Thanksgiving 2008

I have been thinking back over this year, remembering some of the many blessings that the Lord has poured out on us. I am so glad that we can take time to be thankful. Yes, there is much to make us concerned, but I am more than ever convinced that my Heavenly Father is in control, and that He is working out His perfect plan, for me, for my family and for this world.

Some of the things on my list for this year:

• Two trips north to visit my mother. Enjoying special family time during the visit in March. And protection during a lovely snow storm. I do not like to drive in snow, and I had the fun to not only drive in snow, but to do it in a rental car that I was unfamiliar with. But, PTL, He protected.
• His help through some very stressful times at work. I am thankful that at this point I still have work, and He is showing me how to enjoy my job. And, giving special times of laughter.
• Having my son successfully complete his police academy training.
• The joy of doing things with my daughter.
• The pleasures and delights of having a grandson, and watching all the changes this past year.
• The fun of flying out to Washington State in April for the wedding of my niece. Lots of good memories...and a beautiful wedding.
• The fun of putting together a scrapbook of that wedding!
• And the fun of having said niece now living so close by.
• Having gas prices lower - I saw a $1.73 this past week.
• Having the Lord provide so that even when the gas prices were so high, and the gas sometimes not readily available, we were able to find what we needed, when we needed it, and be able to pay for it.
• The Lord's provision of a new laptop for me this past year. What a blessing.
• The Lord's provision of new things when needed...such as an iron, a paper shredder, clothes etc.
• Protection in all the traveling we did long distance as well as the normal local traveling.
• Books to read.
• Scented candles to enjoy.
• Roses.
• The encouragement that comes from reading His word...the Bible. So grateful for the treasures He has opened up to me this past year.
• Knowing He loves me.

A Few of My Favorite Things....

For some reason I don't seem to be very faithful in my thankfuls using this method ( IE Blogging). Rest assured, I continue to be thankful. A few of my favorite things for today:

• Purple fonts.
• Planting pansies this morning, thus guaranteeing fresh vases of flowers in the house all winter long.
• Planting some daffodil bulbs.
• Taking myself out to lunch today (OK, it was a cheap hot dog/soda at Sam's but at least I took myself out to lunch.
• Choosing not to be irritated up hearing Christmas music in the stores today. Hey, they are celebrating my Lord's birthday! Let the rejoicing begin!!!
• Smiling when I saw gas prices of $1.97!!! Yes!!!
• Beating my son at Scramble...but having him beat me at Scrabble.
• A cat that likes to cuddle.
• Peacefully trusting the Lord for the future of this country.
• Having this Monday off work.
• Pecan bars.
• Roses.
• Enjoying a good time change party at Dan and Pari's Saturday, and enjoying the fact that I could attend because someone at work offered to fill in for part of my day of work so that I could leave early. Which meant I only worked 6 1/2 hours instead of 12.
• Wondering how I was going to lift 40 pounds of charcoal into my cart at Sam's and having two men come over to do it for me.
• The lovely fall colors in the leaves in our neighborhood. There are several trees with a glorious rich deep red. So satisfying to see and enjoy.

Cloudy Day Thankfuls

I am thankful for lovely cloudy Sabbath days! Good day to rest, relax, and find refreshment in body and soul.

And, I am grateful for blessings of this week:

• Finding a glass "sundae" dish at the store this week, and enjoying homemade sundaes for dessert. Makes a great Sabbath Treat!
• A day of rain..heavy rain. Wonderful.
• Saftey while on the road in said rain. And, for the driving skills of my daughter!
• Enjoying lunch at Panera Bread. So good. And bringing home Asiago bagels to enjoy for breakfast.
• Energy for a long week of work.
• Thankful that my upcoming work schedule looks less challenging than this past week has been.
• Picking fresh roses to put around the house.
• Enjoying cooler weather...I even have to put a sweater on when leaving for work early in the morning.
• Having hubby fix dinner on Wednesday. It is fun to see what he comes up with...he is very creative in the kitchen.
• Knowing that my trust is in the Lord...confident that He is in control...rejoicing in Him.
• Candy corn.

October 2nd Thankfuls

"Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:18

In spite of current economic woes, fuel shortages, and a myriad of other things to make hearts anxious, I choose to keep repeating the above verse. I choose to rejoice today.

My current thankful list is extremely long so I will only mention a few things here:

• A safe return from our 10 day trek to the north.
• Gorgeous foliage in New England.
• Visiting with my mother for parts of 5 days, and finding her calm, fairly content, and not too confused.
• The joy of watching my mother devour her lobster roll...every last bit of it. It was fun to watch.
• The fun of watching her eat a jelly donut...after not being hungry enough to eat her lunch, or at least most of it.
• Coming home to find fresh roses around the house. Thanks to our amazing and thoughtful daughter, who had been watching the house, getting mail, feeding Max, and watering the roses for us in our absence. It took me awhile to notice them all, but I did! Thanks Penny!
• Hubby's ability to do all the driving on this trip. Even though he didn't feel great a couple of days, he was still able to drive.
• Soaking in the richness of God's word at the various meetings at the convention we attended.
• Spending some good time visiting with our missionary friends who are currently on furlough from Brazil.
• Enjoying watching a hail storm one evening this week...that is we enjoyed it after we stopped driving in it.
• Spending time with family and friends.
• Being able to find gas on the trip when we needed it.
• Finding some blueberry flavored coffee in our local grocery store this morning.

Thnigs that make me happy....

OK, I know I am not very faithful with this blog, but I have been busy. At least that is my excuse. But, my heart is happy, and thankful. My list includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Having hubby drive me to work and pick me up several times this week. It is wonderful to realize that when I step out the door at work at 10 PM, or later, that he is waiting there for me, and wants to hear about my day.
• Enjoying blueberry flavored coffee.
• Having a cat that likes to sleep on laps.
• Roses.
• Looking forward to 12 days without having to go to work.
• Looking forward to visiting with my mother for a few days.
• Enjoying a wonderful tea party for a friend last Sunday.
• Seeing my son graduate from the police academy.
• Enjoying a special family time Friday evening...eating dessert on the deck after dark, with lots of candles burning.
• Enjoying the antics of Aiden as he interacts with us. What a treasure. Love to see him standing at the ottoman...sitting on the couch just like a big people...
• Having books to read.
• Candy corn.
• Decorating for fall.
• Cooler weather...which means that now it is delightful to be outside!
• Knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me, and is in control of all the details of my life.
• Enjoying another Women's Bible Study at our house this week. What a blessing and encouragment each lady brings to our time together.

In Quietness and Trust...

I am grateful for the truth of Is. 30:15. "In quietness and trust in your strength." These words have been going through my heart for the last several weeks, and have been a big blessing and encouragement to me.

It has been easy to be tempted to be worried, stressed, concerned about various things- hard things at work etc, but the Lord's gentle reminder each day to me...just be quiet and trust. I can testify to the peace and calm and quiet and trust that He and only He has brought to my heart.

And, I am grateful for the joys He brings along the way to bring fresh courage.

• Hummingbirds.
• Mourning doves...even seeing one sitting on top of the grill the other day!
• Fresh roses to pick.
• Blueberry coffee, kindly supplied by a dear friend.
• Laughter at work.
• An evening of fellowship with friends this week...which included yummy steak....
• Aiden smiles.
• Framing some new pictures of Aiden and being able to enjoy them as I walk around the house.
• Making motel reservations for our upcoming trip north. And, finding out yesterday I don't have to work the day after we get back in October. Yes!!!
• Knowing for a certainty that the Lord is in control, and that He is absolutely trustworthy.

Of Sunshine and Rain and long work hours...

When one is too busy to blog, one is too busy.

Sigh.

These past weeks have been busy.

But, I am thankful for the Lord's many blessings and help through the past few weeks.

• Rain! Lots of wonderful rain. When rain is not a common occurance, it makes it so much more special to have wonderful rain coming down.
• Many, many hours at work. Stressful hours sometimes. But, we had prayed for the Lord's provision to meet some upcoming needs, and He provided by giving me lots of extra hours at work..and the grace to accomplish those lots of extra hours.
• The helpful support from hubby. Which includes coming home from work last night and finding that he had unloaded the dishwasher for me.
• Having hubby bring me home a great big bag of treats one evening. He made some good choices that fullfilled my need for some extra comfort food at that point.
• Going to some yard sales with my daughter one Friday..and finding some treasures.
• Knowing that the Lord is in control and that I can trust Him. And come to Him and find rest...and peace...and all that I need.
• Some lovely Aiden smiles.
• Fresh roses in our yard, and having the fun of picking them.
• My craft table and area to work at ....and supplies to work with.
• Crocheting baby afghans.
• Finding out I have a new great neice/nephew on the way.
• Making plans to visit with my mother the end of September. And, being reminded that the Lord is in control of her situation and that He cares for her right where she is, at this season of her life. And, that He is with her, even if I can't be.

Happy Things from the past week.

• Ice cream sundaes at home.
• Ice cream sundaes with the Lackey family.
• Hearing rain on the big skylight at work. Lovely sound.
• Hubby fixing his delicious burritos for dinner Tuesday evening.
• Eating left over burritos from Tuesday evening.
• Eating an ice cream sundae for Sabbath treat at 10:45 PM.
• Time to do some extra browsing and shopping this week.
• A new set of shelves for our breakfast nook. Great place for cookbooks and cooking magazines.
• Podcasts.
• iPods.
• Max
• Being able to calm my mother down on the phone on Wednesday.
• Library books.
• Bible verses that bring fresh encourgement.
• Facebook, and keeping up with friends.
• Knowing that the Lord goes before me, and with me.

More Thankfuls....

Another week, and I am very thankful for a quiet morning. Among my blessings of this week:

• Finding 2 blouses on clearance sales.
• Putting in extra hours at work...and surviving. Work has been very challenging the last few weeks for various reasons, so I am thankful to have made it successfully through another week.
• Enjoying playing "games" with our cat Max. He loves to play tag.
• Having a cloudy Sabbath morning so that I have an excuse to burn my Yankee Candle..fresh cut roses.
• Having hubby make the coffee this morning.
• Figuring out how to get the "new" Facebook, and liking it very much.
• Chatting with friends on Facebook..even doing two chats at the same time one evening.
• Playing Sudoko on Facebook.
• Remembering 5 years ago today. The beautiful wedding of my son and daughter in law.
• Planning a date with hubby.....breakfast at Cracker Barrel.
• The Lord providing our needs for yet another week.
• Knowing He is in control, even when I am tired and out of sorts, and nothing seems to be making sense at the moment. And that those moments don't last.

Of moons and clouds and noisy neighbors....

Thankfuls for this week:

• Being grateful that our neighbor's boys don't have camp out sleepovers every night. Sleepover is a misnomer. They did not sleep. They ran around. They laughed. They had fun with flashlights right outside our bedroom window...at 2:30 AM. They enjoyed the trampoline at 4:30 AM. And everyone knows that must not be done silently. Sigh.
• Enjoying a lovely visit from friends Sara and Melissa.
• Seeing a lovely moon on my way home from work last night.
• Being encouraged by seeing a beautiful pink cloud the other evening. Somehow just looking at that cloud and seeing its beauty reminded me I have a faithful Father in heaven who is in charge.
• Our son finished his first week of attending the Police Academy. Even though he was sick most of the week.
• Having a helpful daughter. Thanks Penny for Wednesday.
• Having an extra quiet night at work last night.
• Knowing that God is good...all the time.
• Enjoying a brand new copier at work!!!
• More friends on Facebook. So nice to connect with old friends!

Of Lawns, Father-in-laws and roses....

Thankfuls for this week:

• Our lawn is nicely mowed again. Thanks to me. I am still amazed that at this stage of my life I have added lawnmowing to my current activities.
• My Father-in-law once again is home from the hospital. And, still cheerfully planning on leaving on his long planned trip around the country with hubby. And I am thankful that his speech is becoming a little bit clearer.
• Roses to enjoy. Such a blessing to look out and enjoy blooming roses. And, to be able to pick some and enjoy inside.
• Ceiling fans.
• An extra day of work this week. Even if it was 12 hours. That is a long time to work.
• Enjoying humming birds. And blue birds. Both of which I noticed while out grilling this week.
• Talking with my mother for a few minutes.
• Nachos.
• Hubby making coffee. Fresh ground chocolate flavored coffee.
• Sleeping, purring cats that like to sleep and purr while on laps.

Note to Self:

1. Fire ants live in the grass in the backyard.
2. Fire ants like bare feet.
3. Do not walk in back yard with bare feet.

In everything give thanks....

This has been a week of up's and down's...but I am being reminded of the importance of being thankful for His blessings and help even in the middle of hard things. God is good...all of the time.
Thankful for the following:

• We have a new water pump in our car. It no longer makes this weird squeal type noise.
• We got a lovely inside/outside car wash/cleaning along with our oil change this week.
• We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary this week.
• I worked 3 days this week.
• It is raining this morning
• The grass is growing slower...I didn't have to mow this week.
• My father-in-law was given a nice big piece of cake for lunch yesterday on his 85th birthday. At the hosptal. In the emergency room. And he was somehow able to make them understand he did not want chocolate cake. This latest stroke has affected his speech which makes it very difficult for him to communicate, so we are praying for healing and help for him.
• We were able to get a nice four generation picture of my Father-in-law, hubby, son and grandson on Father's day.
• Ladies Bible Study and sharing insights from James 5. And, enjoying grapes and lemon squares as we visited afterwards.
• Lunch at Olive Garden.
• Knowing that I can go to Him and find rest...and peace....and all that I need...all of the time.

Thankfuls.....

Thankfuls for this week:

• Picking fresh roses....
• Enjoying having good books to read.
• Fresh riches from God's Word. What a blessing it is to be able to feed on the treasures He has for us.
• Iced Chai Latte from Starbucks....
• Finding some good sales when purchasing some gifts this week.
• Having the hot weather cool down a little.
• A few rain showers.
• Knowing that my Savior and Lord loves me....

Of yard work and heat and things.

The last couple of mornings I have had the "fun" of going out to do some yard work...while it is still cool. I think "cool" is relative. When I came back insie this mornng, our indoor/outdoor thermometer read 100....course it is getting the full sun this time of morning, but still...you get the picture.

Yesterday I mowed our lawn...probably the second time in my life I have done that. The first was a couple of weeks ago. This time went easier, and I am finding I actually enjoy doing it. Great exercise. Never know what new "hobbies" I will start next. Guess you can always teach the "old dog" new tricks.

This morning I had the fun of transplanting some petunias. Last summer I bought one plant and it took over, seeding itself etc. Great fun. Well, it died in the frost this past winter, so I got a new pink petunia for this year. Well, to my delightful surprise the new little ones from the old plant stared popping up, so when I pulled out the dying pansies this morning, I was able to put some cute little white petunia plants in the pansy pot. They seem to thrive in the heat here, unlike the pansies.

Now I can relax a bit and enjoy the cool house....and be grateful our A/C works. Last week it didnt' for a few hours, but the repairman came out fairly quickly and fixed a simple problem. PTL for a/c repairmen.

A few more Thankfuls....

More Thankfuls for this week:

• Sitting at the breakfast table enjoying humming birds drinking from our feeder. I get so much joy watching those tiny little wonders.
• Having my Father-in-law end his hospital stay on Wednesday. He was able to go home, complete with a new pacemaker. And, now he can roam the neighborhood again, and visit with all of his friends.
• Enjoying looking up into our Crepe Myrtle tree this week and spying a nest...complete with a Mama House Finch sitting quietly in it...
• Doing a first for me...mowing our lawn! (Only the next time I will wear gloves. For some reason I ended up with a blister!) It is very satisfying to look out this morning and see a nicely groomed lawn. Nicely mowed, and freshly fed with weed and feed.
• Surviving two 11 hour days at work this week. It never ceases to amaze me some of the interesting scenarios that crop up during the day. At least it doesn't get boring. And, I am very thankful for the work.
• Smiling as I looked out to see a male House Finch trying to drink from the hummingbird feeder. He really couldn't reach the syrup, but he sure did try.
• Enjoying freshly grilled chicken.
• Making bowls for taco salad, using flour tortilla's. Fun. And easy. And yummy.
• Playing games with friends on Facebook.
• Discovering that I really do enjoy Crossword puzzles. I have avoided them for years, and it has been a deligtful surprise to find out how much fun they are. (OK, just easy ones, but still...fun.)
• Fresh courage from the Lord...to keep going...one day at a time...one step at a time.
• Enjoying a tasty mint mocha frappachino...from a local coffee spot that starts with S.....

Giving thanks...again

Another week gone by...and my heart is full of more thankfuls. I am grateful for:

• A nice visit from my sister and her husband. Fun to laugh, talk, enjoying time as a family, watching the wedding video-several times, enjoying remembering such a special day.
• Seeing a hummingbird at our feeder...finally.
• Two days of work...and surviving a Jcaho inspection...successfully.
• Studying the fourth chapter of James at our Women's Bible Study Wednesday evening, and thankful for the lessons the Lord is teaching me from that chapter.
• Hubby making coffee this morning.
• Sunshine....and rain...
• The Lord continues to meet our daily needs.
• Using a $10 dollar coupon at a local store to buy something for $10. Not often I go into a store, buy something and not have to pay for it! PTL for a new silver chain necklace!
• Becoming the proud owner of a Starbucks gift card! Yes! Starbucks, here I come.
• Time spent with Aiden this week. I like being a Grandma! I love his smiles.

Of Paper Shredders

Our paper shredder died several months ago.

I had a drawer full of paper to be shredded.

We got a new paper shredder yesterday.

I now have a huge accumulation of finely shredded stuff.

I do not like the fact that because of the society in which we live, we need to shred paper.

I started shredding paper around the time a bill for a car purchased in England showed up on my mother's credit card....while she was residing in a nursing home....and has never driven a car in her life....

Of Mother's Day, Orchids and things

I am thankful for my Mother..and I am grateful that I was able to spend a week with her recently when she was ill. It is hard to live so far away.

And, I am thankful I was able to have a telephone conversation with her this afternoon, and that she was alert and able to talk and listen. She is an amazing 98 year old lady. And, I am grateful to the Lord that He gave me the mother He did.

Other thankfuls:

• A lovely orchid from my children for Mother's day. (I have been trying in vain to upload a picture of it, in all of it's glory, but have had no success after multiple tries.)
• Being taken out to breakfast on Friday by my wonderful family, in honor of Mother's day.
• Lovely rain last night.
• Time spent with Aiden last week. What a joy it is to be the recipient of his smiles!
• Getting in an extra 10 hours of work last week.
• Knowing that the Lord is Good, that He is in control, and that I can trust Him.
• Time and supplies to be putting together a Scrapbook of the trip to Washington for Dennis' and Kristi's wedding. Fun.
• Enjoying fresh roses in my yard, and being able to pick them to put around the house.
• A vase of Cecil Bruner roses from my daughter this morning. I love those little roses!

Of ferries, and planes and things

Once again I am safely back home, and full of thankfuls. The Lord has brought many blessings into the last couple of weeks, and my heart is full of praise and thanksgiving. He is Good.





I am thankful for:

• 
  Two ferry rides in the last week. One was a small "foot ferry" from Port Orchard to Bremerton and back. It was fun to share that ride with family. Especially Chloe! The second ferry was from Bainbridge Island to Seattle. That was an unexpected event that came into last Monday. So much fun. As you can see Penny and Nate enjoyed this with me.

• Safe plane trips home Monday night and Tuesday morning. I even got to have breakfast in Charlotte, NC!


• Finding lots of roses blooming when I arrived home. One of the first things I had to do was pick some to put in vases around the house.


• Enjoying getting back to work. After not working for two weeks, I was not looking forward to getting back into the routine again, but it went well, and I did enjoy being back at work.


• Enjoying looking at the pictures of the trip- the wedding, the preparations, etc. Lots of good memories.


• Getting back home to warm sunny weather.
• Having Max glad to have me home again. (Oh, and hubby was glad as well)
• Having dinner with my niece Lori and her family, last Sunday night. Was so good to have lots of time to get to know her children a little better.
• Being able to get a real good look at Mount Ranier again. Beautiful.
• Time with family. With family living in all corners of the country, it was a delight to be able to spend time with family I don't see nearly enough. And, it was an added bonus to be able to see lots of Hubby's family as well!