For a year now, we’ve had a concrete slab lined with weeds in our back yard. Before the slab, it was weeds. Before the weeds, it was overgrown overgrowth. Before that, it was probably prairie, maybe a well-tended garden, but probably small town prairie.

But NOW! We have the makings of Sam’s latest vision – our tiny house guest room – complete with a loft bedroom, a functional kitchen and bathroom with a shower, and a miniature-sized covered porch – well, in process.

I am very grateful for Sam’s mixed-up crazy visionary mind with all the architectural plans that swim while he chemos and cuperates. It will be so fun to let some of our guests have their very own private house when they visit. Now…if only we can fit in a laundry area.

Yesterday, part of that mail the mailman u-turned to hand off, included a manila envelope. We opened it last night to discover that Chris and her bigger-than-big-heart had two placemats made for us by her sister, and they are absolute perfection. It was so fun to open the envelope and discover a beautifully wrapped gift inside. We will think of Chris and her sister every evening the table is set and we have dinner together.

I am very grateful for new placemats that make us feel very loved.

Also in that hand-off of mail, I received yet ANOTHER card from another Oklahoma friend, Geri. She takes really good care of the USPS these days, and we are the benefactors, because we have a STACK of forever cards from this friend who makes sure we know she is praying for us and will not forget.

I am grateful for Geri the card sender whose cards now have a prominent place on our desk, displayed for the world to see, along with Delores and Karen cards and sprinkled with cards from many others in our blessed nest.

I am grateful for a bird feeder full.

I am grateful for memories of Natia. I miss my little dog.

I am grateful I no longer have to fear. That doesn’t mean I don’t on occasion, but I also know I am safe.

I am grateful for answers to prayer that fulfill my desires, and I am learning to be grateful for answers to prayer that I do not yet understand.

I am grateful for girl scout cookies.

And I am grateful for a five hour drive to Kansas City tonight and a day full tomorrow.