We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with all of our family, both sides that is.... Amanda, Lily, and myself are more than blessed with great families and we are always eager to spend all the time with them that we can!! This year we had Thanksgiving in Centerville on November 21st (the Saturday before) and I was very excited that everyone was able to come, it did me good to see all of us under one roof!! We had a great meal and Lily was loved on ALOT! Which is to be expected! We even got a great picture on Mom and Dad's new front porch!! On Wednesday we headed to Searcy for Thanksgiving with Amanda's family! It was a large occasion, as usual! Amanda's family always amazes me, they are so close knit that they still get together for the Holiday's and the reason that is so amazing is they have people scattered everywhere all on different schedules!! We even had a Skype session with Rick, Jan, Hunter, Holly, and Miles to make the family get together complete!! I love spending time with family!! I wish this could be my job!! ;)!!
I am very Thankful for all the blessings God has given me! This holiday season I guess I was more ThankFULL than Thankful, if you know what I mean. I gained 3 pounds over 3 days....now thats a good average. Nonetheless, I walked every day, as usual, but I ate way more than I intended!! Anyway, right now I am trying to get it back off!! :)!! Amanda and I have been putting together a plan for the first 21 days of 2010, and we have decided to FAST from 5 of our most desired foods. It is my hope and prayer that we can make it through this time with out killing one another and it is also my hope and prayer that we will learn to lean on each other and God more during this time!! Here is our list: Amanda- Caffeine, Sweets, Red Meat, Bread, and Peanut Butter...Mine- Chips, Popcorn, Red Meat, Bread, and Cheese (caffeine and candy are not on the list because I have already cut them out). This is definitely going to be a challenge for both of us, but the reason we are doing this is not improve our waist lines, but to help us lean on God and each other!! Who knows where these 21 days will lead us!! I am always looking for better ways to discipline myself and it is a constant challenge and struggle for me. For me, if I can discipline myself in these day to day actions, such as eating, and learn to lean on God with those struggles, leaning on him with other temptations becomes easier!! I am trying to take the James 1:2-5 approach, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who give generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
It is my prayer that my thankFULLness will come more and more from God and the blessings of the relationships he had put in my life, instead of the wants and desires that tend to pull me away from living a life centered on him!!
Still Trying-Nick
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