Something to be thankful for...

 A couple weeks ago, my family drove to Walla Walla for the weekend.  On Sabbath evening, we visited Whitman Monument.  I don't think I'll ever get tired of going there.  It's peaceful and still in that little park, with the tall, rustling trees, wide-open view, and beautiful sunsets that dress the slender, flaxen grasses in gold...My heart is especially quiet there, a place where I feel very close to God.

I think a lot of us live happy, comfy lives for the most part (good and bad at the same time?).  I know I do.  But everybody goes through hard times some times and knows pain.  Nobody has a perfect life.  Sometimes the hard times seem so overwhelming and the pain so immense, though, that our vision gets blurred and our little flame of hope all but goes out.
We often forget that Jesus knew us intimately before we were even conceived, and carefully knit each one of us together in our mothers' wombs.  That He knows how many hairs we have, that He could probably fill books with all the unique and wonderful plans He has for each one of us, and that He gave us the gifts of knowledge, beauty, language, love, and the opportunity for a relationship with Him.
And when we shunned and rejected Him (that shouldn't be past tense...), He still found a way to get through to us, to bring us back to what it was like before we first sinned.  He died for us.  He was murdered by the the very creatures He lovingly made.  Maybe we weren't the ones who drove the nails into his hands and feet that history-changing day; no, instead we were the ones who pierced His heart with something far worse than nails.  And yet He still loves us with a love that can't be described.  Why do we even for a moment doubt that right now, this very moment He is doing all He can for our ultimate good?  Our job is to lean on Him, find the good and beautiful blessings in this world, and help and comfort others who are also on this journey we call life.
This God is too big to be put into a box.  This God has ways and thoughts that are above ours.  And being able to call this God "Father" and knowing that there is more, WAY more, after this life, is more than enough to be thankful for.  :)

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, be leaving, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

God bless you this Thanksgiving week.  :)

My first loaf!

A little while ago, at the end of October, I made my first loaf of bread.  It was a lab I "had" (read "was thrilled") to do for a home economics class.  I think I'm hooked.  :)

Cooling on the rack

Making bread is such a satisfying task.

...Ta-Da!

Cutting the bread...