Thanksgiving III ~

26 June-2 July:  This week I've been thankful for a quiet morning at home - one D.D. is at home in her apartment, D.S.I.L. is at work, and the rest have gone shopping in Lewiston - getting caught up on my paperwork; thankful for a sun-warmed patio and the new hand-rail that encourages me to use that space; and thankful for these wise words from Leviticus 19:18: "Forget about the wrong things people do to you. Don’t try to get even. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord" (ERV); for another day of life and enjoying the sunshine our Father has provided to my heart; thankful for all the ways He has provided ALL I need; and thankful for this counsel: ". . . Jesus said to his followers, 'If any of you want to be my follower, you must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you for following me. Any of you who try to save the life you have will lose it. But you who give up your life for me will find true life'" Matthew 16:24,25, (ERV); thankful to see D.D., D.S.I.L. and his parents on their way across WA. to meet the couple that will go with them to Alaska - Bon Voyage! Thankful, too, for the blessing of having a D.S. here while they're away; and for these words from 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord isn’t slow about keeping His promises, as some people think He is. In fact, God is patient, because He wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost" (CEV); for the traveling mercies that went with D.D. and all as they traveled to the Seattle area yesterday - may this grace continue with them through the vacation days; thankful for the company of dear Dandee during these days - such a sweetie! And I'm thankful for this promise from Psalm 138:8: "You, Lord, will always treat me with kindness. Your love never fails. You have made us what we are . . . ." (CEV); for another morning filled with sunshine and for the SUN-light in my heart; thanks for adequate sleep (and some lessons learned in caring for the four-footeds that are missing their primary care-givers!); and I am thankful for precious promises like this one from Isaiah 41:10: "Do not be afraid—I am with you! I am your God—let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you" (GNT); thankful as I'm looking forward to a visit with a dear pastor/missionary who is home from Indonesia and will be speaking at our sister church in Orofino tomorrow - my sis and I, with D.S., will be there! I'm thankful for all the pastors and teachers who are faithful to use God's Word as the foundation for their work of sharing the "good news"; and for the assurance given for us in 2 Timothy 3:16,17: "Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good" (CEB); thankful for a fresh, new Sabbath and plans to hear a beloved pastor/friend speak in Orofino this morning; thankful for the many gifts our Father has provided through this week; and for the blessing promised in Isaiah 56:2: "Happy is the one who does this, the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not making it impure, and avoids doing any evil" (CEB).