Sunday, September 14, 2014

7 Days of Thankfulness

Last week I was challenged by my friends Betsy Myers and her daughter Johannah Myers to name three things for which I am thankful for a week. I really did reflect each day on what I wanted to share. I, in turn, tagged my sister and sister-in-law to do the same.

This exercise made me realize that despite the difficulties I face each day, they are just speed bumps in comparison with the blessings that I have received. I posted them on Facebook each day, but I have consolidated them here to share in one place, and with those who may not have had the chance to see them.

7 Days of Thankfulness

Day 1 - (9/7/14)
1 - thankful that our house is almost all unpacked and starting to feel like home.
2 - thankful for German friends who have helped us unpack boxes and put up new light fixtures without electrocuting ourselves.
3 - thankful for Facebook, where I can keep in touch with friends who live all over the world, rejoicing, praying and laughing with them across the miles. 

Day 2 (9/8/14)
1 - sunny days (it's rained almost every day since we got here) but it's not too hot.
2 - good books ~ I've caught up on my reading and enjoyed some wonderful stories,
3 - the opportunity to preach yesterday, grateful for the warm reception they gave me.

Day 3 (9/9/14)
1 - thankful for PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel), where I can be a teacher or a student and be loved for who I am.
2 - we saw my vehicle at the processing center tonight... Violet msy be coming home soon.
3 - thankful for the opportunity to make new friends and explore ministry possibilities for this fall.

Day 4 (9/10/14)
1 - my husband Shawn, who brought me on this magical adventure called marriage, we're still laughing a lot,
2 - my family of origin, parents Bill & Doris, brother BJ, sister Ola and their spouses and children... sometimes I wonder why I am the way I am, and then I look at you and know you understand me, at least a little bit,
3 - my "other" family, Shawn's dad Tim, sister-in-law LoriAnn and her family, and all the other extended family members who accepted me, no questions asked, and especially for Shawn's mom, Lee Ann, who always took my side... I miss that.

Day 5 (9/11/14)
1 - Thankful that cooking gives me so much joy! and that my spouse will eat almost anything, except mushrooms (and broccoli and peppers and cucumbers...).
2 - Thankful for all of the spices in my kitchen and happy to use them in many different ways.
3 - Thankful for living in so many places that have four seasons. Fall is well on it's way - cool nights make for good sleeping and colorful leaves make for a beautiful drive every day.

Day 6 (9/12/14)
1 - we picked up the truck today and she is fine. I don't know how you one-car families do it.
2 - Command Strips, they make the picture hanging so much easier when you have concrete walls,
3 - thankful for learning to crochet, and all the wonderful friends that has brought me.

Day 7 (9/14/14)
1 - Glad that a good night's sleep can give you a new perspective. Yesterday was a hard "moving to a foreign country and living in a 100-year old house" day. Making a new plan for hooking up 110V electronics and purchasing 220V versions for the ones that we can't get to work.
2 - Grateful to spend part of each day reflecting on the goodness in my life - it's all about perspective.
3 - Most of all - Glad to share in the goodness of a wonderful God who reminds me each day of how much I am loved and how I am called to live in his image. Being thankful is not the end... now I am called to live out that thankfulness in my interactions with others.  Keep me faithful, Lord.

A special thanks to my sisters Ola  and Lori Ann  and their families, who have also shared their joys... we are very richly blessed.

Peace, Deb

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all. ~William Faulkner


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