GLAD IN THE LORD

Why is it that the smell of Pumpkin Nut Bread baking in the oven, and a pot roast complete with carrots and onions and mushrooms cooking in the crock pot, make me feel all warm and cozy and “Little House on the Prairie” like? Haha But it just does. California surely needs the rain, and yet I will confess it has little to do with why I am enjoying it. The pitter patter of it on my roof is just so peaceful for some reason. How I am enjoying my new surroundings. It is the perfect time to write my Thankful Thursday post (though I KNOW it is only Wed) as my heart is just so full today with the joy of the Lord.

I am thankful for mornings like these. Rain on the roof, warm house to putter about in, and my hubby who works hard to provide us with all we have. I got to chose whatever I wanted to do last week-end (for the WHOLE week-end) as a belated birthday celebration gift from my husband. I was giddy with the possibilities. A long drive, a trip up to the mountains, lunch at my favorite restaurant or dinner and a movie all seemed like good choices. Maybe even a play at our local theater/dinner place. But as I really dwelled on it….what did I really feel like doing? I felt like some time with my grandkids. If I could have gathered them ALL together that is just what I would have done. As it turned out my 6 year old grandson was available and I honestly can’t tell you how I have missed him. Last year I saw him at least 3 days a week as I babysat for this family while their parents worked. They used to live just 5 minutes away and I could pop over whenever the mood struck and just “hang out” for a while. It is more like 30 or 35 minutes away now so “popping over” is just not happening of course. Sooo, we headed over to his house and picked him up and headed to my favorite restaurant for lunch. I’ve been missing this place too. His little head sitting beside me as we lunched was just what I needed. He told me about school (first grade already!) and his new teacher and all the little things that make him who he is. He colored his menu, and beat me mercilessly at tic tac toe, haha…. I enjoyed some wonderful Sushi….Yum yum. After lunch, we went and saw the new movie Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole. He LOVED it…I enjoyed it too of course, but I enjoyed him enjoying it more.

 After that we headed back to his house where some more of his brothers and sisters were suppose to be home now. Annabel was there and I honestly can’t remember the last time we have been able to have a good long chat. We headed out just the two of us and found a good spot and spent a couple of hours catching up with her happenings. I love that she feels open and comfortable with me and is soo willing to pour her heart out. I gave her my advice and opinions on things going on and she seemed (at least) to be really listening and wanting to hear. What a hard age being 13 can sometimes be. It seems like yesterday Mel was that age. I intend to double up my praying for this girl as she goes through this season in her life. We finally headed back to their house and little Cody was up from his nap and Lindsey had come home from her little girlfriends party. Cody is ALL boy and ALL over the place. He is just the cutest little thing, but this Grandma can hardly keep up with him, haha.. Lindsey was her usual happy self and quickly told me how she had been elected as 4th grade room representative. How proud I am of her as this definitely pushed her out of her comfort zone.  Such a cutie. Jeff and I headed home and he barbequed a delicious steak for us and we watched one of my favorite video's.  A perfect day.  The following day we headed out to early service which was wonderful as always, and then we went to Target and stocked up on lots of things we have been low on for a while.
After getting all of that FINALLY put away we headed down to San Diego to hear our son James deliever the Sunday evening message.  We did get to pop their house for a few minutes and see my other grandkids for a while and how I enjoyed that too.  The service was wonderful.  How grateful I am that he is able to be used by the Lord like this.  We didn't get home until almost 10, so it was a LONG day, but I was soo grateful we were able to do this.  Next week-end he is giving the Sunday morning message as well as the Sunday evening so we will head down there for the whole day.  We can spend time between the services with the grandkids.  Just doesn't get much better.  My mom is doing OK.  Not alot of improvement, but I am really enjoying all the extra time with her.  How grateful I am that I am close enough to her to do this a couple of times a week at least.  I guess I will end this for now.  Some more major changes loom on our horizon and I would appreciate your prayers.  I feel only excitement as I KNOW the Lord holds our future in His hands.  How good He is to us.

To join the other thankful hearts click...HERE

I have also linked up with Dayle over at A Collection of This & That....I love this precious ladies blog and every week she shares a collection of Simple Pleasures posts which truly bless me.  I thought about this after I had written my thankful post and realized how it is just the "simple" things that so often bless me the most.  Join the other posts HERE...you will be soo glad you did.  = )