Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! I'm linking up today with our hostess Rebecca Jo over at Knit By God's Hand. There aren't any rules, we just share the things from the past week that we are thankful for. So, if you get inspired by everyone's lists, please join in the fun. There's always room for more gratitude...and another friend!

This week I am thankful...

** I have been babysitting my two youngest grandchildren this week while their mom trains for a new job. We've been together all day each day. Tomorrow is the last day. I have just loved having them all to myself and soaking in each sweet memory as they just keep growing and next year Colt will be in kindergarten all day and Leah will start preschool. These days are precious.

** My daughter reports that the people at her new job are so nice that her anxiety, which has often proved to be crippling in job situations, hasn't reared its head at all!

** I, too, am going to begin a new job...at the same place as my daughter! She sang the praises of the place and people so much and encouraged me to apply so I finally did this past Monday. I would probably be training now, as well, but they've been understanding of the fact I have to babysit my daughter's children while she trains. I am going to be working in a memory care unit again, which I absolutely loved and have missed. The big change is that I'm going to be a caregiver rather than an activities aide. I'm starting part-time to see if I can physically handle it. If I can and I enjoy it, I may ask to go full-time...which I can do with only 4 days per week.

** One of the elders at my church tested positive for Covid this week. He has Parkinson's Disease so it's a big concern, but thank the Lord, he is doing well and his case seems to be fairly mild. Praying it stays that way.

** The pastor friend I mentioned last week has left this world. He never regained consciousness and once the ventilator was removed he slipped away quickly...just as his family asked everyone to pray he would do. The faith and strength of his wife and sons have brought so much comfort to their church and friends and family. The obituary actually said: 

Rumor has it that Jeff K died on Sunday, June 19, 2022. Don’t believe that for a single second, because right now, as you are reading this, he is more alive than ever before. Jeff’s Lord and Savior, Jesus, has taken him home and he is most assuredly alive and well. 

How cool is that?!

** Peaceful days in these crazy times. There are so many examples each day in the news of how we are not guaranteed a safe and peaceful tomorrow or even a tomorrow at all. Tough economic times highlight how quickly our relatively luxurious way of life (compared to much of the world) could disappear.

So I am thankful every single day for the things we take for granted...clean drinking water, plumbing and running water, reliable electricity, plentiful food (even though it might not be what I want), more than enough clothes, medical care, a safe home, the freedom to vote, express my opinions, own a gun, read what I want, and worship as I choose.

** Our son-in-law's parents paid to have an attorney look over the papers the mother of their niece had drawn up and wanted them to sign.

If you remember, the niece is the 4 year old daughter of our s-i-l's brother who passed away in April. The mother had been out of the picture for the most part, having walked away 2 years ago. She came back as soon as she heard. She has been fairly decent about letting the family see Sarah, but she has also gotten her hands on most of the stuff left in the house and the money that should go to Sarah.

Anyway... the attorney drew up some papers on their behalf because (and I don't really understand this) the mother was basically trying to get child support out of our daughter and s-i-l!!! If she and her attorney agree to the new papers it will end there and hopefully they will get to see their niece. (They have realized they are in no position to take her in.)  If she refuses the new agreement papers, they will have to go to court. It's a mess so I'm really glad they have an attorney on their side.

** Just like every week, for all of you. I am so thankful and appreciative of the beautiful and inspirational post some of you write, the funny things others of you share, and always, always, always, I am thankful for your friendship, support, prayers, and wise words.