My Year of Thanksgiving ~

27 July - 2 August:  This last week I have been thankful for mornings with fresh, cool breezes - such a delight in mid-summer!  I've given thanks, too, for the precious gift of family time as our local clan gathered for our once-a-month pancake breakfast - and for our church family gathering for a farewell picnic for our pastor, who is headed - with his wife and two children - for the seminary to continue his studies there; for each new day of life and the measure of health and strength that remains; for the gift of friendship I've found with my landlord and his lady; for sound sleep and rest; for warmed water available with just a twist of a handle - so different from much of the world where water must be carried and is not always clean!  Always thankful for a good day at ETC. where sales help support the After School Kids program; for strength to walk to my work there as a volunteer helper; for the heart-felt testimony of one whose visits to the store always bring a blessing; for fresh berries gathered from the bramble that fills a front corner in my yard; for glorious sunlight splashing gold on the hills all around -what beauty for me to behold!  So thankful for all the evidences of my Father's love, His grace, and His mercy at work in my life and in the lives of my loved ones; for anticipation of Sabbath blessings with our new pastor; for little "everyday" blessings that come almost unnoticed; for a beautiful Sabbath morning; for an air-conditioned ride to church with a dear one who is rarely free from on-call duties - what blessings are mine!