that test I don’t know how many times hoping my strengths and weaknesses would change, but . . . NO, I’m still the same ol’ me! Go figure!

Today I’ll share what I love about my personality. I’m fun, a people person, encouraging, and spontaneous. Here are some excerpts about sanguines:

The Sanguine is the life of the party. Truth be told, they would love life to be one big party. Sanguines are motivated by people. Which is great! Sanguines make people feel special because they are always so happy to see you and so interested in what is going on in your life. They are awesome in drama and will jump at the chance to serve others by organizing events. They will need some accountability to hold them on task in between meetings though because "out of sight, out of mind" is often the case.

It’s true, I love people and gain energy from them. Definitely I could live from party to party. This is why the sentence “they will need some accountability to hold them on task” comes into play. It’s hard to live from party to party and stay productive and focused. Urgh!

Tonight I met with my accountability partners and I so needed our time together. We listen, we share, we seek God and urge each other on in this crazy journey called life. I can easily say without these gals I’m not sure how my days would be. Not only are they incredible friends, which I love, they are awesome accountability partners which my personality screams I need.

Thanks to these precious gals I don’t wallow (in Texas we say waller) around in my weaknesses (I’ll share those next!). I'm amazed at how God brought us together to strengthen and encourage each other.

How about you? Do you have friends who pick you up and encourage you along your journey?

Want to know a secret? I count you my friend and I am thankful for your encouraging comments. The birthday wishes from each of you were such a blessing.