Day 30

30 Days of Thanks

This has been a profitable exercise in finding things to be thankful for.  It has caused me to stop each day, and to find something different for which to be grateful.  I think this sums it up well.

"Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: you give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings) and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances)." 

~ Sarah Young, "Jesus Calling"

Day 29

Homework Done

I have one that does not see the benefit, reason or necessity of doing homework.  Last night, he spent time at the table with his books.  I can't tell you the last time I saw that.  I am thankful that he is learning to make better choices about the things that are good for him.

Day 28

Uncle Carlton

I am thankful for easy communication.  Being able to pick up the phone and talk to loved ones makes living in Montana doable.  Saturday I called my great-uncle, Carlton.  I haven't seen him in over two years, but his voice immediately transported me to his back porch in Moorefield, WV.  He has been a constant my entire life; always there, always pleasant, always positive.  Believe me, I've tried to get him to give up the family dirt, but he won't talk!  However, he does talk about his life-long friends that have been more like family to him, the newest minister at his Methodist church, his travels, and he always asks about Jim and the kids.  I am thankful the Lord has granted him a 90+-year life.  He has served so many people well, including this grateful great-niece.

Day 27

My Job

Today I am thankful for my job.  You don't know how hard that is to say.  I didn't want a job.  But I needed a job, and that is why I can say I am thankful for my job.  I work for a great company, with good people and I even get amazing benefits for being a part-timer.  Maybe some day I won't have to work.  But for this time and in this place I am glad to have my job.

Day 26

Day 26

Today I am thankful for a day at home, cleaning, straightening and preparing to put up our Christmas tree tonight.  Oh, and today I am also especially thankful that Baby Henry was able to go home from the hospital.  

Day 25: Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for Thanksgiving Day.  Yesterday was a wonderful day of reading in bed, preparing a turkey with Jim, watching the kiddos make the rest of the meal, curling hair, burning candles, eating delicious food, napping, having guests for Dessert and Games, and talking on the phone with the babes that weren't here.  What a great day!  Hope you had a nice celebration!

Day 24: Children

These two have a shared experience that no one else can enter into.

A wonderful journey of shared heartbeats that progressed to the culmination of, what docs are calling, a traumatic birth.  I would dare say most births are traumatic.  But so are most births followed by the inexplicable fascination and undying devotion of mother and child.  I am even more enthralled with my daughter as she is becoming more captivated by her son.

Happy Thanksgiving!