Thanksgiving VI ~

16-22 June:  During last week, I was thankful to know D.D. was on her way back home ferrying the other in-laws from Arizona to be with us for a while - what a precious blessing! I was thankful for the furry friends that have kept me company and provided a few giggles during the day; thankful for this Fathers' Day thought from Psalm 103:13-14 where it is written: "An earthly father expresses love for his children; it is no different with our heavenly Father; the Eternal shows His love for those who revere Him. For He knows what we are made of; He knows our frame is frail, and He remembers we came from dust." (VOICE); thankful that the travelers were on the last leg of their journey, coming to us from Jackpot, NV - praying traveling mercies for them and for all on the go; thankful that the other in-laws will be spending time here this summer - missed them last year when they sweltered in Arizona; thankful that my voice, too, can join this chorus from Psalm 68:4 where it is written: " Sing songs of praise to the name that belongs to the True God! Let your voices ring out in songs of praise to Him, the One who rides through the deserted places. His name is the Eternal; celebrate in His glorious presence." (VOICE); thankful for the safe arrival of D.D. and the other in-laws after their journey up from Arizona; thankful for pleasant weather in which to do my little walks our-of-doors; thankful for this admonition from Hebrews 12:6-10 where it is written: "... Have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as His children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child He loves that He disciplines; the child He embraces, He also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best." (MSG); thankful for every new day of life and the strength that remains to me; thankful for the reminder offered in Atul Gawande's book, Being Mortal, that we need to be aware of how our future can play out and make plans for our responses; thankful for this admonition from Psalm 90:12 where it is written: "Help us to remember that our days are numbered, and help us to interpret our lives correctly. Set your wisdom deeply in our hearts so that we may accept your correction." (TPT); thankful that there is live-streaming of the general sessions of our Upper Columbia Conference camp-meeting in session; thankful to know the sun is still shining above the gray skies over-head - just as God is always there even though we may not perceive His presence; thankful for the query posed in Mark 8:35-37 where we read: "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" (NIV); thankful for a day of preparation well begun - A.M. tasks almost completed; thankful that all God's promises are sure - not a one of them has failed, making me confident that the few yet remaining WILL BE COMPLETED; thankful for this promise from Psalm 91:1-2 where it is written: "We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. This I declare, that He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him." (TLB);  thankful to be enjoying Sabbath with other believers at the Upper Columbia Conference camp-meeting via the streaming connection with my computer; thankful to know that God is a seeker of all who will come to Him for healing and restoration to His likeness (Genesis 1:27); and thankful for this assurance from Psalm 121:7-8 where it is written: "God guards you from every evil, He guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, He guards you now, He guards you always." (MSG).