Thanksgiving week gratitude...

Thanksgiving week is over and the Advent season has begun.  During Advent we remember the long centuries of waiting for the Promised Messiah. On Christmas Day we celebrate the reality that when the fullness of time came, God really did, on a specific day at a specific time in human history, send His own Son in human flesh as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.  Whether our circumstances are currently peaceful and carefree, or challenging and worrisome, for this we can daily, should daily, give thanks.  We are God's by creation and His though the redemption that His Son paid for us on Calvary.  We are adopted as God's own through His great love, by His unfathomable choice to sacrifice His Beloved Son for His beloved children.  Praise and thanksgiving be His forevermore!

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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 journal.

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

#9179-#9201

11-21-16-

-putting up the Christmas tree!

-homemade spicy butternut squash soup

-my granddaughter's writing that if she was a Thanksgiving turkey she would move to South America!

11-22-16-

-a white haired lady at the grocery store that reminded me of Mama

-fresh balsam candles

-our house full of people praying together

11-23-16-

-the smell of bone broth simmering on the stove

-going out to lunch and a movie with the two oldest grandkids

-"Nannie!"-the way my youngest grandson lights up and says my "name" when he sees me

11-24-16-

-Thanksgiving Day!

-cooking with my daughter and granddaughter

-our son-in-law's yummy deep fried turkey

-oldest granddaughter's pretty table setting

-my sister and brother-in-law, nephew and his family, coming over to have dessert with us

11-25-16-

-more Christmas shopping done, and there were no Black Friday crowds at Marshalls!

-eating leftovers and watching the new PBS Anne of Green Gables with the girls while the boys watched football

-going to bed early and watching the new Gilmore Girls

11-26-16-

-morning blue hour just before sunrise

-Christmas-y flannel sheets

-cheesy Christmas movies

11-27-16-

-worship that lifts up the name of Jesus and Who He is

-God adding to the church

-God's provision

still following,