Small and Wonderful Things . . .

  

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard  

 

A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life.   It's the small things in life which truly mean the most.  Simple abundance . . . it's the best. 

This is the last of my small and wonderful posts for 2020 so today I am going to focus on this whole year.  Its been a year of great change for me and like many I will be happy to be able to draw a line under it and move forward into 2021. Despite all of its drawbacks however, I still had much to be grateful for over these past 12 months. 

 

This is Maxine who was my next door neighbor in the UK.  She and her son Cory were such a support throughout the lockdown, picking up bread and milk and anything else we may have needed every single week.  She even picked up prescriptions for me and was ready and willing to help with whatever even though she was not a really well woman herself.  Now she has the virus and can use all of our prayers to get through it. God willing she will be okay as she is the only family her son has. I am and was so grateful for everything she did for us. 

 

All of our healthcare workers and other carers who have gone above and beyond over these past months, putting themselves at great risk, working tirelessly to take care of us, because that is what they do. My daughter is a nurse as is my brother's second oldest daughter, not to mention Ariana. I know how hard they work and how little they are paid in return, but still they do it.  Why? Because it takes a really special person to do what they do and they are special people. So grateful for all our healthcare workers. 

 

My good friends Tina and  Tony who have been steadfastly there for me this whole year through. Without them I could not come as far as I have done.  You all know how much they did for me. They were truly God's hands on earth for me. I am so very grateful for them and their love and support. 

 

Bishop Marzal from my Chester Ward.  This man was so supportive and caring and unjudgemental. I am so grateful for all the help he gave to me throughout this transition. Helping me to deal with Todd, making sure I was safe. Paying to send my nine boxes over and covering my rent for November. Getting me to the airport, etc. I am and was so very grateful for all of his help.  For the Priesthood blessings administered, for the prayers, for his advice, support  . . .  for everything. 

 

 

For all the members of the Chester Ward who loved and supported me without judgement from the moment I announced that Todd and I were separating and I was leaving and coming back to Canada. They didn't know why, but they loved and supported me irregardless.  They cleared the house for me and helped me in every way that they could. A few tireless members took it upon themselves to sell what they could for me so that I could have some cash to help me get sorted on this end, etc. They truly were/are the Gospel in action. I am so, so, so grateful for them. 

 

For my family.  For my brother who loaned me the money to help put me up in the hotel for my quarantine period. For my sister who made sure I had everything I needed while I was there, as well as my dad who footed the bill for all my food, etc.  Eileen, Doug and Anthony who were in constant touch with me making sure I was okay. For Cindy and Dan giving me a place to live while I recoup my losses and get back on my feet.  For all of their love and support through all of this mess. I am so very, very grateful for them. Words can't begin to describe and the support is ongoing.  I love them all so very much.

 

For my loyal friends, readers, followers, etc. who have supported me throughout this ordeal in any way that they could. For the many efforts/gifts etc. given towards me being able to hopefully soon set up my new home. For the countless prayers.  For helping me to not feel alone. For "listening" when I needed to talk and to cry and to vent. For just being "there" in whatever way possible.  Overwhelmed doesn't begin to cover the way I feel about all of the support which has been given. Blessed. Loved. Grateful. You mean the world to me. 

 

For Jan, Step and Dillon giving me a safe place for Mitzie to live out her retirement years.  Giving her up was the hardest thing that I had to do this year, but knowing she was going to be safe, happy, loved and comfortable made it a tiny bit easier.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.  

 

Ten  months of pandemic. And I am still here.  Another blessing from above.

 

 

For the love of my Heavenly Father and Saviour, who have been there guiding me and helping me throughout, always. Putting the right people in my path and around me. Surrounding me with love, and help and hope.  Helping to lift and carry me when I could not lift and carry myself.  For giving me the strength and impetus to keep moving forward.  I am so grateful for my faith in them and their faith in me. I literally could not have come as far as I have without them. I still have a long ways to go, but I know I can do it because I know and feel their very real presence in my life. You are a part of that, just so you know. You have been His hands and His prayers. You have helped to make a difference.  God always puts people where He needs them to be, to do the things He wants/needs done. Angels on earth surround us and they look like you and me.  Nothing is random. All is with purpose. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! 

So, yes, this has been a really difficult year in one way or another. But I have/am getting through it.  I thank you all so much for being a part of my ongoing journey.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *I asked God,

"Why are you taking me

through troubled water?"

He replied,

"Because your enemies

cannot swim."•。★★ 。* 。

 

 

A delicious soup to make with your turkey bones.  Turkey Mulligatawny Soup.  Deliciously simple. No waste here.

Have a beautiful day/week. I hope that it is filled with a mulitude of blessings and hope. Don't forget! 

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And I do too!