November 12th: Today I Am Thankful for My Sister

Today I will be spending my day working side by side with my sister on some projects at her house. It is always fun when we have a day we can spend together. It doesn't matter if we are working or playing, it is always a barrel of laughs! I am thankful for my sister because she inspires me with her talents. Her good heart and thoughtful deeds also make me thankful I am her sister. Not only do I get to spend the day with her, but also get to watch her perform in a new show at the 6th St. Theater in Wallace, Idaho this evening. From sunrise to sunset it will be a treat.

November 11th: I Am Thankful for Veterans

This is a follow-up from yesterday's post. The second part of our Veteran's Day assembly yesterday at school was to dedicate the Honor Wall in our cafeteria. Many people have been working on making this Honor Wall possible. It is a long wall that includes all the veterans that attended our school or lived in our community of Inchelium.

I was particularly struck by the number of young men that served in Viet Nam from this small community. The ceremony opened with drumming, then an elder gave a moving talk about what our veterans have sacrificed. Many of the veterans were there in attendance.

November 10th: Today I Am Thankful for Patriotism

 I got to sing "The Star Spangled Banner", see lots of red, white, and blue, hear children singing "You're a Grand Old Flag", and honor our veterans today at school. I feel a sense of patriotism when school employee veterans bring in the flag, when a local veteran that is 94 gets up to speak about World War 2, and when we play a slideshow of all the veterans in our community.

 A group of young students handed out roses to all the veterans. A few got to keep one for themselves.

 I felt proud to wear the red, white, and blue today.

November 9th: I Am Thankful for My Camera

The last few days I have been working on organizing, reorganzing, and backing up my photos from my computer. I have also continued to build a photo album online. As I am organizing and looking back at the hundreds of photos I have taken I am thankful for my camera. I don't have a real fancy dancy camera, but right now it suits me fine. Here are a few of my favorites from the last years' photo albums.

November 8: I Am Thankful for Quiet Time

Yesterday after an inspirational church service I had chores I wanted to get done before the week-end was over. I always set my goal to honor the sabbath, but sometimes weather or time dictate what needs to get done first.

 After some indoor and outdoor chores I grabbed the camera and found just the right light to capture some leaf pictures. Then the sky clouded over, the rain poured down, and JEJ built a fire in the gazebo.

 I was done for the day. I bundled up a bit, grabbed a cold drink, and enjoyed some quiet time with JEJ and our furry family. It sure helped prepare me for greeting Monday head-on today!

November 7th: I Am Thankful for Communion

"Each time you drink this cup, remember me. What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and your actions the death of the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt." 1 Corinthians 11:26 The Message
 I love Communion Sunday at Garden Valley Church. Today Communion was especially moving. Pastor Shane proceeded this with a sermon on the question "What is Communion?" The point that resonated  with me was him emphasizing that "communion is sharing our faith." As our very full church sat shoulder to shoulder today singing "Let Us Break Bread Together on Our Knees" and Shane raising his small communion glass in honor of Jesus, it was sharing of the faith. I am thankful for communion.