Gifts Garner Gratitude

I am joining a thanksgiving journey ...
See "One Thousand Gifts" button on the bottom of this post.

Two things are uppermost on my heart tonight.

First my Dad, who experienced a miracle several weeks ago

when he went into the hospital with a blocked artery

and had emergency surgery adding three stents,

and walked out of the hospital two days later...

(Praise Jesus who answers prayer!)

He is going in Thursday for two more for smaller arteries

that are 70% blocked. I am trusting the Lord

for His merciful miraculous power

to work again through the surgeons...

Not sure how this will look, but on the left I am holding the "before"

and on the right Dad is holding the "after".

Photo via sister's cell phone.

Our joy was overflowing as we thought of

what could have been if not for the Lord...

The second is my husband who started biking

and changing his eating habits

has lost 30 lbs and is continuing to be highly motivated. (!!!) 

An equal blessing is our having a common hobby as the nest has emptied.

The past two wonderful autumn~in~Wisconsin weekends

we have gone on daytrips up North.

Glorious.

The "mountains" have been ours alone (or it has seemed!)

The cool, crisp air...the fragrance...the falling leaves...

the sound of gravel under our tires...

Pushing (and it truly IS!!!) our body up the hills...

exhilleration... coasting down...

 Challenges faced...and won..

And since it is AUTUMN...

Sight delights...aromatic, flavorful Door County Pumpkin coffee,

hand~made"log" pumpkins from a dear friend...

Beloved Bittersweet...

 Little people enjoying a treat in my gift shop...

 My daily messes on the island in my kitchen

representing the joys and experiences of life in the now...

Thank you Jesus.