My Year of Thanksgiving ~

12 -18 October:  This week I've been thankful for each new day with the mercies our Father sends "new every morning"; for the blessing of Hope Sabbath School (http://hopess.hopetv.org/) and each interactive Bible study; for the affection of family and friends; for the presence of guardian angels, recognized when we were leaving Horseshoe Bend and facing a solid line of southbound traffic when, suddenly, there was a car coming toward us and no place to escape - solid traffic on one side and no shoulder on the other - I was bracing for a collision, but in an instant the oncoming vehicle had squeezed back into that solid line of traffic and we were praising God for those angels that excel in strength who are able to push our cars around!  Giving thanks, too, for the mechanical staff in the house; for the delight of furry friends and the smiles they bring; for the beauties autumn weather brings; for the assurance of our Father's love and presence that can be found in His Word; for new glimpses of Bible heroes in Francine Rivers' book, Sons of Encouragement; for another profitable day at ETC.and the visit with a needy fellow living on the river - I pray that next time I'll take the opportunity to speak of the Savior; thankful for for Ellen White's paragraph that reads:
     When it in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end Jesus accepts this disposition and
     effort as [my] best service and He makes up for the deficiency with His own merit.   Signs of the Times,
     1890.
Giving thanks, too, for His mercies and grace that have covered me all the days of my life; for a pen that writes smoothly as I do the journaling from which these thoughts are taken; for the "exceeding great and precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4) I find in the Word; for the beautiful psalms that, verse upon verse, put feelings which I cannot express into words; for this preparation day with little to do in my own space - I can be of help in other parts of the house; for safe travel for family members as they drive mile after mile; I am thankful for another Sabbath - the reminder that my existence here is no accident, but I am offspring of the ones who were formed by the Creator's hand.  All praise and glory to Him!  Thankful to be able to worship with the G'ville church family this Sabbath; and for orderly surroundings after the chaos of relocation.