"God Sightings" and gratitude ~ #281-314

     We are beginning to settle into summertime. Well, as much as you can settle in. The schedules are relaxed, the days sometimes wide open with possibilities of sun, water, and friends. I look forward to pool days with friends, romping in the park, and walks at twilight (watching the fireflies of course). I recognize that I need a schedule and checklists, but sometimes, it's nice when the schedule is simply "pool with Jen" or "Joe to camp"....
     Last week, we were blessed to be a part of Vacation Bible School. We are still walking around singing the songs and doing the motions. "God Sightings" are now what we are currently looking for in our little corner of the world.... Here is what I am grateful for:

zinnias in bloom

drippy sweet watermelon

Feast of Corpus Christi

Kristie and her family

Danny's bear hugs

Max "walking" while holding onto me

Joe saying "Glad Uncle Dan is home safe!"

9.1 pounds down (total)

savoring a Krispy Kreme glazed confection

sauteed zucchini (mine)
Max "reading" books

summertime laziness

tomato red fresh off the vine (mine)

barefoot through the wet grass

reading Misty of Chincoteague with Joe

remembering how much I loved Misty

"God Sightings" around me
children singing songs of praise
Baptismal promises renewed
watching Yvonne's Confirmation

loving faith community

blowing bubbles with Max

Max's "kisses on demand"

saving a spider (so she can get the bad bugs)

fresh sage

vines and vegetables intertwined

calls from mom

free curriculum helps

Youth Apostles faith community

connectedness with old friends
Joe singing loud in the back seat
watching Harry Potter and screaming with Joe
Tom working 2 jobs for us...

...allowing me to wake up to my job and this face:

So what are you thankful for? Share your gratitude list here:



** Please, if you have a moment, please, please say a prayer for our friend, Tom Duesterhaus, who has been missing since last Thursday. He is a beautiful person of God and we just want him home....Along with all of my prayers to God, I will also look to the community of Saints, and most especially, to Saint Anthony, known as the patron saint of lost things and missing persons :

 

Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua

O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me the safe return of Tom Duesterhaus. The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles.

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.

(Then say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be)

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Saint Anthony of Padua