Thankful Thursday

Linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for our weekly dose of public thanksgiving, otherwise known as Thankful Thursday!

This week I am thankful for so many things...

** Tim got the first dose of Moderna and seems to be doing okay except for his shoulder being sore at the injection site.

** Oh yes, always for another day. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so every new chance to enjoy this life and get it right is a blessing.

** For the feel of the small, warm body of a grandchild snuggled into my side, perfectly content and trusting that all is right in their world because Nanny's got them.

** Knowing that God is always one step (or several) ahead of me and He already has blessings in the works that I haven't even thought to ask for yet.

** Mom is doing really great with her rehab. She's walking around more and getting out to go places other than just rehab.

** Walgreen's had extra doses of the vaccine last Thursday and called Mom to see if she wanted to come get one. She very much did because of my stepdad's health and age. It was timed perfectly that she was cleared to go out for short periods that same morning.

** Isn't that the truth? So many people who are miserable and hurting and taking it out on those around them. So lost and without hope. Without God and so sure they have all the answers. Or thinking because they know God they have all the answers.

** It really is a great day to be alive!

** Mom and John finally took their dog home! She's a sweet pup, but one who never stops barking. Seriously. All. Day. Long. I've a new appreciation for the idea that silence is golden.

** I know that while I am not rich or even well-to-do by American standards, I have so much more than the vast majority of people in the world.

** I am thankful for each moment I am given, each little thing that comes my way, each person...because I know that in the very next breath life could change. I've seen too many examples of that in the last year.

** The more I get to know my biological father, the more I am thankful that things worked out the way they did. I still consider getting to know him now a true gift and blessing that I never thought I'd have, but I am glad he didn't have a hand in raising me. His view of the world and his beliefs would probably have greatly shaped me. Meeting him now, as a more matured Christian, I am able to stand against his influence. I believe God protected me from that.

As an aside, please pray for my father. Pray that the Holy Spirit would go to him and prepare his mind and heart to be receptive. I am mailing a letter to him today and sending two books along. One is just for enjoyment. The other is Lee Strobel's "The Case for a Creator." My father has a deep love and affinity for nature and trusts and believes in science. I am hoping he will read the book and that the science will reach him.

** My Bible study teacher and her husband have allergies, not Covid.

** Even though our weather has gone back to "normal"...with gray skies, rain, and cooler temperatures in the 50s (only in the 40s today and tomorrow!)...that week of sunny, 70+ days has everything growing, sprouting, and blooming. I wake up every morning to the birds singing their greeting to the day.

** This is my goal. To be able to give thanks to the Lord in every situation. To be able to find the blessing in the heartache. I'm not perfect at it, but I am way better at it than I used to be. And let me tell you, what a difference it makes!

** And last, but certainly not least...

Black Friday Thoughts & Thanks

Good morning! Happy Black Friday! Happy hunting to you if you are out and about shopping for good deals today. Me, I choose to sit here at home and let the deals find me. I've never been a Black Friday shopper...totally hated it the two times I've gone...so online sales make me happy. 

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving whether you spent it alone or with family and friends. Yesterday was also Thankful Thursday...and it fell on the biggest of Thankful days. Unfortunately, I didn't post yesterday so I'm going to share my list of thanks today.

I am thankful...

** for our daughter and son-in-law's negative Covid tests.

** that we were able to have dinner with our daughter's family yesterday. I wasn't feeling that thankful yesterday when after being there only an hour and a half, Tim said he wasn't feeling well and and came home. I stayed a little longer but then came home to check on him. I allowed my disappointment to fester, I felt kind of resentful toward Tim (he always puts off taking care of health issues, doesn't do what the doctors tell him, always gets sick when he's off and on holidays, etc.), and basically had myself a big old pity party.

** that God intervenes when we need him. This morning I repented of my crappy attitude and asked God to forgive me and to help me change my thinking. Then I opened the Bible study I'm doing and wouldn't you know...today's lesson was on contentment. Talk about an immediately answered prayer and why I can be thankful for yesterday.

** I was able to get a message to Tim's urologist this morning. He came home from work with a kidney stone. Not entirely out of the blue...we know his kidneys are full of gravel and the doctor was planning to deal with the larger ones after the new year. It was good to talk to her and get the real scoop because somewhere along the way Tim got the idea that she/someone in her office had said he could take 6 Aleve's every 3 hours! I didn't think that could be right and it wasn't. So since he already took 6 before he got home he's done with those and ibuprofen for the day. This afternoon he can have some Tylenol if he needs it. If the pain remains and the meds don't help, we'll be off to the ER tomorrow or Sunday.

** the Christmas decorating is done except for some outside lights and if they don't get done it won't be the end of the world.

** I don't have to cook today. Yay for leftovers!

** season 2 of Virgin River starts today on Netflix.

** for all of you!

Friday Thanks

Good morning and happy Friday! Yesterday was a bit crazy around here...I had Colton and Leah here for much of it and I didn't get to join in for Thankful Thursday. You all know that's my favorite blogging day of the week and I don't like to skip it. So, a little late, but here's my list for this week.

** God's peace in the midst of the mess that is the ongoing contest of who won the election.

** Summer-like weather in November.

** A wonderful Bible study class spent sitting out on our teacher's deck. It overlooks a lake and is far out in the country. We discussed the role of the Holy Spirit while looking up at the stars.

** I'm being faithful to praying for our daughter-in-law every day. If you've been around a while, you know she is one of the people in the world I'm least inclined to want to pray for. But I saw the challenge on Facebook at the beginning of the month when everyone was beginning their 30 Days of Thanksgiving posts and God brought her to mind.

The first prayers came with difficulty. Then as God always does through prayer, he began to work on the one saying the prayers. They are coming easier now and they are heartfelt and fervent. I pray our daughter-in-law comes to know the Lord and is healed from all the hurts and pains of her past. I thank God for changing my heart, for removing my anger, so I can do that and mean it.

** Our daughter called last Friday night and asked, out of the blue, if I knew of any churches having Christmas Eve services and if we'd want to go with her. Whoa! She is not an atheist like our son. She says she believes. However, she has rejected church for years...ever since the mess we went through at a former church. She was in middle school at the time. Kids notice the bad stuff and she had a front row seat. 

Anyway, it's kind of a weird time for churches. I told her I would start looking around. I am going to one this Sunday to see if the preaching is true to the Word and what the fellowship is like. Unfortunately, no churches here are meeting for more than Sunday morning services...and that may not last much longer as Covid cases continue to rise in our area. We are all halfway expecting another shutdown. I'm going to go this Sunday, anyway, and I hope she will go with me.

** All of you, of course!

And now, just for fun, I'm sharing a photo of this little Thanksgiving decoration I bought several years ago at a craft store. I thought it was cute and enjoyed it for a few years before I noticed something about it. Something that once noticed can't be unnoticed. See if you can figure it out. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Have a happy Friday and a safe and blessed weekend!

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I can't say for sure because I wasn't there, but I feel like I can make a good guess that they did not have hamburgers at the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrim lady is carrying a turkey, but look at the plates. They are piled with hamburgers!

10 On Thanksgiving

 I saw this over at Rebecca Jo's this morning and thought it looked kind of fun so I stole borrowed it and here it is on my blog.

1. Will you watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade? I hope so. It was a tradition in my family, but it's never really caught on with my kids or my husband. I will say that I wish they'd show more of the actual parade rather than just the musical acts in front of the store. Football? Probably not. I used to love football, but I haven't watched a single minute of it since all the shenanigans started up. Everyone says college football is better, but I just haven't gotten into it that much. Movies? That's a possibility. So is the dog show in New York. We end up watching that a lot of years.

2. Who does the cooking? If my mom and stepdad host it, Mom insists on cooking everything herself. If it's at our daughter's house, we'll split up the cooking with me doing most of it and everyone else bringing a side or snacks. Fix anything ahead of time? I never used to, but as I've gotten older I've found that doing the whole thing in one day isn't as easy as it used to be. Now I usually make as many of the side dishes ahead as I can so all we have to do is reheat them. Much less stressful!

3. What time do you eat the big meal? Usually around 1:00, that's a tradition that came from my dad. I've always preferred it that way, but lately...I'm wondering if it wouldn't be less stressful (I am all about less stress on the holidays) to eat later in the day.

4. Do you set a formal table or keep things more casual? When I hosted, I always set a formal table. I have tons of china so why not? My mom used to set a formal table, but if she hosts these days, it's up on the mountain at my stepdad's house and he doesn't have china so it's very casual. At our daughter's...well, she gets awfully flustered by everything and she'll put out the Pioneer Woman dishes and all, but forget the silverware and napkins. No biggie. Place cards? No, I've never used them. Children's table? Only if we don't all fit at the main table. 

5. Is the food placed on the table or served buffet style? Always on the table. It's impossible to get everyone to sit down to eat a meal together so when it does happen, I want to enjoy all of us actually sitting down together.

6. Ham or turkey? For Thanksgiving it's ALWAYS turkey. What's for dessert? Usually pumpkin pie, another kind of pie, maybe some cookies, and ice cream.

7. Does your family have a Thanksgiving tradition? We were laden with traditions when I was growing up, but most seem to have gone by the wayside due to the family being more spread out and the younger generation's disinterest in traditions. Our son and his family don't even come home for Thanksgiving. They've made staying at their home for it their tradition.

8. Yay or nay to leftovers? YAY! We all like leftovers. In fact, my hubby likes them so much that if we eat somewhere else I still have to roast a turkey here so he can have leftovers. Favorite leftover recipe? I don't really have one. We usually just reheat them in their original form, though I will throw together hot turkey sandwiches or make turkey noodle soup with the last of the bird. I'm also determined to make a recipe I've had pinned for a while now where you roll up turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, in a ball, deep fry it and dip it in gravy. Actually I have several variations pinned.

9. What will everyone wear? Whatever they want to wear. Dress up or comfy? I'd guess it's been over 20 years since we've gotten dressed up for Thanksgiving dinner. Well, except for the year we went out to a restaurant. My mom was probably the last holdout on dressing up, but even she goes for jeans now. 

10. For what are you most thankful for this year? Wow. That's a tough one. 2020 has been quite the year, hasn't it. Sort of the platinum edition of the Disaster of the Month Club. (Seriously...did you see the murder hornets are back in the news?) We have had a few unhappy things come out of the year, the worst being our son breaking off all contact with the family, but there are still many things for which I'm thankful...none of us has had Covid, none of the men were off work for more than a month, we got a swimming pool, I've had plenty of time to spend with Colton and Leah...but I think the thing I'm most thankful for is that all these months at home have given me ample time to spend reading the Word, praying, and learning to abide in God's love, abide is my word for the year. Because of all that time, my faith has grown tremendously and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Currently

Today in Latrobe...

I'm reading...Acts in the Bible, nothing in fiction. I need to choose a new book.

I'm watching...my latest Netflix addiction, Criminal Minds.

I'm listening...to a lot of contemporary Christian music via Alexa. Very soothing in these troubled days.

I'm feeling thankful...for so many things. Tim keeps feeling better since the catheter was removed. The kids' patched up furnace keeps on running. It's November, the month when everyone tries to be a little more thankful. Come what may, the elections will be over after tomorrow. 

I'm loving...all these precious days at home with so much time to spend with my grandkids. I shared a few Halloween pictures yesterday. Here are a few photos from yesterday when Megan, Leah and I were playing with Snapchat filters.

Me as a unicorn.

Me, looking way better than I really do.

Babyface me.

Not sure what this is. LOL

The cutest little unicorn ever.

I'm thinking...about a long text conversation with my half-sister. I love getting to know her more and she confided yesterday that she really hopes we can develop a relationship, that having a sister makes her feel less alone in the family. Apparently, the family I missed out on is not without its issues.

The weather is...cold. Today's high temperature will 40 degrees and we have snow flurries. Crazy, because a huge warm up is coming this week. By Friday the high temperature will be 80 degrees!

Focusing On the Good

Today is our son's birthday. He is 34. We haven't heard a word from him since July 11. We haven't been particularly close for years and twice before I have been shut out of his life and that of his family. This marks the first time he has shut his dad out. He hasn't even told us why he has chosen to cut us out of his life, but it's not difficult to figure out that it is because we don't share his political and social beliefs. Me and our daughter, we are pretty much over it. There is a sadness (especially where the grandchildren are concerned), but honestly, there is also some sense of relief. My husband, though, he's hurting.

I could wallow in my loss today, but it won't do any good. My conscience is clear. I have not responded in kind, nor will I ever. If he comes back around, my son will be welcomed. I sent him a card expressing our love and hope that he is happy and well. No gift was included, however, as I will not reward bad behavior and disrespect. I have put him in God's hands and pray that one day he will open his heart to truth and love.

So I am focusing on the good in life. Today I get to babysit the younger grands again. We are going to bake Halloween cookies while Mom goes to a doctor's appointment. I stayed with them yesterday while Mom got a mammogram. We had macaroni and cheese for lunch.

These two precious children are a balm to my heart. I cannot imagine life without them.

Oh, on a not so good note...when my husband got home from work yesterday and got out of his truck he noticed the paint all around the top of the door was scratched and the metal was full of little dents. Someone obviously tried to pry open the door. It's dark when he leaves for work and he didn't notice all day, so we don't know if it happened at home, on his job site, or while he was at Home Depot today. Tomorrow he will have them search the security video at the job site and see if Home Depot will do the same. Thank goodness it is fully insured and will be fixed. It's just an irritating inconvenience and a sad commentary on the state of the world.

Things to be thankful for:

11. The truck wasn't damaged any more than it was and they didn't succeed in getting into it.

12. The 18 good years we had with our son before he left home.

13. Yesterday's tests seem to confirm the lump in our daughter's breast is a cyst.

14. Our daughter talked me into going to the mall yesterday afternoon and buying a Halloween costume for the little one. It's a unicorn. She loved it and came over to model it for me last night. So cute! I wasn't able to get a picture...you'll have to wait on that.

15. The boy liked the clothes I got for him. He is particularly fond of the dinosaur jammies with feet that look like dinosaur heads.

16. Your kind words about the change in blogging format.

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Ps. 18:1-3