Snow

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.I hope that you enjoyed a good meal,surrounded by those you love.We did.Though it was small(my husband and myself,daughter and granddaughter)and though it was short-lived(husband had thrown his back out and needed a nap)it was wonderful anyhow.Our daughter is a really good cook so we enjoyed our meal immensely.And we were thankful to have been able to gather with even a small portion of our family.We were even blessed with a crisp,sunny day.That does not often happen this time of year in Oregon and we loved it!So,now it's beginning to look alot like Christmas.I love it!Some of our neighbors have hung large,lovely wreaths on their doors.They look so very festive with their huge red bows.Our town has added it's Christmas decorations to the street lights on First Avenue/Cascade Highway.Christmas ads abound.Okay,I could do without the ads.The only things that's missing is some snow.It's been cold enough here to snow.Or it was anyhow.But there was not enough moisture in the air.Now that we have the moisture,the temperatures have risen to well above freezing.Life is like that sometimes.But I digress.I want to see some snow.I grew up in Sacramento,CA.I always wondered why they played "White Christmas"in a place that never sees snow.Then,in later years I discovered the first part of the song which talks about orange and palm trees swaying..That I could identify with for we had both trees in our yard.Then I moved to Oregon in 1991.It was an El Nino winter that year.Very dry.Cold.No snow.The next winter was completely different.I was newly married and Salem saw 16 inches of snow that winter.16 inches right outside my door!What bliss for this former Californian now married to a former Michigander.Husband took every opportunity he could to do doughnuts in the local grocery store parking lot.I held on for dear life.Big grin.We have not seen a winter like that since then.We have had some snow but nowhere near 16 inches.I love the way snow covers everything with it's pure whiteness.The way sounds are quieted.Muffled under it's blanket of cold powder.I love watching it fall.Hoping to see it stick and rejoicing when it does.It's novelty has still not worn off.It reminds me of Christmas.Of celebrating our Saviour's birth.Rejoicing in His goodness.Being grateful for His many gifts.And like that snow that covers the earth,falling gently from His heaven,we have His grace,to cover our sin.Our flaws.Our moments of humanity.I think that's why I really love snow.It reminds me of Him.

Blessings~Sharon

~Image courtesy of Snapshots of Joy~

Happy Thanksgiving

Bountiful Harvest

We praise Thee, O Lord, for the bountiful harvest,That now has been gathered and garnered with care;Rewarding the toil of the sower and reaper,While all in its blessings may share.

For the bountiful harvest,We praise Thee, we thank Thee and bless Thee, O Lord:For the bountiful harvest,We praise Thee and bless Thee, O Lord.

We praise Thee, O Lord, for the bountiful harvest,We praise Thee for sunshine, the dew and the rain;For soft summer breezes so gracefully bending,The bright golden billows of grain.

We praise Thee, O Lord, for the wonderful tokenThat shines as it shone on Thy servants of old,The pledge and assurance that seedtime and harvest,From earth Thou wilt never withhold.

We praise Thee, O Lord, for Thy wonderful mercies,And while to Thy glory our voices we raise,O Thou that regardest the prayers of Thy people,Accept our thanksgiving and praise.

~Fanny Crosby~

My Funny Family

I've been blessed.I was born into a family that values humor and laughter.And I married a man who is extremely funny.People who have run into one of my younger sisters have said the thing they remember about me from High School was my sense of humor.Funny thing is I don't recall being all that funny in High School.I remember being shy.But I digress.As I said I married an incredibly funny man.Our granddaughter has inherited the funny gene too.Recently I overheard the following conversation between my husband(also known as Bapa)and our granddaughter Hope."Bapa,will you get me a glass of water?I can't reach that high.""Okay Hope,but do you have 27 cents?"Hope then replied"No Bapa,I don't have any cents,only dollars."Laughter from the adults ensued.I've known some adults who had more dollars than cents(sense).Huge grin.That's one for the journals I think.I hope this little story from my life has brought a smile to your face today.Or even a full belly laugh.It's so healthy on so many levels.No wonder the writer of Proverbs said that a merry heart was good like medicine.Have a blessed day.

Sharon

~Image courtesy of Snapshots of Joy~

Stand In The Gap

Dear Readers,

Today is the International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church around the world.I encourage you to take some time to pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ who are living under persecution of all kinds.They face things daily that the church in America cannot fathom.

Blessings~Sharon