Thankfulness

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart!

I'm thankful:

1. That the PC police haven't grabbed onto Thanksgiving yet and ruined it. If it were more commercialized and didn't get lost in the mess of Halloween and Christmas advertising, they probably would have. We can still say "Happy Thanksgiving" without worrying that someone is going to accuse us of "offending their sensibilities." I'm surprised they haven't, though, because it is a holiday based on gratitude to God for what He has given us and brought us through. Calling it "turkey day" debases it, and I guess that's their way of trying to hide the real meaning. But I'm grateful we can still thank God openly in this country, though it is not popular.
   
2. That I have a sense of smell. My dad has lost his and the wonderful smells of Thanksgiving are no longer available to him. (I have to say he's thankful for that loss when sauerkraut is around!) It's not something we think about often!
   
   
3. That I can see the beauty around me. I don't like wearing glasses, but I am thankful that they are available. Interestingly, getting my camera for Christmas last year, combined with blogging, have opened my eyes so much to the world around me. I have always enjoyed the beauty, but I am really experiencing it every day now more than ever before.
   
4. That I get to retire soon!
   
5. That my kids and my grandkids live close by and I get to see the kiddoes change before my eyes. And that God has brought them through lots of "stuff."
   
6. That I have a wonderful, loving church family who prays for each other and supports each other. I don't know what people do who don't have prayer partners when the going gets tough.
   
7. That my parents live 7/10 of a mile from me. They retired from the ministry and came back to one of the places they pastored, where both my sister and I live. They still are active in the church and, though they've slowed down, are still healthy for the most part.
   
8. That my sister lives across town, less than 4 miles away. We are very close in age, and have been best friends. We're both retiring this year, so hopefully we'll get to spend some more time together than we have these past busy years of working.
   
9. That God gave me the husband he did. I waited a long time for him, and God knew just who would best put up with me. DC is a blessing to me and we'll celebrate 35 years together next month.
   
10. That God spared the lives of the twins who are safely growing, waiting to be born and change our lives dramatically! That so many of you prayed for them and for Kristen to bring this to pass.
    
11. That I have personally met 3 blogging friends in the last year - what a blessing! That I have so many wonderful friends out there to share with, laugh with, cry with, care about.
    
12. For this, because we really need the moisture and because it's so beautiful and sparkly (but praying that it doesn't affect the travel of those loved ones on their way here from North Dakota and Oklahoma, and my son and DIL on their way to Idaho):
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    That only scratches the surface of the things in my life to thank God for. But it's a good start. Now I'd better get busy on getting ready for the influx of wonderful people tomorrow!