I thank God that has placed me in a church that teaches the uncompromising Word of God with the practical application for me to apply to my own life. Growing up I did not think that Church was for me. I had been going all my life; but I felt like something was missing. What I had found out later was that I had a religion; but I needed was to have a relationship. My Pastor taught me that I what it means to stand in faith, how to pray correctly and how to take what I learn and help other people. The wisdom and knowledge are not just for me and my benefit. But instead they are there for me to use with others to bring out what God has done for me. We must grow in our spiritual work in order to go and help others.
Although I do not know everything and I still make my share of mistakes, I know that God has brought me a long way. I owe that success to my Pastor and my church family and my wonderful wife.
Day Two:
I thank God that He blessed my life with such a wonderful wife to share my life with. We have so much in common and we enjoy doing so many things together: hiking, gardening, blogging, shopping and even church event planning. I never could have imagined my life with any one better. And who would have imagined that I would have met my wife while at work.
Some years back, Michael W. Smith had a song that I really liked, “Place In This World.” This song really spoke to me and I sang it passionately because I was searching for my place in this world. Little did I know that God was listening to me and He helped me find my place in this world by placing my wife into my life.
My wife has taught me so much and helped me grow as a man and as a husband. I am thankful that God has brought her into my life. I love you so much, baby!!!!
Me and my baby, JT, beginning our life together
JT looking so pretty!
JT and me hiking in the mountains of New Mexico
Let us know how you have been blessed by your spouse!
November is upon us and many people are turning their thoughts to Christmas. Shopping lists, family get-togethers and decadent meals are present in their minds. While I love Christmas and its true meaning, I believe many people completely overlook Thanksgiving. I believe that Thanksgiving has become the forgotten holiday, with all the other things happening during the fall and winter. As summer ends, kids are going back to school and even before we make it through September, Christmas planning is in full-swing. Christmas trees can be found in the department stores. Christmas tunes are being played on the radio
Thanksgiving is no longer a day of giving thanks. Instead people think of it as the day before the day after Thanksgiving, when people look to get their Christmas shopping started in full force. I do not succumb to this madness. Instead, I believe that Thanksgiving should be celebrated for what it is. A day when I give thanks to God for all the wonderful things that he has given to me in my life. As I was thinking about it today, I decided that I did not want to limit my thanks to only one day. God is blessing my life every day so I decided that I would take each day in November and give thanks for something in my life. This will be joint effort from the Bubbling team. JT and I will be taking turns writing from our hearts to you. Come back each day for a new post.
Day One: I look around and I see people who are hurting, who are battling sickness and even seeing people who are leaving this Earth too soon. Each day when I wake up, I thank God for being alive and that I am walking in divine health. I am thankful that no sickness or diseases are in my body and that I have full use of all my body.
We are asking you, the Elegant and Graceful readers, to share your thoughts and reasons why you are thankful. Leave a comment below. Or if you have your own blog, create a post and leave us the link and we will read it.
It took me some time to put these pictures up because I was not the weight I would have like to have been. I was dealing with some medical challenges at the time and the medication made me bigger at a time when I wanted to be in the best shape. People told me I looked great; but I did not think so. I so loved my wedding day; but I was not happy with the way I looked. Well Praise the Lord, I am healthier now and I lost over 50 pounds. I have a lot to be thankful for because I married my best friend and we can renew our wedding vows next year and on our 15th wedding anniversary. So here are the pictures.
Jay and I so happy we are officially married.
Happy that I am married to my best friend.
We love Italian food so having the reception at an Italian Restaurant hall was perfect.
My daddy stepped on my train by accident so I am holding it. Jay caught off guard in mid take of picture.
My nails were mega long, I can’t have them that long when I am practicing piano.
My Daddy is with the Lord now so this is even more of a special picture to me. My mother-in-law is so sweet and kind. It is a pleasure to be a part of the family.
My hubby is guest writing this post on Memorial Day.
Today, we celebrate Memorial Day. It does not sound right to me when someone says to me “Happy Memorial Day!”. It is not a happy day, but a solemn day and a day of remembrance. Too often we get caught in holidays meaning that we must head to the mall to check out the latest sales; we must be barbecuing the pork steaks, chickens and ribs; and heading off to someone’s house for a party. But let’s take a moment to remember what holidays are really about, not just Memorial Day. Christmas has gotten to the point now where it is all about giving and receiving presents and Thanksgiving is about eating too much, watching football and getting ready for the next day’s shopping adventures.
Today is Memorial Day, the day set aside to honor the men and women who sacrificed their life so that we could live in this country. The foundation of the United States has always been a country where people come to so that they can be free – free from government oppression, free to choose their own religion and free to speak their own mind. Men and women of our armed forces have gone to war to preserve that freedom for over two hundred years. Many of have fought and paid to keep that freedom possible with their life. They gave their life so that you can have a life of freedom. It is quite an amazing testimony to their commitment to what they believed in and to this country. Let us never forget them or their sacrifice.
My wife’s Uncle Fred and Uncle Thedo served in the United Sates Army. I am grateful to them for their willingness to join the Army and preserve my freedom as an American citizen.
Uncle Fred serving in the United States Army
Uncle Thedo in his full Army uniform
Also my father served in the United States Army. He too served to preserve the United States as a beacon of freedom for all the world.
It’s really been hard to even think about blogging lately because Missouri has seen some horrible catastrophic Tornadoes during the last week. I am honoring the people who have lost their lives and their family members during the devastation with my prayers and not posting any new material until Tuesday of next week.
Joplin, Missouri was hit with a deadly tornado this past Sunday and another tornado hit the area on Tuesday. At last count, 125 people lost their lives and many more people are still missing.
Please help in any way you can.
To make a donation by phone, please call the Heart of Missouri United Way at 573-443-4523. 100% of all proceeds will be donated directly to Joplin.
There’s a facebook page called Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery. Please like the page because it gives information on how you can help.
St. Mary's Catholic Church, Joplin Photo Credit: Dave Buckley
This is all that is left of the church in this picture.
Tornado warning at work Wednesday, May 25th
A tornado warning sounded across the state of Missouri for another wave of severe thunderstorm and funnel clouds on Wednesday. At 3:15pm, while I was at work, we had to seek shelter in the auditorium of the museum. Staff, visitors and I were there for about 45 minutes. The security officers said it was clear and we were able to go back to work as usual well. By the time I got back to my office, a second alarm sounded and it was louder then the first. I grabbed my purse and ran to the lower level and were there for an hour and 15 minutes. I tried to call my husband, but could not get reception in the auditorium. I went to the foyer and looked up and saw the gray eerie looking clouds. I was able to send a text message, letting him know that I was okay. He sent me a message back, saying “honey keep praying.” Life is so precious and when things like this happen you value every minute. The storm was strong and funnel clouds were seen but no tornadoes were confirmed.
I will be praying for the people of Joplin and continuing to pray that we see no more storms or tornadoes.
Psalms 27:1 says, The Lord is my light and my salvation–whom shall I be afraid?
I can’t be fearful, have to be strong and stand.
Have a safe Memorial Day weekend and remember the reason why we celebrate every year. Remember all of the fallen soldiers who died for our country to give us a safe place to live in.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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