Salmon and Souvlaki

Today, I am thankful for my sewing machine.  I don’t know how the pioneers managed without one.

(This is really from yesterday.)

Yesterday, I was grateful for the company of good friends and good food and the farmers and fishermen who grew/raised/caught our food for us.

To be honest, I’m not really feeling all that thankful right now.  I’m getting a sore throat, I was at school way too late, it’s dark and raining, and I have to leave the house to go to a meeting.

But, I said that I would do this every day so do it I will.  And, I guess that’s why we call it a “discipline” – because sometimes we don’t really want to do it.

So….

Today, I am grateful for having leftovers in the fridge so that at least we didn’t have to cook dinner tonight.  Or wash dishes.  I love leftovers.

Today (although it was really yesterday) – I am grateful for the wide network of friends that we have through church and otherwise.  We met a couple yesterday who have two kids, no family in town, and very few friends they get to see.  And they are lonely.  And I was reminded again how we are blessed.

Today, I am grateful for my mother-in-law Tina.  Her generous care of, and for, us eases a little bit the sadness of being so far away from my own family.  And she has become a good friend of mine!

Today, I am grateful for our very generous health insurance.  We are indeed blessed to not have to worry about medical bills.

Today I am grateful that the squirrel that I hit on the highway this morning shook himself off and ran off the highway before another car hit him.  A small thing, I know, but I have recently been convicted of the Lord’s love for all of his creation and it made me really sad for about a half second until I looked back and saw that he was alive!  I hope he’s eating acorns and living a good life tonight!

Today, I am grateful for a day without students to catch up on grading, to accomplish mundane annoying tasks, and to rest.

I am grateful for my job, which, while not perfect and often full of frustration, give me many moments of enjoyment and is helping us secure our financial future.

And today, I’m grateful for the fun moments that a game of “Bunny, Bunny, Bunny, Bunny, Whoop, Bunny, Whoop, Bunny, Bunny, Bunny, Bunny” gave my students and me today at the end of the day.  I’ve been happy all night because of it.

P.S. If you don’t know that game, ask me to teach it to you sometime.  It’s a great way to keep a big group of kids occupied for a few minutes! 🙂