THANKFUL THURSDAY

I have so many things to be thankful for tonight.

I'm thankful for the Freeman Family, a smalltown family who was willing to say "yes" to God and follow His call to Ecuador where just this week, they are settling into ministry at a children's home, Casa de Fe.

I'm thankful for the Sims Family. Another regular family from here in Mississippi who is also willing to say "yes" to the call to go and minister. Laura, Jay, and their girls leave in just a few days for ministry school in Mozambique, a missions outreach in Brazil, and then after that? They have no idea but they are trusting God to tell them what they need to know in just the right time.

I'm also thankful for God moving on behalf of them as needed. Just this week, what needed to happen for their house to sell, happened. They've sold "their American dream", as Laura describes it, because they are that in love with Jesus.

I'm thankful for friends who last night and today spent time helping us get our "American dream" ready to sell. Our small group leader from cburch, Janine, came last night and helped me pretty up things. The pictures that have been lurking under my stairs and the mirror that was hiding in my closet are now looking good on our walls. My handy and handsome hubby also helped us by hanging up that hiding scrumptious but heavy mirror. And another couple of friends from church, Rosa and her daughter Kailey, came over and worked like crazy. With their efforts, we got more clutter done away with plus a whole lot of cleaning got done.

I should also thank my children who worked so hard today, too. What a blessing they are to me every single day.

And on top of all those blessings, there are still more things to be thankful for.

I am thankful for a daughter who has successfully completed her homeschool education, will be graduating this weekend, and is also saying "yes" to God's call as she leaves for Africa next weekend.

And last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for all our family and friends who have been so supportive of Anna during this time of transition. Whether it is a graduation gift, a donation towards her ministry trip, or faithfully praying for her, your support is being used by God to make this special time in my girl's life even more special.

Thank you all and thank you, Lord. Y'all --- and He --- are so much better than I deserve.

Truly, He is a good God who pours down blessings upon His beloved children.

MILESTONES ARE A'CHANGING

When my teenagers and their friends were little, their milestones were marked by their first smiles, steps, and words. Now, their milestones are marked by graduations, weddings, and even babies of their own.

Last night, we attended the celebration supper and graduation for our oldest niece.

Emily, who is just a few weeks older than Anna, graduated from Petal High School and is making plans to attend my and her mother's alma mater, Mississippi University for Women, where she will major in culinary arts.

Her parents were so proud to watch their first baby graduate wearing an Honor Society stole knowing that she'll soon be attending college on scholarships based on her academic achievements and strength of character.

Then today, we attended the wedding reception for one of Betsie and Anna's best buddies from their growing up years, Mason Mangum. They first met through our homeschool group, in fact, one year Mason and Anna were "Mister and Miss Florence-Richland Homeschoolers". Now Mason is a college student, married to Cassie Jeffcoat (who is the big sister of Betsie's best friend Candace), and building a new life with his beautiful bride.

Next weekend, Anna will be graduating from high school, leaving for Africa a few days later, and then starting her own college years at Holy Cross in New Orleans.

In my mind I still see them bursting balloons at birthday parties and cutting up at homeschool group outings. It sounds so cliche, but how did they ever grow up this quickly?

Everyone told me that one day it would happen. I had many other older moms tell me that the time would fly by, and they were right. They are hitting these milestones faster and faster and this mama is thinking that waterproof mascara is going to become my new best friend.