Thankful Thursday~Special Blessings

So much to be thankful for in these turbulent times. Thankful that Hurricane Sally, that went nearby yesterday, did not cause us any harm, and as far as I know, the people that I personally know in the panhandle area were not seriously affected, but there is much devastation around them. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who may be dealing with the effects of this storm.

I was blessed and thankful to see this little rose blooming in the Memorial Garden yesterday.

It is reaching toward the sun and the pond...

and toward the sign that is there in memory of our son. I am always thrilled to get a flower from his garden. 

It is like a special gift from heaven, usually close to some special event. My birthday is coming up in a week, and as I don't see any other buds forming on the bush currently, I will accept this as my birthday rose from my son.  Thank you, Matthew!  I hope it will last all week. Sometimes they do.

Not sure what kind of bugs these are,* but they seem to be a pair and both are enjoying the nectar of this little yellow wildflower where we take our walks:

I am thankful for these special little blessings from nature. Always a treat to see something new and interesting.  Another amazing part of God's Creation.

*Note: it is a "Notch-tipped Flower Longhorn" type of beetle.

Another special gift this week, as I was sitting inside at my computer in my "room with a view", all of a sudden this hawk flew up onto the porch railing outside my window.  I wish the pictures were a little clearer, but I had to use my phone camera and zoom, and the shadows were kind of dark, so it isn't as clear as I'd like, but what a neat surprise!

I've never seen one come up this close to the house before. 

At first I thought it was our usual Red Shouldered Hawk, but after looking at it more closely, I believe it is a Cooper's Hawk, because of his white throat and hooded forehead.  Whatever he is, he was a total surprise and a blessing to me.

Another blessing was lighting this little fireplace the other night...

No, we didn't turn on the heat..., just the flame for the ambiance. The nights are getting darker a little earlier,

and it was fun to pretend it was cool enough for a fire:

We were celebrating the fact that our kids made it home safely from their trip to Minnesota.

Here is our sweet daughter in law Rose (right), with her sister Sherri, who came with them to stay  for awhile.

Here is our wonderful son Benton:

And my handsome hubby John:

Thankful also for our son's help in spreading some dirt in our back yard.

We are dealing with some erosion issues because of all the rain, and adding dirt is a temporary solution, while we figure out a more permanent fix.

Just so thankful to have strong people to help us!

I am also thankful that my cold seems to have pretty much gone away. It really acted more like a bad allergy/sinusitis attack. Whatever it was, I am glad it is going, going, gone!

Our Psalm of praise from this morning's devotion came from Psalm 118

1.  "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever."

14.  "The Lord is my strength and song,

and He has become my salvation.

15.  The voice of rejoicing and salvation 

is in the tents of the righteous;

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

16.  The right hand of t he Lord is exalted;

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

17.  I shall not die, but live,

and declare the works of the Lord.

18.  The Lord has chastened me severely,

but He has not given me over to death.

19.  Open to me the gates of righteousness;

I will go through them,

and I will praise the Lord.

20.  This is the gate of the Lord,

Through which the righteous shall enter.

21.  I will praise You,

For You have answered me,

and have become my salvation."

29.  "Oh, give thanks to the Lord,

for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever."

Amen.

What are some things you are thankful for today?  I hope you have a blessed and beautiful day.