Thankful Thursday

Before posting this, I must admit I did not have a very thankful heart today, actually I had the exact opposite. I woke up feeling really tired and pretty overwhelmed with school, disorganization of my house (with the move), and missing spending more time with my husband now that our crazy summer scheduled is in full swing. Instead of choosing joy & thankfulness, I choose to focus on myself and my circumstances which lead to sin & emptiness. Thankfully, I am a work in progress and obviously need much more modeling from Christ. It taught me that choosing joy may not always be easy, but it is definitely worth it! Some highlights from my thankful journey this week include:

Lord, thank you for.....

-breezy Chicago nights

-meeting four adorable hispanic girls that live two doors down from us

-sweet little Vanessa praising God through dance on Sunday

-hearing Leroy's journey of freedom from a drug addiction

-a picnic in Oz Park with Alyssa

-being 1/3 of the way done with my summer class

-getting to see my family in two weeks

-feeling my sweet girl moving inside of me

-a great doctor's appointment

-a ceiling fan in our bedroom

"You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with external pleasures at your right hand." Ps 16:11

Partying Kenyan Style

A few weeks ago, our friend & brother in Christ, Njenga, left to spend the summer in his home country Kenya. We are already missing Nejenga's wise, joyful, and crazy spirit, but are excited to hear what Christ is doing through his trip. Before he left we had a night of celebration Kenyan style. It was my first time to try grilled goat and mandazi bread and it won't be my last. We ended the night with hot tea, African dancing that eventually led to the Wobble Baby, and jammin with some instruments. I am very thankful for the body of Mosaic and how they bless my life. 

Njenga preparing the goat meat.

Mandanzi: a fried bread

Goat & Kenyan sauce.

Also, Baby Venable loves to get down. I just couldn't control her. 

27 (almost 28) Weeks

Taken at 25 weeks.

Size of the baby: Head of cauliflower (16 in. 2.5 lbs)

Maternity Clothes: Yes! I have some regular size shorts, but they have the stretchy band at the top.

Boy or Girl: a sweet baby girl!

Movement: She is a very active little lady, mostly at night and early mornings. 

Sleep: I'm sleeping great!

Anything you miss?: being able to go at a faster pace.

Cravings: lots of cereal.

Symptoms: some side and lower back pain.

Any fears?: not really. 

Best moment of the month: The ultrasound! It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. It is truly a miracle that a little human is growing inside of me! It was a breathtaking moment as we were able to see all of the body parts and watch our little girl move around. 

The Beginning of "Thankful Thursday"

I have been completely blessed to read the book, 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voscamp. I have had the book for quite sometime, but just recently picked it up off my bookshelf to read and it has been perfect timing. Ann writes about the importance of having joy in all circumstance and continually giving thanks to Christ throughout the day. She compiled a list of things that she is thankful for, recording 1,000 things. I also have started my own list. I have grown and learned much in the past weeks of recognizing and recording gifts from God.

• I have become more aware of Christ's presence in my life as I look for things to be thankful for. He has truly blessed me so much and I want to experience joy in Him as I recognize the way He is moving in my life. 
• My ungrateful and selfish heart has been laid bare as I realize how I miss out on the act of thankfulness when I am concerned solely about myself. I recognize where I need Christ's transforming power to truly consider others and their feelings above my own.
• My gaze is slowly not becoming on my own life but on the goodness and character of God. 

Thank you Christ for

never forsaking me. 

pieces of Texas. 

a front yard for Selah.

a new neighborhood to start our family in. 

hearing two-year-olds laughter when I turn on the bubble machine.

friends that helped us move and paint.

your constant, unfailing presence.

a growing baby girl.

how you have built Mosaic Church.

women's community at our Village time.

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name."

Psalm 100:4