Thankful Thursday

(For an explanation of Thankful Thursday, go here).
And.....we're back.

Sorry about November.  Long days at work, short nights, unexpected trips home and a general lack of discipline is NOT a good combo for this blog in general and Thankful Thursday in particular.  I slept for almost three straight days over Thanksgiving break and got back into my routine this week, so hopefully December will be a different story.

Anyway, here are a few things that brought praises to my lips and gratitude to my heart over the past few weeks:

• The silly grin stuck on Chris' face when I walked into his surprise birthday party (in Milwaukee) playing my accordion.  
• Having the Brennas all to myself.
• Laughing with my sisters at quilt retreat.
• Camp Lebanon and everything it means/represents in my life.
• Lisa Abeler and the sweet Truth that comes out of her mouth.
• Football games with my dad.
• Lambeau, 50 yard line, 20 rows up.  Awe.some.Seats.
• Knowing that after years of not recognizing her own family (due to Alzheimer's), Alice saw Christ's face and had immediate and full knowledge of who he is.
• Sitting at the Hanson's, listening to stories about the grandparents.
• Re-telling those stories to my grandpa and watching him laugh and laugh.
• GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Skyping with Laurel - SO good to hear her voice and see her sweet face!
• My Christmas tree.
• Kind strangers on the freeway who go out of their way to tell me my tire is going flat.
• Shane & Shane's Christmas CD - what a beautiful aid to worship as I prepare for Christmas.
• I serve a God who can do far more abundantly than all that I ask or think - to him be the glory!
• Bright, sunny days in late November.
• Sing for joy all the earth / the child has come to set you free / Join the angels in their song / Glory be, glory be!
• Hallelujah, the Lord of all has come / to reconcile the nations to their God / Hallelujah, he's coming back again / to finish what began in Bethlehem.
• The smell of lavender.