So Very Thankful!

Nov. 24, 2016 Thanksgiving Day

I went back to write something up about this year and what I am thankful for, and was just wondering what I had written in past years.  Since I am OLD, I can’t remember half the time what I have or haven’t written...so sad....anyway, apparently I did....So in keeping with my memory loss, I thought I would REPOST what I wrote last year...Is that even allowed?  Not sure, but I am going to do it anyway...

Our house is under construction right now with upgrading 3 bathrooms, so the house is dusty, piles everywhere, and a mess. I can’t really HOST a Thanksgiving, so everybody is going to other places.  I go around the house and write notes in the dust...such as “CLEAN ME” or “I LOVE YOU” or my personal favorite, “YOU LOOKING AT ME?”

Hopefully by Christmas, it will be done, & we will have room for our 3 kids, their spouses and the 8 grandchildren that the good Lord has blessed us with...and can feast and celebrate Jesus’ birthday....but until then...here is a repeat from last year.....

BTW, I added at the end a few updates and added to my list....so that will make you look to see if you are mentioned....

I AM SO THANKFUL                                   Nov. 26, 2015

Most years I have a house full of kids running around and a table full of turkey and all the fixins....This year it is just Joe and I.  WHAT?  Actually, I am looking forward to a quiet meal of a turkey breast, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole(Papa Joe’s request) and apple pie..did I forget to mention there will be gravy?...a feast for a king and queen, in my opinion.  I won’t have to put out extra chairs or make sure the bathrooms are clean(I usually have to make sure that I at least check to see if there are any “floaters”) or make sure I have enough dessert....or treats...but I am good with it....cause in a month, I WILL have a house full....a loud house at that, and will love every minute of it!  But I like the quiet and the rest and the reflection of my crazy, incredible life and how God continues to pour blessings on my sorry self and wonder why he does and how I don’t deserve it, and doesn’t he know all that I have done wrong JUST this week, or just in the last few minutes?.....well, YES HE DOES....but He knows my name, He knows my faults, and He loves me anyway.....ahhh....gotta love a God like that!

SO, as I started counting my blessings some 4 years ago, I thought it only fitting to continue the theme....so here goes....in no particular order....

Love my man, 39 years and counting

Love Sarah....1st born, and 1st to “try things out” on

Love Stacy, the one stuck in the middle....O how I love the middle!

Love Philip, my boy...finally got one...and what a treasure he is....doesn’t call much, but that’s ok...he loves his mama, this I know!

Love Jeff....He married my 1st born, and this I am grateful that he takes good care of her.

Love Adam...My 2nd RED HEAD to join the family...He and Stacy built their house (took them 3 yrs) and is a godly man, and is making their house a home!

Love Amanda....she loves and married my boy!  Thank you Amanda for that, and for also carrying my 8th grandchild....a little girl...ahh, can’t wait to meet her!

Laura Jo...1st grand and SO grand to me!

Emily Jo...she loves Cinderella & her Papa Joe

Annie Grace...our chosen red head...what a spirit you have!

Millie Joy...another Jacksonville blessing who is so funny when she is so serious...

Claire Elizabeth...full of excitement and adventure

Joshua Scott...My 1st grandBOY...O boy, what a treasure you are and those BLUE eyes!

Norah Marie...copies her big sister to a T....and what funny faces you make

Baby Sherwood....You don’t have a name yet, but you are greatly loved by this Majo! (actually her name is Audrey Belle and she has stolen my heart)

My parents...Still alive in Whitney, TX...married 65 years and they gave me life and lots of love to build on.

My sister....Glenda, you are my confidant through our childhood...I adore you!

Lottie...my friend, my partner in our Double L Cafe, the New Orleans beauty queen, such a sweet heart!

Sherry...you brought laughter into my life, and you have helped shape this 62 year old body(no easy task)...and you aren’t too bad at golf either...you are the BEST!

My Wed bible study girls.....Linda, an old running buddy whom I love dearly, Patti, a speaker of truth, Carol, have traveled to Alaska and down the Colorado River with you, Vicky, we traveled to Europe and boated down the Danube River, Janie, my sweet friend who has been through so much adversity and came out like a true champ(please pray for my sweet Janie, who has thyroid cancer & will start treatment next week), Marsha, a sweet heart, Sally, a precious southern belle who has talents galore, Janet, a faithful servant, Denise, left us for the mountains, but one who walks with the Lord...We have prayed, we have laughed, we have cried on my couch for some 20 years...oh my, if those walls could talk....

My Tues. bible study girls...Angela,the baby, Cheryl, a bible scholar, Sherry, keeps us in stitches and on task, Karen, you have a warm heart, & Kathy, your southern charm is infectious....not as many years together, but I love you each deeply...more than you know!

Beth...so thankful for your friendship, our “church” days together, and traveling to Israel with you....it was a life changer climbing Mt Sinai on camels.

Jan...my TX friend....we raised our children together and you showed me what Jesus looks like!

Millie, my mentor and friend when I was a stupid teenager...By your example, I went to ACU & became a teacher!...thank you for leading the way!

Laurie, my neighbor, my friend, who has fed my animals when we leave town....thank you!

Travis, my fish guy...and what a guy he is....keeps our tanks clean and just love him!

Saucer Sisters....there are too many of you(16) to name...but you mean the world to me!

THIS house....38 years of dust & memories...Dorothy, there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!...

My throne room....Where I have 66 crosses and counting and have taken each of you to the mercy seat a time or two!

Ok, as you can see....I could go on and on and on....if you aren’t mentioned, it is only because I am running out of space....The good Lord has not sprinkled, but poured a bucket of blessing on this sorry head of mine and to this, I am thankful...I will lift my fork this thanksgiving and thank my God, my savior, my comforter, for giving me breath, turkey, dressing, pie and all the overflow of this life I lead...O my....so so good!

UPDATES:

Audrey Belle Sherwood was born January of this year and is crawling, standing, and is probably walking by the time you are reading this.  She is a feisty thing!

My precious friend Sherry moved away this year...took a piece of my heart to Astor, FL with her.  She is greatly missed, cause I can’t just drop in on her for tea and cookies (could that be why she moved away?)

I failed to mention my neighbor Coree who I have known for 20 some odd years.  A sweet friend and we love to meet in the little Publix in the produce section to discuss life!....Meet you there next Tuesday, same time!

This year Daddy turned 90 and Mother is 85.  How much do I love these 2?  There is no way to measure. They are aging well...both slower in their walk, in their memory, but quick to point out that Jesus is the answer to everything.  AND yes he is!

How do I close a Thanksgiving list without mentioning Jesus?  He is the reason for my salvation, for my protection and the one with whom I talk to daily.  I am humbled that He has chosen to love me so!