Thanks | Paula Wiseman

praying hands Since I wrote my last "live" post, we've travelled 3600 miles! We visited 4 national parks and a national monument. We braved snow and 29 degree temps (going over the Continental Divide) then 99 degree temps on the Kansas plains. My niece's outdoor wedding got rained on. The sun blazed down during the hikes. There were winds, furious at times, blasting sand and rough terrain. You'll probably hear more about the trip in coming posts, but today I just want to give thanks to God.

Thank You for extended family and new family and getting to share in special occasions
Thank You for a vehicle (with heat and air-conditioning) that could handle the miles
Thank You for having the stuff we needed to take with us- fresh clothes, a cooler full of snacks and a camera
Thank You for Jon's job and the means to finance this adventure
Thank You for time away from the routine
Thank You for Chris and Mary who watched out for our house while we were gone
Thank You for the diversions the kids enjoyed during the long hours in the car
Thank You for the way everyone got along even when we were tired and hungry
Thank You for hotel swimming pools
Thank You for the never-ending wonders of Your creation
Thank You for the health to be able to enjoy it
Thank You for the house we came home to

Even if you didn't just get back from vacation, what are you thankful for?

“We will show forth Your praise to all generations” Psalms 79:13

Some days you just have to praise God…

I was in a praise service Sunday evening with my whole family. Jon and I sang. Lauren played the piano and Alan gave his testimony. I’m sure Rachel will take her part soon enough. What a blessing to sit in church as a family! We received word today in the morning service about a family torn apart by suicide, about a family touched by the uncertainty of job loss, about another family devastated by catastrophic illness.

God doesn’t owe me anything, but yet He pours out blessings upon blessings. Friends, family, life and health… I don’t know why except that that’s just the way He is. Here’s an exercise I’ve done with the kids on occasion- Thank God right now for ten things you’ve never thanked Him for.

In no particular order:

1. Corrective lenses so I can see without getting a headache

2. Chocolate milk (the store-bought kind AND Nestle’s Quik)

3. Toothbrush (Could you imagine NOT having a toothbrush?)

4. Being able to read

5. Hearing my children laugh

6. An alarm clock, really. It means I’ve got something to do.

7. Medication (otherwise that tachycardia might just take off on me)

8. Getting to choose at the grocery store (Not only is there food there to buy, that’s safe, but I can get just about anything I can imagine.)

9. Leisure time (Jon and I – and the kids too – don’t have to work every waking moment just to eat.)

10. An office full of books

“We will show forth Your praise to all generations” Psalms 79:13