I am going to add from the gratitude challenge that someone issued me on Facebook. So, will put them in here. Some are yesterday's and some are today's. :-)

#868. That when the care broke down in the canyon yesterday we were able to pull out of harm's way to a shoulder where we could be safe and a tow truck could manage to get the "Columboat" loaded. There are VERY few spots on this road where this is possible!

#869. For a wonderful outing with Michaela and Bob. I felt "normal." When we dropped Jan off at the airport it felt so good to walk around there. I am just glad I can walk -- even with a walker due to my back issues (vertebrae assaulted by staff infection...lost the use of my legs temporarily, had extreme back surgery to hopefully recover the use...not at 100% yet, but with a walker I am secure enough). Michaela, Bob and I went to lunch at In-n-Out and then to Jamba Juice. We saw some old friends and it was SO good to see them!

#870. That I can walk with a cane...that my ability to walk is increasing, when I didn't know just 3 weeks ago if I would ever walk at all again.

#871. For the blessing of having my friend Jan with me this week! Such amazing timing! It couldn't have been more perfect for helping me to get used to being home again with this "new normal." Jan did so much to help me acclimate.

#872. That I can do so many more things today (not even three weeks post-op!) than I could do a week ago. I can tell I am healing!

#873. That God receives my tears and understands my grieving and accepts me with love.

#874. That I have such a kind husband that he keeps reassuring me we will get through this challenge and he continues to work tirelessly and then do animal chores (feeding/caring for the horses) and all the other stuff that accrues around here in a day when I can't do the normal things (No bending, lifting, twisting while I am in this stage of recovering).

#875. For a friend purchasing me a bible study that gives me a focus each day for my study. I am hoping to learn a lot about prayer. I am so grateful to have a new study to do.

#876. For time out on the deck with my husband just sitting, hanging, talking, dreaming, hoping.

#877. That I can sleep flat on my back the way I need to for healing to happen the way it needs to. I have never been able to sleep on a firm mattress, but I can now, thankfully. It is what I need.

#878. For a church that I LONG to attend each week. I have missed being there since May 18th and I think I get to go today. I hope so! Here's hoping my stamina holds. Thankful for the people and my pastor(s) and for the worship team. Can't wait to return to the worship team again. I just love my church and am so glad to feel this way.

#832. Abundance - no physical lack for shelter, food, love.

#833. Physical health - the ability to move and have fun and play!

#834. The joy of being on the worship team!

#835. Being able to give things away that bless others to receive.

#836. Spending time with my friend, Aimee. I LOVE HER!

#837. God is "weaning me" from things...so my soul can be stilled and quieted...such a relief (Psalm 131:2)

#838. For tenderness between myself and a much loved family member, even through trials.

#839. For kind words extended to me when I have needed it most. Not just flattery, either, but kindness that reaches deep into my heart.

#840. For hugs from my 21 year old son who I don't get to see enough!

#841. My accountability partner. Boy, do I put her through the paces!

#842. For Judy Halliday and the investment she has placed in me over the many years...even when I am sure I have tried her patience!

#843. It is good to be home for a while...and I relish my "alone" time!

#844. For the trials that God has ordained. They have caused me to cling to him and to begin to know him so much more.

#845. For my rides on Harley! One of my BIGGEST goals for 2013 has been accomplished...to ride my horse again!

#846. For a wonderful therapist who has helped me navigate through these challenging months (that have turned into years...wow!)

#847. For my new riding friend, Traci, who has made it possible for me to dare to go out riding.

#848. For secrets shared.

#849. Fun with Daisy Dog in the hammock!

#850. Soreness of muscles after exercise. What a good feeling.

#851. Beautiful "top down" weather in the convertible!

#852. The relief that comes with extending forgiveness.

#853. Sunshine through the living room window.

#854. For the confidence that I did the right thing in letting Jordan go to Rainbow Bridge when I did.

#855. For a productive weekend cleaning out the garage and the back deck!

#856. My clients! I am so fortunate!

#857.  Conversation

#858. Barb Raveling and the things she writes that really cut to the chase and are used by God to teach and convict and heal and restore!

#859. That I get to share with the women in Mt. Vernon Washington in March. I can't wait to be with them.

#860. That I am aware of God's wonderful, saturating, loving presence so much in the moments of life.

#861. For a great bargain I got for our stay in Disneyland Grand Californian hotel in December!

#862. For my kids...They are adults now...I am so blessed to have two precious amazing kids. It still seems impossible. ME? Kids? And such great people they are.

#863. For great insights that come from other authors.

#864. For beautiful Pandora music!

#865. For the incredible relationship I have with Andrea...my sister. Who would have thought my mom's legacy to us would be such closeness with one another?

#866. All the things I am learning about God through my bible studies. My brain is on tilt! I love him so much!

#867. Keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus really is a "stabilizer" for life. It WORKS.

Grand Cayman Blessings - Too Many To Count!

#823 - Amazing vacation in Grand Cayman. None of my fears were realized and dreams that I didn't know I had came true.



#824 - Warm night wind blowing across the water. Who would have thought we could sit outside each evening on the beach enjoying wind...so warm, yet refreshing at the same time!



#825 - My husband actually disconnected from work almost 100% for an ENTIRE WEEK! WOW!

#826 - Sunset washed the entire sky with peach, orange, purple, pink the last night we were in Grand Cayman. Sooooo beautiful.



#827 - Cantering horses on white sandy beaches. We felt like we were the only ones in the world!

#828 - Swimming out in the Caribbean Sea astride trustworthy "steeds." What an incredible experience to go bareback into the surf. Then, to ride them as they ran whither deep (not far as it is so strenuous). There is NOTHING that compares to that!

#829 - The giggles coming from my husband as we did #828 above! That was PRICELESS and worth going to Cayman just to hear that. Unadulterated chuckles of joy...too awesome for words.

#830 - Sailing/motoring boat trip with Captain Patrick and Melech out to Stingray Sandbar and Barker's Reef. Barker's Reef was a virtually "virgin" part of the coral reef teeming with wildlife! Stingray Sandbar enabled us to feed stingray's and just swim with them. Without any other people. It was incredible.

#831 - Melech, the mate, on the sailboat was extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife, Cayman and just about anything and everything. I loved the science field trip feel he brought to our excursion.

Thank you, Lord.

#813. Holly, Tom, Aimee, Laura -- wonderful friends who I have enjoyed spending time with. It is soooo wonderful to spend time with people who love Jesus.

#814. Active, athletic, energetic tennis friends new and old: Patti, Donna, Peggy, Greta, Linda, Molly, Mary, Edna, Donna, Gail, Carole, etc., etc. They make hitting fuzzy yellow balls a blast!

#815 Bubbly beverages. I love effervescence!

#816. That even if American Airlines cancelled my daughter's flight back to the States from London, they have, in the long run, made good on decent customer service - or I anticipate so. I pick Michaela up tomorrow evening. Can't wait to see her!

#817. Chipotle burritos. I can get four meals out of one burrito!

#818. The breeze softly drifting through the house as I have all the windows open. Lazy weather.

#819. Jesus meeting me on my deck in the early morning hours, bringing Scripture to life in new ways, saturating me with a sense of his presence and confidence in his love.

#820. Hope for three weeks with my girl-child before she goes back to college in Wheaton.

#821. Freshly cleaned saddle! I WILL ride again this year!

#822. The man-child has a distinct smell. I love when I smell it because it means he is near. I love him so much. Glad he is willing to meet me for breakfast or help me when my car goes into the shop.

Morning on the Deck

#809. The "Chatty Cathy" finches, singing, arguing, praising, chatting in the morning.

#810. Cool breeze playing with the leaves. Closing my eyes and feeling it caress my skin. Hearing the rustle of the leaves.

#811. Sunlight playing in the dancing leaves.

#812. Warm morning with as much promise for the day as any day. How I *feel* about things doesn't have to *dictate* what is. God's mercies are new.

Must

#801. Home. It's good to be there.

#802. Home. My heavenly, eternal home...an inheritance that can't diminish, perish, spoil or fade...ever before me. The hope of it, encourages me. I long for *that* home!

#803. Incredible tennis with someone my husband works with in Houston. We rendevous every time we can...we have twice now in Houston, twice in Auburn/Roseville, once in Las Vegas, and once at Newport Beach. I think we have a tennis addiction! Great lady and fun fun fun fun FUN tennis!

#804. The blessing that happens...broadsides, really...when your (recently adult-ed) child makes a difficult, but great decision.

#805. I want to be able to type into this list "For the times when God keeps me waiting." I am not there yet--not able to honestly post that. But I am grateful that I even want to be able to be grateful for it. I know that this is a start.

#806. For a visit with my sis-in-law when I was in Houston. Fun. And for the praying, too!

#807. For the healing power present in praise and gratitude. God is present all the time, but there is something about praising Him that seems to make him that much more palpable...and gratitude, too.

#808. The story of Hagar in the Scriptures...who, when despondent...met God and gave him the name "The God Who Sees Me." I love that. My God sees me...he knows everything. What a precious truth.

Life is a Road Trip

#796. Scent of wet Idaho soil, turned over, watered, faith and hope of a farmer displayed to challenge and encourage me.

#797. Meandering river seemingly leading to a holy treasure...a mountain range in the distance.

#798. This amazing country is filled with incredible beauty...mountains, deserts, rivers, forests, lakes, salty plains...and people of such diversity. How creative is our God!

#799. A great truck that didn't even hesitate to go over 4000 miles, through desert, mountains, snow, rain, and warm sun...never skipped a beat!

#800. Music that causes One Loved to think of me with a smile and to call me to say so. :-)