When all is Silent Give Thanks

Starting the week off sick made for a long, groggy, and bumpy seven days! While my body is recuperating and the silence still pulses through my soul, I’ve learned . . .

When you have no words or direction, just give thanks!

While I wait to hear or see evidence of the way ahead, I am thankful for you. You who come here day after day. You who leave comments. You who make me laugh! You who journey along side me on this path called life.

This week my favorites are YOU! 

Here's to a few of you.

1. Beth in NC in response to my post Stop for the One Tuesday:

I can't link about it because of the person involved, but this morning I reached out to someone that a lot of Christians are afraid to approach because she is so wounded (and ticked off at Christians). She was overwhelmed and overjoyed that I called her. 

She has a long road to freedom, but needs a lot of prayer and holy intervention.

 Bless you!


Thank you, Beth. May we all have the boldness to do the right thing even when it might not be what others would do. Your kindness just helped this person step further down that road of healing.

2. Anna at www.mylifeandkids.com in response to an old repost If God Created S-E-X

Hey Alene, Your post was one of the top 5 most popular at last week's #findingthefunny! We're featuring you tomorrow - hope to see you then!


Anna, you crack me up! You all need to check her out. She runs a post on Wednesday's about funny life stories. So I reposted a 2 year old post If God Created S-E-X. Still to this day the comments are what crack me up. Check them out - you'll probably get some good ideas too! Plus, I have to say I'm so thankful I can laugh at this story now.

3. Amy at Make Me a Mary sent me this email: "I want you to know how glad I am that you recommended this book to me. I would love to know more about your ministry in the inner city. How did that evolve? How does one even begin to help? Are there opportunities to come down there and help in the summer? Or do you know of opportunities like that elsewhere? I would love to take my kids on a mission trip, but I can't afford overseas for all of us. (I live just outside of Fort Worth.) These books I've been reading are really messing with me. First it was Kisses from Katie, and now I'm reading Interrupted on my Kindle and I'm listening to Radical in audiobook form. Oh, my. I've wasted my entire life thus far. I'm ready to get busy!"


Talk about some encouraging words to be thankful for. You all need to stop by Amy's and while your hopping about stop by Amazon and get those books she listed. THEY WILL MESS YOU UP! And what I'm learning in the silence of my soul - we all need to be messed up. Our hearts need to be stirred. We need to feel the urgency as Amy says, "to get busy!"


4. And there is nothing better than when I ran across this video on my soon-to-be daughter’s Facebook page. An incredible video of my son leading worship in front of thousands of youth. Can you see this momma smiling, crying, singing? Oh my, this is just what the Great Physician ordered.

When all is silent give thanks, praise and worship.


Linking up with Rachel at Finding Joy for Friday Favorite Things.

Happy Birthday Courtney - 24 things I love about you

Popping in today to wish my daughter a Happy 24th Birthday! I hope you'll wish her some fabulous wishes too.

24 Things I Love about You. Courtney

1. I love your smile.
2. I love that you love people.
3. I love that you are mean, I meant, loving to your sister.

4. I love that you admire your brother.
5. I love that you respect your dad.
6. I love the way you make fun of your mom, that would be ME.
7. I love the way you laugh.
8. I love the way you make others laugh.
9. I love how you love family.
10. I love to watch you dance. (You all will too - watch here.)

11. I love how you like to sport your style.
12. I love how you like to help me sport a style. Really, I do. Thanks!
13. I love your dog, Zep -- well, kind of!
14. I love that you are a fighter.
15. I love how you persevere.
16. I love your heart for God.
17. I love how you are so sentimental.
18. I love how you always invite me to lunch -- probably so I can pay, but I love it.
19. I love how you make time for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
20. I love how you like to look tough with a gun!

21. I love how you've always felt comfortable bringing people home.
22. I love how you've always felt free to invite others to supper. (I miss those huge pots of spaghetti)
23. I love how you look out for those who are down and out.
24. I love you, just because you are YOU.

Wanna Be a Mayan and More

If you are new here and would like to subscribe, simply click here.

I thought I'd have a little fun today, because girls just wanna have fun! Today is Friday's Favorite Things over at Finding Joy and I have some favorites to share and be thankful for.

1. My son is crazy talented and creative! I can't explain it. Don't know where he gets it from, but his crazy whelms are always a hoot-and-a-half to witness. With that said, you have got to watch this video. It's my son and his best-man (to-be in May) -- can you just imagine the wedding? It is the Mayan year in 2012 and they have a rap about it. You just might want to be a Mayan before it's all over! Or maybe not?

2. Below is one of my favorite bowls. Not necessarily because it matches anything in my home any more, but because it symbolizes our family. Well, there's a huge problem. I got this just months before I found out I was expecting our third child, Lindsey. So after 18 years I figured surely I can find someone to paint me a baby Lindsey on here so it will be up-to-date, well kind of. Any takers? Any suggestions?

3. I'm loving my new necklace from DaySpring. It's all about Grace and I'm going to need A LOT in 2012 I'm sure! I love the scripture engraved on the back "by the grace of God, I am what I am." (1 Cor. 15:10) What a great reminder to not compare ourselves, our journeys, our strengths, our callings -- by the Grace of God he has made each of us unique. (if you'd like a reminder DaySpring is having great sales - CLICK below and check them out.)

Make sure you find some favorites to be thankful for today!

Friday Favorite Things

I'm linking up with Finding Joy and Bigger Picture Blogs today to talk about my week's favorite things. If you want to join in or read about some favorite things to be thankful for, click the pic or link and head over there now.

Yes, it was an incredible a week! That was written with the tone of "wow, it was awesome!"

There are many favorites for this week, but these top the list:




I've watched a young mom fight through multiple challenges for a year and a half now. Sunday I witnessed that mom step into her role as our churches new Children's Ministry Director. God is working miracles in this girls life. I am so proud of you, Jessica!

Another person I've been watching grow is my son. Getting to go on a "mom and son" date Tuesday was the best. We haven't done that in awhile. It gave us time to talk about the future and his upcoming graduation from college in May. Why do little boys grow up so fast?

Another favorite was watching a class full of GED students come together and celebrate Thanksgiving. I loved the laughter. I loved the smiles. I love watching their self-confidence grow every week.

It was a great week. A favorite week.

How was yours? I want to hear about it.

Living Thankful {my camera}

Do you have a hobby, interest, or special talent? Is it something that causes you to get lost in time?

I have such a thing. It's photography.

I love my camera. Yes, I use it for work, but my favorite all time is to just go out and capture nature, people, things randomly and let them speak to me.

Sometimes seeing the beauty of God's creation is what my heart yearns to capture. (as seen HERE)

Other times the personality of an expression captures my mind and makes me think.

And then there are the snapshots of something that remind me of a life lesson. (HERE or HERE)

Yes, all these precious things make my heart scream capture this!

I am so thankful for my camera and lenses. (thank you God for the way you provide with my camera)

What special interest do you have that makes your heart scream?

Living Thankful {trust}

Trust. It's a five-letter word, but it is HUGE!

Have you ever had someone break the trust you had given them?
    *boyfriend
    *friend
    *pastor
    *confidant
    *child
    *mentor
    *husband

We've probably all experienced that at one point or another in our lives. It hurts. It stings. It bites.

There's no easy bandage or fix. It takes time to repair and mend that break.

Trust is only earned or rebuilt over time.

When I first began teaching at the Westside campus, I was continually met with these stares that I couldn't figure out. They were not glares like they were upset with me, it was just a look that confused me. After weeks of praying about what the looks were all about, God revealed it was because the class didn't trust me.

That made such sense. Why should they trust me? Most of them never had one person who was consistently trustworthy in their lives. Now here I was saying, "trust God, trust me, trust, trust, trust!"

After a month of studies together a girl and I were in deep conversation one day and she said it, "I don't trust you!" She wasn't mad. She wasn't ugly. She was just stating the fact.

I assured her that she could, but I knew that trust would have to be earned over time. Fast forward one year. I get a phone call from that same "I can't trust you" girl and she was needing counsel and advice. She started off our conversation, "Alene, I'm calling you because you are the only one I can trust."

Earning someone's trust is worth the wait. It's worth the loyalty. It's worth the time.

Trust is so valuable. Without it, our words and actions have no impact on others.

If you are just joining in, you will find all the Living Thankful posts HERE.

Living Thankful {veterans}

If you missed yesterday's post about my church and my new friend, you must read the first of the story HERE.

As the service ended, I sat praying, praying, praying for my new friend who claimed to be pagan. I was praying something in the message touched his heart. That God could speak through and give some answers to what my new friend seemed to be seeking.

We ended the service with announcements and they acknowledged our Veterans because it was Veteran's Day weekend. And then I heard from the stage "I'd like to personally acknowledge our visitor, my new friend,  today. Sir, could you please stand up? We want to thank you for your service to our country. Thank you for the wars you fought, your bravery as a POW, and your dedication to our country."

The church erupted in cheers and a standing ovation for my friend. It was so moving! As the service ended I made my way back to visit with him, but I had to wait in a long line of people waiting to personally thank him. He graciously said thank you and shook everyone's hands. I continued to pray as I watched this incredible moment unfold.

As everyone cleared, I walked up to him and said "Thank you, sir! I'm so thankful you came to visit today." He answered, "I needed to be here. I have such a past .  .  . "

"But sir, we all have pasts. That's why we need God and Jesus' redemption," I answered back.

He was adamant, "No, you don't understand. I've killed people. I've killed children. I've fought battles and done things I'm not proud of."

With tears filling my eyes I looked him square in the eyes and said, "And because of your bravery and dedication to this country we are free to worship here in this place today. We are a free people! Thank you."

I am so thankful for our veterans and the fact that because of their service we live in a free country. There are not words enough to express the thankfulness. I can not imagine what many men and women go through out there fighting for our freedom, but from the bottom of my heart my soul screams "Thank you!"

Living Thankful {my church}

As I pulled up to my church early yesterday morning, I was quickly reminded of how much I love my church. I know we all have great churches, but when God called me specifically to Bay Area Fellowship Westside campus a year and a half ago I had no idea how much my life was fixing to change.

The sun was shining bright and it was a cool crisp morning. I got out of my car and lingered for a moment as just about that time a few men were arriving. They were first time guests there. People greeted them and made them feel welcomed. They answered their questions "what do I do with my backpack" or "where can I leave my dog?" I was taken back for the moment of how much I love worshipping and serving along side the homeless of our community.

As I made my way up the sidewalk from the parking lot and beyond "Lilly" our guest Chihuahua tied up out front there was a man waiting for me. He was older, clean cut, and had a cap on decorated with many veteran awards. I made my way to him and welcomed him. We visited for a moment and he asked what time our services started. I gave him the times and invited him to go ahead and come on in. He politely said he'd be back for the 10am service. (my heart sank at that moment because I've heard "I'll be back" so many times and they don't return)

However, my new friend wasn't done visiting. He told me about his family and he had just moved within walking distance of our church. He told me he was a veteran and a POW. He told me he could speak Japanese. When I said I lived in Germany, he began speaking German, which I could not understand. Then he told me he was a pagan.

A PAGAN. (my heart sank AGAIN)

He went his way. I went on into church praying a fervent prayer for the next hour that God would work a miracle and bring my new friend back to church where he could experience and hear of God. I got the feeling he was searching for more in life. As it drew close to the 10am service I went to see if by chance God had answered my prayer.

HE DID! HE DID! God answered my prayer.

There in the hallway was my new friend. Others were welcoming him and he was smiling. He made his way into the sanctuary. He sat on the very back row as not to be noticed. BUT I noticed. I prayed. I prayed. I prayed.


Tomorrow I'll finish this incredible story of my new friend.

Living Thankful {words}

After yesterday's post on Me & My Blog, I got to thinking about all the incredible ways I've been able to encouarage and uplift others through this little ol' blog of mine. God has touched people's hearts here, despite my limited knowledge of English, grammar, or blogging. But the unique thing though is none of this would be possible if it were not for words.

Words written.
Ideas expressed.
Thoughts captured.
Challenges given.

Just plain words. We are born with a voice and we begin to vocalize at a early age. Then when we begin school without much thought we learn to write those words. It's sad we don't give our words more attention, but we take them mostly for granted.

However, words are powerful.

Words encourage or destroy.
Words give life or death.
Words are small or BIG.
Words inspire or deflate.
Words challenge or suffocate.
Words are loud or soft.
Words are loving or hateful.

I want to live determined to leave behind words that give life, encouragement and blessings.

I'm thankful I have words to write and express that can become blessings others.

Living Thankful {me & my blog}

Strolling through bloggy land the other evening, I ran across a blog that captivated me from the moment it began to download. There was something so inviting about it and then the words You & Your Blog peeped through. My heart quickened. Don't ask me to describe why that blog caught my heart - maybe it was because it was all about Finding Joy. Well, I don't know. You just go check it out HERE!


As I read the post about her blog, it sent me on a journey of remembering my own blogging experience. Why hadn't I captured glimpses of it over the years? Why had I taken many days for granted? Why? Why? Why?


So, I took the challenge and linked up with Finding Joy and many others to capture our blogs in this moment, in this time, for a snap-shot of what life is like now.

As I think back to the first blogging day ever, {i'm addicted}, I have such mixed emotions. I remember the words. I remember how scared I was to post something for EVERYONE to read. I remember the first comment was from my hubby and it was so corny that I deleted. {hubby - if I'd have known then what I know now I WOULD HAVE LEFT IT} But what I don't remember what was that first blog looked liked. It was a template. I had many templates. Then I remember the first blog design I had, it was like buying a new home. So refreshing. So proud. But I don't remember the actual look of it. :(


A lot has happened since August of 2007 when this blog began. I've written a lot. I've laughed a lot. I've cried. I've been frustrated. I've graduated three children. I've traveled. I've spoke out. I've published two books, co-authored a few, written for magazines, took on a 31 Day challenge to write in which my daddy passed away on Day 24, and I've pondered a lot, BUT nothing beats just sitting here writing my thoughts out to be absorbed into my own bloggy world and sphere. My hearts cries. My hearts desires. My hearts dreams. My souls words. Right here. Down on this digital paper. Down in history. Uploaded for all.


I never dreamed in 2007 what this place would come to mean to me. I couldn't have imagined the friends I'd meet in bloggy land and then be privileged to meet in person {leah adams of living thankful being one}. The challenges of personal growth and discipline that I've learned here are tremendous. And most importantly now I see how moments of my family's lives are now captured here through words, feelings, and pictures.


Today, I am so thankful for Positively Alene and all she has taught me. (obviously she hasn't taught me how to fix these darn extra white spaces here)


If you're a blogger, I encourage you to share your story and capture your blog along with the rest of us at You & Your Blog.

Living Thankful {breakthroughs}

Do you ever have those days -- OK, let's get real -- maybe weeks or months where you feel as if you're living in a black fog? Nothing seems to click. There seems to be no light. You feel you're lost in outer-space somewhere.

You pray. Nothing.
You seek. Nothing.
You search. Nothing.

Then out of nowhere it seems that the fog begins to lift and the light begins to shine through again. Your mind thinks clearer. Your day seems organized. You feel full of energy. Everything seems right.

So, what happened?

I wish I had an answer, but I don't know. If you know, give me a shout out.

Today, I'm so thankful for breakthroughs where out of them I feel alive and full of energy again.

Living Thankful {retreat}

Withdrawal.

Escape.

Quiet.

Peace.

Alone.

Rest.

Privacy.

Pull back.

Away.

It's funny how we can't even hear the continual noise that our life produces until we step away from it for awhile. This past week I had the pleasure of retreating. I knew I was due a rest. I could feel it in my body, but I had no idea how back I needed to retreat.

After 24 hours of no demands, appointments, calls, computer, or due dates my body began to appreciate the retreat. It took those first 24 hours to detox myself from the busy, crazy, chaotic schedule my life had cerated. I began to feel the peace fill my inner-life after 48 hours away. At 72 hours I was content to rest, escape, pull back, and enjoy the quiet.

I am thankful for the renewed peace.

I am thankful for my friend who let me retreat to her property for rest.

Is it time for you to retreat? Make time to escape, withdrawal, and pull back so that you can enjoy living a quiet, peaceful life.

Living Thankful {authentic hearts}

For years I sat in Bible studies with a smile on my face, and yet a huge crack in my heart. Every girl there seemed so together. Every woman seemed to have her life put together. All was in order. Perfect kids. Great marriage. Perfect!

When you feel like you're living in a "perfect" world, it's hard to let you guard down and be authentic and real. You are constantly bombarded with the thoughts "what will they think" "what if they find out" or "why can't I be like them" running through your head. So your world becomes pretty superficial.

Others ask, "How are you doing?" And you respond smiling "FINE!"

Over the years of me teaching, I have been determined that I will never teach a class where I perpetuate the superficial environment I came to loath years ago. What I've learned is that if I'm real and authentic as a teacher, then I give others around me permission to share their true hearts.

Finishing up class last night, I was taken back by the true authentic hearts represented in the room. No one was there to pretend, yet everyone was there to encourage one another. The girls felt free to share their struggles. Girls felt free to encourage one another. Girls felt called to pray for each other.

I'm so thankful for the freedom that comes from true authentic hearts and relationships!

Living Thankful {life is like a box of colored pencils}

This month I will be partnering up with my friend Leah Adams at The Point to focus on Living Thankful. Living with a heart full of thankfulness does not come naturally, it is a choice. Join me and let's count our blessings and remind ourselves of how awesome God is as He blesses above and beyond what we can fathom.

Have you ever examined all the colored pencils in a box? They are all useful and yet full of different emotions and response. Such is our life. I'm learning to be thankful for each emotion and color in my life. They might not all be my favorite, but they each serve a purpose.

Guess my favorite color? When my day is colored for me and I'm living in my sweet spot I feel like a fuchsia pencil. It's those days that I can say beyond a doubt "this is why I was created!"
Guess the best color for outlining? A black pencil is definitely not my favorite, but so essential to completing the perfect picture. Just as the black, dreary days of our live are not our favorite, but they are essential to our perseverance. It is during those dark days that we come to know God as our Jehovah Jireh and can feel His presence is such a new way.

Guess the importance of the brown, tan, and yellow pencils? They provide an incredible warmth and welcoming environment to any picture or home. They are the people, circumstances, and blessings that keep us grounded and moving forward.

Guess which color seems the most useless, but isn't? That crazy white colored pencil. It always seemed silly to color with white, however I was amazed at just how much brighter the object appeared once a little white was added.  When God's bright spirit is added into our lives, the tapestry He has painted for each of us becomes brighter and more radiant. Totally not useless, but USEFUL!

God is such the Master Artist. I'm thankful that life is like a box of colored pencils.

What's your favorite color?