December Thanksgivings

340. Colonial Williamsburg-where time moved slowly for Susan, Bethany, and I. We enjoyed the deluxe Time Share complete with King size bed, two twins, dining room, kitchen, living room, two bathrooms, and jacuzzi room. We walked and shopped in downtown and old town Willliamsburg and had plenty of time to rest in the jacuzzi. Watched three movies and ate when we felt like it. Relaxing time. So thankful for this gift. Oh, the front desk clerk looked and acted just like Nanette, so we felt at home right away.
341. Nine hours of sleep in a king sized bed.
342. Friends who were so happy for our good fortune
343. Time alone in the morning, drinking tea, and reading my collection of scriptures from the past three months, while sitting at a colonial style desk
344. Pictures of unhappy looking Bethany and Susan doing time in the stocks
345. Drinking sparkling grape cider in the jacuzzi and Susan getting silly
346. Talking to Phil from a King sized bed and finding he was nearly at his parent's home
347. Phil's opportunity to run up to Pa. to hunt and visit family and friends
348. Susan's plaque she bought Phil at the first store we came to. It says, "The Greatest Gift I Ever Had Came From God...I Call Him Dad!"
349. Michael's excitement about flying two days in a row
350. Michael brought three friends home from Liberty for the weekend. They went over to Happy Valley and built a fire and went cat fishing. One of them wanted to quit school, get a part-time job, and camp out here the rest of the time.
351. I became a great-aunt twice in one day! Two little boys born on Dec. 3.
352. God's protection over Freeman and Philip. Both fell through the roof of the house they were working on within half an hour of each other. Scraped up and sore but nothing permanent.
353. First two eggs from chickens. Small but miraculous!
354. People asking Jesus into their hearts and accepting Him as Savior. I'm happy for them and I'm happy for Him.
355. I showed Susan piano chords in the key of G-G, D, Em, and C. I played them and she said, "That sounds like a song!" I said that it was the chord progression of 'Blessed Be Your Name.' Not long afterwards, she was playing it and singing along. It's amazing to teach someone what little I know and have them run with it and go much further.
356. John 14:23,21-Visitation, Habitation and Manifestation!-"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
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357. The Christmas musical highlights-Freeman and Alli playing Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head-their funny accents, cute ways and dancing, and Freeman playing Tobias the shepherd and his human humorous song. I loved Kara's sweet voice, singing as Mary, lullabying over a peaceful, baby girl Jesus. Got a kick out of Missi playing Pastor Alvin's mother in the play.
358. For Shepherds who watch over their flocks by 'night', making sure that though we are scattered, we are all present.
359. My first practice with the community choir. Wow! Sounds like a professional choir. Everyone so friendly, too.
360. That He shall pu-ri-fy-y-y-y-y the sons of Le-vi so they may offer to the LORD and offering in righteousness.
361. The weather outside is as warm as the house temperature!
362. The singing guitarist standing beside the Salvation Army bucket spreading goodwill to Walmart shoppers.
363. Going over to Betty and Kelly's. Perching at the stool, watching Betty make chicken potpie. Susan talking to Betty and while I rested beside Kelly in bed chatting away. Giggling girls making music videos. Betty's chocolate covered Ritz cracker chocolate mouse Cool Whip dessert. Catching up with a dear friend.
364. Lunch with Michelle. Thankful for her gift of time and depth of conversation.
365. Susan and Micah's baking project resulted in two Christmas scenes-sleigh, 4 reindeer, snowman, and a tree. My brother, Abe, had given Susan this cookie cutter kit a few years ago.
366. Micah and Phil's delight in seeing each other.
367. Gil and Lindsay's new house and pictures to prove it!
368. Time to write and how happy it makes me.
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369. The goodness ahead in the land of the living for our friend's whose house was pretty much totalled by a fire this weekend.
370. A day at home to rest and make cookies before life gets overly busy in the next two weeks.
371. Susan's extra credit project for Biology-a nucleus cake
372. Michael's 96% on an aviation final
373. The Guild/Jones traditional Christmas party
374. The feel of snow in the air
375. Open doors, open windows, Christmas lights, Handel's Messiah, cookies baking, Michael home...
376. Michael's outstretched arms and reassuring words, "You're a good mommy."
377. God's sense of humor and the music and words that overwhelm all sense of conflict
378. Shielding Shepherds
379. That God is in control of whatever is about to happen
380. It is with a cup of sorrow in one hand and a cup of joy in that other, that we go through life, one day at a time
381. One piece sock monkey hat, scarf, and gloves, that Susan knows she is getting for Christmas and she gets so happy every time she thinks about it
382. The gray, pink, turquoise, and orange of morning emerging and eyes with which to see its beauty
383. The freedom to let go, because underneath it all, are the everlasting arms
384. That the Bible is so smart.
385. Michael, taking acoustic guitar lessons next semester and the promise to teach Susan all that he is learning
386. Spending half a day with Susan and Alli decorating sugar cookies
387. Annual Grunert party
388. Baked Ham and homemade rolls all ready for Sunday lunch tomorrow
389. For the beautiful tenor voice singing 'Comfort ye...'
390. Man cave is as clean as it gets and 'beds' are made and ready for the Bantons and a fire is going in the wood stove.
391. For six little piggies who think the world is their home. I should not be this attached to them. They are so cute but they scream bloody murder when you try to hold them.
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392. The opportunity to sing with the Appomattox Community Chorale. Handel's Messiah. Full House. Front row-Michael, Susan with Adi on her lap, Philip with Emma on her lap, Lindsay, Erin. Seeing Tom's come in. Jeff and Chris in audience. Absolutely thrilling experience.
393. The Potter's House and people who are happy to see you come and sorry to see you go
394. Erin eating her birthday cake. She used to have a wheat allergy but God healed her and she can eat what she wants. It's a miracle. Last time she ingested some wheat at our place, she had to spent the night, curled up on the sofa, and I wasn't sure if I should take her to the hospital or not. Someone prayed for her a few weeks ago. God had healed him of a dairy allergy and he wanted to pray for her. It is a great freedom for her and she doesn't have to lug her own food around wherever she goes or be fearful of accidentally ingesting wheat.
395. Several days with Gil, Lindsay, Emma, and Adi
396. Emma, Adi, in the big bathtub. Lindsay back with them. All singing, "Away in a Manger."
397. Hearing "Auntie Annette!" over and over again
398. Rock-a-bying the little girls
399. Susan, resting on the sofa, with her head on Lindsay's shoulder
400. Lindsay, braiding Susan's hair into a waterfall french braid
401. A humongous flashlight crashed onto my bare foot when I climbed into bed after getting home late from Mom's and More party. Excruciating pain for about 5 min. and Phil's kind words, and then sleep, and no more pain from it at all.
402. Idea about writing Bible stories for new adult believers who have literacy challenges.
403. Dr. Stanley's idea, recorded in my mother's diary-'spend time in prayer. Take a notebook and on one side, write down your request-with the date, and on the other side, write down the answer and date it. Your faith will be built as you see the answers.'
404. Comforting words for the Marthas-'Whatever you do, do it with all your might, for it is the Lord you are serving.'
405. Michael making breakfast for Susan and I and the Banton's on their last morning here.
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406. Philip and Michael pretending to have their own cooking show while making Christmas breakfast-hash browns, eggs, scrapple, sausage. Freeman brought biscuits. I think their show would be a hit, what with their mix of jokes, insults, unusual music, pretending to run overtime, etc. All this while I was attempting to have a Christmas morning Quiet Time, but I think that these moments are God's gifts to me and I gladly give up the quiet this time.
407. Best Christmas ever in Pa. with Christmas eve. caroling and Christmas Day with the Hertzler's and my side of the family.
408. Mom's tears while we sang "The Hallelujah Chorus".
409. Freeman's Christmas sermon. My first time of hearing any of his sermons. Short. Sweet. Profound.
410. Protection on Christmas eve.-drunk driver careening within inches of Michael's car. Bradley shut his door quickly. Cars and people unharmed. The driver ended up in the ditch.
411. Mother's look of delight when Abby brought out her guinea pigs. She reached up her hands to hold one right away.
412. Mother's pretty alto voice singing, "Silent Night."
413. Abby's request to sing 'Silent Night' again.
414. The diplomacy, objectivity, compassion, and wisdom of my siblings.
415. Susan's and Anne's mutual joy in being told that they act, look, and sing like one another.
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416. Philip's note on kitchen counter-"I love you, Mom. You are the best." In spite of the fact that last night, my dog, killed his littlest pig.
417. The movie, "The King's Speech" and the inspiration it gave me that I, too, have a voice. Found out why it was rated 'R'. Phil covered his ears and asked me to tell him when it was over. Said he heard enough of those words at work.
418. Andy Andrew's wise, captivating, and potentially life-changing books-'The Traveler's Gift' and 'The Final Summit.' Michael heard him speak and got him to sign some books.
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419. After finding out my mother and sister needed me in Pa., my schedule and my family set me free to 'go' and 'stay as long as you need to' because 'we'll take care of things here.'
420. For the gaunt, majestic, white sycamore tree silhouetted against billowing clouds of winter grays and dark distant mountains en route to Pa.
421. Safe trip to Pa.
422. Time
423. Susan's opportunity to go with Betty and Kelly to Winterfest
424. Philip's desire to get bees and fruit trees for our farm