Thanksgiving 2014

I am Thankful!   I am of course thankful for my home, husband, children (soon to be grandchild), God, country etc.  This year I have been trying to be thankful "when you suffer divers temptations".  In other words - when things are not going so great.  There are more lessons to be learned from hardships and struggles than from clear sailing and ease!  While I am aware of this I have struggled with being thankful for it!  :)

So...this year I am listing several things I am thankful for and how they turned out to be a blessing in disguise!

- The second coldest January on record this year, the frozen water pipes and the high electric bill really 'lit a fire under our feet' (pun intended) to get our winter wood stockpile this year.  It is a very comforting feeling to look at the woodpile!

- The late frost that doomed our cherries and apples last spring also toughened our tomatoes and other things in the garden that proceeded to produce a real bumper crop this year.  Not having apples of my own also gave me the joy of spending an afternoon with a friend picking windfalls and 'left behinds'.

- I don't have a dishwasher and at one point in my life I would have complained bitterly.  I am thankful for the time I spend in front of my kitchen window watching the birds and the seasons pass.  It is calming and relaxing - and the view is lovely!

- Money has remained tight, we have neither one been able to find that part time job that would give us a little cushion, and without the cushion we are forced to evaluate and weigh the importance of everything we do.  We are a team in this (this is good), we have become so very aware of the abundance we possess and the things that we really don't need.  Our lives are richer because we only deal with important or satisfying activities that benefit our family or others, we don't waste a lot of time on things that don't provide a blessing to us or others.   (please read that last as being humble and grateful not arrogant and insufferable!  smile)

-  Family troubles sometimes seem insurmountable and then it all works out....our youngest son was divorced at the ripe old age of 22, now he and the wonderful little girl he married are expecting our first grandchild.  Our middle son struggled with drug addiction and poor lifestyle choices, he had been in rehab and jail about the same number of times...his last jail stint he rededicated his life to the Lord and has now finished his first year of Discipleship school, he is a changed young man.  Our oldest and his wife split up for a year, they have since reunited and are doing very well.  the things that appeared tragic have been turned into blessings.

I hope that more than just reminding me of my blessings and to be thankful even in times of trouble - that my litany has reminded you all as well of the many blessings in your life...sometimes we have to look for them and then wait a little but they are there!

First photos of the grand baby!  (looks like it's dad!)

Happy Thanksgiving!  May God Bless you and Keep you!