25-31 December:  This week - the last of 2016 - I have been thankful for all the Christmas greetings from family and friends far and near - so good to keep in touch; thankful for the thoughtful insights D.S.I.L. brought in the message he gave at services yesterday; and thankful for the beautiful message found in Isaiah 9:6 - I always read these words with Handel's music echoing in my ears! - "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace!" (KJV); thankful that 2000 years ago there was One who laid aside His heavenly privileges to become forever a member of the human race - a Savior who was born to die for a world that was in rebellion. I am thankful that His tomb is empty today; and so thankful to be one of those awaiting His promised return - "I will come again, to receive you unto Myself, that where I am you may be also" John 14:3; thankful that D.S.I.L.'s early morning encounter with a two-foot drift proved exciting but no damage to him or his vehicle - he got to work in one piece; I'm thankful for the wisdom of those who choose to close the Camas Prairie routes when they become too hazardous; and I am thankful for these words from Psalm 34:7,8: "If you honor the Lord, His angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection, and you will be glad" (CEV); for a sound sleep and an alert beginning to the day; thankful for the thoughtful messages I found in my on-line Adventist Review yesterday; and I am thankful for these beautiful words found in Matthew 11:28,29: “Come to Me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. Accept My teaching. Learn from Me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest." (ERV); for the daily care of my loving Father in heaven; thankful for answers to my prayers; and always thankful to read the precious promise found in John 14:1-3: “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in Me. My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too" (CEB); thankful for four new methods to combat procrastination tendencies; thankful to know that Jesus loves "even me"; and I am thankful for these words, found in John 16:33: "I’ve said these things to you so that you will have peace in Me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world” (CEB); for a new Sabbath morning, and for a servant role in our study as we review lessons from the Book of Job; I am thankful to be awake a bit early and have extra time to review a bit of memory work from the Bible; and how thankful I am for these words of thanksgiving from Psalm 103:1-5:
"Praise the Lord, my soul!
All my being, praise His holy name
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and do not forget how kind He is.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He keeps me from the grave
and blesses me with love and mercy.
He fills my life with good things,
so that I stay young and strong like an eagle" (GNT).

Happy New Year!