Happy Thanksgiving

I am so very thankful for the blessings that that have been given to me and our family! From the Autons to you...

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Let us come before him with thanksgivng and extol him with music and song." ~Psalm 95:2

Take the Challenge!

In a few days, we will be stuffing ourselves with turkey, dressing, and pecan pie. Every year I tell myself..."Next year I am going to make a list of the things that I am thankful for." Every year I wonder why I didn't make a list of things to thank God for blessing me with. Perhaps it is because I am afraid that I will leave something out. Or maybe, I don't create a list because I am embarassed of the things that I am thankful for (dark chocolate would definitely be on the list). Most likely, I resist making a list of things that I am thankful for because it would take away many of my reasons to do one of the most natural human things... complain!

Do you ever find yourself complaining about the economy, gas prices, the OTHER political party, grocery prices... the list can go on and on until it gets personal. Oh, yes, we seem to complain about our spouses, the kids, being too busy, being bored, and my favorite choice of complaint, being tired! The list goes on and on. And yet, I am more blessed than I ever deserve. It is only by the undeserving mercy of Christ that I have the things that I do and that I have the opportunity to enjoy the simplest things in life, including dark chocolate.

God's Word tells us this:

"But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been greed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." ~Romans 6:17-18

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods." ~Psalm 95:2-3

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O most High..."
~Psalm 92:1

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God." ~Philippians 4:6

"I shall wash my hands in innocence, and I will go about Thine altar, O Lord, that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all Thy wonders." ~Psalm 26:6-7

It is clear that we should be giving thanks and not complaining. So here is the challenge to myself and to you: between now and Thanksgiving, make a list of at least 100 things that you are thankful for. Simple, yes. I imagine that if we all attempt it, we will find that we will quickly surpass 100 and be well on our way to several hundreds of things that we can be thankful for. Don't get to worried about whether something is "important" enough to be included. Number 1 on my list is salvation, next will be my husband, children, and family. I will name each one. But, I am sure, the simple pleasure of dark chocolate will also be on my list, as well as, birds singing, sunrises, and cell phones. Do you see where this may lead? We may have so many things to be thankful for that we forget how to complain... or at least make it not the first reaction in our life! My hope is that I will be so busy giving thanks to God, that I will notice fewer things for my complaining.

So, get your lists started! I would love to see what is on your list. You may add your list to the comments section on the blog, email them to me, or post them on facebook. Look out for my list...I have already started it! I hope the bug of giving thanks spreads!

Take the challenge! Give thanks!



Mylist begins:
1. Salvation from my sin

2. Jamie- my sweet husband... oh, how I love this man! I am so thankful that God designed us for each other before time began!

3. Jake and Nati Grace and the understanding of how much my mother loves me!

4. Mother and Daddy

5. Jamie's Mom and Dad

6. Marty- the greatest brother

7. Deena- for putting up with the greatest brother

8. Chad and Emily

9. Nephew and Nieces- Lee, Ashlyn, Lindsey, Olivia, Payden

10.Friends- God has been gracious enough to me to grant me close girlfriends, usually when I wasn't even looking for them. No matter my stage in life, whether it be childhood, highschool, college, seminary days, or simply in life, God has made sure that I go very little time without a close friend that I can laugh, smile, tease, and cry with. I don't have to name names... you know who you are.

11. knowing and spending time with all 4 of my grandparents- I recognize that not everyone has the opportunity to have cherished memories of even 1 grandparent much less all 4!

12. Chuck and Ann Stewart

13. King Spring Baptist Church

14. God's Word

15. Friends- lots of them... I am undeserving and yet you choose to laugh with me and I am thankful that I get to laugh with you! So many memories....

16. apples

17. fuzzy house slippers

18. Jake's jokes

19. laughing

20. boat rides

21. Marietta Baptist Camp

22. Nurse Susan

23. manicures

24. pedicures

25. dark chocolate---hmmm... I think I need a piece. I think dark chocolate is proof that I have far beyond my needs... I just thankful that God chooses to give me some of my desires as well! :)

26. singing birds

27. AWANA

28. Worship Band at KSBC

29. Bible Study-- that I have a Bible, the tools to learn from it, and that God gives me the desire despite my human nature.

30. roses

31. cameras

32. memories

33. photographs

34. mashed potatoes

35. milkshakes

36. macaroni and cheese

37. clean water to drink and bathe

38. antibiotics

39. Nati Grace's pictures of people

40. Jake's imagination

41. books

42. education

43. Georgia Baptist Ministers' Wives

44. handwritten letters in the mail!!!!

45. Christmas cards

46. puppies

47. bunnies

48. email

49. Autumn leaves

50. cars

------- I am halfway there and I have just begun of things that I can be thankful for. Some may sound silly to you, but I am willing to thank God for the little things. I know that He is interested in the details of my life... I need to be willing to thank Him for the details! How is your list looking?

51. being able to watch Jamie watch sports- he loves it sooo much!

52. that my husband is my pastor-- he is such an amazing preacher and leader

53. seeing my daughter dress up like a princess

54. Jake's Little League Baseball Games

55. walking on the beach

56. babies

God's:
57. righteousness

58. grace

59. mercy

60. lovingkindness

61. compassion

62. truth

63. faithfulness

64. discipline

65. instruction

66. omnipresence

67. omniscience

68. omnipotence

69. I am so very thankful that the character of God does not change. Even as I sit and reflect on His character, it would be of no worth if he was a God that changeable!

70. cozy pajamas

71. campfires

72. dates

73. birthdays

74. pictures that my children draw for me

75. funny movies

76. playing games with friends

77. my house

78. Nati Grace liking dresses... and hairbows!

79. marriage

80. rest and sleep

81. buttermilk pie

82. being an American

83. American soldiers

84. Dogwoods in bloom

85. sweet tea

86. North Greenville University

87. Contemporary Christian Music

88. Southern Baptist Convention

89. water tubing

90. air conditioning/ heat

91. indoor plumbing!!!

92. candles

93. that God allows me to sing for Him

94. reading to my kids

95. hearing Jake and Nati Grace say their prayers every night!

96. time spent with my husband

97. blue jeans

98. tears of joy

99. nose kisses

100. the promise that God has a plan for me and that He has promised me an abundant life!

Now...

Last week we got a special visit from the Stewarts! For those of you who do not know the Stewarts, let me introduce you to them. Chuck and Ann Stewart are two very precious people to the Auton family! They attend Hinesville Baptist Church where Jamie served as Associate Pastor for 2 years.

My children think that the Stewarts are just another set of grandparents and the Stewarts think of Jake and Nati Grace as their own as well! Not only are they precious to Jake and Nati Grace, but they are also very special to Jamie and myself!

Saturday morning, while breakfast was cooking, Ann was getting ready for the day. After showering, a little make-up, and some hair "fixing," Jake took a good look at Ann and declared, "Mrs. Stewart, now you look like you."

I have to admit, I have seen Ann with morning hair and no makeup, and she is still a beautiful lady! But I did begin to think about the implication of what Jake had to say. I know what I look like without makeup... kinda like my life without Christ! UGH!

Before Christ, I and every other believer, has the appearance of the world. We think like the world, do business like the world, treat others as the world would treat them and quite frankly our lives are all about one thing: ourselves! However, according to Romans 12, we see that the apostle Paul is reminding the Romans to renew their mind so that they may know the will of God. Hmmm... renewing my mind. How will that change the things I do, the ways I think, the way that I view the will of God? Perhaps, we need to be reminded that once were are believers we have the righteousness of Christ placed on us and that unlike makeup, it never comes off, never smudges, and never fades! I, you, we need to begin living with a renewed mind!

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For though the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgement, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." ~Romans 12:2-3

Singing Loud and Proud!

Loud, proud, and smiling, Jake sang his best during the 1st grade PTA performance at Cheatham Hill Elementary last Thursday! The songs were amazing, the outfits were cute, and the kids were just adorable. While Jake was singing my heart was singing to the Lord in thanksgiving for my little man! My favorite song was warning turkeys that Thanksgiving is coming... enjoy!

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart exults,

And with my song I shall thank Him."

~Psalm 28:7

Gigi and a Brave

Halloween in the Willowbrook Subdivision is unlike any other I have ever seen. Instead of everyone trick-or-treating on their own, our neighborhood goes all together. After getting together at a neighbor's house a few snacks and treats, all the kids pile into the back of a pickup truck and go house to house to trick-or-treat. The comedy of the whole routine is that the kids spend more time getting in and out of the truck than walking to the houses! The parents tag along behind...mostly, to help the kids get in and out of the truck! It is simply hilarious!

After the trick-or-treating was over, we returned home to eat dinner with the Weavers. Oh, the fun that we had with costumes! Nati Grace just had to be Gigi, God's Little Princess, complete with a giant black wig, wand, and crown! Jake, decided to be a Brave. No, not a Indian Brave, a Baseball Brave! Much to Jamie's dismay... Jake is becoming a Braves fan!

I can only hope and pray that Nati Grace will fully understand what it means to be God's own and that Jake will not only be a Brave but brave for the Lord Jesus Christ!

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction

of things not seen." ~Hebrews 11:1

Gigi and the Brave

Jamie the Princess and Kati and the Black Wig!!!

Amy the Gangsta and Justin, aka Zoolander

The Cutecrow... and not Scary at all!

Nati Grace had Scarecrow Day at preschool on October 3oth. I was able to join her class on a "Scarecrow Rotation" through the classrooms. We went made paper pumpkins, fished for ping pong balls, played bingo, pinned the stem on the pumpkin, and most importantly had LOTS of fun! Halfway through, as I watched my baby girl, I realized she wasn't a Scarecrow... she was a Cutecrow! Why, she couldn't scare anybody... not even her good friend Will!

Jesus said, "...'Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

and the living One...' " ~Revelation 1:17b-18a

Auton Autumn

Our family had a lot of fun trampling through the leaves, climbing the mountain, and taking some sweet photos of the kids... and a couple of Mommy and Daddy, too. I am ever grateful for my sweet family!

"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." ~Ephesians 3:20-21

The pictures were taken at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield National Park in Marietta, Georgia.

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