ALY ALLEN | THE BLOG

i still haven't figured out why i always walk over there. sure, i have to buy toilet paper and shampoo, but those are clear on the other side of the store. i try to give myself a pep-talk before i go in, yet somehow i always end up in the little girl's clothing section at Target. and every single time, i find about fifteen things that my daughter absolutely needs to have. and every single time, i walk away with nothing but an ungrateful and disappointed heart. why do i torture myself so? good question. i really don't know why. i do buy clothing for my daughter at Target. but it's when she has absolutely no clothes in her size for the new season, and it's after i budget a certain amount for the month to buy her new clothes. the weekly trips into Target for baby food and toothpaste? as much as i want to throw in a few extra things for her, i just can't do it in this season we're in right now. we're comfortable, we have plenty, but we don't get to...

[found here] today, i'm thankful for: our almighty infinite God.  the one who creates, who ordains, who directs, who provides,  who equips, who saves, who redeems, who restores,  who loves more lavishly than I will ever comprehend.  the One who sent His son as the atonement for sin, as the victor over death.  who was and is, and is to come. He who has done great things throughout the ages  and continues now, in my life and yours. He is good.  it would be impossible to adequately express thanks [in words] for what He has done for me. a husband who works hard, today included, doing what he loves.  impacting lives, coaching football, and providing for our little family.  who sees me and notices when I've had a hard day.  who  orders me  to sit on the couch while he prepares for our guests,  cleaning, setting up, serving food [yesterday]. a daughter who could not be more p...

we were driving home from lunch listening to some good country music on the way... you know, the songs that say stuff like: "got a little bit of chicken fried. cold beer on a friday night. a pair of jeans that fit just right. and the radio up." or this one:  "i got a roof over my head. the woman i love layin' in my bed... i got shoes under my feet... i got all i need, and it's alright by me." it got me thinking about how we have some pretty incredible things to be thankful for. that i shouldn't take one little thing for granted. the lunch i just ate and the car i'm comfortably riding in. the husband who loves me and the daughter sleeping peacefully in her carseat behind me. and so. much. more . and then i began to think about how God promises to provide our every need , yet we worry and stress over the silliest [sometimes not so silly] things. i just couldn't help but wonder that while He does promise to provide for our every need and care fo...

i've been i a funk the last few weeks. i'm blaming it on the crazy early pregnancy hormones. but still, i've been in a fog, hit a wall, whatever you want to call it. dare i use the "depression" word? almost no quiet time, barely making it through a day without crying, a lot on my mind, not keeping up on emails or blogs, far from the Lord's presence and peace... you know, just  funky. i hate even one day like this, so the few weeks combined have taken their toll. but this morning i opened my Jesus Calling devotional to this: It is impossible to praise or thank God too much and  Fill up the spare moments of your life with praise and thanksgiving. This joyous discipline will help you live in the intimacy of My Presence. and then i was reminded of the earth-shattering truths i learned in One Thousand Gifts . things like: "it is thanksgiving that shapes a theology of trust" pg 152 "if [His] goodnesses toward you end, [He] will cease to ...