My daughter is in college on the other side of the country. She’s coming home for Thanksgiving. I’m not sure who is more excited, me or her. We are a silly pair, squealing over im messages about the number of days left til she comes, planning what we will do together when she gets here, generally giving those around us cause to roll their eyes. I’m loving all the anticipation. It makes me realize just how blessed I am.

          I love every one of my children and I would love them no matter what they did or how they turned out. But I am especially glad that I like them, too. They are turning into such interesting adults. What is even better is that they like me!

          She says she wants to do the things we’ve done together for years. Like watching romantic comedies late at night cos the guys in the house aren’t interested. (Or at least some of the guys; my youngest son likes them almost as much as we do. He’s going to make some lucky woman a great husband. LOL) Or going shopping at the mall. Or just hanging out together. Yes, she has plans to hang with friends. I don’t for a minute think I’m going to get all her time while she’s here. I will get some, though. She’s made it clear that she’s as excited about the time she’ll spend with me as with any of her other friends.

          When I look around me and hear things like, “I’ll be glad when she’s out of the house,” or “I can’t be in the same room with my mother for more than an hour,” I am reminded just how blessed I am. All three of my children go out of their way to spend time with me. Of course, they are building their own lives, lives I only experience incidentally. That is as it should be. It is time for them to leave mother and father, experience life as an adult. But I am so grateful they value me and my company enough to pull me into their worlds occasionally. Or come back to visit mine.

          So I today I am thankful my children want me as their friend!

          My oldest son has to make some choices that may cost him some freedom, options or money. These issues are things he has been thinking and praying about for many weeks. As he nears his final decisions, the practical consequences of the choice he feels he must make are looming dark and threatening. At the very least, some of his options for the future will be limited. He most assuredly will be dismissed, perhaps suffer a damaged reputation and fines. Yet he is resolved to do what he has discerned is right.

          The mom in me hates to see him suffer. I want his trek through this life to be easy and smooth and devoid of problems. Deep down, though, on a level that really matters I am thrilled. He is studying the Word, he is growing in knowledge and wisdom, and he is seeking the Lord with all his heart. The discussions we’ve had, the soul-searching he has done and these final decisions reveal that his relationship with the Lord is a vital part of who he is. That has always been my heart’s prayer. And so I rejoice.

          All the years of his childhood he accepted our values. Of course, we had some typical teenage struggles, but no wild or immoral behavior, no wholesale rejection of our values. I’ve never had any indication that he would reject them. I just know that it is normal for young adults to jettison some of the teachings and opinions of their parents. This is normal. It is right that they find their own way, that they determine what they really believe, that they lay their own foundation and live their own life. But it can be a scary time for a parent. It is a comfort to see evidence that his faith is his own, not merely a reflection of mine or his dad’s.

          So I today I am especially thankful for adult children who share my faith.

          This past July some of my extended family moved in with us. Well sort of. We actually have a house with separate living areas so it’s more like living next door in an apartment complex rather than in the same house. This is a new experience for me after years of living in various places far from family.

          My cousin and I grew up together. She lived with us a few times and I lived with her family once. Our moms (both deceased) were close. In fact, when my aunt moved four states away, my mom convinced my dad he really did want to live there, too. Our families we spent lots of holidays, vacations and regular days together. One winter when a blizzard was expected, we went to visit them just in time to be stranded there for several days. So while technically we’re cousins, we think of ourselves as sisters.

          Having her so close now, after years of living as much as a half a world away, is great. We have our own spaces and sometimes a couple of days can actually go by and we not even see each other, but most days we at least have a brief visit on the porch. (I’ve never sat out on my front porch as much as I have this year.) And when one of us needs a cup of milk or an onion or anything else, we have a neighbor to ask.

          So I today I am thankful for family living nearby.

          The stumbler is back on her feet. This blog is about to become active. Yes, I know I keep saying I’m going to post regularly and then I disappear for weeks at a time. This time I have a plan. . . . I do! Really.

          Several months ago I was in the throes of lethargy. I had too much time on my hands and no clear direction of how to spend it. During several of my prayer times, I reminisced about how life had been years earlier. Full to overflowing with the daily activity of raising and homeschooling three active children. Instead of relishing the lack of demands on my time and doing some of those things I had put aside during those busy years, I was floundering in uncertainty and apathy. I wondered to God if maybe my personality demanded a certain level of busy-ness in order to stay on track.

          Then I did it. I prayed one of those prayers you know as you speak them are going to be answered in ways that will try and test you. And yet I prayed it several times. (Will I never learn?) “Lord, bring some structure and busy-ness into my life that will hone my focus onto what really matters.”

          Hoo-boy! Did He ever add some busy into my life! Family moved here, we helped them start a new business, planted a huge garden. Canning and jelly-making (all new activities for me) took over my summer days. About the only thing He didn’t do was give me another pregnancy. (At almost 50, that is NOT something I’m asking for. On second thought . . . No!) And, just as it was meant to do, I’m re-learning where my time needs to be spent. (I’m also really enjoying those precious minutes of rest when they arrive.)

          One of those things that the Lord keeps reminding me needs to have my attention is this blog. Once again, I’ve resolved to post regularly. This time I have a plan. A plan that echoes the season.

          I have a series of December posts planned that will chronicle the Christmas story. More on that in a couple of weeks.

          In honor of Thanksgiving and in obedience to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the rest of November’s posts will be short testimonies of thanksgiving. Feel free to share your own.

          Today I am thankful for busy days.

1Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.