Thankful Thursday

1. As our country celebrated its 249th birthday last week, I'm thankful that I'm an American. We were together as a family of five on July 4th with one extra dog (Cooper). We had corn on the cob, hot dogs, baked beans, hamburgers, etc., played Skyjo, and watched a movie together. Oliver used some of the fireworks he had recently purchased. We were not celebrating the "big bill" that Trump signed that day (and we certainly don't want to use the adjective "beautiful" to describe it), but we are very grateful for the freedoms we have as citizens of the USA. 

2. I have received some text messages from Nadia while she's at Camp Susque. I am looking forward to picking up the three boys on Saturday morning. I sent Ian and Oliver each one email a day for the last five days. The staff print out the emails and deliver them to the campers at lunch. I'm thankful the camp posts pictures that they've taken of the kids so I have gotten some small glimpses into what they've been doing this week.

3. I enjoyed teaching a lesson on Titus 1 on Sunday. I am looking forward to teaching on Titus 2-3 in three days.

4. While the kids have been away Paul and I have enjoyed having time for just the two of us. We played Scrabble, watched 6 episodes of The Testament, etc. I also have had the time for some lengthy phone conversations with Tab, my dad, and Joyce. 

5. Yesterday I was able to help at Experience Missions for a few hours. We were working on preparing supplies for babies in Zambia. 

6. Last year my mammogram cost me $300. I was pleasantly surprised that my mammogram yesterday "only" cost $200 because I had it in a mobile unit. Given most things have gone UP in price a lot over the last few years, I'm always thrilled when something comes down in price. 

7. I was able to make our reservations for the Diamond Head trail today. I have to wait until July 25 to make our reservations for Ford Island and until August 4 for Hanauma Bay. Hopefully I will also have success with those. 

8. It wasn't beastly hot or humid when I mowed the lawn early this morning. PTL! 

9. I get a haircut about three times a year on average, and it was nice to take care of that today while Paul was away helping his dad and the kids were all at camp. 

10. I found another legal thriller author whose books I enjoy - Rick Acker.

11. I sanded, primed, and painted two more doorframes in the upstairs hallway this week. Progress.

12. We haven't received any bills related to the plastic shield that was damaged under the van we rented. Since it's been more than six weeks since we returned the vehicle, I'm hoping that means we're not going to receive any bills. That would be wonderful.