52 Blessings Week 12

This week my blessing is God's creation. I planted daffodil bulbs over a year ago, and they bloomed last year, and now they are blooming again! Spring isn't my "favorite" month, but it's close! I love to see the flowers bloom (especially now that I am in the beautiful northwest and can see His beauty everywhere you look) and just the whole "newness" of what spring means. I thank God for all the seasons He gives us, and I'm happy to be living in the Northwests where I can truly enjoy each season as it comes. Isn't He great to give us seasons? :)

52 Blessings Week 11

This week my blessing is my mom and dad. Yesterday (Saturday) we celebrated their 6oth wedding anniversary! Eleven of us gathered together at The Olive Garden to celebrate this awesome milestone. In this day and age when marriages are so easily discarded when bad things come along, it's great to see a marriage that has lasted 60 years. True, their time together hasn't had its problems, but they committed to stay married to each other 60 years ago (actually on the 16th of March) and they remain faithful to each other to this day. I know it's because of their faith in God, and having made Him first in their lives that this has been possible. They set a good example to their two children by having daily devotions (which they continue to this day). They have never been in debt (except for a house payment or a car payment) and have been able to make many oversea trips, even though they never made a lot of money.
Thank you, Mom and Dad for leaving a great legacy! I love you!

52 Blessings Week 10

I cannot believe week 10 has come and gone...I forgot to post last Sunday! Let's see...my blessing last week...
I'd have to say my blessing this last week was my friend, Jane. I am so thankful that she has come into my life again. We were roommates our senior year in college (a loooooongg time ago!) and we went our separate ways until about 4 years ago. And now, we live in the same town, and we have decided to try and do some outing together once a month. This has been fun. Saturday (the 7th) we went on an outing to look for a Letterbox at Champoeg State Park. We didn't find it...the weather was cold and was threatening rain, and we were still a long way from where the box was supposed to be. But, we had fun, anyway. I am so blessed to have Jane as my friend!

52 Blessings Week 9

My blessing this week is my youngest son, Todd. He is really starting to make a name for himself, and it makes me so happy to see him doing so well! This past week he wrote a blog on the website where he works and Rush Limbaugh was so impressed by it that he read it on the air! Now, I know this may not be a very big deal to many of you, but it is a very big deal to me (and to him!). At 27, he already has thoughts that are worth repeating :) He also got his picture in the Washington Post, but they misrepresented what he and his friend were doing. Can't trust those newspaper reporters! Anyway...I just had to brag on my son! I truly thank God for the gift He has given Todd in expressing himself in the political world. We need more young people like Todd!

52 Blessings Week 8

Well, this week I have to say my blessing was my Faithbooking class that I started at church. Friday night was our first meeting and 13 showed up! Everyone seemed real excited about doing something to keep a legacy of their faith. I'm really excited to see what they come up with and share next month! God is GOOD!

52 Blessings Week 7

My blessing this week is my Aunt Betty. She had a stroke a week and a half ago, and is doing remarkably well. I really love my aunt. She's a lot younger than my dad, and she's a lot of fun. I would really be upset if something happened to her...she's too young! She was in really great spirits when my dad and I went to visit her yesterday. I love family and I love my aunt Betty!

52 Blessings Week 6

In continuation of last week's post (which was just posted a few minutes ago!) I want to recognize the blessing of my cousins. David and Randy are my cousins, but they are much closer to me than cousins...especially David. We are only 9 weeks apart in age, and Randy is 9 years younger. David and I grew up together, and we spent many Christmases etc. together. Even though David lives in Anchorage, AK and Randy lives in Oklahoma, I pray that we will always keep in contact with them and that they will feel apart of our family. I will miss your mom, David and Randy. Even though it was a sad time saying good-bye to her this week, it was great getting to see them and spending time with them. There is nothing more important than family here on earth. I am blessed being close to my aunts, uncles, and cousins, even though we may be separated my many miles.

52 Blessings Week 5

My blessing for this week (which is really last week's since I didn't post one then) is my extended family. My aunt (mom's sister) suddenly became critically ill and was taken to the hospital on Friday, Jan. 30. Sadly, she passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009. I was very close to her, she was like a 2nd mother to me. I spent several summers living with her and her family when I was in college earning money at the cannery. I will truly miss my aunt Anita. Thankfully, she is in Heaven rejoicing with the Saints!

52 Blessings Week 4

This week's blessing is the fact that I've had a lot of subbing jobs this year. God knows we need the money, and He as faithfully provided jobs for me. I'm also thankful that I am getting two days off this week! That's the beauty of subbing...it doesn't have to be everyday. But, I do want to sub as often as I can. I already have a job lined up for Friday, which is really nice! Plus I have my regular Thursday job in a 3rd grade class (of which is another real blessing...to have a steady job at least once a week!). God is GOOD!

52 Blessings Week 3

Today I have to say that my blessing is my dad. Today, he turned 85 years old. He is a WWII Vet and a pastor for 15 years. I am thankful for his Christian example. I am blessed that I now live only 6 houses from him (and my mom!) and have been able to go on many walks with him. I realize that our days with dad here on earth may not be very many more, so I realize that I am blessed for every day the Lord leaves him on earth for us.

52 Blessings Week 2

This week I am definitely blessed to have a two week subbing job! God knows our financial situation, and He has blessed me with a short term subbing job for the next two weeks! PLUS, the school where I subbed today, needs me back on the last Friday of the month. So, I am basically teaching the last 2 weeks of January. Thank you, God, for being faithful and supplying our needs.

52 Blessings Challenge #1
So, this year over at faithsisters.com we have challenge to blog, scrapbook, or journal one blessing a week for one year. I have chosen to blog my blessings each week. If you would like to join in on this challenge, feel free to check it out at
http://faithsisters.com/forum/index.php?topic=7313.15

Here we are at week #1...

My 1st Blessing is my two boys. I was so happy to have my two sons spend Christmas here with us in Washington. Even though getting here and even going home, proved to be a challenge for them (weather and airline problems!), I am truly thankful and blessed that they made the effort to come up here. God has truly blessed me in giving me two terrific boys. My prayer for them is that they will always follow the Lord and make HIM #1 in their lives.

Well, here it is, almost 2009. It seems like just yesterday we were anticipating the year 2000, and now here we are 9 years later! Where does the time go? This past year has been interesting. Last December, Tom had his knee replacement "revised" so, he was off work until the 1st of May. I wasn't working too much as a sub, so times were hard. Then I didn't have any work throughout the whole summer, so that didn't help. In September I got a long term subbing job for the months of Sept. and Oct. so that was good. Then in November I started subbing every Thursday in a 3rd grade classroom at the same private school I subbed for in Sept. and Oct. It's the school that our church is in charge of. I also started subbing as a paraeducator (staff assistant) in the public schools. I've worked pretty much every day that I've been available, but the pay isn't that great. But, it's something. It was great to have both boys here with us for Christmas this year. This was the first time Tim has been up here since we moved up here. The last time he came to visit Grandma and Grandpa was in 2001. Tim went home on the 29th and Todd goes home on the 4th. I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, and I pray that God will guide you every step of the way in 2009.

Join Faith Sisters for our Birthday Bash Cyber Crop!

Who: YOU are invited!
When: September 26-28th
What: Challenges, Prizes (traditional and digital,) Sales,
Chats, New Goodies and MORE!
Where: www.FaithSisters.com
Why: To celebrate our 1 year birthday!

Wow! Here it is the last day of August and I just realized I haven't posted since June!
Well...what's been going on? Here's the scoop...
First of all, my son Todd has successfully moved to Washington, DC and is happy in his new job at The Heritage Foundation. He has been there almost 3 months already!
Second of all, I have a job! Well, ok...I'll be teaching (subbing) for a 2nd grade class for the months of Sept. and Oct. School starts on Wednesday, Sept. 3, so ready or not, here I come!
Third of all, my oldest son, Tim, has just moved. He is still in southern California, and still has the same job. He seems to be doing well!
I have been busy keeping up with the Scripture Challenges at Faith Sisters. It is a great website, and I encourage anyone to join this awesome group of Christian ladies! http://faith-sisters.blogspot.com/
Sign up, and you can join us in our discussions. Very fun and supportive group!
I have just finished reading my 49th book for 2008. So far I've read 3 more books this year at this time than I did last year at this time. So many books...so little time!
I am so thankful for the way God has provided this job for me. I am confident that He will supply all our needs for the coming year.

Big news in the Thurman family...Todd is moving to Washington, DC next week! He got a job working for The Heritage Foundation and is in the process of moving clear across the country. I'm really happy for him, but sad that he'll be even farther away from us than he already is!

My selling on Ebay has come to a stop for now. I did sell 15 books on there, though! I was happy because I sold some books to a lady who is rebuilding their church library after Hurricane Rita destroyed their church. The church is being rebuilt, and she's trying to get books for their library.

That's about all that's been going on here!

Well, I've entered the world of selling on EBay! Actually, I'm trying to sell some books for my mom. So, if you want to check it out, go to Ebay and look them up! I'm selling books by Michael Phillips and Liz Curtis Higgs. I've got 8 books up for sale so far. The sale ends Friday sometime. I hope they all sell! So far there are bids on two books. I wish I knew how to tell you how to get to them, but if you look up Angels Watching Over me and find my user name (marileet51). Then I believe you can see other books that I am selling. I'm so new at this I have no idea what I'm doing, but at least my dh can help me as he is a mega seller on EBay.
Let me know if you check them out!

It's been awhile since I've blogged (as a couple of my friends so kindly reminded me when I saw them last week), so I guess I better do some blogging!

I had a great week last week as Tom and I went to southern California. We visited with friends and also got to see our sons. I just wish the weather could have been a bit warmer...but it wasn't too bad. The worst was when we went to the Dodger game on Wednesday and it rained! We did not wait for the 1 hr. 15 min. rain delay...we went home. I had my Dodger Dog so I was happy. :)

I also had the privilege of going to the Women's Retreat from our Burbank church. What a great time! Plus, I got to spend the afternoon with my oldest DS, thanks to Pam letting me use her car!

I really missed Faith Sisters while I was away. If you read this blog and want to be part of a great group of women who love Jesus and also love to scrapbook, then check out faithsisters.com. It is a great site, and I have made some great online friends. I am hoping to get to meet some of them in real life in the future.

My subbing jobs have been better in February and March. So far I have two days lined up in April.

Tom is still recouperating from his knee revision surgery from Dec. He should be good to go back to work around the first of May. But, then he is scheduled for Jury Duty April 28 for two weeks, so who knows when he'll actually go back to work!

I am reading a good series of books right now. They are Sisterchicks books. There are 5 of them. I am on my 3rd one. They are by Robin Jones Gunn.

Other authors I enjoy are: Karen Kingsbury (the BEST!), Lauraine Snelling, Beverly Lewis, and Wanda Brunstetter. Tracie Peterson is also good. They are all good Christian authors. I encourage you to read their books!

Well, that's all I've got for now! I'll try to do better...but I've said that before!

I was tagged by my friend (?) JackieAnn :) to share some facts about me, based on my Middle Name~
Here are the rules she sent:
1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.
2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).
3. After you are tagged, you need to update your blog with your middle name and your answers.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details)

Ok...I don't have a middle name, so here goes with my maiden name!
K-Kind :)
N-Nice :)
O-Oregon born
L-Loves to Laugh
L-Longs to see Jesus

Ok...it was hard to come up with these, but when your maiden name is Knoll...it's the best I could do.

I don't have anyone to "tag" so guess I'll have to skip that part...I hope nothing "bad" happens to me since I didn't follow all the directions!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!