Where oh Where have we been?

Wow life has changed in the past year.  I have been keeping up with their milestones elsewhere but have been getting the urge to blog again...

Have you ever had that God griping feeling that life is just so grand and exciting that you just cannot explain how happy/excited you are about what is to come.  You know that it won't all be great but that it will be one heck of an adventure.  Well I have this past week!  I am excited, a little scared, but totally giddy with anticipation of our adventure as a family. 

I was given the best advice ever years ago to slow down every day and breathe/soak in life as it is... even on the worst days to remember those feelings.  This is why I remember VERY vividly many big and small moments in my life from the birth of our children to Ryan and I's first date.  And I know those moments make me love life even more.  I knew that my life was changing, I knew God has had a plan for us.  I also knew I never led my life, I just stood on God's feet in this dance called life and He took control every minute of every day.  This all came washing over me again as I stood in the girls rooms the other day just staring at how GREAT things were when I was overcome with tears.  How had my life ended up with so many glorious things.  I know God provided for us in every way but I was so humbled in those moments.

I am so excited to see what else He has in store.

I say a thanksgiving prayer every morning I wake up and I will continue to do so every day.  Do you say that prayer? Even when a child is crying, you are running late or you feel horrible?  I urge you to do so... to soak in a moment every day (from a child talking/waking to a coworker giving you kudos) and say a thanksgiving prayer to start your day.

Many Thanksgiving!

Rachel

In everything give thanks....

Thanksgiving is coming and Life has been super hectic. I have been thinking about what I am thankful for and a blog I happened upon inspired me to think about what I am grateful for. We all have things that "drive us batty" in our daily lives but how are you grateful for them too. Here are a few that I have come up with for today :)

1. It's hard because my husband still has 6 weeks left for this year alone on his crazy work schedule. But I am grateful he has a great job that he can grow with and learn in.

2. Houston has crazy traffic after 630AM. But I am grateful I have a car that is dependable and safe and I that I have a great job to drive to. :)

3. That my dog keeps pulling all of her toys out and leaving them in places I step on them at night. But I am so grateful that she loves me unconditionally and I love her. She keeps me happily occupied with the husband being SOO BUSY!!

4. That some of my friends live to far away to see on a weekly basis. But I am so very grateful for all of my friendship, love, support and kindness. God truly blessed me with a great core group of friends.

Do you make it a habit to thank God and others for the many little things in life that others tend to take for granted?

These are my inspriation as I approach the Thanksgiving Season. Even though I strive to be grateful for things everyday it is this time of year that they really come out. Things are hectic, we miss loved ones and time is shorter and shorter yet God granted us His love unconditionally. Be grateful for all of the wonderful things He has given us.

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. Psalms 92:1

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Thessalonians 5:18

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalms 69:30

My thought for today....

The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.

Life changes... whether we like it or not.. :)

Have you ever stopped and looked around, listened to God and seen what amazing things He has done for you and in your life lately?? They maybe small or large, but either way the changes have happened...

Today is definitely that day for me. There are so many things happening and I took a minute to reflect on what those things were/are and it is AMAZING! God's hand is in all of our lives yet sometimes the "changes" he makes to us are small and we don't take the time to notice. Sometimes those "changes" are not what we ever thought would happen but they did... whether we were ready or not. God knows when we are truly ready for something or for a change. He knows our hearts and souls better than we do...

Take the time to look around, look at your loved ones and see how much God has "changed" your world lately.

As I write this I smile knowing He changed my world and I am listening.

Little Things

You ever sit there and realize how it really is the small things that get you OR don't get you through the day. Like today Ryan had told me he wasn't able to have lunch today.. and i'm fine with that as his job is demanding and never a set schedule like I am so fortunate to have (yes I know that is a run on sentence)! So I went to lunch a little late and decided to go sit in the break room. Unfortunately I missed his call that would have gotten me a small break to see him. The little thing is that he called.. granted that really is a big thing that he got to take the break but it's the gesture that is awesome. Little thing... I found a new website http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ and some of the cakes are completely awesome and some are just down right funny!!!! Made me laugh out loud... Little thing: Communicating with friends and realizing that life is really great... Friends are living their lives out happily, my "fake" neices and nephews and real neices and nephews are growing up so wonderfully and being born healthy..

It is just amazing how much God shows you in a day....We all at some point take these moments for granted... Be grateful for the little things it's God's way of showing you he is thinking of you each and every minute of ever day....

Life's Wonders...

Life is great! It is days like yesterday that make you remember true friends, life's gifts and moments of blissful silence. God is great in his ways of making you stop and smell the roses. Sitting back and making sure you are who you want to be is a great gift. Seeing things clearly is always a blessed gift from God. A moment hit me yesterday that made me stop and see how great and wonderful things are. Prayer is a powerful thing. Many happy thoughts to all of you as you continue you down the path God has granted you.

99 days...

I can't believe it is 99 days til the wedding. In 100 days I will be the new Mrs. Rachel Benke Harrell. I love it... I can't believe that I finally found my prince. I am so glad that my life took the path it did. Granted it was a little bumpy with a few twists and turns but in the end it was God's path for me to take and struggle through to get me to this point in my life. I am truly blessed to have Ryan in my life. In 13 days we will hit our 1 year mark. 343 days ago we met each other for the first time for a lunch date. I remember vividly frantically calling Cindy McLaughlin to ask her what to wear.. ha ha ha Her awesome husband David told me to wear jeans to appear more at ease. I can't believe it has been almost a year!!!!!!! Blessed are these days given to us by God!

Thanksfullness and 12 things...

I sit here and breathe in the love of my friends and family. God has granted me such a beautiful life surrounded by wonderful friends and family. Things I am grateful for (in no particular order/preference - and not all of them just a taste)

*God's Grace

*Ryan's love

*My loving family

*My wonderful to be family

*My best friends (they know who they are)

*My great job

*Life

*Freedom
*Love
*The ability to afford life.

*The friendships that have been created over the years that are still with me today

*The little moments that firneds let you know you are loved

*Family friends that celebrate great moments with you but are realy strong when not so good things happen.

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12 Things I Will Do Today

*Narrow down my invitations

*Create the email for my bridesmaids (having nightmares that your girls work blue and white taffeta dressed like sailor girls is just wrong!)

*Clean up all the wedding stuff that is strown about the house

*Go to the grocery store

*Call friends back

*Make maps

*Say a Thankful prayer for good Doctors

*Work on shower dates

*Buy a calendar so I won't lose track of all these dates

*Update the shower list

*Hug Ryan - and hope he feels better soon

*Pay Bills

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