As we reflect this past year, we're truly thankful for having God in our lives.
We are chalenged with a lot of things, ongoing for more years than we want to think about. But here we are at the end of 2009, and still going!
Raising 2 granddaughters is a challenge in itself. They are now 14 and 15. We home school, and have for the last 7 1/2 years. It's GREAT!
Starting in August, the teenage girls started getting up at 6 AM...nothing new for most children going to public school. By 6:30 they are on their way to the Church. They study every school day for 4 years in the Scriptures. It is a fun class because the teacher makes it fun, and they learn.
If Grandma is up when they come home (that is, if Grandma slept the night before), we get right into school lessons. If Grandma is tired, both girls go back to bed and wait until Grandma gets them back up to do lessons. Home schooling is great for this reason, and 1001 other reasons. I am so thankful we have the freedoms to educate our children!
Grandma may be physically unable to do a lot, but she felt the call this year. Hearing of the National Tea Parties in April, Grandma organized and emceed a great Tea Party in our little town on April 15th. Grandma is passionate about the United States Constitution and our Rights and Liberties. After pushing herself for 1 to 2 weeks with each event, Grandma is down for about a week. But then it's time to get something else going, like the float (with the Liberty Tree on the trailer) in the July 4th parade, and the Gun Rights Rally in September. Everyone is interested in a HealthCare Rally for October, but Grandma has to get it all together again.
There is no rest for the weary, that's what great-grandma always said.
We thank God every day before we begin school. We have a lot to be thankful for. We ask that we can show love to one another, that our home will be filled with His Love. We ask for health, strength and safety for all the Lord's missionaries in the world. We pray for our leaders, that they may have insight to what we need, and an open heart and contrite spirit to lead. It takes those virtues and more to be a good leader. We pray for those without jobs, without homes, without hope in their hearts.
In other words, we remember that we are blessed with all that we have, even if it could be taken away within the blink of an eye. We cherish what God has given us stewardship over.
We are thankful for our eye sight, hearing, feelings -- both inside and out. We are thankful when we get up after a night's rest, that we can stand and walk and say nice things to each other. We are very grateful for the food that is in our cupboard, and remember those that went to bed hungry last night and have nothing in their bowl or on their plate today.
These are just a tiny percent of what we are thankful for this year.
Jan Abney has been married 34 1/2 years to a wonderful man, and is mother to 6, grandmother to 13, with one on the way! All totaled, she has taught her children and now grandchildren for 18 years. It's been a long road, but it's been worth every day. All through this year, thankfully, her adult children all have jobs, except for one, who is on a mission for the Lord at this time. Jan loves to write romance books; 17 are already finished, with many needing to be completed. None are published yet, but maybe soon. She loves nature, and lives out in the country where nature is abundant.
God bless you all!
