Thankful Thursday

It has been quite a week! I am thankful...

~for this adroable miniature ladybug teapot that my friend, Amber gave me and Kate. She bought the last one and I have looked everywhere (and on-line) for another to send a certain good friend of mine.

~to several people who nominated me in the past week for the Daily Dose and Blogging with a Purpose awards. I am so deeply touched by each nomination. Words escape me. Because I was distracted with major health issues this week (see below), I was unable to list my nominations and now almost everyone I know has been named. I love all of you guys and would nominate each and every one of you:)

~ that it appears as though Kate does NOT have TB. Kate had a positive skin test for TB so we had to have a chest x-ray. She definitely does not have active TB and it is unlikely she has latent TB. Nonetheless this has been stressful. Apparently, the treatment is really tough. I only post this here because I did not know that sometimes babies adopted from China will get a positive skin test based on an immunization they receive in China. My doctor did know that but apparently there are conflicting professional opinions on whether it really renders the test unreliable. Those of you waiting to adopt might want to tuck this away in case you need it down the road. Apparently there is a brand new blood test that is not clouded by the prior immunization and we will have that done soon.

~I had a difficult medical test this week also and had a severely negative reaction to the medication. I am so thankful however that just moments ago the doctor called to tell me that the pathology report was benign!!! Thank you, God! And thanks to those who prayed for me:)

~that one of my neighbors (Bonnie) rescued me and Kate this morning! It began snowing and I realized we needed some things from the store so Kate and I set out to get them. I grew up in PA and I know how to drive in a little snow so I was not worried. However, my car got stuck in the middle of the road in my neighborhood. About 50 of my neighbors whizzed past me fishtailing and giving me unkind looks as I sat there crying in the middle of the road. I was so afraid that Kate and I would get hit. I still cannot believe how many people just drove by and did not offer to help in any way. Finally, my kind neighbor saw it was me, backed up and drove me and Kate home. I am so thankful to her but so disappointed in the lack of neighborly love.

~that my sweet husband left work to come and rescue us even though we had already been rescued!

~I am incredibly thankful for a message Nikki sent me this week. She sent me this devotional:

Come to me and rest in my loving presence. You know that this day will bring difficulties, and you are trying to think your way through those trials. As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I am with you - now and always. Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way! Instead, come to me and relax in my peace. I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust. (Matthew 11:28-30; Joshua 1:5, 9)

I do not know Nikki that well (only through the blogs) but I needed that exact message this week. There were several things I was worrying about. I cannot even express in words how much it helped me. Ironically, I had another friend who needed it and I passed it along to her. God works in wondrous ways! Thank you Nikki!

~that American Idol has begun! This is really the only TV show my dear husband will watch with me. Whenever it is on, it is like our little date. I am thankful that the judges are being kinder and gentler this season too.