Thankfulness On The Rock

Thought I would share with you the night of thanksgiving Tracy and I had before we left for Zambia. On the deck overlooking the Rock River, Tracy and I started to recount all the things we were thankful for these past four months. It was amazing to see how merciful the Lord had been to us and our family on home assignment. I will also add things for which we're thankful since we've returned to Zambia. So, even though it's not November, here's our list~

 1. a wonderful time with our children and grandchildren.
 2. two new expected grandbabies~M&M in November; K&A in March.
 3. safe travels as we drove 11,000 miles throughout the US.
 4. the blessing of a home while in the Illinois area~thank you, Bendises!
 5. encouraging times with our supporting churches.
 6. living by the Rock River~so soothing.
 7. catching catfish in the Rock~thanks, Ken!
 8. sweet time with our mothers, sisters, and brothers.
 9. being able to preach/share at about eleven churches.
10.canoeing on the Little Plover in Wisconsin.
11.banana/mango smoothies at Kim's coffee shop and her friendship.
12.attending our niece's graduation from junior college.
13.being able to help our two oldest children with home improvement projects.
14.wonderful friends who loaned us their vehicles~thanks, Happs and Osborns!
15.fellowshipping with old and new friends.
16.attending a Cubs game in Pittsburgh~and, they won!
17.Tracy seeing his two newest granddaughters for the first time.
18.motorcycles, garage sales, and thrift stores.
19.seeing a high school classmate I hadn't seen for 40 years, Vicky.
20.a great time with our mothers, sisters, and brothers.
21.Outback Steakhouse~need I say more?
22.drinking in America's countryside on secondary roads.
23.padding about on the sandy beaches of Florida.
24.chatting on the phone with school classmates during their 40th reunion.
25.inhaling the yummy Rocky Mountain air in Colorado.
26.an encouraging and refreshing time at MTI.
27.reconnecting with a college friend, Betty.
28.great time with Cary and Marta in the mountains at Taylor Park.
29.ATVing in the mountains.
30.great time with our mothers~oh, I said that.
31.visiting with Clarence in Pensacola who is overseeing AZM's container.
32.a great family reunion in MO.
33.sweet time of fellowship in Tulsa with dear friends. Thanks, Liana, et. al.
34.eating at Casa Bonita~sopapillas and cheese enchiladas!
35.God's mercy to Tracy in keeping him out of the hospital.
36.God's protection of Neal during his truck accident. In time he will recover. 37.did I mention a great time with my sister, Leslie?
38.being able to delay our departure by five days without penalty.
39.having an extra Sunday to say goodbye to our home church.
40.a great BA check-in clerk in Chicago~thanks, Anthony. You're the best!
41.safe return flights to Zambia.
42.all baggage present and accounted for.
43.not having to pay duty at customs because we "are family"!
44.warm welcome by teammates, Cains, and APC pastors.
45.a new entrance to MEC~the flood had wiped out the old one.
46.all three cats were here when we returned.
47.home and yard in one piece~septic repaired!
48.being with the people of God again at Good Shepherd.

Our hearts are full and rejoicing as we've returned to Zambia. We praise God for all His tender mercies to us and our family during home assignment.


"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever."  (Psalm 118:1, ESV)