Thanksgiving

When our girls were little, we drove home one night listening to a 4-year-old backseat singer, thanking God for the moon and the stars, toys, and yes -- broccoli. We heard that song this weekend -- without mention of the broccoli. Little ones singing a tune that has never been written down, from a heart that is so content and overflowing, mentioning - or not mentioning - the simple joys of life. That really brings you back to earth - remembering the simple pleasures. And how close I was to forgetting them amid the "big" problems of life.

It was fun. No - precious. Watching two little heads peer at the multi-colored lights. "Mo' Kwismas!" "I's Bwootiful!"

Another cherished memory will be today's 6 1/2-hour drive home. (NO, we didn't speed. We ate before leaving and only made one bathroom stop!) I'm so thankful for Larry. Too many times I talk - and keep talking - to explain my point. Today he talked a lot, trying to explain his understanding of my feelings. He knows me, and appreciates what I have invested in our home, marriage, and family. He understands that sometimes I am not logical, but he also(sometimes) knows why I am not logical. We HAVE been working on this understanding (AND listening) thing for almost 31 years. Sometimes it seems like we are on different wave lengths, but today we rode the same one.

It's great to be with family. Just hanging out together. Larry mentioned (again) how God sent the right guys for our girls.

We're also thankful that gas prices are down!!! And for health for our parents. And for our siblings.

And for tomorrow. Tomorrow. A new day, a new opportunity, a new chance at hope. Gotta take it. Not taking it -- is dismal.

Blessings! Be thankful!

Home again! Jiggity!!! Jig!!!

Oh, it's good to be home! So good. Eating out is great, but gets old when you can't have just a liiiiiiittle bit of something, when you have to walk a half-mile in the cold back to the hotel every night after eating, and when you run out of "special!" restaurants, and have to start visiting them the second time! SAD! I'm SUCH a wimp! Doing hair in the humidity of Florida is really a stretch too! -- We'd saved, waited, and did enjoy our time, but there's no place like home.

NOT to say we wanted to get back into the saddle. Every so often I have to have an attitude re-adjustment regarding the stress God allows my husband to endure for the sake of a paycheck. Of course, it isn't just for a paycheck. This is where God wants him at this place in time. Which also means that dealing with HIS stress is where God also wants ME at this place in time. I just finished re-reading a book (and it's sequel) that really affirmed for me that I must let God use Larry how HE plans, not according to what I think is ENOUGH! God is in control!

Today I worked with 5 other ladies in our church assembling upholstering

fabric samples into a quilt, backed with a 2 1/2 yd piece of fleece. We have 3 mostly completed and 10 more underway. Our plan is to pass them on for distribution to the homeless of our community. I can't imagine sleeping outside as the weather is chilling down -- I'm so grateful for a house and good working furnace. But the weather isn't all that daunts them. I pray that God takes our efforts -- namely, the quilts -- and reminds these people, whomever they are, that He is with them and cares about them. We'll work more tomorrow, but hope to get them made and distributed asap.

Larry is sick. Flu probably. The guy seated next to him on the plane, coughed for 6 hours. He's still working, still getting up at 5 (better than 3 AM), still working nights and weekends. -- God is in control.

Can't wait to see the boys (Thanksgiving) -- AND the big kids! I brought Legos home on the plane for them. It is SO hard it is to decide which items to buy for grandkids when you want to buy them all! Fortunately, I can't make Legos! Ha!

I taught 5th gr sp ed Math and Science yesterday. It was a good day, two great sets of kids, but with the second set, especially, I could see how challenging it really is for them to complete a task. Most of them could grasp the tasks -- some could not. And every one of them looked like everyday, normal kids. A couple are handicapped by their situations. I wonder about the others. I feel for them all -- and admire the teachers. I admire teachers who deal with kids every day--and love them.

If I could ask one prayer for the world, it would be that we would give more grace to one another. Grace for the person who ticks us off. Grace for the appointment who forgets us. Grace for the person who endangers us because they were careless. Grace for the person who didn't know better. Grace when I don't feel like giving it. Grace when I feel I don't have any more to give. Because I've been the one who has needed grace for every one of these situations!

Blessings! Have a BRIGHT day!