When my daughter, Kennedy, died in 2003, I didn’t think I would ever “thrive” again. Like many people who have lived through a great loss, a part of us, dies with the hurt. But God was faithful to me, and in time He shared a model for living that enabled me to go from ashes to a new life where there is hope and joy again.

Occasionally, I host workshops to share the model and how it has worked, not only for me, but for many others. Some of these people were in tough situations like me and others were just going from one good place to another.

I will be hosting the next Thriving… One Day at a Time (half-day) Workshop for Women in greater Cincinnati on April 26, 2014.

Details: Saturday, April 26, 2014, 9am to 12:30pm, At Boost… for Meetings Sake, 5939 Deerfield Blvd. Suite 201B, Mason, OH 45040. Cost: $25

There will be dynamic presenters who will focus on creating a vision (Kim Floyd), how to write to get published (Mary Busha), tips on managing personal finances (S. Yvon Harper) and I will be sharing the Better Day-Better Life model and how to use it to thrive in your life.

We will feature a few women-owned businesses who will offer trinkets including: Park Lane Jewelry, Thirty-One and hand-made housewares.

If you are in the area, please plan to join us. Tickets are being sold via Eventbrite. Click the link for details.

https://thriving-workshop.eventbrite.com

Come get refreshed and rejuvenated… “But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. Psalm 52:8”

Kelly

I love magazines about decorating and making a home. They are a wonderful source of ideas and inspiration. This year as I have poured over recipes and tips to create the perfect tablescape, it dawned on me that no article has covered the actual topic of giving thanks.

Maybe the writers think it is too obvious to address. But maybe it points to a different issue. Are we so focused on the food and the entertaining that we have forgotten the One to whom we are thankful? Here are a few ideas to keep (or put) the Thanks into Thanksgiving?

• Instead of place cards, find four to six Bible verses about giving thanks and print them on tent cards. Make enough for all your guests and place one at each setting. 

• Set up an empty glass or fish bowl and place slips of paper and pens nearby. Ask folks to write something or someone they are thankful for and read these during dinner.

• Take a moment to gather around the table or buffet to hold hands and pray thanking Christ for His provision and grace through the last year as well as a blessing over the vittles.

• Savor a private moment, maybe the Wednesday night before the feast to reflect of the first Thanksgiving and how the lessons learned then by God’s grace could be reapplied in your life today.

Grateful Gal,

Kelly