The Jolliff Family

I'm a goal setter, list maker, and total planner.  I don't love when things aren't planned and I had a plan for today and have one for each day this week.  Things I need to work on and things that need to be finished up this week.  However, with an unexpected snow day and Hap still out of town, my plans went out the window.  However, today I'm thankful for the unexpected.  The opportunity to work on a school project with Jacob, the opportunity to play alphabet bingo with the twins, the opportunity to use three free tickets to Sky Zone, the opportunity to watch the kids play in the snow, the opportunity to to get out a new puzzle to work on this season, and the opportunity to enjoy nippy sunset run tonight.  It's good for me to remember that these kids are only little and home with me for a short amount of time and the other stuff truly can wait.

We had some travels last week and internet troubles when we got back home but even though I wasn't posting, it doesn't mean I wasn't thankful ;) 6/30 Hap and I had the opportunity to visit with some great folks from all across Illinois and it was such an encouragement.  I loved what the preacher said, "Are we more concerned about the sin or the salvation of the person."  That was very convicting for me and something that I will be pondering as we return back overseas.  I'm thankful for the fellowships represented and the support they offer us and I'm thankful for the reminder of God's grace in my own life. 7/30 Today we enjoyed a precious visit with sweet friends from overseas.  Abu and Em Ben were more than supervisors to us, they were our support system, our encouragement, our mentors, and we developed a deep friendship.  I have so much respect for them.  They spent an overnight with us and it was fun for the kids to see them again...

Today I’m super thankful for the worship songs that have been playing on my iPad non-stop over the past month and the new songs we have learned while being in the American church.  I feel like my ability to learn new worship songs stops the minute I get on the airplane to head back across the pond and I listen to those songs over and over until we return and learn some new ones.  It’s such a privilege to be able to be in so many churches and worship with believers here in America. Wish I was fancy and could link my playlist here but I don’t know how but thought I would share with you my favorites and maybe you can also learn a new song or two. Holding Onto You- Carrollton Your Words- Third Day Call Upon the Lord- Elevation Worship Good Grace- Hillsong United Goodness of God- Bethel Music Almost Home- Mercy Me Glory to Glory- Bethel Awaken- Phil Wickham Yes, I Will- Vertical Worship How Great Thou Art- Steven Curtis Chapman remake See A Victory- E...

Today I'm thankful for having some new experiences with the kids this fall!  Time is moving quickly and the kids are growing, I sometimes forget that, and having some time to slow down and marvel at what we are doing and the fun we are having together is a gift.  On Halloween night, the kids and I were walking through the Town Square and we found enormous leaves from the trees.  The kids had a blast trying to find the biggest leaf.  It was a simple moment but one that reminded me of how thankful I am for these new experiences, both for the kids and that I get to experience it with them. I'm telling ya, these leaves were big!!

Today I'm thankful for time outside and with family on the farm. We enjoyed a day in Patoka yesterday.  It was a perfect fall day, chilly air but beautiful blue sky!  We went to the field to check out the corn harvest once we arrived.  Abigail needed a quick break! The boys enjoyed finding some corn cobs after the combine moved through. Big tires and big fun! Love this biggest boy of mine! Of course, I'm crazy about all of them! The twins found a pile to climb once we got back to the house.  Look at those blue skies!  Such a beautiful day. Harvest is such a great time to thank God for his many gifts He gives to us!

Today I’m so thankful for fall and in fact I feel a bit like Pooh bear who says,  “It’s the first day of autumn!  A time of not chocolates mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and best of all, leaping into leaves!” I have always loved fall, it’s my favorite season in America (overseas my favorite is spring because it means we survived the winter.... I’m only half joking), but this year has been extra special as it is our first fall here since fall 2011!  The colors seem brighter, the corn more beautiful, and the crisp autumn air more refreshing.  I saw this tree near our home, pulled the van over, and took a picture because I loved the beauty.   Fall!  Simple but so thankful!

My book selections left me wanting this month.  These three books are different than my typical book choices.  It's always good to read something a bit different and maybe you will find something you enjoy here! Book #1 The first book I read this month, “Becoming Mrs. Lewis”, was a recommendation from a friend.  Usually recommendations are the way to go but this is one book wasn’t as stellar as I hoped.  The story is a complicated journey of friendship and love between C. S. Lewis and an aspiring writer, Joy Gresham.  Their story spans two continents until they can finally be together in England.  While the book kept me interested as they wrote back and forth and dove into the thin line between friendship and love, it left me bored as well.  At times, the book was filled with conversation which seemed difficult to read through and moved slower than I desired.  In the end, I cried and was glad I stuck with it and read it but I would be h...