Thankful Thursday!

Want to write about five things you're thankful for this week? Join Sonya @Truth 4 the Journey and the rest of us who are doing it or just go to Sonya's place and click on Mr. Linky's links to read 'em.

1. Tributes are often paid to a person after he or she dies. I want to pay a tribute to my dad, while he is alive and in excellent health.

In sixth grade I got an A on a paper I wrote about my hero- My Dad. He worked hard every day of his life providing for us, so we could be happy and carefree. He fixed all our broken toys, appliances (except the toaster he threw out the window) and vehicles. The lawn and garden were weed-free and productive, because of my dad's diligence. (and mom's)

Snowmen were taller than my dad, because he was an expert snowball roller. He gave them walnut eyes, mouth and buttons and a long carrot nose. He lifted us up, so we could put his scarf and hat on Frosty.

My large box turtle was safe and had the whole yard to mosey about in, because my dad drilled a hole in the edge of Turtle's shell and strung him to the clothesline by a long chain, so he could move freely about, but still be captured. It was the perfect solution. We always had plenty of food at our house, even Turtle ate hamburger and salad from mom's Frigidaire.

Dad was always the funny guy and he still is the funny guy- joking around, sometimes to mom's definition of silly. But we laughed a lot with dad and we still do.

My dad served our country during the Korean War, went to school on the G.I. Bill and became an Industrial Engineer. I always knew he was smart, had great ideas and was well respected in the workplace.

Dad spoiled us to death. We had everything, even in hard times when a bigger company bought out the one dad worked for and he spent a little in between time working odd jobs with a builder finishing houses. He finished my purple bedroom with the lush carpet during this time. I loved that purple bedroom.

During a tornado, with the barn about to fall, Dad went in and let our ponies out, so they would not be crushed. We were so afraid for him, but God protected him. The barn did fall. And ponies makes it sound like we were rich. We were rich in love alone. Financially, we were usually your basic average, but us kids were pretty much unaware. We had what was important and a couple of ponies dad got somewhere, because I wanted one. We had plenty.

My dad learned to love the Lord our God. He came to know Jesus Christ as his personal savior. He took us to church every Sunday- this gave us a firm foundation.

Dad loves my mom with all of his heart and has for over 50 years. This has always provided such stability!

We went camping in our little red pop-up, visited relatives far and wide and went down to the Mississippi River to watch eagles dive for fish near our home in Hamilton, Illinois- together- our family.

Now my dad likes to relax in his RV with mom. They have been all over the U.S. including Alaska, sometimes incorporating Christian mission work into their travels. Mom and Dad are the champions of all of our causes.

I'm thankful to have been brought up by this loving, giving couple and thankful that my dad pursued my mom, though she was hard to catch. Thanks, Dad!

2. Whew. I'm only on #2. I was hired yesterday to sell books in a Christian bookstore. I trained for the job today. Every morning the manager and salesclerks begin the day with prayer, lifting up needs and blessings that customers have posted on a prayer board near the check-out. I will work just a few shifts per week until Fash graduates in May. I am thankful God made it clear that He had this job for me.

3. My son, Pilgrim has been working three jobs in California to afford his rent. He always wanted to move to California and make his way in the world by living and working there. He's doing it. I bet it is not easy. He is learning, ever learning. I'm thankful God is providing for Pilgrim.

4. Of course you know about son #1 already and his new job, but I am still filled with thanksgiving over the new Director of Youth Ministries over here.

5. Fash had a class today- American Literature. She said, "It is going to be a lot of reading (sadly, Fash claims she does not like to read) and a lot of work, but it is going to be good for me." That is what she said. And she was the only one who has already begun to read Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, the first assignment. I'm thankful for all of this. Perhaps education is not wasted on the young, after all.