Five Children

 Day Six - Thirty Days of Gratitude

Our daughter Elle (Elizabeth aka Noble) helped me tonight after finishing her day at work. We are moving from Minnesota to Iowa in two days and I needed help with the kitchen. Her work was much appreciated.

I love our five children and am so grateful for everything I've learned from them over the years. Motherhood is a crash course in character development. When we were homeschooling many other mothers commented, "Oh I wouldn't have the patience to do that." Well, let me tell you sister I didn't start out with the patience either, but it was either develop it or go to jail for crimes against children. I think I managed to develop some along the way. But along with character traits, I've learned about so many wonderful subjects because of the wide and varied interests of the five of them. 

Our five have multiplied to eight as three have married, and then thirteen as five grandchildren have been added. What a blessing to have posterity! I hope it keeps growing.

Labor Savers

Day Five - Thirty Days of Gratitude

Where would we be without all the labor saving appliances and modern conveniences we enjoy today. I'm so thankful for a washer and dryer, a stove and refrigerator, a freezer and a vacuum cleaner, a microwave and a crock pot. Along with the bigger things like central heat and air conditioning, hot and cold water, flushing toilets, and garbage pick-up. Then there are all the electronics like computers and cell phones, radios, televisions, digital cameras, and such. We are so blessed!! We truly live in amazing times that even kings couldn't have dreamed of 200 years ago. I'm grateful for them all.

The Night Sky

Day Four - Thirty Days of Gratitude

We live in an area that is relatively dark at night. I'm grateful I can see the moon, planets and stars. At least, I can see them when the sky is clear, and not cloudy. I love seeing the moon no matter what phase it's in; all's right with the world when I can see the moon.

Our daughter has a wonderful pair of binoculars that we used to look at celestial phenomena when she lived with me. The Psalmist knew the truth: The heavens declare the glory of God.

Sunshine

Day 3 - Thirty Days of Gratitude

Today I enjoyed bright, warm sunshine streaming in the windows. I'm always grateful for sunshine when the temperature outside is cold because it warms up the house. 

I'm also very thankful for "Sonshine", the love, mercy and grace that comes from Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer. 

Autumn Colors

Day Two - Thirty Days of Gratitude

My inadequate cameras can't capture the beauty of the colors of autumn, so I capture them in my mind and hold on to the precious memories. Yellow, gold, orange, red, burgundy against a bright blue sky, or sometimes lit by the setting sun against a dark gray cloud. Bright green is still visible in some trees, and the fir, pine and spruce are dark blue green. The weeds are yellow and brown, the grass a faded green. 

I love colors! I'm so grateful for this beautiful world of God's creation and for my eyes to see it.