Category Archives: Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

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This photo is from last year but I like it… Rather pretty I think.

I have a lot to be thankful for this year… My back is healing really well, my kids are all healthy, my husband has plenty of work…The Roundhouse Restaurant and all is off to a great start, the camp/retreat center is doing really well …. Things may not always seem be going perfectly but God has everything under control and that is a great comfort.

You all enjoy your turkey dinner. Tomorrow is my baking day and I’ll celebrate Thanksgiving Friday with my daughter Tara, Cody and granddaughter Alexys and my son Joey and of course my hubby… We have several family reunions going on here at the camp this weekend as well. Our daughter Timoni is celebrating in Paris (yes, France!), Luke is celebrating in NYC with friends and the rest of my family is pretty scattered but love binds us wherever we are.

Now I want to share about what my hubby and I and a LOT of other people have been up to lately – My hubby much more than me but I’ve helped out some plus I am “on call” for the restaurant and gift shop.

Welcome to the Roundhouse!
this is an historic building built in 1901 in Lead, SD (the lead to the gold mines). It was where the trains turned around and went in for repair. There are two set of these doors and if you see the HUGE dark door on the left – the original roundhouse doors – two sets as well.

The Black Hills Fort Pierre Roundhouse Restaurant main dining room
See the cute train in the background!
Club car, tunnel with waterfall (behind the tunnel and car is the kitchen area)
One of the tables on the main floor
I think these are the lights in the club car, similar to the ones upstairs
The top of the tunnel and one of the cars – it’s a waterfall
This is one of the small chandeliers, there is a HUGE one in the center of the dining room
My son Joey left and his friend Russ – We sat upstairs on the “unofficial” opening night for staff and anyone who had anything to do with building – working at the Roundhouse Restaurant and gift shop. This weekend is the grand opening. We sat in like a train club car booth which overlooks the main dining room and there are TV’s on the wall next to you so you can watch the scenery fly by. We also had live entertainment!
Joan decorating the gift shop… I put in a few hours there myself.

If you are ever in the Hills this is THE place to go for a wonderful 5 course supper or buffet lunch (different everyday) and I’d be happy to escort you there as my guest. Oh, and Friday night we are suppose to have a super special guest and if he shows up, I’ll be sure and let you know ☺ Have a FABULOUS holiday and be sure and sign up for the Christmas Ornament Exchange!
Hugs! ☺

Thankful Thursday

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Sunrise from the plane…SD to CO to KS

Last week I thanked God for my 4 children and today I want to thank God for my Granddaughter Alexys and my Mom Ann… Recently I went to see my Mom. We went to the opera and spent a day at the Wichita Zoo. It was very relaxing and I thank God for a Mom who cares about me and her family and for my little blessing of a granddaughter who I love as much as my children… There really isn’t a difference in my heart at all. So, thank you Lord for these blessings in my life ☺

Alexys – a big smile

My Mom in her backyard – which is rather amazing.
She has so many flowers growing all over

Alexys being her cute self -☺

For more thanks visit Iris

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Thankful Thursday – My Children

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I liked Iris’ take this morning on the five senses and when I think of them I think of my children. They bring me such joy and they are all such precious gifts from God. No, they are not perfect and neither am I of course but our faults, our personalties, our talents our eccentricities make up who were are as individuals and as family. I know my children help me grow and become a better person. I learn so much from them and treasure each one beyond measure.

My eldest is Timoni and lives in San Francisco…. She is smart, opinionated, determined and in my opinion, highly creative and beautiful. She loves to try new things and enjoys traveling. Timoni is developing a softness about her but at times hides it. It seems at times she thinks she has to be hard but she doesn’t. Maybe it is the career she is in. She in fact needs to be more soft and more feminine and I love that side of her when it comes out. She is also a lot of fun to be around, a real planner.

Tara is my second daughter and lives in Rapid City. She is a nourisher and a great mom on top of it all. Tara loves to have fun, is very childlike in many ways and is super forgiving for just about any fault. She is adorable and has a super infectious smile and laugh. Some may say she too forgiving but is there truly no such a thing when the Lord commands us to forgive 7×70…
She also has a very determined side to her and her prayer to me is always, “I want to be a better person” and she is a good person and getting better all the time.

Luke is my eldest son. He lives in NY and gives the best hugs when I see him. He is not very huggable, never has been. He is so creative, always acting, always writing and is usually busy thinking up something. He is both a happy guy but with dark broody moods….Which I think makes him a good actor and thinker. He is a very deep thinker. He is a tad bit arrogant at times but it truly covers up a shy side to his character. He is loyal to his dearest friends to a fault. I also love hearing his voice.

Joey is my sportsman. He understands sports better than anyone I have ever know. If math and science were taught through sports he would have staight A’s. He can look at a football field or basketball court and know exactly what needs to be done. It is amazing to me. Joey loves being around people like his sister Tara and takes things to heart very easily. He is the guy who all his friends bring their problems to. He wants to be a counselor someday. His fault it that he takes too much upon himself as far as his friends problems are concerned. He is very empathetic. Yesterday he came up to me and said, “I think you need a hug”, and I sure did.

I love they way my kids smell, I love the sound of their voices, their laughter. I love looking at their faces, especially their eyes and when I give them a kiss I love the taste of their skin…. It all goes together.

My granddaughter Alexys is no different….She is an extra blessing on top of the four the Lord has truly blessed me with…

And on top of it all I am blessed with a good husband, Dad and friend…

God is so good.

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Thankful Thursday – Joy comes in the morning

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13


I thought I would post Thanks to God today. It has been awhile since I have posted much of anything at all but I do have so much to be thankful for and I really felt prompted today to post my thanks. Joy and Kindness I think are the major themes of my thanks. True Joy comes from the Lord and Kindness… I have found it is so many places these past few months and it has come in so many ways. The first being from my Dad. Dad was never known to be a kind man, at least no to his family, but during the past 10-15 years our family has experienced much kindness from him. He became a softer person because of his relationship with God and during my last few weeks with him I witnessed many acts of kindness from him – all God inspired to be sure.

My Dad, less than a month before he died

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Ps. 28:7

1) I am thankful my father Allen and uncle Kenny are together in Heaven with their mother and other siblings. The brothers both died of cancer within about a week of each other. I am so thankful they are no longer in pain.

2) I am thankful for safe travels for my family. There was so much traveling by so many this summer to see my Dad, take trips, etc.

3) I am thankful no harm was done to my brother and sister-in-law Sonia’s homes when they were evacuated from Texas due to the hurricane. The came to Nebraska to help with my Dad and were such a blessing. Matthew or “Little OD” put a lot of smiles on all our faces.

4) I am so thankful to all my family for rallying around to help my Dad in his final days here on earth. It was a very emotional, stressful, yet many joyful and memorable times were experienced as well. Special thanks to my sister Shannon and her daughters who moved in to be with my Dad during his final three months. I love you all!

5) I am thankful to my dear husband who encouraged me to spend as much time with my Dad as needed. I am thankful for phone calls from some of my kids who called to encourage me, to check up on me and see how I was doing emotionally. Kindness from ones children is a treasure. I am so blessed that all my children got to see their Grandpa before he passed away.

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Ps 30: 10-12

6) I am thankful for my Dad’s friends, Clif and Pat who visited almost daily. They are amazing men. I am also thankful to those who shared stories about how loving and giving my Dad was to the people of his community.

7) I am thankful for Hospice nurses … one in particular, Terry Munter who was on call to us 24-7 during Dad’s final months. She is all kindness and gentleness.

8) I am thankful to old friends who prayed, made meals, visited, encouraged, sent sweet notes, let us talk and cry… Special personal thanks to Ann Witkowsky, MaryAnn Lutt, Roxanne McCright, Kim Carhart and Kathy Winter. You guys are treasures to me, much more than just friends!

9) Thank you to all my online friends and bloggers for all your emails, comments… They were all so kind and encouraging and meant the world to me and my family.

10) Special thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is so full of mercy, grace, forgiveness,and kindness and who brings so much Joy amidst all the sorrow.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Ps 18:2

My Dad was a huge supporter of saving the lives of all unborn babies.
Vote Yes For Life in November.

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Thankful

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I give my Thanks to God today for so many things…

* I thank my Lord for my wonderful family and their love for each other. My four siblings and I all got together to discuss the future of our family and the kindness and concern for each other was such a blessing.

My Dad

* I thank my Lord for my Father who loves the Lord and prays constantly for his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I pray he remains as pain free as possible during this horrible trial with cancer that he is going through. Pancreatic cancer is so horrible…any cancer is. He is now under Hospice care and my wonderful sister Shannon is now living with him and taking care of him. We had a sort of family reunion last week and a wonderful picnic in the park near my Dad’s house. God is good.

The latest blessing to our family, Tavius Jax “Tav” and his mother, my niece Olivia

* I thank my Lord for safe travels for me and my children – Luke flew in from NYC and Joey and I picked him up at the tiny Sioux City, IA airport and we drove to Nebraska to be with family. My brother, his wife and son Mathew drove up from Texas. My sister and her family drove to Wayne from Yankton and My Mom drove up from Kansas and Timoni had taken a trip to Japan…God blessed us all with safe travel.

Luke at the park – we had a huge family picnic. I hadn’t seen him since he graduated so it was wonderful!

* I thank my Lord for Joey’s awesome missions trip to El Salvador… God blessed the AIM team and the teens of El Salvador mightily. Almost 1000 teens gave their life to the Lord!

Joey with kids in El Salvador

* I thank the Lord for a wonderful camping/retreat season here at Kinship Mountain Ministries. The Lord has touched so many lives. I just love hearing the stories people share.

* I thank my Lord that my MIL Dorothy really likes her new home. In June she moved into assisted living. Living in her huge house was a bit lonely and confining in the wintertime. She has a lot of friends at The Oaks and is very happy there and plans to stay.

My MIL Dorothy with my boys Joey (l) and Luke (r)

*To God be all the Glory for all things in my life ♥

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

* And I thank God for all my blogging friends… But I have to face it, I will never be able to catch up with all your blogs. This summer has been amazingly busy, with the camps, two trips to Nebraska and another planned very soon… Watching my granddaughter from time to time… and just life in general. Know that I do keep you in my prayers and I am sure to be a more faithful reader in the Fall…

I also want to share one of my favorite blogs… It is a relaxing one to visit and she often has a great recipe to share, INNside Innkeeping in Montana. I think you will enjoy it.

Hugs!

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Give Thanks…

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When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.
Luke 4:40

What a beautiful morning to give thanks and praises to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I have discovered or maybe acknowledged is a better word, more recently that the only true freedom, the only true peace of mind comes from knowing and having a loving Savior.

No other being in this world or the Heaven’s can save me or love me or my family as Christ does. There is no other greater name in all the Heavens and knowing and accepting this simple fact is pure and true freedom of body, mind and spirit.

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3: 16-18

♥ I praise the Lord and thank Him for his healing power, for His spirit of Peace that surpasses all understanding and for His love for me and my family.

♥ I praise and thank Him for my parents and my wonderful mother-in-law. I thank Him for my Father who is still with us although he has cancer. I thank Him that my parents know Christ as their savior. What a comfort to my heart that is.

♥ I praise and thank Him for keeping my son Luke from serious harm. I pray for a quick healing of body and spirit.

♥ I praise Him for all those who have been saved and baptized at our camp. Last week we had about eight baptisms in our lake with a small group of about 70. Many times we don’t hear what all the Lord has been doing in people’s lives here but we know God is present in this place.

♥ I thank Him for my daughter Timoni’s new job, which she will start on Monday after returning from her holiday and for the little chats we have several times a week – They so help me to not miss her quite as much as she lives so far away.

♥ I praise Him for my son Joey and his kind and loving heart and for my daughter Tara and granddaughter Alexys. Tara has been coming over and helping me clean my house and Alexys is pure joy.

♥ I thank the Lord for all those in my family (husband, brother, dad, father-in-law, etc) who have served our great country in the military or in other ways to make it a safe place to live and worship who we please. (Enjoy your 4th of July celebrations!)

♥ I thank the Lord for my husband, prayer partner, friend, lover, etc… “And the two shall become as one”, Amen.

♥ I thank Him and all of you for your prayers, notes, emails, etc…. They are so very much appreciated.

For more thanks to God, visit Iris at Sting My ♥

Only one more day to sign up to win the Revelation CD, t-shirt or coupon from Third Day!

Give Thanks to the Vets – YouTube – Enjoy!



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Thanks!

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I missed Live Well yesterday – bummer – but do want to make sure I give Thanks to God today.
My mind feels blank but it is full of thanks, just tired. I am just not sure where to start or where to go with this. I know, a bit unlike me.

I am thankful for all the kids at camp this week (all 274 kids and staff) and for the super full summer we have here. Our largest camp so far is going to be the AG teen camp. We have 247 campers registered and that does not include staff. I think every one of our 324 beds are going to be full!

It is so amazing watching what God is doing in the lives of these kids…This week is is 3-6 graders, next week middle school and every. single. weekend. we have something, a family reunion, vacations, retreats, etc….

So, I praise God for his goodness to us here at Kinship Mountain Ministries… Stop on by if you are in the area!

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19

I am so thankful for my wonderful Physical Therapist Moon. I don’t think I could get through all this without her… Plus she is expecting her first baby July 4th! Keep her in your prayers!

I am so thankful for my Mom. In fact she is visiting me for a long weekend. I pick her up at the airport in just a few hours! Fun!

I am so thankful for my Dad. I had a little tribute to him for his birthday and with Father’s Day this weekend… Thank you Dad for everything! You are awesome and Father God is an awesome God!

God Bless and Thanks!

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Thankful Thursday … for so many things

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Alexys having a blast at the camp playground

1) I am thankful for the dreams that God gives me that help me know how to pray for my children. It is amazing to me the revelations He shares and many times I think – “Wow!” These dreams seem to happen after I have prayed for my “prodigals” before I go to sleep. The Lord through dreams and visions gives me spiritual revelations and at times I sure don’t like what the Lord shares but as a parent I need to know how to pray – God knows what I need to know. I thank and praise my Savior and my children’s Savior who loves them more than they can ever (or I can ever) comprehend.

Sometimes my kids actually confirm these dreams by the things they tell me later that have been or are going on in their lives and then I understand more fully why I had the dreams and why the Lord placed these burdens/prayers for them on my heart. There is no such thing as coincidence in God’s world.

2) I am thankful for our exchange student “son” Jett. He left us yesterdayafter a 10 month stay and arrived home this morning (almost a 24 hour plane ride) in Bangkok, Thailand to joyous parents. Yes, we miss him all ready and it was a wonderful year and experience. His parents have offered for our son Joey to visit (they offered to pay for his tickets and all expenses!). Joey is planning on it but not this year because…..

Jett and Joey

3) Joey is going to El Salvador on his first missions trip in July! He will be gone for two weeks. Praise God for his provisions! He needed $1600 by June 1st and praise God that came in and now he needs I think about $350 more by July 1st and then he is on his way. He is also going to be a camp Kids Counselor for the state AG camp and then will go to the AG senior high camp and is also going to a week long basketball camp… Busy guy!

4) I am thankful to God that the snow is gone and spring is here ☺

5) I am thankful to God for my super hard working hubby… The crew is busy getting everything ready for the camp/retreat center plus the new restaurant, The Roundhouse. It is a historic building and was the place where the trains turned around and came in for repairs. It is going to be so cute and it will also have a gift shop. Profits from the restaurant will go to the Children’s Home… plans in the making.

This past weekend at our camp ☺
ISI Chinese International Retreat – Paddleboats, Kayaks & fishing – Fun Stuff!

6) I am thankful to God that he loves me, provides for me and my family and gives me hope.

7) I am thankful for my Father who has such a fantastic attitude and love for God even in the midst of pancreatic cancer. It occurred to me last night while I was praying that my father, when he does go to see His Heavenly Father face to face, is so very blessed with the knowledge that all his children are Saved by Grace and that he will greet each one of them at Heaven’s Gate someday. What a fabulous and comforting thought for any parent to have.

My niece Jessica and my Dad on Jesse’s graduation day!

For more thanks to God please visit Iris at Sting My ♥

God is good! All the time!

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Thankful Thursday

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Snow, Snow, Snow…. ‘o’
May 1st Snow Storm – click on photo to enlarge

I haven’t done a Thankful Thursday in quite awhile with my surgery, trip, etc… But today is a good day for it. These are in no particular order but I did save the best for last ☺

1) I am thankful the electricity and phone are working again…We are in the middle of a Spring Snow Storm… No kidding! So far about 2 feet of snow… and it is still coming down.

2) I am thankful for my doctors appointment. I am indeed healing and can now drive again. Whoohoo! I also start physical therapy next week ☺

The Graduate and Actor, Luke Edward
Outside the Crooked Knife, an Irish Restaurant and Pub

3) I am thankful for my son Luke who graduated this past week from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYC… We are so super proud!

4) I am thankful my daughter Timoni flew out from San Francisco to NYC for Luke’s celebration and that my sister Kelly came up from D.C. It was wonderful being with family.

Timoni on the subway, camera ready

5) I am thankful I have a real fireplace. It came in rather handy this morning when the electricity was off.

6) I am thankful for my wonderful husband who has plowed snow, gotten us extra drinking water, etc… He just gets what needs to be done, done. I am blessed.

7) I am thankful for the birds that love to hang around my house. They are so fun to watch. This morning they seemed puzzled at where to find their breakfast so I put this outside my door. It about drove my poor cats crazy ‘o’. They just sat there watching the Juncos, meowing in frustration from time to time.

9) I am thankful for my Savior who speaks total and complete Truth through His Word. I love today’s scripture… “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb 11:6

For more Thanks to God please visit Iris at Sting My ♥

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