Thankful for Cole and Chase

Monday, March 14

Cole and Chase, grandsons of my neighbor,

often come over to "play" on Monday afternoons.

Here they are eating orange Clementines in our kitchen.

"Can we play with Ree?" Chase, 7, and Cole, 5, often ask as we open the front door to greet them. Their little faces light up when they are able to be a part of our Monday afternoon plans. They throw the ball for Ree, pick up numerous sticks that have fallen from our large oak trees, talk about how they didn't learn "anything" from school that day, and ask when my "dad" is coming home from work (hehe! Sorry, Paul!) While they don't always say "please" and "thank you", you can tell that they just like being around us. It is sometimes sweet to know that you are liked with no expectation in return. It's honest and refreshing to have young people like Cole and Chase around. Today, I am thankful for them.





Thankful for GFC's Prayerful Elders

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Today, I am thankful for the elders at Grace Fellowship Church

in Johnson City, TN.

Every Friday morning about 6:00 AM, a small group of men meet to pray over the concerns of people who call Grace Fellowship their spiritual worship spot. I have the honor of praying with them. It humbles me to see these strong men of the faith and inspires me to "follow them as they follow Christ." Not only do that have a passion for people, they also have hearts that yearn to know God more intimately. I'm so glad that they allow church members like me to join with them in seeking God's heart in prayer every Friday morning.

Thankful for Naptime with Pets

Friday, March 11, 2011

I'm thankful for nap time with Coco (black and white, front),

Pepe (black puppy), and Macomb (cat).

Macomb, our cat who is 15-years-old this year, often does not cozy-down near her younger, more animated canine siblings. On Friday, after lounging on the couch with Pepe (7 years old) and Coco (2 years old), Macomb nestled down near my head for a little snooze. She usually keeps her distance, but the dogs didn't even notice her. Too bad Ree was still outside; there was a little more room on the footrest!   

Thankful for Homemade Steak Burritos

So, in celebration of Lent 2011, I want to start a gratitude-musing blog to focus my mind on things that are excellent, true, honorable, right, pure, and lovely. In addition to my wordy thoughts, I am also planning on taking a picture (if possible), of the praise-worthy element to share. Since I have not started my blog until now, I have a few days to record here:

Thursday night, Paul made us some tasty steak burritos on our Panini maker. They were excellent and full of flavor. Yummy!

Paul dressed up the steak burritos with cheese and grape tomatoes

It is all about the presentation (and the taste)!