Thanksgiving II ~

7-13 December 2014:  This week I have been thankful to have spent a lovely Sabbath morning worshiping and singing with church friends and family and for the lovely fellowship meal after services; for warm sunlight painting the steep slope outside my window; to be part of a worldwide family of believers - all relying on Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives; thankful that we have been given God's Word in all its fullness - the written Word with enduring counsel and encouragement, and  ". . . the Word made flesh. . . ." - our Savior and our example; for the rest I was given even before sleep finally came just before the alarm clock roused to sing "Wake up!" (thankful, too, that its song is easily quieted on mornings after a sleepless night!); for the files of photos - my own, and those of others that are available to me for sharing; for the blessing of volunteer activities available to residents in this community; for my thoughtful kids (and the well-chosen sons and daughters they've added to this family!); for a restful night's sleep and each one like it: thankful to remember a little song I learned when my children were small  -  "Jesus sends the angels, angels, angels, Jesus sends the angels with us when we're trav'ling" (much traveling planned this week - all week long); for children (and the grandchildren and great-grands, too) who've learned that love is an action word; for the community "giving tree" at my bank - a reminder that there are others around us who need a loving touch; thankful to wake in the morning and find Dandee sleeping in my recliner - on the big lambskin that covers it entirely; that Opie - grand-daughter's 8 month-old feline - is here to amuse the pup; and so thankful our loving Creator gave us these furry friends to entertain and keep us company; for the pretty green and water-resistant jacket waiting for me at the S.A. thrift store - it caught my attention as I walked in, almost shouting, "Here I am!  Right here!" - just the thing I was looking for!;  for a daughter (or two, or three) who know how to cook, and are not the least bit fearful to experiment with ingredients and seasonings; for all the blessings of this past week - for life, and for a desire to love and serve God and others; for this, another Sabbath morning, a day to honor our Creator and Redeemer (Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:15); for a loving heavenly Father who ". . . sends rain on the just and on the unjust. . . ."(Matthew 5:45) to water the earth so it can produce the food we need; for all the dear ones in my family and my circle of friends.