My Plant-Based Family

Eating Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet recipes, On a Budget.

Gratituesday

Gratituesday: Late Nights

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Two of our “big kids” have been here for almost two weeks and our oldest flew in on Monday night…late. My “little boys” go to bed about 7 and my husband and I normally call it a night between 9 and 10. For the last two weeks that has not been the case. I still don’t know how my husband is getting up so early everyday and functioning at the office. I get to sleep until 6 or 7 in the morning so I have it much better than he does.

Even though I am not getting near enough sleep I am so thankful that our kids are wanting to spend time with us. We watch movies, laugh, eat, play, talk, and have a pretty good time.

What are you thankful for today?

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Gratituesday: Hearing

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Yes this is random Tuesday at My Plant-Based Family. I didn’t have a crazy experience or anything traumatic. But this is what happened.

We normally go to church on Saturday nights. Our church isn’t big enough to accommodate everyone who attends on a Sunday morning so there is an identical service on Saturday nights. We were always Sunday morning kind of people. We would get dressed up, even though that isn’t required, and go to church. A few times we decided to attend the Saturday evening service and LOVED it. It was more relaxed, there were fewer people, and it felt more intimate with a smaller group.

This last weekend I held my Food Demo on Saturday night so I attended the Sunday morning church service. I was a few minutes late and it was packed. You couldn’t help hear all of the voices surrounding you. On Saturday evenings you mostly just hear the Worship team. On Sunday morning I heard the beautiful sounds of worship; from the stage, from the people around me.

I couldn’t help notice the difference in sound. I was thankful to be a part of that experience. Then I started thinking about other things I hear. The sound of the dishwasher running as I lay in bed at night. The strong winds and thunder we have been hearing this week in Arizona. The sound of my boys calling my name over and over and over again or the high-pitched voice my three-year old uses to sing when his little brother is upset.

What if that was all taken away; not all of those things but the ability to hear them. I suddenly became very thankful.

I can not imagine life without the voices of my kids or my husband, my family or friends. I am thankful that I can retreat from all of the noise and find sanctuary in silence but I wouldn’t want to live in silence.

What are you grateful for today?

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Gratituesday: Anticipation

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Yesterday I mentioned that this is a busy week for us. I’m pretty sure the next 6 weeks will be filled with activity. Right now my days are filled with anticipation. It’s not that I’m wishing away today, I’m just really excited about everything that awaits this week.

We are all familiar with anticipation; the smell of something delicious cooking (or baking…mmmm), a long-awaited reunion with a friend, a coming holiday, or even payday. My anticipation is growing for several reasons today.

First, my husband has been out of town since Saturday morning and arrives home today! I’ll pick him up from the airport this afternoon, I cannot tell you how ready I am for him to be back. Yes he was gone most of the time I was sick. 🙁

Second, two of our big kids come home (for 6 weeks) on Wednesday night! I am very ready for them to be here too. My 3 year old is sooo ready for his daddy and siblings to be here. I started teaching him about calendars just to explain when they would be here.

Third, my first Food Demo is coming up on Saturday! I have a dozen people confirmed and a few others that mentioned a month ago they would probably come but I haven’t seen an RSVP from them yet. A few of the ladies coming are already fully plant-based, others are just interested in eating healthier, and some of them are people I’ve “met” through blogging or are friends of friends and I’m super excited to actually meet.

I’ve got a few other things in the works too but they are not imminent. I’ll talk about those in the coming months. They are mostly just big news to me, I don’t think anyone else would bat an eyelash, but that is ok.

Do you have a vacation coming up? Maybe a birthday party? I think anticipation is a good thing, I love the excitement it brings.  What are you anticipating now?

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Gratituesday: Helping

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I love helping people. I especially love helping people begin to get healthy with a plant-based diet.

I love talking to people, cooking for people and blogging about plant-based eating. I strive to be helpful, I want people to realize they can eat real food that taste great and wont cost them an arm and a leg.

In the last week I’ve had two people (one a dear friend and the other an acquaintance from years ago) contact me and tell me they are interested in a plant-based diet.

EEEEKKKKK! That is me squealing in excitement. I learned that sound from my daughter when she was a tween. If you have a daughter you know that sound too. First, I get excited because I know someone I care about will be healthier. Second, I get to play a small part in that.

Most of my friends are not plant-based eater’s and that is ok. I love them no matter what they eat. I do get excited when I hear they make a meatless meal or try a new grain or veggie. I love their feedback on my plant-based meals.

I’m just thankful for the opportunity to help people!

What are you thankful for today?

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Gratituesday: An Anchor

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There are moments in life we never expect to happen. They vary by degree; but we will all find ourselves in a moment where we can’t believe what we are hearing. I have a few friends walking through such moments and now I find myself in this unfamiliar land as well. 

At a different point in life this situation would have been too much to bare, and even now it is almost maddening. Thankfully I have an anchor to rely on. Most of us know an anchor as thing that is dropped from a boat to keep it from moving or drifting, it provides security and stability. My anchor is my hope and faith in Jesus.

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.      Hebrews 6:19 NLT

I’m grateful for this lesson I’m learning. My trust in God is not dependent on my level of  health, prosperity or possessions, the behavior of my kids or friends, or any other thing for that matter. If they are all taken away He is still worthy of my adoration. 

I still wrestle with anger, disappointment, unbelief, and much frustration over this situation we find ourselves navigating. I am not happy about it and I wont pretend to be. My faith doesn’t require that I’m “happy” with everything that happens. At the center of who I am, in the deepest place of my heart, and the most logical parts of my mind I know that Jesus is LORD and I trust Him!

I’ve been singing this song long before I new of this situation. I’m so grateful that my heart was prepared. 

God I look to You, I won’t be overwhelmed
Give me vision to see things like You do
God I look to You, You’re where my help comes from
Give me wisdom; You know just what to doI will love You Lord my strength
I will love You Lord my shield
I will love You Lord my rock forever
All my days I will love You God

Hallelujah our God reigns
Hallelujah our God reigns
Hallelujah our God reigns forever
All my days Hallelujah

Jenn Johnson/Ian Mcintosh Bethel Music Publishing 2010 
 

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Gratituesday: Today

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I am thankful for today. I want to make the most of it. Some days “making the most of it” means getting as many things as possible done’ other days it means putting all of that aside to spend time with my family. Today it mean I have a sitter and I’m getting out by myself, there will be a massage, Starbucks, and a trip to Target on my schedule. There will also be time for prayer, reading, and music. Yes a great day. 

I love being with my husband, I love being with my kids, I love being with my friends, and I love time by myself. I’m thankful for this time today. 

What are you grateful for today?

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!