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. 

We did get a bit of rain throughout the night, but we need much, much more. It was not enough.  The wildfire south of us is still spreading. We will need several protracted days of rain. I am so grateful for all of the firefighters who continue to work diligently to try to bring it under control. It has more than doubled in size over the past two days.

I am grateful for the rain that we did get last night, but please God, we need some more.

Cinnamon last night giving me her love eyes just before bedtime. She knows that her night treats are imminent.

And in the meantime, this was the scene from the other side. He also knows treat-time is imminent.  

I am so grateful for these two companions of mine.  Yes, that saying is true about cats having slaves. But I am a happy slave to these two sweet babies.

Being able to attend church and partake of the sacrament. To listen to the talks, sing the hymns and fellowship with the Saints. Over recent months the church has added some new hymns to our hymn book. I love the choices that they have made.  Yesterday we sang one of the newer ones, "I'm Gonna Live."   It is the kind of song that makes you want to tap your toes. It is an African American Spiritual song.

I love all of the newest hymns that the church has decided to add to the hymnal.  My favorite is "His Eye is on the Sparrow," but in truth I love them all.  Worshipping my Heavenly Father in song is one of my favorite things to do.

 

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I've gotten my talk pretty much written. I sat down later on Saturday afternoon and wrote it. All I have to do now is to go over it a few times and refine it.  I am grateful for this opportunity I have been given to spend this time digging deep into my spiritual well for apples of gold. It is a great exercise in being able to verbally tap the wellspring of goodness that has been sprinkled through my life and to share it with others.

 

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It was nice yesterday to get to spend some time with Glenna in the car and in church. Jacqueline was not there, so I called her after I got home to see how she was. She has had a bad cold this past week and is still not feeling 100%.  Since her stroke and the operation she had afterwards, she has struggled a bit.  I think her immune system has taken a knock. It is taking her a bit longer to recover after things like this.  Rest is what she needs most.

It was nice to see my friend Christine in church yesterday also.  Glenna, Christine and I have plans to go out to lunch one day this week.  I look forward to that.

 

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I also spent some time yesterday afternoon talking to my friend Val who lives in Colorado, via facetime.  Just a voice call.  It was lovely to hear her voice and to talk over the happenings in each other's lives. We had not spoken in person for quite some time.  It was really nice. We have vowed to do it again soon.  

Friendships are one of God's greatest gifts.

 

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Family is another one of God's greatest gifts and I am so grateful for mine.  My older sons who stay in touch to make sure I am okay, my oldest daughter also. My sister, who is not just my sister but my best friend. My brother who keeps in touch daily and makes us smile with his wit and whimsey.

He was doing a day camp with the children at his church along with his wife all last week. He posted photos daily of all their goings on.  He's such a great guy, always giving back to his community, and his family for that matter.

Grateful for my father also.  We took him out with his friend Maryann last Thursday. He also stops by periodically to have the odd impromptu visit with me.

Family.  I am grateful for mine.

 

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Every day may not be a good day, and I do have my struggles for sure, but I am grateful for the good that I am able to find in every day. This is in no way a small blessing.  It is like the icing on this cake called life that I am truly grateful for.

Faith, family, friends, home, pets, health.  Each one of you.  Your love and your prayers. I am indeed blessed beyond measure.

These small and wonderful things, they are not really so small . . . 

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*It's better to have a heart without words,

than to have words without a heart.

~Mahatma Gandhi° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

 

In The English Kitchen today I am sharing Five Easy Weeknight Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love.  Delicious, economical and easy to make. Perfect for these last busy days of summer.

I hope your day is filled with light and with love. Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

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And I do too!