In The Refiner's Fire

Some of our summer 2018 produce - much of this is still in the freezer and will be enjoyed this winter.  I am so grateful!   On this U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving,  I am thankful for each of you, my readers, and the opportunity to share a little bit of my life with you here in cyberspace.    I hope that no matter where you live, you have a wonderful weekend and take a minute to reflect on the many blessings you have.   Our year of 2018 has not been an easy one - it many ways it has been one of the most difficult we have ever had.  We still have so much to be thankful for - our family, our home, our careers, transportation, plenty to eat and wear, and a whole host of other things!  I hope you, too, have many things to be thankful for.   Blessings, Lea   Now Thank We All Our God by Martin Rinkhart, translated by Catherine Winkworth Music by Johann Cruger   Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands ...

So our week didn't really turn out the way we'd hoped.  I was sick with some kind of virus/stomach bug Wednesday and Thursday.  I slept all day Wednesday and kind of limped along through what I had to do on Thursday. But Friday was the kicker. My Thankful List at the end of the day went something like this: Today's Blessings: * The ER * Aspirin * John not having a heart attack Yep - we spent Friday in the ER with John having chest pain, radiating down his arm no less.  Fortunately all of his tests came back negative so he did NOT have a heart attack, but he does have to follow up with a cardiologist on either Monday or Tuesday.  His heart rate and his blood pressure were terribly high - something that is extremely odd for him - and they definitely want to check him out and make sure everything is okay. I am so very grateful. Grateful for immediate care for my husband. Grateful for simple things like Aspirin that are easy preventive medicine. Gratef...

We're keeping a quiet holiday here.  John is on call for work (and spent most of the night at work!) and friends have invited us over for dinner.  I have a pumpkin spice bundt cake in the oven (much like the one in the above picture) and will frost it with a cinnamon glaze just before we head out the door in a bit.  Our plans for the rest of the weekend include lots of R&R - board games, movies, and throwing a miniature football around the back yard.  If we are really ambitious, there will be some work on a installing a closet system and cleaning out a filing cabinet, but that's on the back burner unless we just feel like it! Whatever you holiday brings you, I hope you take a minute to think  about what you're thankful for.  One of our Sunday sermons a while ago, talked about St. Paul's letter to the Philippians: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and ...