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Ten Things of Thankful: Prayer and Education Edition

Sometimes news hits forcefully and unexpectedly, throwing one into a state of shock and emotional upheaval.  Suddenly the whole world crashes down, and hope dies for unfulfilled dreams.  Two of our daughters are adopted, and are biological sisters.  When one of those daughters learned this week that their birthmom had died, John and I were tasked with the responsibility to break the news to the other daughter (and the rest of our children as well).  As one might imagine, this would not be an easy conversation.  We prayed, and asked others to pray for the girls.  Never doubt the power of prayer.  The news came as a shock, but acceptance came quickly. 
       
    1.  I’m thankful for the power of prayer, and for those who have kept us  in your thoughts and prayers this week. 

That alone could fulfill the entire list this week, but I have other things to share:


2.  This definitely falls into the much lighter category, but I am thankful for whimsical displays that make me smile.  Every time I leave my neighborhood, I go by this front yard.  At first, only the two big cats were sitting in the yard, with their leashes tied to a stake.  Another day, the statue of the man appeared.  Little by little, the other cats, cobras, ravens, and Astroturf were added to the yard.  Who knows what will be next?

Photo:  statues of leopards, ravens, cobras, a kitten, and a man adorn a yard


    3.  I’m typing this from Brigham Young University.  Tomorrow Education Week starts!  I look forward to this yearly event, when I spend the week learning and soaking up the spirit of this place.  I’m thankful for the chance I have to come here.

    4.  I’m thankful for a nice drive. 

Photo:  The road traverses wide desert expanses with blue skies overhead

     5.  I’m thankful for clouds, which add contrast to blue skies.
Photo:  Fluffy white clouds in a blue sky


     6.  I’m thankful for a traveling companion, who also played photographer while I was behind the wheel.
Photo:  Youngest daughter's happy selfie


     7.  I’m thankful for a car that gets me where I want to go, and I’m thankful that this was the most exciting thing that happened on the drive:

Photo:  Odometer reads 129,999 miles
Photo:  Odometer reads 130,000 miles


     8.  I’m thankful for Yelp, which led us to Ginger’s Garden Café in Springville.  There were lots of yummy vegetarian options!

Photo:  Opened-faced grilled veggie sandwich

     9.  I’m thankful we arrived a couple of days early, so we could head to Salt Lake City and visit with relatives.  We stayed with John’s parents, and youngest daughter got in some nice cousin time.  Yesterday, we picked my mom up from the airport, and my mom, youngest daughter, and I drove to Provo. 


    10.   I’m thankful for John.  Oh, how I miss him when we’re apart!  I’m thankful for the chance to be here, though.  I’m thankful for phones that allow us to stay in touch, and I’m looking forward to sharing with him the things I will learn at BYU Education Week.

Now it's your turn! What prayers of yours were answered this week?  What are you looking forward to learning in the upcoming week?



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Comments

  1. JennaAugust 14, 2016 at 9:55 PM

    Miss you! Next time when you come to Utah look me up. We
    are flying out to SC tonight so I'll miss education week this time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JAugust 19, 2016 at 5:44 AM

    The fact that your daughters received the news aboit their birth mother so gracefully is a testament to your parenting. That woman received a place of honor in your family and will never be forgotten.
    My 3 daughters and I pray daily for a good day at school for my grandchildren. Even before the first days begin, we've been blessed by finding out they all have great teachers and at least one good friend in their classes. God is good and faithful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownAugust 20, 2016 at 10:08 AM

    Love the selfie! I am very sorry for your daughters loss - that is never easy and I am sure being the bearer of that news was not easy either but was done with love.

    Amara starts school Tuesday and I am looking forwards to learning all the ins and outs of drop off and pickup.

    ReplyDelete

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