Autumn

 

"He changes times and seasons" Daniel 2:21  

I never thought about the Fall until I became a mother. My husband loves Fall and he taught our kids to have an appreciation for it. One year, as the kids watched the seasons change, my middle child said "mamãe, Fall is coming! We need to decorate the house!" I thought, "Okay, now how should we do it?" 

I'm no Martha Steward. I'm also a "less is more" type of person so we started small. We bought small pumpkins. We found a few decorative flowers in yellow, dark red, and orange. We placed them inside a vase. 

The kids were so happy to see those additions to our decorations. We lit fall-scented candles each afternoon. My husband always commented about how great the house smells with the spiced scent.  Fall is a feast for the senses. 

Summer is full of intensive activities. We feel energized. The Fall offers a retreat for the soul. It slows our bodies and minds. It draws us inside our homes. It offers plenty of opportunities to stop and think about the abundance of things we have. 

Over the years, our family developed recipes we only use in the Fall. My husband makes his award-winning "pumpkin surprise" cake. This recipe won second place at a church competition in Houston, Texas. 

We eat chili and cornbread. I didn't grow up eating chili but I learned to enjoy it during the Fall. The kids enjoy being creative with different toppings. Our favorite thing is to come together at dinner time and see how everyone decided to enjoy their chili. 

We bake pumpkin muffins and chocolate chip pumpkin cookies. We often share these desserts with neighbors. Part of the joy of cooking is giving away fresh baked goods to others. Baking is better when we share with friends.

We read year-round yet our book selection becomes significantly better during the Fall. When the kids were in preschool, I started gathering books with Fall themes. We only read those books during the Fall. As the kids grow older, we change our selections yet, we keep a few favorites for old-time sake. 

We created a playlist with Autumn songs. I taught the kids to sing "give thanks with a grateful heart" when they were little. We still sing it when we think of songs of thanksgiving. 

I think of all of these things we do as a slow start to the Thanksgiving holiday. My goal is to develop gratefulness to God for creating Fall. He changed the season. We gladly adapt and rejoice. 

The thanksgiving holiday is my favorite. I like it so much, and I want to be grateful throughout the season. Why wait until November if we can be thankful all year long? True thanksgiving starts in the heart. 

Autumn becomes more meaningful when we don't forget the heart. The heart is deceitful. You can have the best Fall decorations, the most delicious recipes, and an ungrateful attitude. What is Fall without a heart of continued gratitude to God? 

I can cultivate gratitude daily. How so? I start with the recognition that I can grow in gratitude. I continue my cultivation with repentance. I haven't always been grateful for the many blessings God generously gives me. I've complained. I've murmured. I haven't treasured the people in my life as I should. My so-called "service" to others was not motivated by agape love. I repent. God graciously forgives me. 

I continue this process by offering thanks to God. He is good. His mercy endures forever. Bible reading fills my heart with more reasons and reminders to be continually grateful to the Lord. Then, I do it all over again: wash, rinse, repeat. This process is like laundry, a continuing part of life. 

This Fall, I want to remember those who have are enduring difficulties. I think of those who are burdened by the hardships of life. God sees and He cares for you. He knows the tears, He knows your pain. 

I am praying for and with you. I understand that sometimes, it is difficult to see the beauty of the season. It is okay to feel as you do. It is also okay to continue to pray. It is okay to reach out and ask for help. Friends are often God's answers to the heaviness of life. Friends remind us of God's care for us. When we engage in friendship, we discover togetherness in trials. 

God created each season. When you are going through difficulties, please know that seasons change. Relief comes. Tides turn for it is God's design. 

I hope that you find beauty in the life God is giving you this Autumn. I encourage you to grow and nurture gratitude in all things. 

Thank God for the beauty of this season. Thank God the last season is gone. Thank God there's a season to come. 

These days, my family and I are enjoying each day the Lord gives us. We are watching the leaves change colors. We are mindful to give thanks to the Lord for Autumn. 

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Habit Disrupted

Complaining is a habit. How do we disrupt it so thanksgiving can rise up?  Listen to today's podcast for inspiration

Click to listen!

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Recount

I love stories. Today, we speak about the power of recounting stories. Listen be inspired. 

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Word Power

It has been said that words create worlds. Today's podcast speaks about the power of words to uplift and encourage others. 

Listen, share and review! Thank you friends.

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Gratitude Challenge

Today I share with you all about the Gratitude Challenge a few hundred of my friends and I enjoyed this year. Listen here: 

The Challenge:

1. Pray and ask God for forgiveness for being a complainer;

2. Ask Him to teach you how to live a life of Thanksgiving;

3. Read His book. Start with Psalm 142;

4. When you do have a complaint, ask yourself the following:

• What is the goal of my complaint? Is it to damage someone's reputation or is it to find a peaceful resolution?

• What is the estate of my heart as I complain? Do I need to forgive? Do I need counseling? Do I need to pray before talking to others about my issues?

• Will my complaint be fruitful? Do I need to learn more about the natural processes of life? Do I need to create a thankful heart instead of a complaining heart?

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How to get to Gratitude

Enjoy this honest episode my friends! 

Here are the 5 Principles I discuss in this episode:

1. Analyze your heart 

2. Repent from sin

3. Control your thoughts 

4. Verbalize your thanks

5. Seek God Daily 

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Thanksgiving and Holiday Healthy Eating Plan

Thanksgiving will be here in 6 short weeks. I find it important to prepare before we sit at the table with our family to eat. 

I often think about my health during the holiday season but it hasn't always been this way. I remember being so overwhelmed with the stress of family gatherings. I ate the food and I ate my feelings. I felt awful after everything was over. I had a massive weight gain that year too. Believe it or not, I also experience the joy that the season brings. The following year, I learned to analyze my situation and plan for a better outcome.

The analysis was eye-opening. I simply counted how many calories I consumed during Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce (homemade), salad, rolls, pecan pie. Of course, I went for seconds. Oh, don't forget about the sweet tea! We live in the South so it is truly sweet. 

I want to say I used to consume around 3,000 calories per holiday dinner. That number was eye-opening. That's when my approach to Thanksgiving (and holiday) eating changed. I learned that I can control a few things during holiday celebrations, including:

1. The food I put on my plate. I'm the only person responsible for that because I serve myself. 

2. How I want to feel before, during, and after the holiday meal. I am in control of my feelings. No one can make me feel a certain way. While others can influence how I feel, the decision is mine. 

3. How much I will move during the holidays. One year, I decided that I was going to cook, serve, clean and go for a run. It was the best decision ever. I don't always go for a run during the holidays but I plan to move because it helps both mind and body.

4. What the holiday is all about. I didn't know that I don't have to be paralyzed by stress during the holidays. I can approach it with a plan. This plan helps me decide what the holiday season is all about. It is not about avoiding difficult conversations, tough it may be part of it. It is not about food alone. I get to decide what the holiday is all about. I want it to be about thanksgiving and gratitude. I want it to be about family, laughter and joy. I know it won't be perfect. I can alwyas hope it will be good. 

I have learned to control what I can in such way that I truly enjoy what I eat, who I talk to and what I do during the holiday season. It wasn't always like this. I want to encourage you to think about what you want out of this year's celebrations and plan to achieve it.

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Phenomenal 40

Today God is blessing me with 40 years of life. 

Today, I'm thankful that I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. 
Life with Him gets sweeter than the day before. 

I am surrounded by my husband and children. 
My family is my joy. I'm firmly rooted in them. 
Because of them, I have everything I've ever wanted. 
I don't want another life. 

I am in a new community. 
I'm still getting to know people.
They are still trying to figure me out. 
I hope they know that what they see is what they get. 

I pray that my 40th year will be phenomenal by God's grace. 
Thank God for 40. Thank God for what's to come. 

"Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need of my care,

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me." 

"Phenomenal Woman" by Maya Angelou

P.S.: If you want to contribute to my Mission Trip fundraiser today, I will appreciate it very much! Click here

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Practicing our Purpose: Fall Traditions

Thanksgiving season in 2013

We woke up early on move-in day. We had been familiar with our new house for exactly 15 hours (8 of which were dedicated to sleeping in a hotel).

When the movers came in, my job was to get the kids to help with the items we had in our cars. My job was also to keep them out of the way so my husband and the movers could work uninterrupted.

Arriving at a new community colors every aspect of your life, fall traditions included. Traditions are things we repeat year after year. This Fall, I realized that our family cares about things that are eternal. Eternal things are not seasonal but we manage to work them in our Fall Traditions.

I came back with the kids after a productive time running errands. I noticed the kitchen table was where it was supposed to be. I proceeded to focus on what is really important to us: connecting around the dinner table.

I found the Fall decor. I also bought the scented candles we light once a year. As a Christian family, we live in a world that is celebrating Fall but we go through every season with eternity in mind.

The goal of the Fall decor, the trip to the pumpkin patch and the warm soup in the slow cooker is to connect us as a Christina family. I see each moment as an opportunity to think about the eternal, long-term picture. I want the kids to remember how much we love them and how much God loves them. I want them to know God. I want them to know how to grab a hold of Him for themselves. I also want them to know and love God’s word.

Here are a few practical ways we practice our purpose during the Fall:

• We enjoy warmer and heavier foods during this season. While we put some effort into the cooking part, the goal is to connect as a family around the dinner table. We’ve been waiting for a long time to have chili so we had it last night with cornbread and all the fixings.
• We teach what the Bible has to say about thanksgiving. Years ago, I decided I can’t wait until Thanksgiving week to both model and teach on the subject. We start early because it is a priority for daily living.
• We teach Christmas hymns. Some timeless, theologically sound Christmas hymns have been written. We teach those lyrics ahead of time. We use YouTube as a resource, where you can find kid-friendly lyric videos. We love all hymns and we teach them to the kids. I find that we enjoy the Christmas season more if we know the lyrics of the hymns we hear in different concerts and presentations.
• We celebrate family. We have always lived far away from family. The Fall is when we get together with a lot of our extended family. My husband’s birthday is also in the Fall. We focus on celebrating him well. This is another principle we teach. We want the kids to know and practice the value of celebrating others well. It takes a heart attitude. It also takes planning and practice.
• We have a few Thanksgiving-themed books we read each year. Reading is something we encourage on a daily basis. I believe that books awaken and enhance the imagination in a Godly way.
• We do decorate for the Fall. We try to do it early and I save my decor from year to year. I started decorating when one of my kids asked about it. She was a little toddler and I thought, why not make the house festive for the Fall? I don’t go all out but it is decorated enough that we know there is something special about this season.

For other practical ways to practice your purpose during this season, reach Sally Clarkson’s "The Lifegiving Home."

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Thanksgiving

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."

Psalm 95:2 

Today I am thankful to God for all His blessings. 

For family, shelter, food, clothes. 

For jobs, friends, purpose, health.

There are many more blessings I can count today.

My goal is not to let my thanksgiving be heard today only.

I want to be a thankful person every day.

God is good every day and I want to be thankful daily. 

I also want to express my thankfulness with the words I read in the Bible. 

The Bible is filled with expressions of thanksgiving.

I want to borrow those words until they become my own. 

I can't be thankful and cranky at the same time. 

I want to be thankful because of who God is to me. 

I want to become a grateful person because He is worthy of my Thanksgiving. 

As we pause to celebrate, 

let us remember we can grow in our thanksgiving.

It all starts by recognizing who God is to us. 

Let us always have Thanksgiving on our lips.  

Happy Thanksgiving! Thank God for everything!

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I'm Thankful you Exist

Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

Call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples!"

1 Chr. 16:8

Today I woke up with several specific reasons to thank God. While I'm turkey baking, kid watching, house cleaning and exercising, I will keep those specific reasons in my mind, heart and lips.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful to God for my sweet family. I'm thankful to God for you.
I pray that this blog can inspire you to be the best you can be.
Enjoy this amazing day, no matter where in the world you are.
I'm thankful you exist. 

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Set your Heart Video Series

Happy almost Thanksgiving week friends! Join me this week at the South Texas AG Sisterhood Facebook Page as well as the Grace Matters Ministries page where I'll be sharing daily video devotionals. My topic this week is "Set your Heart." I'd give you a preview but I rather you watch the videos there at the page :)

The South Texas AG Sisterhood has been a blessing in my life. I've been attending their Connect Houston conferences for the past few years. Every time I go, I return renewed, encouraged and ready to take on any challenge that comes my way. Even if all I can do is attend the night sessions, Connect is the place to be for the woman who needs more strength, courage and wisdom.

This week here on the blog I want to tell you about my reasons for thankfulness. I now know so many things I didn't know last Thanksgiving. It's been a year of learning and I'll share more with you this week.

I hope you have a great week and let me know if you are watching the videos. God bless you my friend!

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Holiday Recovery Plan

Have you thought about how much recovery time you will need from the last holiday? You prepared faithfully for it. You cleaned, cooked, went to the store and bought it ready. You got the tickets, traveled, sat through political conversations fresh out of an election year. You need to recover.

I’m not proposing that you drop out of life and fly to Rio (tough I wish I could fly to Brazil for a few days). I am proposing that you take some time to reconnect with yourself through rest and relaxation. Instead of jumping into your Christmas list like a mad person, you may want to spend that time quietly reading your favorite magazine. I opted for giving myself a mani and a pedi. Somehow, life is just better after I do that. I also went to the gym and exercised for 40 minutes. I found that my to-do list was still there as well as the problems I had prior to going the gym. If things aren’t going to magically change, I might as well be rested, you feel me?

This recovery from the holiday thing is for intro and extroverts. Can you use some recovery time? I bet you do. We need to be faithful to this because we help our homes and our families recover before we help ourselves. We simply can’t give what we don’t have. The only way to usher peace this advent season is to be at peace ourselves.

It doesn’t take much  my friend. Okay, I hear you just worked 9 hours non-stop and people kept putting stuff on your plate. The more reason to recover! Be extra good to yourself and do something that will help you feel refreshed. I know you can think of something that can help you relax and recover.

Remember that you don’t have to participate in the frantic pace of the holiday season. So what if commerce seems to be freaking out about getting in the black? Keep your peace. It is during times like these that I think the message of Jesus is needed and welcome in my heart. He is the Prince of Peace and peace is just what I need in order to keep marching towards all the things the Christmas holiday brings.

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The Circle of Thankfulness

"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."

Psalm 9:1 (NRSV)

We all know how to give thanks, once we pass our toddler years. Our parents were constantly coaching us to "say thank you" everywhere we went. Somehow, that habit sticks. We do it out of courtesy and because it is politically correct. We do it to appear better than we may feel inside. My point is, we all know how to do it. 

The psalmist is reminding me to take my giving thanks to a new level, to do it with my whole heart. You and I know how to do that too. We often thank others "from the bottom of our hearts" when we are deeply moved by their gesture of generosity. The thing is, God is generous to you and I daily. 

If I simply look at 2016 and recount everything He did for me, I should naturally thank him with my whole heart. It does take a deeper look at the year to awaken this attitude. 

I go wider in my circle of thankfulness and I include my marriage. Friends, I am deeply thankful for how God changed me and helped me become a better wife this year. I really should throw a party because of this deed alone.
I go a bit wider in my circle of thankfulness and I include my children. The obstacle, diseases and inner challenges God helped me overcome have been many. It is my duty to be thankful to our wonderful God for working all things out for the good of my children. My heart really rejoices when I think of where my kids are in their journey of life.  

I give thanks for answered prayers, for dreams that came true and faithful friends who are closer than brothers and sisters. 
You and I don't have to tell all our business before thanksgiving dinner but can we be honest enough with God today? Can we pause and think of all our circles of thankfulness? Can we be specific about the things only God could do for us and in us? I hope so friends.
My challenge today is to do just that: give thanks with my whole heart and recount all the wonderful things God has done. Join me? 

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Outono nos Estates: minhas 5 Atividades Prediletas

O Outono chegou, e com ele muita coisa legal que a gente só faz uma vez por ano. Hoje eu quero falar sobre as nossas 5 atividades prediletas do ano.

Esse é a "surpresa de abóbora" o bolo que o
meu esposo faz uma vez por ano. Ganhou até prêmio na igreja!

• Campos de Abóboras (Pumpkin Patch) - Essa é a melhor época de achar abóbora de tudo quanto é tamanho e forma. As mais tradicionais são aquelas enormes que o pessoal compra pra enfeitar a casa ou pra fazer esculturas. Muitas igrejas compram um número imenso de abóboras pra angariar fundos. Daí eles põe atividades para as famílias e muita gente passa várias horas lá olhando as abóboras, comprando e tirando fotos. Essa é umas das tradições da nossa família. Eu até inventei uma musiquinha pra animar as crianças (rs!) todo ano. 

As crianças adoram os campos de abóbora

• Festa de Outono na Igreja (Trunk or Treat) - Nossa igreja usa o dia das bruxas como um dia de evangelismo pra comunidade. Nós oferecemos o estacionamento da igreja com brinquedos, música evangélica e muito doce pras crianças. O pessoal enfeita o porta malas do carro e as crianças param de carro em carro pra pegar doce. Nossa igreja também prega o evangelho e muita gente aceita a Jesus naquela noite. Meus filhos adoram essa atividade!

como crescem rápido!

• Desfile de Personagens de Livro - Na escola das crianças, eles tem o desfile de personagens de livro. Você compra uma fantasia que têm haver com um livro. Essa é uma forma de animar as crianças a ler sempre. É bonitinho e as crianças adoram ir pra escola de fantasia. Falando nisso eu tenho que decidir as fantasias aqui de casa. 

Nossa família em 2013

• Fotos de Familia - Eu aproveito a animação dessa época pra tirar as fotos que vão no nosso cartão de natal. Depois de Outubro vêm as festas do fim de ano e com tanta coisa pra fazer é bom ter as nossas fotos prontas. 

• Decorações de Casa - Ano passado minha filha do meio perguntou quando nós íamos decorar a casa pro outono. Fui correndo na loja comprar umas decorações. Comprei mais umas abóboras, uma daquelas bandeiras que se coloca na lareira e em vez da grinalda comprei uma abóbora de madeira com a inscrição "rendei graças." Esse ano coloquei no início do mês porque na sexta-feira de ações de graça a gente arma a árvore de natal. Também comprei flores (flor do mum) e colocamos na porta de casa. 

Nossa família em 2014

Meu objetivo como serva de Deus, esposa e mãe é de ter uma atmosfera de gratidão a Deus por todas as bênçãos que Ele nos concede. Em vez de focar no que não acredito, prefiro lembrar de todas as benignidades que Deus tem nos dado. Um abração e um ótimo dia pra você amigo/a! 

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Mid-year Goals Update 2016

This is a great time of year to review the goals you and I set in January. I asked myself many questions that led me to my goals for 2016. I also looked at my goals as a map. Here's my update:

• Decide where you want to go – I did. I have been revisiting my goals because after the school year was over I felt a little lost. Revisiting my goals also allowed me to find new strategies to get there. Now is a good time to think, "do I need a new strategy?" 
• Follow the map – I can say that because I have reviewed my (Fitness, Family, Faith, Business and Other) goals, I got a new strategy to reach them. Some of the goals I set have already been accomplished but there are many others that are in the process. Following the map I set for myself is a sure way to get to my destination. 
• Expect Detours – who you're telling? Detours have been the word of the year therefore, the need for new strategies. I know there is a lesson in dealing with detours on the way to reaching my goal. I have learned not to get mad at the detour in a way that it paralyzes my progress. As I expect detours I become more flexible and even more determined to reach my goal. 

Here are the three questions I asked myself before setting my goals. I believe they are still relevant now:
• What do I most want to be thankful for one year from now? - I want to be thankful that I invested in my family and in my health. I want to be thankful that I was able to help others through my career.
• Which activities in my schedule aren’t delivering the results I want? - This is a tough one but so worth evaluating. I find that this tough decisions can catapult me into my goals.
• Are you buying what you’re selling? - I am. I totally get the fact that after God, family is the most important thing to me. I totally buy the fact that health is important and it's imperative to invest in it. If I can make it fun (my definition of fun is running marathons), even better!

I want to challenge you to review your goals and to ask yourself the questions that will catapult you to your destination. It's worth it because you are worth it my friend. Have a great day!

Previously in this series:
• Goals as a Map
• 2016 Goals you can Reach
• Mid-Year Goals Update 2015

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The Wrap: Making the best out of Thanksgiving

"When God gives us less than we desire, it is not because He is teaching us poverty; what He is teaching us is thankfulness. You see, life - real life - is not based upon what we amass but on what we enjoy. Even in difficult circumstances God still gives us much to appreciate. We fail to see what the Lord has provided because our hearts are wrong. Someone once said, "When I see a poor man who is grateful, I know if he were rich, he would be generous." A thankful spirit is akin to a generous spirit, for both appreciate and receive the riches of God. When we are thankful with little, God can entrust us with much." 

Francis Frangipane

I am so thankful that God is teaching me thankfulness in this season of life. Time and time again I've told myself, "you can trip about this or you can find contentment and thankfulness." I am also thankful that although this might not be the most wonderful time of the year to many (due to grief, depression or other life circumstances), God and many people care. I have developed a heart of compassion to those whose live circumstances are less than ideal this time of year. I try my best to speak up and say "I see you and I care. God sees you and God cares." 

Our Thanksgiving day was a bit different but thanks to finding the good in all circumstances, it was another great one. One of my kids threw up late on Wednesday night which took us out of going to cheer my husband on his local Turkey Trot. I got to stay at home and do a lot of cleaning up, which put me way ahead for the next month. We were so happy that my husband ran so well he got a PR! He ran in his new running shoes we gave him for an early birthday. Sweet! 

The girls and I got the house ready and the food ready for everyone. I'm amazed at how kids can really lend you a hand. I've been cleaning super fast thanks to my kids (they LOVE to vacuum!). Oh what a joy! We had turkey (we bought it from Bourdreaux Cajun Kitchen), mac and cheese (I made it with cream cheese and 3 other cheeses), sweet potato casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Yeast Rolls,  Mate (chá mate) and Pecan Pie. You can look up all the recipes I used on my Pinterest Board.   

This morning I went to Pinterest again (of course!) and found this amazing Oatmeal Pumpkin Pancakes. The kids enjoyed them and I finally got my Fall taste fix. 

I am also thankful for all the friends who have supported us on our marathon/half-marathon journey. We are incredibly close to meeting our fundraising goal for Bel Inizion. At this moment, all we need is $40. You can click here and help make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged women. 

I pray that you are having a great Thanksgiving with your family and friends. I pray that you know that even when life is less than perfect, God still loves you and cares. 

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Dia de Ações de Graça 2014

Hoje nós aqui nos Estados Unidos comemoramos o Dia de Ações de Graça. Um dos poucos feriados que temos (comparado com o Brasil), esse é um dia de se reunir com a família pra agradecer a Deus por todas as bênçãos nas nossas vidas. 

Claro que a mídia tenta mudar a mensagem de gratidão pra ganância, mas no nosso coração não esquecemos das palavras da Bíblia: 

"Rendei graças ao Senhor porque Ele é bom, porque a sua misericórdia dura para sempre." 

Salmo 118:1

Eu sou grata a Deus por quem Ele é: Maravilhoso. Agradeço a Deus pela minha família querida, aqui e em todos os lugares do mundo. Sou grata por saúde, pela provisão de Deus e pela segurança que temos nEle. 

Apesar das coisas tenebrosas que acontecem por aqui, vivo com a garantia do Salmo 91. Agradeço a Deus por nos guardar, livrar e salvar. 

Eu oro pra que eu possa continuar a ensinar meus filhos a serem agradecidos a Deus sempre. Uma vida de gratidão de louvor a Deus é uma vida feliz e abundante. 

Um feliz dia de Ações de Graças a todos vocês meus queridos leitores. Que você continue a reconhecer as bênçãos de Deus na sua vida e que você continue a agradecê-Lo por elas. 

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Happy Runksgiving

I usually do not run a Turkey Trot because my husband runs our local one and I stay on kid/photo/cheering duty. I did decide to join Alissa from A Journey to Thin blog on her Thankful Healthy Blogger 5K. This is a virtual 5K with prizes (thanks Alissa!). I've been reading her blog for a few years and I always enjoy reading about her virtual 5K, so that will be my first time being a part of one. For details on the virtual race, click on this logo.

I've been also reading about the #RWRunStreak year after year. I am really tempted to be part of it, the issue is that I'm right in the climb phase of my Winter Marathon training which means running for 36 days straight will sound really good at the end of February. The challenge is simple (for me): you run 1 mile a day, every day from Thanksgiving til New Year's Day. This is perfect for people who are done with Fall Marathons and haven't started training for Spring marathons yet (not my case). 

I believe in not running in my non-running days. One mile is easy compared to 17 but rest is something I really need in order to complete my running goals. I also know that I have at least 48 hours to think about it: I decided to run on Thanksgiving so in theory I'll have day one done. I believe I'll play it safe and enjoy my rest days between now and Houston. 

I pray that you have an amazing Thanksgiving with your families! 

I'm thankful to God for the gift that running is. 

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Dia de Ações de Graça

Hoje aqui nos Estados Unidos comemoramos o dia de ações de graça. Acho muito legal esse ato nacional de parar e agradecer a Deus por todas as bênçãos que Ele nos tem concedido. A Bíblia nos diz: 

"Dai graças ao Senhor, porque ele é bom; porque a sua benignidade dura para sempre." Salmo 107:1

Realmente, se formos contar todas as bênçãos que recebemos de Deus esse ano, o nosso coração se transborda de alegria. 

O costume é de reunir a família e ter uma ceia de ações de graça. Muita gente vai as compras na sexta-feira (black Friday) e sempre tem futebol americano nesse final-de-semana. Outra coisa que várias comunidades tem é corrida. Aqui no nosso condado vamos ter uma corrida de 5 milhas hoje de manhã. Dessa vez não vou participar porque o meu querido marido vai estar correndo, então eu e as crianças vamos estar torcendo! Eu sempre tendo dar pelo menos uma caminhada pra combater as calorias desse dia que são ricas. 

Eu desejo a você um bom dia. Lembre-se de agradecer a Deus por tudo o que Ele tem feito por você e pela sua família. A gratidão é um hábito muito bom de se ter. Até a próxima! 

PERGUNTA: Qual é o seu motivo de gratidão?

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