Thankful Thursday

So I've been reading a few blogs lately, but not posting. However, a couple of girls I used to do Bible Study with years ago both do "Thankful Thursday" posts, and I decided it might get me out of my non-blogging rut.

Here are the things I'm thankful for today, in no particular order.

1. The Bible Study I'm doing right now, Beth Moore's The Patriarchs.

2. Cowboy, who faithfully unloads the dishwasher every evening & picks up our daily tornado-stricken living room.

3. My mother-in-law, who took Little I to his dentist appointment today.

4. Living across the street from my parents. I was able to come home from grocery shopping this evening and walk across the street to check on Mom, who had eye surgery today.

5. My grandparents. They are each one of the two remaining children alive in both of their families. They each came from families with 13 children. I'm so glad they're still with us.

6. Grandpa's devotion to God. He was able to lead his only living brother to Christ within the last several months. That brother is now with Jesus and his life will be celebrated tomorrow as my Dad conducts his funeral.

7. NoBo. It's been just about a year since he came to our home. I'm grateful to be the one cleaning up his vomit today. Mom reminded me this evening that his little body probably wouldn't have survived living with his biological family.

8. Little Bit. She's been back with us for over 4 weeks now. We love her so much--even through her biting, pinching, scratching, hitting, and constant eating!!! We're grateful her mom has allowed us to remain a big part of her life.

The Gift of Time

We are always too busy for our children; we never give them the time or interest they deserve. We lavish gifts upon them; but the most precious gift, our personal association, which means so much to them, we give grudgingly.
- Mark Twain

My mom is a ROCK STAR when it comes to spending time with her grandkids! Oh, if I could be as good at spending quality time with my kids as she is with her grandkids. Yesterday we were iced in, so she and Dad had us over for lunch. My younger sister and her family also came, because they are just around the corner (you can see her house from my house) and could safely walk to Mom & Dad's. Anyway, we ate a wonderful lunch and then played for the afternoon.

This morning she came over to bring us what we inadvertently left in her fridge yesterday. Then she spent close to an hour working with C-Man on a blueprint of his dream home. (Cowboy made a deal with him last night that as soon as his school was finished he could draw blueprints--I've never seen that kid whip through his school work so fast!)

Did I mention she also has had a niece of mine for 3 days? When you ask Mom what her hobbies are, she quickly replies, "playing with my grandkids". Mondays are my kids' "Nana Days". They LIVE for Nana Day! Little I wants every day to be a Nana Day! Seriously, he asks every day to go to Nana's. (Can you blame him? She lives directly across the street and always has fruit snacks and Kool-Aid.) My older sisters' kids also have Nana Days on Mondays and my younger sisters' kids get Nana Days on Fridays. WOW! It makes me tired to think about it.

Take this post as a challenge. Spend TIME with the ones you love!!!

Have a great day. I'm off to spend time with my kids!

My Grandpa

My mom brought me an envelope full of pictures of my sweet cousin, J. My grandpa had sent her the envelope to share some pictures with my friend. (More on my cousin J. later). Back to the envelope. Mom pointed out that Grandpa spelled her name wrong. She seemed to handle it better than I did. She did, however, say, "My Dad's been spelling my name for over 58 years and he's never spelled it wrong."
After that I tried to remember all the wonderful things about my grandpa. When my parents started dating my mom's parents were not Christians. My Dad at that point already had a ministry calling on his life. Grandpa told my Mom that she was not allowed to date that Preacher Boy. Well...the Holy Spirit did quite a work on my Grandpa. Grandpa became very ill and got to the point that he begged to have that Preacher Boy come pray with him. This was the point in my Grandpa's life that he became a Christian. My Grandma followed his lead.
I'm blessed to only remember my Grandpa as a sweet, Godly man. I have memories of him spending time in God's Word first thing every morning. I remember him working on his Sunday school lesson throughout the week. His worn Bible was always sitting out close to wherever he was, whether at work or home.
Stories have been told about times before Grandpa came to know God. I prefer not to hear about harsh, demanding words he spoke. This new, changed man is the only Grandpa I know and I'm so grateful for that.
Grandpa & Grandma are lacking a lot financially. Prescriptions, utilities, etc. are sometimes hard for them to cover. For Christmas Cowboy & I have given them groceries or money in the past. But I know without a doubt that this life on earth is going to seem like nothing when they're feasting in heaven with Jesus. Grandpa will have nuts to eat (which are usually too expensive here on earth) and Grandma will have all the donuts, Oreos, chocolate covered cherries and other sweets she loves (but doesn't have extra money to indulge in here on earth).
When my grandparents go home I will miss them dearly, but I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will spend forever with them praising our mighty God.