Thankful...

After the Seahawks surprising win two weeks ago,

they experienced the agony of defeat in the Superbowl this afternoon.

My grandson was so disappointed.

We had a great morning at church today. 

Then this afternoon a hardworking crew set up tables and chairs,

 put up decorations, and barbecued burgers and hotdogs, 

while church members brought an assortment of side dishes and desserts 

so that anyone from the church and neighborhood who wanted to 

could come and watch the game on the big screens and enjoy some good food.

The die hard fans paid close attention to the game cheering when their favorite team made a successful play,

and good naturedly, (most of the time anyway), ribbing the fans of the opposing team.

A group of girls sat in a circle on the floor playing a card game.

Some of the younger boys went in the adjoining room where the game was also playing, 

but focused on a game they were playing instead.

A group of ladies sat chatting with each other while their hands were busy knitting.

I looked around the room, and I felt thankful,

#5735 for church leaders who came more to mingle and visit with people than for the game,

#5736 for all the hands that pitched in to set up, cook, and clean up,

#5737 for church family that I've known and loved for a long, long time,

#5738 for new members in our church that I love as if I've known them a long time,

#5739 for new to me faces of youth who came to watch the game,

#5740 for this building that was filled with worship and the word and people being touched by God this morning and football and food and fellowship this afternoon

and

#5741 for the God Who was there for it all.

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my little green journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#5712-#5741

1-26-15-

-the book of James

-foggy morning that gave way to a sunny afternoon

-my son-in-law hurt on the job, but not as seriously as it could have been

-youngest daughter and her fiance over for dinner along with three of the grands 

while my  second born daughter was with her hubs at the ER

-youngest grandson licking raspberry jam off the spoon like it was the best thing he ever tasted

1-27-15-

-my granddaughter giving me a hug and whispering a secret in my ear 

when I volunteered in her kindergarten class

-finding brand new mugs from Anthropologie at the Goodwill

-Papa roughhousing and giving horsey rides on his back to the two youngest granddaughters

-grapefruit sprinkled with salt

1-28-15-

-taking care of business that I needed to get done

-God rearranging our day to include a beautiful sunset on the river

-a surprise visit from a sweet young mama and her son

1-29-15-

-meeting my mentoring friend for coffee

-my daughter helping me to scan some documents and getting some snuggles with my youngest grandson

1-30-15-

-a lazy morning together on the hub's day off

-him running to the store for me so I could get my run done

-him coming home with flowers for me

-dinner, cards and belly laughs with friends

1-31-15-

-the two youngest granddaughters over for a couple hours while mama and daddy had a meeting

-going with my youngest daughter for her bridal gown fitting

-finding an American Girl doll in perfect condition at the Goodwill for $3.99 for my granddaughter

-giving myself permission to be lazy and watch a favorite movie

2-1-15-

see the beginning of this post! 

gratefully yours,