O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Day Thirty - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, a fitting time to express gratitude for my greatest blessing: My knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ as my Savior, Redeemer, Advocate, Spiritual Father, Brother and Friend. I couldn't make it through life without Him. He condescended to come to earth to experience life, pain, temptation and sorrow so He would know how to succor me. He suffered and gave His life to pay for my sins. He broke the chains of death and was resurrected so I can live again. Death is not the end. I don't understand everything, but I do know He loves me and will help me to pass the test of this mortal boarding school. I am forever grateful for His love and help.

Humor and Laughter

Day Twenty-nine - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Is there anything better for when you're down in the dumps than a good joke? It doesn't seem to matter if it's a really good joke, or a clever, witty one, or an old-fashioned corny Dad joke. Laughter is a relief to sorrow and stress. I love humor! I'm so thankful for the many who can tell a good joke, think up and perform a funny skit, or draw a belly laugh producing comic. It all lifts my spirit and helps me see the brighter side of life.

Here is a website that's as good as the funny pages in a newspaper. Hope you can enjoy a laugh or two.

New Home - Old Home Is any home perfect?

Day Twenty-eight - Thirty Day of Thanksgiving

We went back to our Minnesota house to do a few things. One of the things I most miss in our townhouse is windows! I am a creature of light and miss the large windows on all sides of the house. Almost all of the rooms in the Minnesota house have windows on two sides which makes the room bright and cheerful. But I don't miss the bugs (Asian beetles, flies, wasps) or squirrels scampering in the walls and ceilings. I don't miss the soul-sucking wallpaper, 70's paneling, flaking paint, crumbling bricks in the basement, or the leaky doors and windows when the wind is howling and the temperature is in the teens. I do miss the attic and the basement storage, the huge cedar lined linen closet, and the seventeen drawers in the kitchen. 

Actually I'm thankful to have a place to live that isn't a covered wagon, or dugout, or claim shanty. When I'm whining about my lack of storage, I remind myself that the pioneers would think I live in a palace. And I'm filled with gratitude once again: for hot and cold running water, flushing toilets (3 of them!), a washer and dryer, a stove with oven, microwave, central heat, and a garage to park out of the snow (eventually). Blessings abound!

Come Ye Thankful People Come

Day Twenty-seven - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Like many families, ours has the tradition of each person at the table sharing something they're thankful for before we give thanks for the food and ask for a blessing. My heart overflows with gratitude and I can't think of just one thing. So I usually express thanks for my Savior, Jesus Christ, my family, and being together with plenty of delicious food.

I hope that you too can be together with family and friends expressing love and gratitude for your many blessings. It seems appropriate to take stock of them, count them one by one, and see what God hath done.

Down is Warmest

Day Twenty-six - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Last night we were hit with the first winter storm as an arctic blast blew down from the north. We weren't snug in our new weather tight townhouse, no, we were on the road north to Minnesota to take care of some things at our old house. Right into the blast of the storm.

Today I'm thankful for down filled parkas, and down comforters to sleep under. Nothing beats it for lightweight warmth.