Thankful Thursday ~ Blessed in the Mess

Hello dear Friends!

It's Thankful Thursday and Iris from Grace Alone is our host! :)

I'll be honest ~ I am intentionally choosing "gratitude" today. It's been a long week filled with sickness, challenges, struggles, long to-do lists, cancelled appointments (due to sick kids), and more!

But today, I will choose gratitude. I will choose joy. I will thank God for the new load of laundry. I will thank God that my son made it to the bucket rather than the carpet. I will choose peace in the midst of our chaos. I have a choice....and I choose to thank Him! :)

I've been sitting on the couch watching Olympics with my sick little guy, naming my blessings one by one. So many. Not doubt about it ~ even in the midst of our struggles ~ I am blessed.

Here is my Top 5 Thankful Thursday list for today....

1. My Family ~ John, Jake, Benj, Manda & Sarah


What would I do without my gang?! :) Boy do they fill my life with JOY! :)
2. Magnificent Monday Bible Study ~

I shared last week that our new Winter Bible study is AMAZING!! God has put such a special love in my heart for each and every woman that attends on Monday nights (all 90+)! They are committed to "do the thing" and not just show up at a social gathering for snacks and giggles.

These women inspire me, teach me, make me laugh, make me cry. Monday's are a highlight of my week! To give you a glimpse...here is a sweet note I received just this week....

... Cindy, once again you have picked a study that is pushing me to look at myself in the light of God's truth and it's forcing me out of some comfortable but destructive places.

I have so much respect for you and I want you to know that whenever I look at you on Monday night the prayer in my heart is that someday I will be as free as you are.

That someday I will finally know deep in my heart who I really am in Christ and be able to live out of that....

See what I mean?? God is doing a powerful work in our midst, and I'm so grateful to watch Him in action! :)

3. My 40th Birthday is coming....

And you know me, I love to celebrate!! My dear friends Nick and Julie came over last night to go the party plan rolling!!

Mark your calendars....May 8, 2010 ~ fun! fun! fun! :)

Want to guess what we'll be doing for my 40th Birthday???? (And I'm so thankful for my mom to be willing to underwrite the cost ~ you are so generous, Mom!! :) )

4. My dear Mentor ~ Mary Swierenga

For years and years I prayed very specifically that God would bring a Godly mentor into my life. God is so faithful ~ over the years, not only did He supply me one ~ He has blessed me with MANY! :)

God has brought leadership mentors, mom mentors, mentors in prayer and marriage and public speaking into my life. And then, a few years ago, the Lord graciously introduced me to Mary Swierenga. Although we go to different churches, our paths crossed. Mary is an amazing, seasoned Bible teacher, prayer warrior, and woman of the Lord. I cherish our times together. Here we are studying in her office last week...

Mary always reminds me to point others to the Scripture "since the power is in the Word!" ("Give 'em the meat, Cindy" ~ she always says!) I am so thankful for her presence and mentoring in my life!

5. My kids' school ~ Grand Rapids Christian Schools

John and I prayed and prayed for the right teachers for our kids. This week we had conferences for our 3 youngest. Boy are we blessed! Each teacher is the exact right fit for our kids' unique personalities. Thank you Mrs. Minnema, Ms. Rozendal, and Mrs. Malefyt. We thank God for you! :)

And our son Jake is having a fabulous year at the high school. We are so grateful! :)

Whew!! I'm feeling better already! Isn't gratitude a beautiful thing?! :)

I also am thankful for my parents, in-laws, and friends for all of their help this week. Wouldn't have made it without the extra support! Thank you so very much!!

What about for you?? On this Thankful Thursday, what are you thankful for today?? I'd love to hear from you!!

Many blessings to you!



P.S. Be sure to stop by tomorrow ~ I have a new great book GIVEAWAY! I'll give you a clue...it's written by the author of my favorite book of 2009.