Thankful Thursday

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday in a long time. I haven't blogged in a long time either.

I've actually had more time on the computer lately, since I've had bronchitis and spent a good portion of my time sitting on the couch coughing my head off while perusing blogs and Pinterest. But the thought of putting words-into-thoughts-into-sentences-into-a-blog-post was just too overwhelming.

But I'm definitely on the mend. Even if I do still wake up coughing at some point every night, so hard that I have to get up and cough for 10-15 minutes and then find it hard to get back to sleep. I'd forgotten how exhausting bronchitis can be. This is the first time I've had it since we moved to Argentina in 2008.

So that's my first item on the Thankful Thursday list: that I haven't had chronic bronchitis since moving here, like I had in Michigan.

I'm thankful for all the nice warm throws I brought when we moved, too. We've made good use of them in the living room, which is the coldest room in the house, being farthest from the two wall heaters. Even with both heaters going full blast, at times I've been cold enough to need two of the throws.

And I'm thankful for the stories behind the throws. What? Your throws don't have stories? Well mine do! One was a Christmas gift from our next-door-neighbors when we lived in the parsonage. Ivan built their house and also worked with them at The Manor. The throw is navy blue fleece with cute little snowmen and snowflakes all over. Another throw was a gift from Guideposts when I went to a party given for all the writers and contributors to their former kids' magazine. It's a thick, woven throw with a nice fringe all around and a picture of a long cabin and a poem: "A house is built of logs and stone, of tiles and posts and piers, a home is built of loving deeds that stand a thousand years." The last throw is actually a lap quilt I made Ivan a few years ago. It's a rag quilt with alternating four patch squares and big blocks featuring a fun aviation-themed fabric. Instead of using batting, there are two layers of flannel, which make for a nice full "fringe" between blocks on the front.

[None of the throws match each other or anything else in the living room, but that doesn't matter when you're cold and in need of a cover! I just say I have an "eclectic" style of decorating  :) ]

The throws remind me that we are not alone. We are part of something much bigger than ourselves, and God has given us a wide network of friends and family.

Which reminds me that I'm thankful for blog friends who stop by and leave a comment. I'm thankful for friends who send encouraging e-mails. I'm thankful that so many pray for us, some of them daily! We are blessed to have an extensive "team" of prayer and financial supporters.

I'm thankful for an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G home church that takes such good care of us. And I'm not talking just about the financial piece. These folks go above and beyond in so many ways. We are SOOOO grateful for each and every person at Countryside Bible Church, and especially the pastoral team.

I'm grateful for the little things too.
Like the occasional jar of dill pickles we find at Walmart in Cordoba.
Or the intense winter sun that dries clothes on the line even when it's a chilly 38 degrees outside.
And the joy I get from having time to sew a gift.

It's good to take time once in a while to articulate some of the many blessings God has granted. I'm thankful for Thankful Thursdays!