Thanksgiving II ~

28 December 2014 - 3 January 2015:   This week I have been thankful for the rest I was given after a "sleepless 'til 0400 (4 AM)" night - did crossword puzzles, drew up a "take with me" list, and stowed some of these items in a couple of baskets, so my wakefulness was not entirely unproductive; I'm thankful to provide house-sitting services for friends who are wintering away from our sometimes frigid weather; for the beauty of the brief,but heavy, snowfall over the landscape behind our house; thankful that the folks next door safely escaped the fire that destroyed their home Sunday evening, for the volunteer firefighters (and EMTs, just in case) who quickly responded to this emergency call; and especially thankful for all those times in our lives when our Father offers shelter, and often from dangers we've not even recognized; for peaceful sleep in a new place; for getting dear daughter to her chiro. appointment without having to drive on snowy, slick roads (she went with an ambulance as the EMT); for all her help getting me settled in this temporary residence; I'm grateful for the promises of Psalm 91 - promises given to all who are willing to ". . . dwell in the secret place of the Most High [God]. . . ." (verse 1).  My desire is to know this place, and, moment-by-moment, to abide in His care.  I'm thankful for the everyday strength and comfort I find in the psalms - the reminder that others, too, have struggled with life's problems,and, trusting in God, have survived with a heart filled with praise.  I'm thankful, also, for all the blessings of 2014  and looking forward to discovering what our Father has planned for me in the new year.  I am thankful for a sunny New Year's Day - a wonderful start to this year; for lots of birds outside my window, enjoying the birdseed offering; for Dandee's cheerful gift of presence; for The Amplified Bible - the version I chose for this year's reading - its insights are already blessing me; I'm thankful for the every Sabbath celebration of God - Creator, Redeemer, rightful Lord of my life; for Hope Sabbath School and its weekly, interactive study of the Word of God - these studies in Proverbs will be a blessing to all who hear them; and, finally, for the ease of educating myself on the fine points of operating fireplace draughts and dampers on-line!