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Ten Things I’m Most Thankful for in 2011.

Melissa Beene Ford/ Annie+ Deep Thoughts+ Katie+ tumor

1. After a painfully brutal divorce — that one thing I always swore would never happen to ME — in 2011, I found my traction. I learned how to navigate this new life-o-mine. Mostly.

2. In 2011, I found my spot at Green Acres Baptist Church. I love this church that has been such a huge part of my world since we moved to Tyler in 1981. I left for 12 years, and its so good to be back home where I first met Jesus, met lifelong friends, got baptized, went to church camp, went on mission trips.


4. 2011 was a year of much healing… for myself and for others important to me.
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5. Speaking of healing… 2011 was the year we learned that Annie’s brain tumor was measuring smaller. Yes, smaller, praise Jesus. He did for us what was medically impossible. Tumors don’t shrink… medically speaking. Ours did. Praise Jesus again and again.

6. In 2011 my kids and I made many-a-fun memory every second and fourth weekend. I’m so thankful for second and fourth weekends.

7. 2011… The year God gave us Baby Jesse. How did Planet Earth spin on its axis before he got here?! 

8. In 2011, I got unpacked and settled into my fabulous new apartment. My kids and I thank God every night when we pray for letting us live here.

9. In 2011, God watched over me and protected me from some who would harm me. In Isaiah 54:17 His word says that NO weapon that can hurt me has ever been forged, and in 2011 that has been proven true over and over again.

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Comments

  1. Betsy says

    November 24, 2011 at 3:02 am

    I love this.

    Reply
  2. Joseph says

    November 26, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    YEAH! I am glad it has been a healing year for you!!!

    Reply

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About Me


Hey there... I'm Melissa! Texas girl. Mom to three + one goldendoodle. Believer. Old house fanatic. Creating a happy + healthy home with purpose is my passion. I'm so glad you're here!

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I don’t know who’s big idea it was to strip 80 I don’t know who’s big idea it was to strip 80 years of paint off of this door down to the wood and start over… but that person has no business starting new projects. 😅 My neighbors must have thought this project would never end. *I* thought this project would never end. 😰 If you’re thinking of doing this yourself? Just don’t, ok? Throw the whole door away and buy a new one. 😂🤣 Just kidding.  Old house weirdos like me… we can’t just do things the easy way. Anyhoo… after some trial and error, @sherwinwilliams Celestial is what I landed on, and I have to say… I like it. Periwinkle-ish blue looks great with the yellow house and will look even better when the azaleas are in bloom. Was it all worth it? That’s not important right now. 🤭 Will I do this all again in two years? The magic eight ball says… without a doubt. 👏🏻 I’ve already picked the next color. #gluttonforpunishment #somefoolsneverlearn #oldhouselove #oldhomelove #makinghome #southernliving #gardenandgun #azaleadistrict #tylertx
Spring in the Azalea District makes the winters in Spring in the Azalea District makes the winters in an 80-year-old house completely worth it … what broken pipes, icy hardwood floors and drafty windows? 🤔 I forgot already. #comeonspring #azaleadistrict #tylertx
Happy Saturday ☀️ Happy Saturday ☀️
Salt Lake City is always magical ✨ Salt Lake City is always magical ✨
2022 had its highs and lows for sure, but scrollin 2022 had its highs and lows for sure, but scrolling through my pics from the last twelve months made me realize how blessed and content I am. Prosperity, love, and peace have been ours in abundance, in spite of the pain of losing my dad. The second picture is the last picture of him… the last time I saw him. 💔 But God has been good to my family this year and 2022 is ending far better than it began. 😄 #2022inreview #thanksforthememories
Who wants a Christmas tour of my home? 🙋🏼‍ Who wants a Christmas tour of my home? 🙋🏼‍♀️
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That’s it. That’s the tour. (Slide two). 
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It’s a new trend I’m starting: bare Christmas tree. Lowe’s tag still attached (so quirky and unexpected)! Christmas ornaments still in boxes. Coming soon to an Anthropologie window display near you. 
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Every year I think, “next year I’ll do better. Next year I’ll have it together.” And then, here we are on the SIXTH Christmas that we’ve been in this house, the sixth Christmas I’ve dragged our chaotic bunch of Christmas mess out of a chaotic garage I still haven’t unpacked from our move six years ago. 
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Maybe this year is the year I’ll organize it all and put it back neatly so that by Christmas number 7, it will be smooth sailing. People will flock to my social media to see how I’ve pulled everything off SO PERFECTLY. Next year will be my year. 
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Seems every year there’s less and less bandwidth for all these things. There’s more grief and stress, less money. More demands, less grace. 
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I put this sign on the wall in my office so I could keep it in front of my eyes: Love. Joy. Peace. And all that. I am SO unlike Jesus most days. So lacking in all of these character qualities. And that’s WITH waking up most mornings and spending my first 30 minutes with God Himself. 
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How lost would I be without that? Geez. I can’t fathom. I REQUIRE being transformed by renewing my mind every single morning, and even then, responding to people and life with love, joy, peace and patience doesn’t come naturally. 
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It’s the goal, though. 
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This weary world needs that from us Believers during this season, more than ever… even more than an Anthropologie-window-display worthy Christmas home tour. 
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I’m working on both.
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