Thanksgiving II ~

8-14 March 2015:  This week I've been thankful that I reset my "wake-up call" before I went to bed (and for the automatic "spring forward" feature on my smart-phone!); for D.D. and S.I.L. arriving safely after a week away with the other folks for his mom's 80th birthday celebration and their 65th wedding anniversary; and thankful that my eldest daughter will soon be coming home after a long visit with her little sis; for every day of life and the promise, ". . . as thy days, so shall thy strength be" (Deuteronomy 33:25); for all my fb (and other) friends and the blessings they bring to my life; to have found the knack for installing a new bag in an unfamiliar vacuum canister!  Thankful, too, for a sunny trip with my sister up to McCall; for the recovery of the wallet still folded into the shopping cart seat when the helpful attendant returned it to the store; for the ability of the smart-phone to play a photo-copying role for documents I need to keep; for a good night's sleep and a new store of energy to meet a new day's demands; for ideas on how to rearrange items removed from a terrier pup's busy teeth; for all the delight of time spent with the same busy little fellow - so glad he's included in the household; I am thankful for all the "I will . . . ." promises I find in God's Word - all the blessings He gives with assurances He will do exactly as He says (e.g. Ezekiel 36:16,25-27); for another promise every parent should know, Isaiah 49:25; and for a lifetime of experiencing a loving heavenly Father; for a freshly broomed patio - and my sister's more efficient broom! That patio is a delightful place in these late winter afternoons with local temps in the 70 degree range (only in Riggins!); for a washer that knows how to manage a small load as well as a large one; and for anticipation of fresh Arizona citrus fruit from the pickers!  So thankful for another Sabbath and the blessings our Father puts in it for all who will "Remember . . . ."; for the thoughtful message from Pastor Skip McCarty that reminds me ". . . while none of us will be saved by our obedience, we are saved for obedience, which involves allowing God to bring us as close to His ideal as possible . . . ."; that while the citrus order placed was not recorded, there was enough "extra" to fill yesterday's order.