30 Days of Thankkful ~ days 16 - 21

Day 16 I am thankful that my friend Jessie caught up on her 30 Days of Thankful after a week of hiatus, thus inspiring me to get caught up, too. I can totally relate to the feeling of starting something and then allowing the stuff of life to get in the way. So... thank you, Jess, for helping me to "finish well". Reminds me that God's mercies are new very morning and there is always an opportunity for me to re-direct my path.

Day 17 I am thankful -always- for the husband that God has blessed me with, who makes all the difference in my life. If I read back through the 'days of thankful' so far, I am sure Don has been mentioned, but my heart wants to share again. To be utterly gushy and movie-quoting... he "completes me". I know to some, that may be much too ooooey goooey, but really, isn't that how God designed marriage? God made us for one another, to be a help meet, a completer. It has been amazing to watch our marriage grow over the years, to see how we really do "fill the gaps" for each other. Thank you, God, for the "just right for me" husband and thank you for not allowing me to get in the way of your Mighty plan as I waited for him to come into my life 15 years ago.

Day 18 I am thankful for my parents flying in today for a Thanksgiving visit. We are all looking forward to a fun time together! I love watching the kids spend time with Grammy and Grampy and creating precious memories. It was a joy to watch Jenysn and Jaidon working with Grampy in the kitchen making Grampy's Mac-n-Cheese (which we believe to be the BEST mac-n-cheese in the world). The kids learned some tips and tricks in the kitchen... I even re-learned the correct way to chop an onion. : )
By the way, the mac was delicious as always!

Day 19 I am thankful for the opportunity to be a light for Jesus. I pray that by living my life in a Godly way that He will use it to touch the lives of others, I have never been the type to boldly share His Good News out in the world, but I pray that He will still use my life as a witness to His goodenss and love.

Day 20 I am thankful for pie! Silly, yes, but it is true. Many a warm and wonderful memory has been shaped around pie. I actually tried pecan pie FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER last night.... oh my, what have I been missing out on??? I was certain that I would not like it. I thought about all of the pecan tassies that my Grandma used to make and I never tasted one of them... memories lost. I remember Aunt Marty making homemade pies from the garden every fall. As much as I wanted to love the strawberry rhubarb pie (which was her specialty), I never could get the "rhubarb love".
Pie - it can be whats for dinner... and it was last night : )

Day 21 I am thankful for the influence of my Uncle Dickie and Aunt Marty. I honestly have not been in communication with them for much too long. Actually, they are not even my uncle and aunt... they are the best friends of my mom and dad and we spent lots of time with them in my younger years. I grew up in a small town, but where they lived was even smaller. They had a big yard with a weeping willow tree and a big garden. At every meal there seemed to be something I had never tasted and the "rule" was to try a bite of everything... it was okay if I didn't like it, but I could not get away with saying that I did not like it. Aunt Marty did canning every Fall and made the best homemade pies. I loved the small town life and the church and little corner store... and the Old Home Days every year- playing old fashioned games. Thank you for making a difference in my life!