Thank You, U.S. Military

Thank God for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For my freedom. For your freedom. For our freedom.

They didn't have to. But, they did. They know the price of freedom. Peace doesn't simply exist because we will it or say it should. Peace happens, sometimes through a show of force--for freedom. And sometimes peace can happen because the entirety of a nation chooses to live by the will of God, not for self. (How rare. But, isn't this truly peace? We will not know this, though until Jesus Christ returns, but should strive for this today and tomorrow.)

Thank God people believed in our nation and the foundations our forefathers envisioned... Our military and their families. Past, present, and future.

Thank you for those serving now. You don't have to, but you believe in the U.S. Constitution enough to defend her. I pray you will continue to take this seriously every day and are forever mindful of this. (I pray we as a nation do this as well.)

What the U.S. military does is often ignored, often despised, often taken for granted. So many say they support the military and really don't. But, we can change this today and make it a daily point to pray for them and think of them. We can also make sure we vote correctly (and actually vote) so they get the support they need.

May we remember our military, and what they sacrifice and have for our freedom... so we can continue on with life as normal while theirs is anything but.

People have died on our behalf. And people are willing to now. How humbling. I sure don't deserve it. But, they have and will do it anyway.

Thank God.

God bless the USA and our U.S. military. We would not have the lifestyle we have today if not for them.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2008-2014)

Counting of Blessings

I am thankful, Lord for...

Prayer journal anything that comes to mind.

Lord, I'm thankful for...

A Prayer Journaling Prompt: Counting of Blessings

Count your blessings. What are you thankful for? Praise God and offer Him your gratitude, praise, and worship--as you prayer journal. 

Thank You, Lord: A Prayer Journaling Prompt

What do you thank God for today?

Count your blessings.

Keep them in your prayer journal so you don't forget them.

Question About Counting Your Blessings

Question About Counting Your Blessings

What can you do to offer more thanks throughout your day today?

Tomorrow?

A couple of thoughts to prayer journal about and ponder.

(I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject, by the way.)

Counting of Blessings and Morning Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for this day. What an opportunity. It is Your day, not mine. I look forward to seeking You and searching all around to see Your glory.

Thank You for this week and time with You.

Abba, You are my all, my Everything. I am nothing without You.

Guide me, Lord. Help me to stay in the middle of Your will.

Use me. All I want to do is bring you as much glory as possible.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014.)

Blessings Journaling

Rather than do what is called gratitude journaling, do Counting of Blessings Journaling (or Blessings Journaling). 

The difference between the two is the second recognizes what God has done in one's life, around one's life, and through one's life.

JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT FOR 2013

Count the Blessings in your life each and every day all year long in 2013. Write at least 3 each day.

Most of the blessings you count, by the way, are memories. Therefore, you might want to write more about them later. This is another way to leave your legacy.

And, just think--if you're having a rough day, you can always look at the blessings you had before and it should re-motivate you and help you find blessings on those challenging days. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Blessings Journaling: Always Give Thanks

Rather than do what is called gratitude journaling, do Counting of Blessings Journaling (or Blessings Journaling). 

The difference between the two is the second recognizes what God has done in one's life, around one's life, and through one's life.

JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT FOR 2013

Count the Blessings in your life each and every day all year long in 2013. Write at least 3 each day.

Most of the blessings you count, by the way, are memories. Therefore, you might want to write more about them later. This is another way to leave your legacy.

And, just think--if you're having a rough day, you can always look at the blessings you had before and it should re-motivate you and help you find blessings on those challenging days.

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014.) 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.

May your day be a memorable one--as you count your blessings.

~ Stacy Duplease

The Thanksgiving List Journaling

TIP: Every year, do this exercise. Keep the lists and make sure to look at them every Thanksgiving.

1. List 10 items (people, places, things, experiences) you are grateful for--off the top of your head.

2. List 10 items (people, places, things, experiences) you are grateful for from the last year.

3. List 10 items (people, places, things, experiences) you are grateful for from your life.

4. List 10 items (people, places, things, experiences) you are grateful for from the last 5 years. 

5. List 10 items (people, places, things, experiences) you are grateful for as you enter the New Year. 

6. Go through your lists and find one item at least every day for two weeks and write for 10 minutes whatever comes to mind about why you are grateful for that item (people, place, thing, experience).

7. If you have another list you did a previous year, do #1-6 above and then read the previous list and answer each of the following again with anything new that you want to add to this list. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper Author & Sci-Fi Writer

The Story of John Arundell and Roanoke (A Sci-Fi Time Travel Novel)

& the Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

The Thanksgiving List Journaling

TIP: Every year, do this exercise. Keep the lists and make sure to look at them every Thanksgiving.

1. List 10 items (people, places, things, experiences) you are grateful for--off the top of your head.

2. List 10 items (people, places, things, experiences) you are grateful for from the last year.

3. List 10 items (people, places, things, experiences) you are grateful for from your life.

4. List 10 items (people, places, things, experiences) you are grateful for from the last 5 years. 

5. List 10 items (people, places, things, experiences) you are grateful for as you enter the New Year. 

6. Go through your lists and find one item at least every day for two weeks and write for 10 minutes whatever comes to mind about why you are grateful for that item (people, place, thing, experience).

7. If you have another list you did a previous year, do #1-6 above and then read the previous list and answer each of the following again with anything new that you want to add to this list. 

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Gratitude Journaling

I recommend doing this every day, or at least every week.

Count your blessings.

Fill in the blank. I am thankful for...

1. List at least 7 things off the top of your head and mention the reasons why you are grateful for each of them. 

2. What are the top 3 from that list? Star them or put them in priority order. Then, be even more thorough as to why you are thankful for each of those top 3 items. 

3. Review at least the last 3 lists you've made. Do a JRT (Journaling Review Template) of them.  

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper Author & Sci-Fi Writer

The Story of John Arundell and Roanoke (A Sci-Fi Time Travel Novel)

& the Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease)

Gratitude Journaling

I recommend doing this every day, or at least every week.

Count your blessings.

Fill in the blank. I am thankful for...

1. List at least 7 things off the top of your head and mention the reasons why you are grateful for each of them. 

2. What are the top 3 from that list? Star them or put them in priority order. Then, be even more thorough as to why you are thankful for each of those top 3 items. 

3. Review at least the last 3 lists you've made. Do a JRT (Journaling Review Template) of them.  

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease)

Blessings

How many blessings are you counting today?

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Fiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Thoughts on Motherhood

I've decided to move my thoughts on motherhood to a different blog. It is intended to be an interactive site where women discuss the blessings and responsibilities of motherhood. We'll also discuss how not to ruin our kiddos for life and how to leave a lasting legacy. Check it out at:

www/momstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Dads, you might want to tune-in in order to learn about what's on your wife's heart.

Talk to all of you soon,

Stacy Duplease

Blog Vol. 8 SBS