Today, I am thankful

I am thankful for Abbegale and Luke.  So very, very, thankful.  They have not had an ideal life, yet they are the most loving, kind-hearted, sweet children I know.  I am much more permissive with them than I ever was with Maurissa and Emmalee.  Last night, I went to take a bath and they asked if they could watch a movie on Netflix instant view.  I said of course, and gave them no restrictions.  What did they choose to watch?  VeggieTales.  My almost 12 year old and 9 1/2 year old chose VeggieTales over all kinds of other movies, and this was not because I would have scolded them if they had chosen otherwise.  I am just so very blessed.  

I am thankful for a mother who taught me how to cook.  Funds are tight around here due to me missing a couple of days work when I traveled to Minnesota.  But I am able to look around, find ingredients, and throw together really good meals.  Tonight it was sausage and spinach quiche.  And you know, I am thankful for times when money is in tight supply.  God always shows me that we will want for nothing and using up odds and ends to make new meals brings me great joy.  

I am thankful for my sweet pets.  How I have the two most precious kitties and the sweetest dog on Earth is a mystery.  I have had plenty of stupid, annoying animals in my life, but these three live harmoniously with each other and give all of us joy.

I am thankful that God never gave up on me and that He chose me to be His daughter.  I am so thankful for the grace that makes this possible, for if it were up to me and the things I do and do not do, I would be condemned to hell for sure.  It is a mystery that is too great for me to understand in my mind, but my souls understands and rejoices in it.

Oh, and I am really thankful that I can read and for all the lovely stories out there in the world that I can escape to now and then.

Tonja