on feeling thankful for stinkbugs?

last thanksgiving. my twin, carol is left, then dad, then me.

and

for these i am thankful 

stinkbugs

 as they land on my lamps

i'm reminded that i enjoy the american luxury

of uninterrupted electricity in my home

health

not too many years ago i wouldn't have eaten

even one cookie

but saturday-sunday? 

three of us ate 44 lemon crinkles in 23 hours

and 

shame didn't show to the party

my dad

it's our first thanksgiving without him

but my gratefulness runs deep to have had

forty-three years of his wit and wisdom

scripture

isaiah's words are my weapon

as i stave off the sad of loss and the fear of future

Do you not know?

   Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

   the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

   and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

   and increases the power of the weak.

What are your thankfuls this week?

linking with kelli, laura, jen, jennifer, barbie, sharita

basic

feeling thankful
this morning
and isn't this basic
to
the
walk?
i will give thanks to you, 
Lord, 
with all my heart; 
i will tell of all your 
wonderful 
deeds:
hank home from ten weeks of running and yes, drill sergeanting
a generous gift-that-helps-so-much
jack's wide smile 
husband in the kitchen
tomatoes and squash and cantaloupe and corn
dogs that guard the tomatoes and squash and cantaloupe and corn
sunrise, every day
and
music that points me to the one who 
gives
all
good 
gifts

what are your thankfuls today?

linking with  kelli, laura, jen, jennifer, barbie, sharita

a three-tissue cry

dishes put away

ginger cookies gone all but one
brothers and sisters and parents
back at their own homes,
decorating for christmas and
preparing for the week ahead
but i wanted them to stay
dishes put away
ginger cookies gone all but one
but i want to
hang
on
tight
to this thanksgiving
tears came unbidden
during small group
this morning
(three tissues worth)
because
i want to
hang
on
tight
to this thanksgiving
but
the days, they spin on
the nights, they always come
and this thanksgiving is gone
with its dishes and ginger cookies
but the thanking i can't
set
aside

continuing to count his gifts to 1000:
425. packing boxes for operation christmas child with my family (pictured)
426. bonfires
427. s'mores
428. our small group
429. sons who wash dishes without being asked!
430. my husband who holds my hand
431. my girl, the one i mentor, who seeks wisdom
432. my mom who is a rock
433. 12-year-olds who think of others (read the story here)

linking with-

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays

on what i have besides warm cookies

the boys are up and

planting
trees in the sun-warm orchardette
ginger molasses cookies are
cooling
on the rack
my santas are standing
at attention
on the mantle
but
i haven't chosen christmas music
this thanksgiving morning
a grace song repeats
and

i'm making it mine

amazing grace, i feel you
coming up slowly now
like the sun is risin',
heat on my face
oh love that keeps on shinin',
don't let the shadow come
ya know i gotta feel your
healin' rays
this god
this amazing grace god
gave
me
all i have
and i am
thankful

i have written a story here about my favorite two weeks of school. ever. it will make you like twelve-year-olds better....

for some great reads today, check out these ladies:

emily at imperfect prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

thanksgiving honesty

today should be a big
thanksgiving post
a list
some photos
some joy
but i'm struggling with that
when i try
i feel bitter over the losses
when i try
i feel guilty for what i have
so i 'm spending the time
praying
for those who have lost -
cam and tammy
buddy and crystal
quinn and gabe
for those who are battling -
friend
friend
friend

and having done so
i can turn around
and
praise
thank
serve

Linking up with emily at chatting at the sky (her last tuesdays unwrapped) and jen at finding heaven.

hey, sister

my sister said this today:

i saw myself in the mirror at work

gray hairs were sticking up

i was wearing a
black cowl neck sweater

i realized that the only thing

separating me from the
crazy old lady professors

is that i'm not covered in
cat hair

and i told her about:

feeling incredibly sore from

hula-hooping on Wii Fit
and
slamming into my dresser
with my knee and face

yesterday morning

 

she is my twin

and

a gift

and

i wish i could see her

every

day



Linking up with some great ladies today:

Fingerprint Fridays at The Rusted Chain
Thankful Thursday at Life from Here
Imperfect Prose on Thursday at in the hush of the moon
Caffeinated Randomness at Lost in the Prairies