Thankful Thursday

It has been a while since I've done a Thankful Thursday and I really felt called to take a break from my housework and do one right now...

Today I'm thankful for many things, especially my parents. Today they are celebrating their 43rd wedding anniversary. They were kids when they got married and have been through many things--both wonderful and difficult--together. I'm so thankful for the Christian home I was raised in and for the way they still teach me about love and life and doing the right thing. I love them so much and they mean the world to me. Congratulations, Mom & Dad!!!

I am thankful for news of new babies! Two of my dear friends are expecting and publicly announced their great news yesterday. It will be fun watching these little mommas-to-be blossom and dream and I pray they will both be blessed with a safe and healthy pregnancy and that God will give them the desires of their heart.

I am thankful for birthdays. Oh, no, NOT MINE. This week my sweet sister-in-law and Don's baby sister, Anne, had her birthday, Lindy's adorable little friend, Henry, turned three, and one of my "big sisters", Trina, has a birthday on Saturday. There are others, too, I haven't mentioned. I love the people God has brought into my life and celebrate each one of them!!!

I am thankful for the Chinese adoption community FAMILY. There are many things I can say about this but I'll just say it is wonderful to see how people come together during exciting, difficult, and challenging times to encourage, educate, exult, and edify. Over and over, I'm blown away how people--whom often HAVEN'T met--call on each other for support and receive it in tremendous ways. Just this week, I have a dozen examples that come to mind.

I am thankful for the opportunity to get in God's word more as I work with my friend to write our Ladies Bible Class lessons for the fall semester. It is time-consuming but worth every moment. It is true that you learn more when you teach. I know I have lots to learn!!! Our series is called Unwrapping God's Gifts. It is based on the book The Ultimate Gift, which I highly recommend! We are taking the gifts in the book and putting a biblical spin on them. This week we examined the gift of work. It is a challenge for me to always find worth in what I do and I don't often feel a lot of pleasure in sweeping the floor over and over. We issued a challenge to the class to meditate on Colossians 3:23 this week, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." I realize I don't always find joy in what I'm doing and I focus so much on myself in the process of the mundane chores. So, in addition to being able to work on the lessons, I'm thankful for the work I have and the opportunity I have to stay at home with Lindy and (hopefully) bless my family.

I'm thankful for all the rain we had last week and for the hint of cooler weather in the air! It has been a LONG, HOT summer and the hope of autumn brings a huge smile to my face. I can smell the wonderful scents of cinnamon now...

I could keep going but I have the gift of closet organizing waiting for me!!!

What are you thankful for today???