A Year of Gratitiude: July 2018

Today I am thankful for...

1.      My country of Canada, on Canada Day, such as it is with it’s not so latent hostility to Christians and their freedom.

2.      Ability to rest at home when I’m sick, and sermon audio to catch up on what I missed.

3.      My library, both fiction and non-fiction. I have a lot of good resources for research.

4.      World cup soccer; lots of upsets this time around, which makes it interesting. My team of Germany is already out.

5.      Not having to worry about finances, only health.

6.      Facetiming with the grandkids.

7.      A beautiful summer Saturday.

8.      Being back at church.

9.      Spending a day with the grandkids at their new house. They have a little blow-up pool.

10.   I wrote a report card for my grandson.

11.   Air conditioning at home.

12.   Acupuncture seems to be helping.

13.   Flowers and my herb garden in the backyard.

14.   My dishwasher. Not a fan of handwashing dishes.

15.   The new home my mom, sister, and nieces are renting.

16.   My mom being able to spend time with her great grandkids.

17.   My washer.

18.   My dryer.

19.   Garage sales at church, where I have a chance to offload clutter.

20.   My reference books which help with Bible studies.

21.   My mom and sister’s new rental home.

22.   Black-eyed Susies, which I planted in front of our house. Perennials and potted plants are my kind of gardening.

23.   I bought some more black eyed Susies for my daughter’s yard.

24.   My crops.

25.   Coupons to completely pay for our meal tomorrow.

26.   32 happy years of marriage.

27.   Lobster.

28.   Festival at church.

29.   Sunshine.

30.   The beach. I feel more relaxed near the water.

31.   Getting honourable mention for my novel in the first writing contest I’ve entered.

June: a year of gratitude

June; Today I am thankful for…

1.      My car’s a.c. was fixed. It’s cold enough to make ice cream in.

2.      Annual flowers in my yard.

3.      My husband being 20 years cancer free! As an oncology nurse, I know there aren’t a lot of happy endings, especially with sarcoma. But God is faithful.

4.      Spending the day with my granddaughter, bonding. She said her first two word sentence. When I’d ask, “Where’s Robin?” She’s answer, “I’m heeeyah.”

5.      Dollar stores. So many good deals. Although I only ever go in intending to buy one or two items, I come out with three bags. I should own stocks in them.

6.      Dental care every three months, covered by my husband’s benefits.

7.      A new provincial premier.

8.      Prepping for the party, also smart to get the salads and cupcakes catered.

9.      The party for my husband. Exhausting but good.

10.   A day with my grandkids.

11.   Dental work.

12.   My mom brought me a tea towel as a gift from South Carolina. It says, Mimi is the name, spoiling is the game. Appropriate.

13.   Benefits for all my health care costs.

14.   World cup soccer starting today. Go Germany!

15.   Yoga for sleep class.

16.   A lady at church is hosting my women’s ministry team for a high tea as a thank you. Very nice of her.

17.   My husband’s 55^th birthday and father’s day.

18.   A quiet day at home.

19.   School prep day.

20.   Massage; I really needed it.

21.   My daughter’s job offer for the next four months. An answer to prayer.

22.   Getting rid of the piano. The room feels more balanced and spacious now.

23.   My daughters beautiful new home. I especially love the attic.

24.   Church dinners. Appreciation for two elderly sisters who are moving away.

25.   A new roof!

26.   My daughter’s call to the Bar and a thank you dinner from her to celebrate.

27.   Pinterest. I couldn’t teach my grandson without its help.

28.   A new member of my health care team, an osteopath.

29.   Air conditioning, especially as we’re heading into a heat wave this weekend.

30.   Summer time. My favourite season, even with the heat.

A Year of Gratitude:May 2018

May journaling; I am thankful for…

1.      A getaway trip to Niagara Falls

2.      Hotels, especially our suite. Someone to make my bed, clean the bathroom.

3.      WINGS maternity home ministry gala.

4.      My dishwasher prepared by my husband.

5.      Our eldest daughter has been accepted to grad school (social work)!

6.      A bbq luncheon at church.

7.      Dinner downtown with my youngest daughter, as an early Mother’s day gift. She took me to El Catrin, an authentic Mexican restaurant in the Distillery District.

8.      A once a year pedicure.

9.      My kindle to read to me.

10.   Being able to rest/pace myself/not work/concentrate on my health.

11.   Our garage door cable snapped, but we were able to get it fixed the same day.

12.   Being well enough to attend the Millions Missing event. Also my sister’s birthday.

13.   A supportive network of family, friends, and medical team that accepts me and my illness.

14.   My mother-in-law, whose birthday is today. We ordered Ethiopian food takeout.

15.   BOTOX, even when he nicks my facial nerve, like today.

16.   A home day to write.

17.   I had to drop off my car because of a flat tire. Thankful for car care.

18.   A 29 year career in nursing.

19.   My washer/clean clothes/effortless.

20.   My dryer/soft towels.

21.   Homemade soup.

22.   Crocuses and tulips.

23.   Daffodils and lilacs.

24.   My daughter’s family being able to buy a house.

25.   The generosity of my mother-in-law to give my daughter the down payment for their house.

26.   Women’s retreat weekend.

27.   Potted plants and seedlings; the extent of my gardening abilities.

28.   A local cupcake company I used for my 50^th party, and now I’ve ordered some for my husband’s celebration bbq.

29.   The faithfulness of Marion Cozens over 9-1/2 years running WINGS maternity home, but she will be closing out the ministry at the end of August.

30.   The mental clarity to revise my manuscript.

31.   Actually completing the revisions of my manuscript in time to send it in tonight for a writer’s publishing contract contest.

A Year of Gratitude: April 2018

 I am thankful for…

1.      Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

2.      A break from school.

3.      The internet.

4.      A visit from an out of province friend.

5.      Supplements.

6.      Homemade soup. I’m on a kick.

7.      Getting my kindle working again; I thought it was a goner.

8.      Encouraging friends.

9.      My mom’s help at school.

10.   Homemade butter. I never thought I could do it.

11.   A warm house.

12.   Yoga, even though it’s hard.

13.   My women’s ministry team. I bought thank you gifts for them since we’re wrapping up.

14.   Teaching about Emergency Preparedness on the day before an ice storm.

15.   Being able to stay in during an ice storm.

16.   Power still on. No school today.

17.   Lunch out after presenting the summary of Nehemiah.

18.   A new Bible reference book.

19.   Coffee, and my Keurig.

20.   My husband’s job over 28 years.

21.   White wine, even if it’s from a box. Cardboardeaux.

22.   Meeting new people at church.

23.   Income; even though this year I owe income tax.

24.   Beginning a new Bible study; Esther.

25.   Getting highlights, so I look and feel younger.

26.   Car care; winter tire changeover and tune up.

27.   Birthday cupcakes from my daughter.

28.   A new spring/summer purse.

29.   I got a Kitchenaid stand mixer for my birthday.

30.   God’s faithfulness over 54 years. It’s my birthday!

A Year of Gratitude: March 2018

Today I am thankful for…

1.      Dental care every 3 months for 35 years. I still have my teeth.

2.      Movies to distract/entertain.

3.      Old friends; we easily pick up where we left off.

4.      The Bible.

5.      Time to study.

6.      The privilege of teaching the Bible.

7.      Fried fish.

8.      Yoga class, even when it’s hard to go.

9.      Coffee. I love coffee.

10.   Yoga pants.

11.   Freedom to worship.

12.   School; planting seeds with my grandson.

13.   A week off from school for March break.

14.   Pickled beets, which I made for the first time.

15.   Loyalty cards to pay for flights.

16.   Ability to rest/not work/recover/pace myself, which is the only “treatment” recommended for M.E.

17.   Prospect of travel this summer to see friends.

18.   Missionaries willing and able to go. Ironic that on St. Patrick’s Day we commissioned an Irish woman to go to Ireland for missions.

19.   Jerk chicken.

20.   School; doing fun things like making slime.

21.   Pajama days; don’t judge me.

22.   Appliances, especially my dishwasher.

23.   My daughter’s final day at work!

24.   My i-phone.

25.   Good preaching.

26.   25 school days so far.

27.   My mom’s 78^th birthday.

28.   Spring cleaning done by someone else!

29.   Netflix. Just got it. Let the binge watching begin.

30.   Good Friday. L Christ died, for me! J

31.   Long weekend (for my family). My whole life is a long weekend.

A Year of Gratitude February 2018

Today I am thankful for...

1. My grandson is three today! I mailed him a card since we are learning about community helpers like letter carriers. In it I wrote, “There is a boy who’s turning three, and Benny was his name-o. B-E-N-N-Y, B-EN-N-Y, B-E-N-N-Y, and Benny was his name-o.” He loved it so much he slept with it in his crib.

2. My mom just got bilateral hearing aids, now everything is too loud.

3. I restarted yoga classes, but not sure if I can make it twice a week.

4. My grandkids are 1 and 3, but since their birthday parties are a week apart, they’re celebrating together, today. My grandson knew how to blow out his candles.

5. I love fresh flowers. Gerbera daisies are my favourite. I always said if I was rich, I’d make sure I had fresh flowers every week. I guess I’m rich.

6. Visiting a friend, our first pastor’s widow, who just had to move from her senior’s residence to a nursing home. My mom came along with us.

7. I love Costco, except I always overspend.

8. My granddaughter, Robin, who is one today.

9. Being able to rest when I have a cold.

10. Women’s ministry breakfast with a ministry called Defend Dignity, which helps women escaping trafficking.

11. Church was cancelled, as was the potluck. We made so much jerk chicken. I was going to stay home today anyway since I was still sick.

12. Finishing my summary of Ezra.

13. Teaching at the Women’s Bible study. I love it.

14. Thankful for the love of my husband. It’s Valentine’s day.

15. A good day at school. My granddaughter took eight steps!

16. Thankful for energy to prep for our dinner party tomorrow, and my mom’s help.

17. We can host dinner parties for friends. We did a Valentine’s Day theme.

18. My granddaughter’s dedication service today.

19. Family day, thankful for my family. I love them, and I like them.

20. Summary of Ezra, then lunch out to celebrate.

21. Watching the winter Olympics. I like seeing sports I don’t usually see, like biathlon, ski jumping, cross country skiing, and snowboard cross. I even liked the mixed doubles curling, especially since the Canadians won gold.

22.  Restorative yoga class.

23. The grandkids are coming to stay overnight.

24. My friend Tammy’s 50^th birthday.

25. The prospect of heaven. One day closer.

26. My hand-me-down car.

27. Organic food delivery to my door.

28. The organic meats store, especially the bacon, chicken, hamburger, and salmon.

A Year of Gratitude January 2018

Today I am thankful for...

1. The Bible; the beginning of a new year reading chronologically.

2. My salvation. One of my favourite hymns is And Can it Be? Because I’m so amazed that God would save me and give me an interest in spiritual things.

3. The help I get from my chiropractor every month.

4. The pleasure of a massage. It doesn’t help a lot, but it feels good at the time.

5. Pain relief at the pain clinic.

6. Our hot tub especially on a very cold day.

7. Freedom to worship…so far.

8. The opportunity to see my grandchildren once a week. Today my granddaughter climbed to the top of the stairs on her own. We had forgotten to put the gate at the bottom and suddenly she was at the top smiling down on us. This girl is fearless.

9. Commentaries from saints long ago. This year I’m using Matthew Henry’s commentary as a companion to my Bible reading.

10. My mom, who cleaned out my bathroom cupboard. I know it hasn’t been done since I got sick because there were still quite a few scented products, which I can’t use anymore.

11. A steady paycheque/stable work for my husband/good benefits.

12. Our daughter paid off her student loan in full!

13. Women’s ministry team, four women who help me.

14. Our Pastor’s faithful, bold preaching.

15. A new term teaching my grandson nursery school, once a week.

16. A new women’s Bible study on Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

17. Eggs. I love eggs.

18. Shopping for some new clothes, with my daughter’s help.

19. My husband, who is beginning seminary courses at Toronto Baptist Seminary.

20. A full fridge, freezer, and pantry.

21. Our church family.

22. My mom’s help when I teach.

23. My daughter’s job; repaying us; paying off her debt while she’s at home.

24. The 407, which is fast, albeit expensive. An hour door to door to my daughter’s house.

25. My grandson, who is so much fun, although he’s heading into terrible threes, since he didn’t do terrible twos.

26. My granddaughter, who is so cute. She is starting to stand on her own, and will walk soon, I think.

27. Seat warmers in our new car.

28. Opportunities to serve at church.

29. Whole Foods; my happy place.

30. Panera Bread; my other happy place.

31. Reacquainting with old friends.