My Year of Thanksgiving ~

19 - 25 October:  This week I've been thankful for my sister's invitation that allowed full participation in the communion service Sabbath morning; for a meal shared with those in need; for a beautiful day to make the trip north and return; for sweet, refreshing sleep; for the blessing of study, worship, and fellowship with others - in any setting; for the influence of the pastors and lay-leaders in our community; for shelter on a cool, wet morning; for the creature comfort of my warm fleece robe - a gift from a LasVegas sister many years ago; for providing the opportunity and strength to be of service in this place by volunteering weekly at ETC., the thrift-shop that helps to support the After School Kids program; that the ETC. sales were sufficient for the day; for the happy smiles as the shoppers found items useful for them; for life and the measure of health and strength that remains; that the turtle figures were a gift enjoyed; for life lessons I'm learning as I watch the new puppy being trained for life with this family; for autumn colors in the foliage deepening as the days go by; for waking a bit early Friday morning,even after a sleepless beginning; for joyful anticipation of the evenings nuptial festivities; for resources allowing us to make the trip to Caldwell; for traveling mercies as we drove down in the rain (and back in heavy fog); for blue-sky afternoons - no rain on the wedding celebration; that one dear daughter was able to join us for the celebration; and thank You, God, for bringing Jeri back into our lives (she was Robert's high-school sweetheart, spent Christmas vacation with us in Bluff, UT when she couldn't go home to Canada).