Friesencold

Dear God, I am thankful for at least a dozen things today, probably more. But here is a good start:

1. Thank you that I got to walk 5 miles yesterday morning (to and from meeting friends at Starbucks) and I was still home by 9:30 am. Walking and thinking is just about my favorite thing in the whole wide world.

2. Thank you that I actually followed through with my wish and went to bed early last night and got 8 1/2 hours of sleep.

3. Thank you for this delicious Fuji apple I’m eating right now with the skin on.

4. Thank you that it’s been such a mild November so far – 40s and 50s really aren’t so bad.

5. Thank you for how much Bauer is enjoying coloring lately, especially in his Magicolor book. It seems they magically help him stay in the lines, which he loves!

6. Thank you that I found out about the Frances books by Russell Hoban, and that we have a great library here, and for how easy it is to put books on hold and find a parking space near the children’s entrance.

7. Thank you so much that Bauer’s airplane sold for $34.00 on eBay, and for eBay in general. Bauer has big plans for his money: wooden blocks like the ones he plays with at church, an ABC activity book, and new stickers.

8. Thank you that both boys are napping and I get some time to read, write, think, and pray.

9. Thank you for providing money for us so we can buy what we need for Thanksgiving, including the Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread from Great Harvest.

10. Thank you for my Bible, for the verses in Isaiah I am finding again:

In repentance and rest is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is your strength.

The LORD longs to be gracious to you;
He rises to show you compassion.

How gracious He will be when you cry for help!
As soon as He hears, He will answer you.

(Isaiah 30:15, 18, 19)

11. Thank you for the friends and family who’ve reached out to me after Saturday’s blog post, for their prayers and kindness. I have had a couple better days since then. Thanks for those, too, God.

12. Thank you for that corn chowder recipe listed below (just didn’t want you to miss it!).