The DeLoach Family 2006

Capturing Blessings: Day Twenty-One ~ Unexpected Gifts

Today was a very busy day, as are most Mondays. After work, I had to take my car to the shop, get Perry to ballet, run a few errands, go to Christmas choir practice, and then make a trip to the grocery store. As I made my way into Kroger, I saw a wallet on the ground in the parking lot. After a quick peak at the driver's license, I called Trey to look up the phone number, knowing that I would be freaking out if my wallet was missing. I finally got in touch with the lady's husband, and told him that I was still at the grocery store and to call me back when they got to the grocery store.

As she approached me, I could see how understandably relieved and excited she was to get back that little wallet that held so many pieces of her life. Although I assured her that it was not necessary, she insisted on giving me something for getting it back to her, and stuck a folded up bill in my hand. I was completely shocked to see a $100 dollar bill! It made a huge dent in my grocery bill, and the whole incident made my day (& I am figuring hers too!). 

It was a good reminder that sometimes God wants us to look for the blessings, and sometimes He literally just places them in our hand.

Capturing Blessings: Day Twenty ~ The Gift of Song

This is the song the choir sang this morning in church. What a blessing to be able to sing and believe the words in this song!

Capturing Blessings: Day Nineteen ~ My Girl

I spent all day with this girl and her loud mouth, wild questions, and funny whims. She got on my nerves more than once, gave me tons of kisses, made me laugh, rubbed my back with her feet, and refused to go anywhere that sells sandwiches for dinner. Kooky, crazy, & a blessing not just today, but everyday.

Capturing Blessings: Day Eighteen ~ The Weekend

There's always a little excitement when those buses pull away on Friday afternoons. Not because you're happy to see the kids go, but because you're happy to see the weekend start.

Capturing Blessings: Skipping to Day 17

  Day 15 - A Vivid Imagination

Day 16 - Not Having to Cook Dinner

Day 17 - My quilt

I have so many pretty things, so many cute things, so many fun & shiny things, but this quilt doesn't fall under any of those categories. Yet, it is one of my favorite things that I own.

When we first married, I really wanted a quilt, so Trey contacted a lady about making one for me as a gift. She told him it would be over $300, and that was just completely out of our budget at that time. Many months later a third grader came by selling $1 raffle tickets for a quilt at her school, and Trey bought one. He was so excited when he got the call that he won, and he even had his picture in the Starkville newspaper when he went to pick up the quilt.

This quilt has the ugliest colors and fabrics, but there is nothing more relaxing to me than curling up under this quilt when the weather has even the slightest chill. It is big enough for us both, although most of the time I hog it for myself. I will admit most people don't see it, as I hide it in the closet if we are having company. But it is one of my most prized possessions, not just because of the comfort and coziness it offers me when I'm tired or cold, but because of the story that goes along with it.

Capturing Blessings: Day Fourteen ~ Veterans

Monday mornings are always a little crazy in middle school. Add an assembly to the mix, and you never really know how the day will go. This morning we held a Veteran's Day Program for the community and student body, and I was a bit skeptical about how many veterans would show up and how the students would respond to the serious and solemn program.

The program was a great success. We had a very nice turnout of veterans and guests, and our students were so respectful of the nature of the program. The JROTC presented the colors, as well as the Reverse Arms, which honors the soldiers that didn't make it back home. As the audience stood and watched this poignant picture of the true cost of war, as Taps played in the background, I was reminded how blessed I am to live in this country and for the men and women who have been willing to sacrifice everything to protect and preserve this nation.

Capturing Blessings: Day Thirteen ~ Visiting Friends & Family

This weekend has been full of family and friends visiting our house for the first time. I love entertaining, especially having people over to our house, from the planning to the preparation and of course, the visit itself. One of my favorite parts is the cooking. I enjoy finding dishes that I think fit the people, the occasion, and the season. Tonight, after our weekend guests made their way home, I began getting ready for tomorrow night, when I will host Bunko for some of my favorite people on this earth. I have spent the evening cooking and preparing for these girls who are also one of my life's best blessings!

Capturing Blessings: Day Twelve ~ Youth Group Memories

Today, I attended the Extraordinary Women Conference at FBC Jackson with Jana. We didn't make it there last night so as we were walking in today we were discussing the last conference we had attended at that church, a youth conference led by Dawson McAllister. It was the premier event for Mississippi youth groups in the early 90's, held each May at FBC Jackson. Dawson was quite the speaker, bringing down even the hardest youth groupers to complete rededication mode. But what really made these conferences complete was the music leader with a permed mullet, acid-washed jeans, and a techno keyboard, Al Denson.

After finding our seats in the overflow section and waiting for the program to start, we were shocked to see that a very familiar face was on the video screen. At first we thought it was just a time-filler video, but soon realized that the real live Al Denson was back in that same sanctuary filling in for the regular praise and worship leader scheduled for the conference, Charles Billingsley. On our lunch break, we hunted Al down, told him about the Dawson & Al conversation from the parking lot, and he got a kick out of talking about those old days with Dawson.

The funny thing is that I probably wouldn't have been at that conference today if it hadn't been for those conferences from my youth group years. Even though I may not remember the exact message, the songs, or even if I bowed at that altar and prayed, there were valuable lessons that were ingrained in me through these events. It was through these conferences, retreats, and camps that I got to know God and how he loves me.  It was through these events that I learned that God doesn't move, doesn't disappoint, and doesn't change. It was during those days that I discovered it doesn't matter how or what I feel, He will always make me better.

So today I am thankful for the blessings started during my youth group years. I am thankful for the ministries of  Steve Foxworth & Marty Thompson, my youth ministers. I am thankful that 20 years later, I still use the ACTS method to pray, find myself singing songs learned in youth ensemble, and know that God thinks I am beautiful, even when I feel pretty ugly. I am thankful that today, as I walked through those crowded halls, I saw a couple of faces that were in those youth groups with me, also still willing to listen to what God has to say. I am thankful that the investment was made in an awkward, shy girl who is still reaping the blessings today.

Capturing Blessings: Day Eleven ~ A Place to Rest

Tonight, with approximately 6 minutes legally left in this day, I am thankful for my soft, fluffy, inviting bed where I am about to lay my tired, worn-out head. Good night.

Capturing Blessings: Day Ten ~ A Man Who'll Do Mistletoe Marketplace

Tonight Trey & I went to Mistletoe Marketplace, a long-standing date that I tried to break this year. It wasn't that I didn't want to go with Trey; I just figured he only went to humor me & it was an easy way to score some husband points right before deer season kicked in to full gear. Our good friends, Jana & Jeremy are coming in town for the weekend, so I just thought I'd give Trey a break from the glitter & glitz that is Mistletoe and go with Jana instead.

Well after a bit of pouting and verbalized disappointment, I realized he really did want to go with me because he enjoys it! So plans were changed, and we did continue our little tradition of kicking off the holiday shopping season together. As we walked around, I appreciated the fact that he was one of the few guys in the building. I know I am lucky to have a guy that'll not only carry my packages and look at all the items that I think are cute, tacky, or fun, but that loves to spend time with me even if it's a bit out of his element. And that is a pretty incredible blessing...