March - August 2014

Wonderful Husband and I traveled to Puerto Rico in March departing Philadelphia early on a Tuesday morning when the temperature read a frigid 16 degrees!

We arrived in Puerto Rico where the high displays 83 degrees and the low rests at 73 every evening.

We hopped on a shuttle bus and 50 minutes later arrived at the resort where the trade winds greeted us with open arms.

The view outside our hotel room.
Picture postcard perfect?

And if you were wondering....the answer is "Yes."

I think Puerto Rico saved my sanity.

This was a working trip for Wonderful Husband who attends meetings during some of the days.

I linger for 5 days and soak up the warmth like a sponge.

Deep into my memory and my soul.

Beautiful flora made my eyes and heart happy!

At the end of March, our daughter and granddaughter moved in with us.

We are now an intergenerational home.

April brought Easter with excited egg-dyeing

and an Easter basket.

(The funniest part while taking this photo was Youngest Sweetie saying, "Cheese," and of course I couldn't see her smile.)

May brought another birthday celebration for me and Wonderful Husband.

You know the years do fly by.

June celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary and my in laws 65th.

July was our vacation in Wildwood, NJ,

A storm rolling in.

and a bridal shower for our niece.

The four girl cousins from Wonderful Husband's side of the family.

August ends with a wedding of Wonderful Husband's cousin's daughter.

Yummy cake!

And now I'm ready for September.

How about you?

Kindness from a Stranger

2013 has been a tough year for our daughter (Young Sweetie). She's in the midst of signing a custody agreement regarding her daughter (Youngest Sweetie) and faces divorce in her future.

Life. has. been. hard.

Imagine my surprise when she brought Youngest Sweetie over for our weekly Sunday dinner and said, "I have story for your blog."

(Young Sweetie knows that I like to write about real life but life has been "a bit too real" this year.)

*******

Young Sweetie was shopping with Youngest Sweetie at our local K-Mart finishing up their Christmas shopping and picking up the basics of diapers and wipes when a woman approached them and struck up a conversation.

The woman praised Youngest Sweetie for being so cute (I liked this woman already!) and asked if she'd seen Santa yet. She asked Young Sweetie how her holidays were going and Young Sweetie said she gave her the standard answer of "Everything is going ok."

The woman explained that her employer had sent out their employees to spread some holiday spirit and asked Young Sweetie if she could give her some money to buy something "for yourself, your daughter and others for Christmas."

Then the woman handed her a $100 bill.

Young Sweetie's eyes welled-up with tears and asked if she could give the woman a hug.

Which she did.

She thanked the woman and while she was still mentally processing the gift....she realized she didn't ask the woman's name or what company she worked for and the woman had walked away.

She looked for the woman and never saw her again.

*******

I believe that God places all people in our lives for His purpose(s).

Thank you Lord for your hand in this gift. Thank you for the woman who was sent out by her employer to pass on some holiday spirit. And thank you for her employer who gave the incentive to the employees.

I am grateful that at the end of a tough year our family experienced this miracle of love and kindness from a stranger.

Amen.

*******

Have you received kindness from a stranger this year?

Texas Family

In August I flew to Texas to stay with my mom while she was recuperating from hip replacement surgery. Although my brother and sister weren't able to stay with her 24/7, it provided an opportunity to spend time together that we haven't had for years.

My sister, brother and I posed with a picture that was taken around 30 years ago. Wow! We haven't changed much at all! (That's the story I'm sticking with! Hee hee!)

********

My sister was a great help running errands, picking up items and always delivering them with a smile. I told her that in 20 years I'm going to hire her as my personal shopper. She was amazing!

My brother was just as phenomenal because when we needed a handrail installed to the lower level of mom's home he had his crew come over the next day and boom! New handrail! He came over that weekend to sand and paint it too.

He was also my chauffeur to and from the airport and took me shopping the first day so I could pick up some items that I didn't want to lug from PA to TX. He showed great patience while I ran into Bath & Body Works and Walmart.

May I show you one thing I love about the local Walmart in Texas?

The state of Texas and a football made from cases of Coke Classic and Mr. Pibb. Creative!

********

It was a blessing to spend time with my brother and sister and our mom. We reminisced about our memories of our dad who died 21 years ago. It was interesting how the three of us each had unique memories of our dad too.

My brother had the "strict dad" who was trying to mold him into a man.

I had the dad who tried to "toughen me up" so I could face the world.

My sister (who is nine years younger than me) had the "fun dad" who was older, worked less hours, and found enjoyment in a multitude of hobbies.

Do you have siblings that although you were raised by the same parents....everyone seems different from each other? Have you ever asked yourself, "How are we all so different? We were raised by the same parents!"

Listening to each others' memories explained the quirkiness we each have and who we've become as adults.

And the delightful insight is that although we are different, we love each other and got along quite well.

We are family.

*********

Finally, a picture of my sister, mom and me on the back deck of my mom's home:

I am thankful for our mom's successful hip replacement surgery! She showed great endurance while I was there and I admired her strength and determination during her recovery.

Yea Mom!

Yea Texas Family!

Spring in PA

On my daily drive to work, I pass a house with a front yard overflowing with colorful tulips.

Day after day I wish I had a picture before all the tulips are gone because every day this yard brings a smile to my face and a lightness to my soul.

(Too bad I haven't learned how to hold my phone level while taking a quick picture yesterday. Ha!)

I am thankful for the people who cultivate this yard.

It is an annual Spring gift.

Holy Week 2013

*What I am reading this week:

The Triumphal Entry, Jerusalem, Sunday (Palm Sunday)
Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus curses the fig tree, Monday
Matthew 21:18-19

Jesus clears the temple, Monday
Matthew 21:12-13

The authority of Jesus questioned, Tuesday
Matthew 21:23-27

Jesus teaches in the temple, Tuesday
Matthew 21:28-23:39

Jesus anointed, Bethany, Tuesday
Matthew 26:6-13

The plot against Jesus, Wednesday
Matthew 26:14-16

The Last Supper, Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
Matthew 26:17-29

Gethsemane, Thursday
Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus' arrest and trial, Thursday night and Friday
Matthew 26:47-27:26

Jesus' crucifixion and death, Golgotha, Friday (Good Friday)
Matthew 27:27-56

The burial of Jesus, Joseph's Tomb, Friday
Matthew 27:57-66

The Resurrection, Sunday (Easter)
Matthew 28:1-10

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

Easter blessings to you and yours!

*from my archives - an annual reading tradition

Always Thankful

Continuing my journey beyond one thousand gifts....

Doesn't he see everything I do and every step I take?
Job 31:4 (NLT)

This verse made me think of what Priscilla Shirer wrote in her study of Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted, "Knowledge of God's nearness can be most comforting to anyone seeking an intimate relationship with Him, and yet it can be the most burdensome reminder for the one who is seeking to avoid His direction and correction." pg.41

Yes I remember years ago when it felt burdensome and now, years later it is comforting and freeing to strive for a deeper relationship!

This week I'm thankful for:

1097. the snow outlining the trees' branches

1098. a mist hovering over a snow-laden field

1099. snow looking like powdered sugar on the bushes

1100. finally, the braces coming off my teeth! Hooray!

1101. Wonderful Husband making BBQ brisket AND chili

1102. Lent and sending encouraging, thankful cards every day

This post is linked to:



Do you practice a Lenten tradition?

Christmas Eve (2012)

Continuing my journey beyond one thousand gifts....

Today is Christmas Eve and I am thankful.

The pre-Christmas parties are over.

Time has been spent with co-workers, Bible Study buddies, extended family, and the sugar/caloric intake has been gi-normous!

#1081 - 1088 and I'm thankful for:

1081. reading The One Year Chronological Bible. Maybe next year will be the year of reading it every day.

1082. experiencing God's peace throughout this season

1083. gifts of fresh fruit which "partially" offset the sugar choices

1084. Wonderful Husband shopping and gift wrapping with a cheerful heart

1085. The Teacher visiting and appreciating my homecooking

1086. a decorated Christmas tree. (I'm still adjusting to "the kids" not decorating the tree. Back in the old days I handed out the ornaments for them to hang on the tree. I now refer to the kids decorating the tree as "My Spoiled Years.")

1087. our granddaughter asleep in her uncle's arms....Visions of sugarplums dancing in her head I wonder?

1088. the surprise of a light snow on Christmas Eve

I wanted to continue counting although there wasn't a link for A Holy Experience this week.

Merry Christmas!

Faith, Hope and Love (2012)

For a child is born to us
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord's strength,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
Then his people will live there undisturbed,
for he will be highly honored around the world.
And he will be the source of peace.
Micah 5:4-5a (NLT)

...but the angel reassured them, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all the people. The Savior --- yes, the Messiah, the Lord --- has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
Luke 2:10-11 (NLT)

May your Christmas be filled with faith, hope and love!

December

Continuing my journey beyond one thousand gifts....

I began reading The One Year Chronological Bible in August of this year. I wish I could tell you I started reading it in January, but I can't. I purchased it in October 2010 and have not yet read through an entire year, but I have hope. Could 2013 be the year?

On December 6th I read, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

We are God's masterpiece? I've never seen that before but let me tell you that it made my day!

I shared the scripture with my co-workers, Wonderful Husband, Diane, and my new Bible Study buddies.

1066 - 1080 beyond my list of One Thousand Gifts. I thank God for:

1066. hearing that we're His masterpiece

1067. an outing to Peddler's Village with Wonderful Husband

Celebrating 50 years with hot apple cider 

1068. hard eucharisteo: a cold, yet it made me slow down

1069. lunch out with two sisters-in-law and mother-in-law

1070. a Bread Bar at the restaurant. I called it my new love language. Ha!

1071. a bowl of hot crab soup on a brisk day, only 2 small pieces of shell included. Ack!

1072. the First Sunday of Advent at the new (to us) church

1073. communion. In remembrance of Christ.

1074. another visit to the orthodontist, my braces will definitely come off in 2013

1075. a telephone conversation with Melanie while she was Christmas decorating for an upcoming jewelry party. She's a great multi-tasker!

1076. mailing prayer and love filled cards to our niece-in-law and my sister-in-law. Praying for comfort on the third year anniversary of our nephew's death.

1077. hearing an encouraging update on Diane's healing leg

After hearing about the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy....

1078. my faith

1079. my belief that God shares our sorrow and provides comfort through His love

1080. prayer


This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitudes on Mondays, One Thousand Gifts.

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT)

Thank-full

Continuing my journey beyond one thousand gifts....

Wonderful Husband is hanging Christmas lights outside. I've removed my Autumn/Thanksgiving orange nail polish and am painting on Christmas/Winter red. I'm strategically planning how to decorate the inside of the house since last year our newborn-sleepy granddaughter has become our active-crawling-almost-walking one year old granddaughter. Her little hands explore everything, then everything goes in her mouth for further exploration.

I don't want our house to be thought of as "No-No-Grandma's house."

This is a season of thanksgiving and next year Wonderful Husband and I plan to participate with a local church serving Thanksgiving lunch to the homeless and lonely people in our area.

1043 - 1065  beyond my list of One Thousand Gifts, I thank God for:

1043. the Holy Spirit's presence during a meeting with the pastor whose church we're leaving. Open communication, no bitterness, ending in prayer.

1044. slow days at work leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday

1045. a Happy Thanksgiving phone call with my brother

1046. a Happy Thanksgiving email from my mom

1047. The Teacher coming to visit

1048. Wonderful Husband's family feast

1049. Young Sweetie's decision to spend Thanksgiving with her in laws since Youngest Sweetie had been feverish  and there would be 8 month old twins (second cousins?) attending our family feast

I had to show you pictures of them in their turkey-leg-knit caps. Darling!

1050. Young Sweetie's tender heart for her in laws

1051. the Thanksgiving dinner encore presentation on Friday with our son, son-in-law and Youngest Sweetie

1052. sending leftovers home for Young Sweetie who had to work and missed out on the meal

1053. making turkey soup afterward

1054. not shopping on Gray Thursday or Black Friday

1055. reading The One Year Chronological Bible: "Let love be your highest goal." 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT)

1056. strengthening the whole church, 1 Corinthians 14:3-4, 12

1057. breakfast with Paula and Maria and talking about forgiveness

1058. a reminder to plant Paperwhites. "When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn't grow into a plant unless it dies first." 1 Corinthians 15:36b (NLT).

1059. sending cards to Diane, Joanne and Kaye. I am blessed with friends.

1060. finding The Allume 2012 Conference Keynote Speakers presentations online for free

1061. Sally Clarkson's wisdom and her clear, concise message: "Love God, love people, seek first the kingdom, live by faith."

1062. a sister-in-law sharing her concern about her son (our nephew) "having a problem with God"

1063. knowing God is big enough to handle the issue. He is present and patient enough to wait on the solution/healing/return.

1064. giving Christmas ornaments to Young Sweetie for her first family Christmas tree. Most were crafted with her own little hands, way back when. Precious.








1065. a new journal for my rambling thoughts. "Every day is a gift, every moment is a blessing, every life holds a beauty of its own."

This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitudes on Mondays, One Thousand Gifts.

Was your Thanksgiving full of turkey and leftovers?

Thanksgiving 2012

Continuing on my journey past one thousand gifts....

A week ago our granddaughter, Youngest Sweetie celebrated her first birthday. It was a large party with family, friends, food and presents. The weather was beautiful and the birthday girl was happy.

Thanksgiving is this Thursday. We have a family tradition of going to one of Wonderful Husband's sister's home for the meal. I will bring my cheese onions which are a tradition from my side of the family and it will be challenging for my introverted self to be surrounded by the crowd and the noise, yet I am still thankful.

1035 - 1042 on my list beyond One Thousand Gifts.

I am giving thanks for:

1035. our happy, one year old granddaughter

1036. our daughter and son-in-law. Such loving parents.

1037. family, food, and fun of a birthday celebration and Thanksgiving

1038. our son coming to visit for the holiday

1039. recognizing that every day is a gift

1040. feeling helpful while taking dinner to Diane who broke her leg

1041. my dentist who "crowned" my broken tooth in one visit. Very efficient.

1042. Christmas CDs playing in my van. Sing-along anyone?

This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitudes on Mondays, One Thousand Gifts.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and tell me, have you been humming Christmas songs lately?

Superstorm Sandy

Continuing on my journey past one thousand gifts....

Superstorm Sandy made her way to us last Monday. We are located inland, outside of Philadelphia and suffered less damage than shore communities. I lost power at work on Monday morning and was home on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I'm thankful for:

1001. Terri receiving her Advent-to-Lent-to-Ascension Wreath on Monday during the storm. Merry Christmas!

1002. seeing a bunny by our front porch step. Take cover!

1003. hard eucharisteo: losing power at 9:30 p.m. on Monday night at home

1004. plenty of candles and flashlights with fully charged batteries

1005. a candy corn scented candle

1006. a roof over our heads and walls surrounding us while we hear the wind roar through the neighborhood

1007. the house creaking ever so slightly

1008. the quiet of no power where we can hear everything

1009. peace in the quiet

1010. a full glass of iced tea poured before losing the electricity

1011. going to bed early and the warmth of sheets, blankets and comforter

1012. Wonderful Husband leaving for work at 5:00 a.m. His safe arrival there.

1013. phoning my mom on her birthday. The only call that went through until later that night.

1014. a day of naps, reading and occasionally opening the refrigerator

1015. The One Year Chronological Bible and reading John 14:1, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." (NLT)

1016. reading that Jesus is the true grapevine, God the gardener and we are the branches and looking outside and seeing this

The first section of our neighbors' tree on Monday afternoon.

Wonderful Husband standing in front of the second section
of the tree that broke off during Monday night.

Another neighbors' weeping willow that was uprooted.

1017. walking around our property and seeing more intact trees than not

1018. hard eucharisteo: no reliable cell phone or text messaging available

1019. the rain stopping and going to pick up my newspaper from the end of the driveway. Seeing the headline of "It's turning ugly: Sandy gains power, aims straight for Northeast," and knowing it was written the night before.

The sky on Tuesday afternoon.

1020. trimming the wicks of the candles in case they're needed for another night

1021. power restored at 2:09 p.m. on Tuesday!

1022. hearing from family and all are safe. Some using generators for power, some never losing power.

1023. a refrigerator chugging softly

1024. warm heat through the vents

1025. a bathtub filled with warm water

1026. a dry basement

1027. only 16.5 hours of no electricity

It was difficult to watch the news and see the devastation that others have suffered from this storm. I have a call in to a tree service to come and evaluate the status of one of our trees. Not an emergency so we'll be far down their list and we'll be patient.

1028. preparing for the trick-or-treaters. Thankful that I don't have to eat all the candy purchased!

1029. finding my "Boo" pin and the orange nails have been painted for quite some time

1030. electricity restored at work on Thursday

1031. all who worked to restore electricity and removed the fallen trees

1032. God who shares our sorrows and our triumphs

1033. playing with Youngest Sweetie on Saturday night and watching Sesame Street

1034. Daylight Savings Time ends. A mixed blessing in "gaining" an hour of sleep, yet the daylight ends much earlier.

This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitudes on Mondays, One Thousand Gifts.

One Thousand Gifts (994-1000)

Continuing my journey toward one thousand gifts....

Our neighbor's tree is once again picking on our little one. I was looking through the window and saw the branch break off.

Hurricane Sandy is still off the coast but we're experiencing the winds and rain.

#994 - 1000 on my list of One Thousand Gifts. I'm thankful for:

994. having advance notice to prepare before Hurricane Sandy comes inland

995. local weather reports

996. Wonderful Husband who is calm

997. Bible Study being canceled this week. Having an extra week to prayerfully and thoughtfully finish the last week of homework.

998. reading What Good is God? In Search of a Faith That Matters by Philip Yancey. My highlighter is working overtime on this book.

999. our granddaughter, Youngest Sweetie, playing the guitar with Grandpop

She thinks Grandpop is a rock star!

 1000. arriving home safely after losing power at work

This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitudes on Mondays, One Thousand Gifts.

I'm praying for everyone's safety during the storm.

Please join me.

Words That Bless

Our son (The Teacher) called on Wednesday night and we talked about his job, my job, God, Jesus and life.

He said that he was thankful that his dad and I were his parents. He has compassion for students who have difficult home lives and realizes that we did our best with parenting him and his sister.

I am most grateful that he knows that we weren't and still aren't perfect parents. 

For years I wanted my kids to think of me as perfect, knowing all the answers to life's big and small questions. I could only hold on to that silly dream self-imposed expectation until they hit high school age. Then it was more difficult to hide my flawed, imperfect "human-ness" from them.

We are blessed to have a 25 year old son who appreciates us even though we're not perfect.

And I exhale a happy sigh.

Happy Friday friends!

One Thousand Gifts (980-993)

Continuing on my journey toward one thousand gifts....

Thank you Lord for your timing.

Sometimes it makes me laugh.

Last Tuesday (October 16th) at Bible Study someone mentioned the story of the workers in the field and how they were hired at different times throughout the day. Diane looked over to me with a questioning look and I said I'd find it and email it later.

The next day, I had to email her to ask what the topic was since I remembered I wanted to look something up for her, but could remember what it was.

Heavy sigh.

Good thing she has a working memory because after she replied, I was able to find Matthew 20:1-16 (The Story of the Vineyard Workers) and send it off to her.

Imagine my delight this morning when I open up The One Year Chronological Bible and the first reading for October 22nd?

Matthew 20:1-16.

I had to laugh!

980 - 993 on my list of One Thousand Gifts. I'm thankful for:

980. God's timing

981. Diane's good memory

982. watching Youngest Sweetie dig through my books

Yes, she reads upside down.

She's very smart!

983. celebrating Paula's birthday over breakfast

984. assignment received from the breakfast group regarding Luke 17:1-4 (on forgiveness)

985. looking forward to our next breakfast to discuss the assigned topic

986. receiving encouraging words (spoken and emailed)

987. the colors of Autumn. Even on gray, cloudy, rainy days the yellow leaves bring happiness to my soul.

988. thinking more about the term "Sandwich Generation" as I keep others in my prayers who are taking care of both their parents and children. Lord give us strength!

989. my brother-in-law finding permanent, full-time employment

990. an early morning stop-by to borrow a cooler by our daughter and our waving to Youngest Sweetie while she waited (patiently) in the car

991. hard eucharisteo: my sister-in-law getting laid off from her job. Sending encouragement and prayers in a card.

992. a Sunday afternoon walk with Wonderful Husband

993. my brother's birthday tomorrow (already clearing my throat to prepare to sing! Ha!)

This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitudes on Mondays, One Thousand Gifts.

Do you have memory challenges like me?

One Thousand Gifts (962-979)

Continuing on my journey toward one thousand gifts....

Last week was a rough week which began with a visit to the doctor and a diagnosis of an infection in my parotid gland, blood taken, antibiotic prescribed, and he used the word "fascinating."

At the end of the week I saw an ENT doctor. Actually he would be called an otolaryngologist. (Now I know why he's called an ENT!) He agreed with the infection diagnosis, told me to finish my meds, and come back only if I got worse.

I think I'm on the mend and tried taking some pictures of my half swollen face. Believe me, there was not good camera angle, so instead....

Youngest Sweetie. 11 months young.

....I took a picture of my granddaughter's cute face. You are welcome! :)

962 - 979 on my list of one thousand gifts. I'm thankful for:

962. an infection free parotid gland

963. the doctors' diagnosis and treatment

964. friends who prayed for my healing

965. God the Healer

966. a save-the-date email for our nephew's wedding in 2013

967. an amazing post at (in)courage.me entitled Sandpaper People by Robin Dance

968. signing our Wills and Living Wills

969. our son-in-law coming over for dinner with Youngest Sweetie on Friday

970. visiting our son, The Teacher in VA on Saturday

971. sopapillas at Pancho Villa  in VA

972. our daughter, Young Sweetie visiting on Sunday with Youngest Sweetie

973. taking a walk in our neighborhood with Youngest Sweetie (in her stroller) and Diane

974. ordering Terri's Christmas present and having it delivered to her. (Don't worry. I told her she could open it immediately. I am not mean enough to say....don't open until Christmas day! :)

975. crisp, sunny, Fall mornings in PA

976. Joanne (my hairdresser) who magically makes the gray disappear and is a genius with scissors

977. a new mousepad from Wonderful Husband. (I asked for one, he brought home four. I should have asked for diamonds! Ha!)

978. my Bible Study buddies and shared prayer requests

979. God who listens and loves us all

This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitudes on Monday, One Thousand Gifts.

How was your week?

One Thousand Gifts (953-961)

Continuing on my journey toward one thousand gifts.....

I see a tree loaded with leaves of Fall red and other leaves of Summer green.

It's the in-between time when my geraniums survive

and my newly planted yellow mums bloom.

We have weather that dips cold during the night into the 40s and day time temperatures soaring toward 80.

I wear summer capris, sleeveless blouses and flip-flops one day, and corduroy pants, sleeved shirts and enclosed shoes the next day.

It's a confusing time of year in PA.

Is it Summer or Fall?

This past week was mostly gray days with some rain. Very hard on my sun-craving soul.

On Tuesday, Wonderful Husband and I went to a lawyer's office to begin the process of drawing up our Last Will and Testament. Preparing for our future. Yet once we're gone, we have no control and won't care what happens to our stuff.

Maybe the whole "will thing" put me in a sad place emotionally yet I was startled when Maria called on Thursday and after explaining my "blah-ness" she immediately asked if I'd thought about hormone replacement therapy. Ha! (And no, I have not.)

953 - 961 on my list of One Thousand Gifts. I'm thankful for:

953. beginning the Will process

954. Wonderful Husband picking up my free baker's dozen multi-grain bagels. Best. Husband. Ever.

955. seeing a Downy Woodpecker eating bugs off of our front porch. I've never seen any bird like her before!

Picture from Wikipedia.
Female doesn't have red patch on back of head.

956. seeing a blue jay tossing mulch around in our front flower bed

957. seeing a chubby squirrel not in my geranium planters

958. God's creations visible and busy outside my front window

959. Judy's conversation after church on Sunday. She was very kind and introduced herself to us.

960. God's hand in that situation since I had been thinking earlier that day that we hadn't spoken to anyone there yet. His perfect timing again.

961. hard eucharisteo: a swollen jaw began on Saturday. Waiting to see the doctor on Monday. Thankful for medical care nearby.

This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitude Mondays, One Thousand Gifts.

May I ask for healing prayers for a jaw that swells during eating? 
Maybe God's way of saying to eat less?
Wonderful Husband laughed when I said maybe it was a hint that I should talk less.

Update: A swollen parotid gland. Taking antibiotics to see if it's an infection.

One Thousand Gifts (942-952)

Continuing on my journey toward one thousand gifts....

I joined a Bible Study group a couple weeks ago. We are reading Walking By Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark by Jennifer Rothschild and I see the theme "trust in the Lord."

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

942 - 952 on my list of One Thousand Gifts. I'm thankful for:

942. my new Bible Study group. A kind and welcoming group of ladies.

943. realizing my need to trust God

944. seeing an old church friend (Terri) at the grocery store and catching up with her

945. my father-in-law's birthday

946. my father and remembering him on the 20th anniversary of his death

946. our grand-nephew's 3rd birthday

947. our daughter helping me avoid making a major faux pas when I was about to buy a birthday card with the number "2" instead of the correct number "3." Thank you Young Sweetie!

948. Wonderful Husband going clothes shopping with me. I value his honesty and patience while I tried on a multitude of pants.

949. a flu shot that gives me peace of mind

950. a surprise rainbow

951. our daughter sending us a picture of our standing granddaughter. I giggle about her "skinny jeans!"

Hey! Where are her shoes?

952. the beginning of October

This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitudes on Mondays, One Thousand Gifts.