Grains of Gratitude July 8

Hosted by Christine, at Brady's Bunch!

It's time again for Grains of Gratitude and I'm always ready with a thankful heart for the blessings I've been given over the past week!

This week I'm grateful for . . .

. . . Sunshine! We've had so much rain here over the past month and it's wonderful to have the sunshine to enjoy once again. Of course with the sunshine comes the heat! The mornings are so beautiful as the sun comes up and the dew is still on the grass. To wake up early and hear the birds singing is a joy in itself. The hill we live on (at the bottom) is so quiet and far enough from the road that we don't have to listen to the sounds of the cars going by!

. . . My mom and dad for this great piece of land they allowed us to buy from them. Both my parents are gone now, but living on this hill keeps them close in my heart. My parents picked this land together when my dad retired. They knew this would be the place they would live for the rest of their life. I think they made a good choice and I'm thankful that part of it's mine now!

. . . For a day off work in the middle of the week! It was great to go to work for two days then off for the holiday and then back to work for two days and then off again for the weekend!

. . . For paid time off(pto)! Since I work at a hospital and hospitals don't close for holidays we are required to use our earned pto for time off. I'm thankful that they "give" us the opportunity to earn pto so that we have it to use when the office is closed for holidays!

. . . For family time on July 4! Jody grilled burgers, bratwurst and chicken breasts for our big 4th cookout! Michael, Elizabeth and Addy plus Nick, Candace, Levi and Joey all came to share the meal with us. Candace had to go to work at 6:00, so Nick took her to work - leaving the boys - and then came back and by then it was time to start the fireworks! We had plenty and not only did we enjoy our own, but we were able to see at least three other "shows" over the treetops!

. . . That we live outside of any city limits and can shoot off fireworks here at home! I have never really liked fireworks - too scary and noisy for me - but I tolerate them each year and even sit outside (for the most part) with everyone else to watch. Sometimes I have to go behind the storm door and compose myself before I can join in again!

Our Grand Finale was one of those times! Michael had bought this big round can full of smaller canisters that when set go off one right after another and these fireworks really gave off a beautiful show. Before Jody and Chance lit it I had moved from my seat on the steps to standing by the front door - just in case! I told you - I'm a big chicken when it comes to loud noise and pieces of burning whatever flying down through the air! Well, the fireworks from the can started and they were beautiful - lots of colors and lots of booms! When the last canister exploded in the sky it was a bit low - and Addy and I ran for the safety behind the storm door! Thank goodness I had moved closer before they started! Elizabeth got hit beside her eye and then again on her neck where part of "the light show" came down too quickly and too close! But all in all, it was a great fireworks display! What's a fireworks display without a spectacular ending?!

. . . Church at LifeChurch! Pastor Craig started a new series this morning and the lesson was great! The series is called "At The Movies" and each week a movie will be spotlighted and the lesson will be in relation to that particular movie. Today's movie was "Walk The Line" - the story of Johnny Cash. I learned things that I did not know about Johnny Cash - that he was raised in a Christian family and had an older brother that he idolized who wanted to be a minister when he grew up! His brother was killed in an accident when they were young which created a lot of hurt in Johnny Cash - and even more hurt caused by his father's actions and words directed at Johnny after his brother's death. Pastor Craig played the last video Mr. Cash ever made and it was really touching. At the end of the video, Johnny expresses how he would live his life differently if he had it to do over again - never losing himself in many of the self-destructive behaviors he participated in during his lifetime! He urges anyone reading his message to listen when they are taught the Good News of Christ and not to waste time, but to seek God's Direction - of course I'm paraphrasing! It really was a great message!

Those are a few of the blessings I'm thankful for this week! What are you thankful for? Thank you, Christine, for hosting "Grains of Gratitude"!