This morning I’m heading out to Sam’s Club to shop in preparation for the guests who arrive at the  lodge next week. It makes me thankful for my car. We’ve had it for many years and haven’t had a lick of trouble from it. Fill ‘er up and off we go! I’ve had cars in the past that I wouldn’t call lemons because I like lemons, but they were a real nuisance, so I’m very thankful to God for His provision of  this dependable car that’s roomy enough to load up with lots of stuff in town and head back home to country roads without a thought of breaking down.

Rebecca, thank you for hosting these thanksgivings again this year!

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, I’m joining Rebecca in her annual November of Thanksgiving call to give thanks to God for His daily blessings. You’re invited too, so join in!

This morning, I’m thankful that our sorrows find solace in Christ.  He bore our sin and our grief and carried our sorrows in His sufferings on the cross (read Isaiah 53), and it’s in going to Him there that we find refuge and comfort. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “My dear friend, when grief presses you to the dust, worship there.” Yes, and there we will find the solace we seek.

For the past five years, Rebecca has declared November to be a month of Thanksgiving on her blog and graciously invited us to participate. I have, and it’s been a blessing to me each year that I’ve participated. Here’s the scoop from Rebecca:

For the 5th year in a row, I’m declaring November to be the month of thanksgiving at Rebecca Writes!

Every one of us has an abundance of good gifts from God, so I’m inviting you to join with me in giving thanks to him for his many blessings.

Each day during the month, I’ll post something for which I’m thankful. You can participate in any of these ways:

• Mention something you’re thankful for in the comments here. I’ll include your comment in one of my thanksgiving posts.
• Email me to tell me what you’re thankful for and I’ll include it in a post.
• Post your thankful thought(s) on your own blog, send me the link(s), and I’ll link to your post(s). If you plan to post something daily during the month, let me know that, too. That way you won’t need to send me your daily links.

And would you consider mentioning the November of Thanksgiving project on your own blog and inviting your readers to take part, too?

I’m eager to take part, and hope for a multitude of others to join in. Wouldn’t it be great to raise our voices together in praise to God for the bounty of blessings He bestows on us daily?

The past week has been filled with so many things for which I’m thankful—

Safe travel for Harry and me. I didn’t even get airsick on the plane despite 45 minutes of turbulence!

We found a house that we like very much in Wisconsin that will be our new home.

The office space contract didn’t come to final terms. We’re thankful that God providentially closed that door and will open another of His choosing.

I had an unexpected and sudden need for a root canal yesterday. The endodontist and his assistant were so kind and stayed beyond normal hours to complete the job. I’m also very thankful for pain medicine!

Our family a weak, rag-tag little army of four, but God has given us work to do for Him. It astonishes me that He chose us for Himself, gave us this particular ministry, breathes on the work of our hands and causes it to bring glory to Him. I’m thankful for the privilege of serving Him together with my husband and sons.

Each Thursday of this year, I join Kim from The Upward Call and other friends in expressing thanks to God for His goodness to us. We’d love to have you join in!

The fact that we’re going to be moving is beginning to feel more real. Harry and I are flying to Wisconsin to find our new home. We’ve been looking online and have given our realtor a list of homes we want to see, and we hope to make a final decision and start the process of making an offer to buy. I’m excited and very curious about where we’re going to live, what this new life will be. We’ve been praying that the Lord will lead us to the home of His choosing, for our future neighbors, and that our home would be a place where people would come to know Him. That’s an exciting prospect!

I’m thankful for God’s providential hand in every aspect of our lives. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on Him. He has led us thus far, and He will not fail to lead us today and tomorrow. Blessed assurance!

I’m thankful that Harry and I get to take a trip alone for a few days! I can’t remember when that last happened, but it’s been a long time.

This has been a particularly enjoyable group of folks at the lodge. It’s such fun to watch God at work in their lives, and they’re amazed and thankful for His transforming, redeeming work.

I was scheduled for jury duty on Monday after our return from Wisconsin, but just discovered that everyone called for that date has been dismissed. Yay! We just have two weeks before the next session at the lodge, and doing jury duty would add quite a load to an already busy schedule. I’m thankful for the reprieve, another kindness of the Lord.

I’m thankful for the instruction and encouragement of God’s Word every day, in a way that bears on each moment of our lives. It causes God’s goodness to shine through dark days, trying hours, and the temptation to doubt and fear. What bliss to have the assurance of His Word and His promise to be our God forever and ever!

I’ll be away from the computer for a couple of days. Hope you all have a good weekend!

Each Thursday of this year, along with other blogging friends, I’m joining Kim from The Upward Call in expressing thanks to God for His goodness to us. Join in!

It’s Thursday already? My days are so mixed up because we’re on a different work schedule because my husband was out of country for a week.

I’m thankful he’s back home, safe and well.

I’m thankful that the folks who are buying our property want to purchase many of the contents of the lodge. That will save us a whole lot of work packing it up and trying to sell it elsewhere. It helps them too, saving them lots of time and money to acquire all they need to outfit the lodge.

Another group of folks arrived at the lodge today. It’s been a long day, and I’m thankful that God is in our midst. I’m also thankful that it’s time for jammies and quiet.

Eleven years ago, after many prayers and tears, God brought the lodge into being as a place for our clients to stay when they came to us for teaching and counseling. His provision for them—and us—has been lavish. The beauty and quiet has been a wonderful backdrop for His work in their lives. Time and time again, we opened the front door to people whose faces showed anger, terror, shame, and deadness. As days go by, it is astonishing to see the transformation as the Word of God begins to penetrate the mind and heart and redemption blooms on a face. Only God can do such a mighty work as that, and we are so thankful for the privilege of being a part of His work.

And now, after many prayers and tears, God is closing the lodge and leading us into a new old place. We will return to Wisconsin where most of my brothers and sisters and their families still live. It is a good move for our family; one that is necessary for our sons’ future needs. My husband will continue his work of teaching and counseling. The only difference is that we will no longer provide their lodging and meals. Being relieved of that responsibility is a huge whew! for us. Tending 80 acres and a total of 17,000 square feet of home has gotten to be pretty challenging as we’ve grown older. I very much look forward to the care and keeping of only one home and only one family. That sounds delightful to me, and I am thankful.

Wednesday night we received news from our Realtor that after two years of waiting and praying, we are now under contract for the sale of our lodge and our log home. It will take a few months—perhaps several—for closing, due to the buyer’s closing of another property; one that involves their county government (scary). We’re hoping and praying for the earliest possible moment for closing. We are also praying that there are no snags; that in this crazy real estate market where half the contracts never actually end in a sale, this one will come to a good end, God willing.

It seems an understatement to say that I’m so thankful that God has been with us in the real estate desert of the last two years. That we have a contract at all is proof of His hand; that we didn’t have the amount of loss that we might have had is further proof of His kindness. It has been an intense course in trusting Him and waiting for Him to bring it all about in His time and His way. Not ours. Life intensified in so many little and big ways, making us keenly aware of our frailty and our dependence on Him. God stokes the furnace to burn out the dross. My personal furnace has been burning brightly. I kept thinking, this is from God’s hand, and I cannot say ‘no.’ I bow to Him. Jesus, help us. He has, and He is today, and He will tomorrow. Thanks be to God.

I underwent my least favorite most detested medical test this week. I’m thankful that it’s over and I’m very thankful that no problems were found. We have a huge family bent for such trouble, but God has spared me thus far, and we’re thankful.

The plumbing problems at the lodge have been solved and all is well. They were greater than suspected, and we’re thankful that they all came to light sooner rather than later! I wasn’t even sorry to lose a significant amount of junipers. Looks neater now.

I’m so thankful for God’s abiding presence and providence in days of uncertainty. I think of something Mr. Spurgeon wrote: “God is never too early and never behind.” I’m thankful for that truth, today and every day.

This last day of September is cool and breezy, with our usual clear blue sky. I’m thankful for this beautiful place in which we live. So often I’m overwhelmed by the work of it, but when I remember how the Lord brought us here—an amazing story—and think about his daily provision for it, I cannot but praise Him. He has given us such an enormous gift to live on such a gorgeous part of His creation while we do the work to which He has called us.

Each Thursday of this year, I’m joining Kim from The Upward Call and other friends in expressing thanks to God for His goodness to us. It’s not too late for you to jump in and join us!

I’m thankful…

for more restful sleep. That’s a big deal!

for the rain that came yesterday afternoon.

that God established seasons of the year, and that He made each one distinctly and wonderfully beautiful. I happen to love Fall the best. What’s your favorite?

for the privilege of approaching God in prayer, knowing that He hears and delights in our coming to Him.

for a deepening conviction of God’s holiness and love. It banishes doubt and fear that surface when circumstances heat up to a boiling point.

Each Thursday of this year, I’m joining Kim and other friends in a chorus of thanks to God for His goodness to us. Sing along with us!

Today I get to spend at home, doing laundry and tidying up. Feels good to get things in order again. I took a few minutes to make a simple fringed burlap table runner for our library table. My resin pheasants and bubble glass candle holder needed something to rest on, and burlap is just the thing for fall. I’m thankful for my home and for the time to make it comfortable and inviting for my family.

The day is cool with just a slightly chilly breeze moving through the pine trees. I’ve had a candle burning all day because it just feels like Fall and makes the house smell good.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to encourage a discouraged friend by speaking gospel truths to her by reinforcing what she already knows to be true, but for the moment can’t see so clearly.

I’m thankful that God’s holiness and His love are unchangeable and without end.

Every day is a thanksgiving day for a follower of Christ. Each Thursday of this year I’m joining Kim and other friends in giving thanks to God because He is so worthy of our praise!