THANKS

Several of my Facebook friends appear to be trying to think of something to be thankful for each day of November…I missed the start, due to trying to organize a second move of our personal STUFF since June, but here goes:

1 – Thankful for my Savior – Jesus, the Christ. He forgives my goofs, “walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am His OWN!”  

2 – Thankful for my husband, God bless him, he has put up with a hyper-active, Pollyanna wife for 52 years!!

3 – Thankful for my #1 son, Tom III, who reads my thoughts, gives me sound advice, and has four of my Grandchildren under his care.  He also provides for our moving needs – 3 times in 4 months!

4 – Thankful that Manual Landa, our eldest grandson, came out of his coma after two months.  He was the “good Samaritan” and got the worst of the beating or so the detective told Tom.  Keep praying for a miracle – he has a long recovery from TBI-traumatic brain injury.

5 – Thankful for the firefighters on the Rim Fire that came within 7 miles of us.

6 – Thankful for CLEAN AIR, after weeks of smoke in September.

7 – Thankful for #2 son Allan, who beeped his horn on the logging truck as he went by while hauling out of the Beardsley Canyon this summer. Thankful for HIS HELP with the 3 moves in 4 months!! Thankful that HE is now a grandfather – son Joey and Marisa produced Olivia, what a doll!

8 – Thankful for Kathleen, our missionary daughter.  She sees her purpose in life as helping troubled children find peace for their souls in the various childcare facilities she has worked in the last 20 years.

9 – Thankful for my family in CO who have helped Kathleen when she is between assignments.

10 – Thankful for the “on-line” college work that she is involved in – CRISIS COUNSELING.  She is set to graduate the same Spring as the 2 16 yr old grand daughters!

11 – Thankful for our church family for the past NINE years.  Miss them now that Tom is “retired”

12 – Thankful for my “on site handyman” – God bless him, he is just too talented in the building trades.

13 – Thankful for my new shower here in Strawberry.  It sure is pretty!  I happily wipe it down each time we use it to keep it shiny NEW!

14 – Thankful for the ten owners that I / we have worked with for the past 19 years here at The Rivers Resort in greater, downtown Strawberry – elevation one mile high, population 164.

15 – Thankful - VERY THANKFUL - for the new hip I received in February.

16 – Thankful for all the prayers that allowed me a PERFECT recovery!

17 – Thankful for our FOUR grandchildren who still smile when we show up at their events – whether wrestling, volleyball, basketball, or slow-pitch softball, Christmas plays or graduations!

18 – Thankful for my new “job” as church pianist / organist if I find the time to practice on the lovely pipe organ!  It is our nearest church – Mount Calvary Lutheran in Sugar Pine.

19 – Thankful for a chance to consolidate our belongings into THREE locations, rather than SIX as in July!!

20 – Thankful to be back in Strawberry – everyone is a bit “surprised” that we are living in Unit #1 at The Rivers Resort, but it is a LOT larger than the RV we had planned to travel in!!

21 – Thankful that Tom’s health is better without the stress of the management and paperwork of being a pastor.  He enjoyed so many aspects and really misses the pasturing, preaching and praying with folks parts!

22 – Thankful that Pastor Romeo and his wife Lolita at Tuolumne UMC have extended a “welcome back” to us.  Thankful that we will have a “church family” to belong to again!

23 – Thankful for healthy food to eat, and the lost weight that gives both Tom and I ENERGY!

24 – Thankful that we have deep roots here in Tuolumne County, can’t hardly go into any store without meeting and greeting SOMEONE that we know.

25 – Thankful for the opportunity to do “traveling church” visiting one of the 58 churches in Tuolumne County at least a couple Sundays a month.  It is something we have never had the opportunity to do before.

26 – Thankful for the “welcome back” messages from our neighbors here in Strawberry.

27 – Thankful for Tom’s Dad’s good health – he is still active, living in his own home, and takes only vitamins!!

28 – Thankful for my sister – Nancy – whose birthday is TODAY!  I was nearly 14 when she was born.  And she is no turkey even if her birthday occasionally falls on Thanksgiving Day!!  We seem like peas in a pod in a lot of ways!

29 – Thankful we can visit with old friends from “before children” and pastor and wife from 40 years ago.  That is a LONG friendship.  PRAISE GOD!

30 – Thankful to live in a country with the freedom to worship, pray (except in public!) and to change our government at the ballot box, without resorting to revolution as in so many places on this globe.

I could go on and on, but will conclude with a wish for a THANK FULL day for your family, we are full here at the Resort, or did I mention that already?  And one cabin of guests asked Tom to do a wedding ceremony for them!  Nice couple from Turlock!