Thanksgiving II ~

30 August-5 September:  This week I have been thankful for each new day and all the blessings in store; for a blissfully quiet night with dear Dandee (not always the case with or without D.D.'s presence - and she's in Riggins with friends who're fighting the fire); for anticipation of rain to cool the fires; for freedom from the smokey skies that have been our covering for days; for the love and affection of family and friends; and for the mercy, the grace, and the great love given by our Father as it was demonstrated in the life of Jesus - our Savior, and rightful Lord of our lives; for the message of 1John 4:8, and 16, which tell us that God IS love; for the way His love is replicated and shared by those who know Him; for life, and breath, and the measure of health that is mine - I am thankful!  I'm thankful for the rest of the past night provided in spite of a two-hour period of wakefulness in the wee, small hours (and thankful that's not a frequent occurrence!); for cloudy skies this morning, maybe more rain to slow the fires that are eating up the forests all over the Pacific Northwest; and for these words from Psalm 63:1,2: "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory"; for more rain during the night - such a blessing in this season of wildfires all around; for the delicious summer melons I'm enjoying at almost every meal; for the Creator "Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s" Psalm 103:5; I'm thankful this morning that I was not alone when eldest D.D. fell/fainted in her downstairs apartment last evening; thankful that the hospital is just 'round the corner, literally; and for the prayers I know will go up in her behalf thanks to family and friends; for another Sabbath - to gather with sisters and brothers for study, worship, and praise; for the appearance of sunshine after early morning rain-clouds were chased out of the sky; for the "invisible fence" that corrals our big dog without me having to maintain hold on any restraint.  (And I'm exceedingly thankful that eldest D.D. is home and feeling better after changes in her meds - thanks so much for your prayers!)