Thanksgiving All Year: 61-70

Well, I just barely got in two posts between "thankful" lists this time... I guess that's better than nothing! This has been a super challenging week for me, one in which I've been forced to let go of control in some areas of my life and give God the reins. It's SO not easy for me to do, and yet I KNOW He can handle things better than I ever could. He is teaching me all over again to TRUST HIM. It is hard but I know it is good.

Today I am thankful...



61. For the opportunity to e-mail my missionary friend Lisa back and forth for a whole day, catching up on more of life than we are normally able to!

my friend Lisa, who is now a missionary in Nicaragua,
up at Donner Pass during a visit to Reno in June of 2006

62. For friends who offer Godly wisdom and encouragement, who also PRAY, both for and with me!!



63. That my friend Bev's dad has seen a miraculous turnaround in his health over the past two weeks -- a total answer to prayer!

 

64. That God has encouraged me twice this past week through Lydia, a newer friend in my life.



65. That my grandmother's surgery last week (yes, I am a week late putting this on my list!) went way better and more quickly than expected... Her doctor said she "looks like a teenager on the inside!"



riding "Thunder Mountain Railroad" with my grandmother at
Disney World in 2009 ~ she can be a teenager on the outside, too!



66. For finding old coupons for free gelato the day before they expire, and for already having planned to spend the night with Ashley that night so I automatically had someone to share them with.

67. That God reveals areas of my life where I have not walked in obedience or trust and, once I have confessed them, forgives me and gives me another chance to learn and grow.

68. For the assurance that "the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16)

69. For encouragement from my quiet times this past week... Specifically for a) the reminder that God has a heart for peace, unity, and reconciliation; b) Julie Ackerman Link's words that "whenever we set out to do something good, even when we're certain that God wants us to do it, we shouldn't be surprised when the situation gets worse before it gets better;" and c) the fact that that sentence ends with the words, "it gets better."



70. For my brother, who for basically as long as I can remember has been a constant source of listening, encouragement, support, and laughs. I am SO blessed.

me & my brudder back in the day

I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to plunging into the weekend and seeing what it and the next week -- as well as the next month, since we are already bidding September farewell -- have in store. Here's to a fresh start!