Thanksgiving in May?
I start every day with a prayer of gratitude and try to continue this during the day. Tonight, I was driving home from visiting my daughter and youngest grandchild and found myself thinking about things I'm grateful for. I figure that since we have Christmas in July I can do Thanksgiving in May. : )
Here's a partial list of what I'm grateful for lately -- a top ten list not necessarily in order and not entirely serious because I never am:
1. While I'm not happy that it's already too warm, that was the coldest I ever
be in winter in Florida. Ever. I'm grateful that winter is GONE.
2. A family member found a new job after being laid off and before even serving
out the last day. That would be good news any time but especially in this economy.
3. I finished Book 2 in the Quilts of Lancaster County (Abingdon Press) this
week. It feels good to have completed it and I'm looking forward to hearing
what the editor says.
4. I've started Book 3 of the series and am loving a chance to put the story in
Jenny's point of view again -- she's the heroine of Book 1 and appeared again in
Book 2. Oh, and I'm doing the last proofing of A Time to Love, Book 1, due out
in August, and all of this makes me feel like things are moving right along!
5. I got a great idea for a conversation between my hero and heroine while
having dinner. A free dinner because the daugthter hadn't seen me for my
birthday. I can really stretch out my birthday sometimes!
6. I've read several good Amish books recently and will have lots to report
on here in coming weeks...
7. Had a great lunch this week with someone who loves to write and we
talked for hours. We both got lots of ideas for current works.
8. Am busier than I want to be sometimes. I am grateful that I am not bored.
9. I appreciate the many ways we save time and aggravation by being able to
do things like pay bills online, receive an e-mail from the library warning
me that I have a book overdue (again!) and can renew it online, and so on...
This week I started teaching a class online and while I miss the person-to-person
contact, I can work in my pajamas if I want to and save the commuting and so on.
I really need all these things to give me more time to write.
10. I get to hear from readers of AmishHearts.com and AmishLiving.com readers who
never fail to have something interesting or uplifting or encouraging to
share.
What are YOU grateful for? Doesn't matter if it's big or small. Being grateful is what counts.
Blessings,
Barbara
Here's a partial list of what I'm grateful for lately -- a top ten list not necessarily in order and not entirely serious because I never am:
1. While I'm not happy that it's already too warm, that was the coldest I ever
be in winter in Florida. Ever. I'm grateful that winter is GONE.
2. A family member found a new job after being laid off and before even serving
out the last day. That would be good news any time but especially in this economy.
3. I finished Book 2 in the Quilts of Lancaster County (Abingdon Press) this
week. It feels good to have completed it and I'm looking forward to hearing
what the editor says.
4. I've started Book 3 of the series and am loving a chance to put the story in
Jenny's point of view again -- she's the heroine of Book 1 and appeared again in
Book 2. Oh, and I'm doing the last proofing of A Time to Love, Book 1, due out
in August, and all of this makes me feel like things are moving right along!
5. I got a great idea for a conversation between my hero and heroine while
having dinner. A free dinner because the daugthter hadn't seen me for my
birthday. I can really stretch out my birthday sometimes!
6. I've read several good Amish books recently and will have lots to report
on here in coming weeks...
7. Had a great lunch this week with someone who loves to write and we
talked for hours. We both got lots of ideas for current works.
8. Am busier than I want to be sometimes. I am grateful that I am not bored.
9. I appreciate the many ways we save time and aggravation by being able to
do things like pay bills online, receive an e-mail from the library warning
me that I have a book overdue (again!) and can renew it online, and so on...
This week I started teaching a class online and while I miss the person-to-person
contact, I can work in my pajamas if I want to and save the commuting and so on.
I really need all these things to give me more time to write.
10. I get to hear from readers of AmishHearts.com and AmishLiving.com readers who
never fail to have something interesting or uplifting or encouraging to
share.
What are YOU grateful for? Doesn't matter if it's big or small. Being grateful is what counts.
Blessings,
Barbara
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 5/20/2010 10:50 PM 
Categories: Quilts of Lancaster County, Barbara Cameron, A Time to Love
Tags: Amish fiction
Categories: Quilts of Lancaster County, Barbara Cameron, A Time to Love
Tags: Amish fiction
I think I am grateful for my health. I am also grateful that Jesus died for me.
Where would we all be without him?
Debbie
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Two things to be grateful for, Debbie!
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I am grateful for getting my daughter home safely from an unpleasant experience of tree planting 2500 miles from home. I have to look at the good part- she is safe and healthy- the bad- a big debt, bringing a dog and her boyfriend with her! LOL!!I keep praying that I think of the good not the bad. God is dealing with me on this one. I am so glad your writing is going along so well. Can hardly wait for Aug.!! Will be first in line to buy your new book!! I am also grateful for having all of the Amish authors for my friends- giving me inspiration and encouragement through your writing and personal messages. Thank you. God bless all of you.
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I absolutely enjoyed you article! I live in Canada In Calgary Alberta.
My daughter sighed me up to the site that has current books coming out.when I saw the book An Amish Gathering I am interested in thier peacefull way of lfe. I also saw some other books you have written that interest me very much.
wow! there is a whole library 0f them as I found out !!
One question, why do you celebrate Christmas in July ? just curious, Iam going to really enjoy reading your books.Carolyn.dehaan@telus.net
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Thanks for the nice note.
Christmas in July was something that a church I used to attend celebrated. The minister felt that too often, in December, people got so involved in Santa and gift-giving that they forgot the reason for the season. So the members of the church celebrated around July 25. These days it seems stores like to get us thinking about starting our present buying early...
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Barbara,
Love your list and theme today "Thxgvg in May" and have to respond tho briefly - thankful for but not limited to
God's, His Son's, the Holy Sprit's loving care, protection, guidance, strength/power and wisdom enabling me to make good choices daily, for always being there (never abandoned or alone), for the unsearchable riches in Christ, many, many favors, for His family (brothers and sisters) in many places as well as locally, for extended family (includes you!), loving friends, for those who've gone on that have inspired me to be a better person (parents, teachers, colleagues, dear sisters and brothers), for my perfect dog He sent me at just the right time, for work that I can still do, for angels, very affordable rent, so many blessings promised and not yet experienced...
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Judy,
What a great list! And thank you, too, for being a member of my extended family!
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So many good things to be grateful for, Karla!
And thanks for saying you'll be looking for my book, and that you're grateful for Amish authors who are friends.
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Barbara, what a great idea to stop and offer thanks! Just have to share our great news from this week that we are praising and thanking God for. Our son-in-law, David, has been fighting cancer for 2 1/2 years. This week, for the first time, he got news that his PET scan shows no cancer!!! The tumors are all gone!!! Though he'll have to continue IV's every 2 weeks and meds to try to silence 2 "genetic markers," the news that the cancer is finally cleared is a tremendous milestone. Praise be to God!
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What a wonderful post, Barbara! I'm most thankful for my wonderful family -- my parents, my hubby, my children and even my cats. And I'm thankful for wonderful friends, like you!
Love,
Amy
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You're so sweet!
You have a lot to be grateful for, too!
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10 things I'm thankful for today:
1. Twice this year they tried to tell me I had first breast cancer and then vagina cancer - God healed both
2. My step grandchildren were given to their Dad in full custody Wed. because their Mother will be going to prison for sometime.
3. I am going to have my first grandchild by my daughter - oldest in Nov.
4. I spent the day at my youngest daughter's today and played games with the children and she cooked for me as my husband is out of town
5. God opened a door for me to put Gospel fiction literature in the County jail.
6.The doctor found I am vitamin D deficient which explains all the problems with my back and bacterial infections this past year
7. My husband is back to work after 6 weeks off on workmen's comp and a big cut in his pay during that time
8. County is going to help with expenses for when he was off
9. My son-in-law finally got his SSI 10 days late
10. I raised two girls able to take care of themselves if I am not here.
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I'm gratetful for your inspriational writing. Your books have brought much joy to my mother, who is 82. She was raised in Amish country and your writing brings back many memories from her youth. It is always a pleasure to hear you are working on a new book. I know what gift I will be getting her next as soon as it is published.
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