Another week of thanksgiving

I give thanks for last Saturday, where:

1/ I spent some time with a parent from the school doing some work in preparation for the school year.
2/ This other father and myself managed to shift a basketball goal post about 200 metres and then we were able to lift this up and place this onto the screws concreted into the ground. We shifted the goal post, by placing the front half on the trailer and putting the bottom half on roofing iron and skating it along the grass. The lifting was done by placing the goal ring on a table, then a steel frame, then tying rope around it and connecting it to the trailer and then inching forward to get the goal ring up.
3/ It was only afterwards I considered all the Occupational Health and Safety risks and I am thankful that we didn't get hurt.
4/ We had a productive afternoon painting the building.
5/ We had a nice night at home.

I am thankful for Sunday that:
1/ We were on morning tea and got this done successfully after a few hiccups.
2/ I happened to be at the school and saw some kids running away. I called the Police and they came and found the culprits. It appears the kids were just feeling guilty and they didn't strike me as they seemed guenuinely scared. There were a few bars removed from the playground, but I don't think they did it.
3/ The Police handled this well.
4/ Some friends dropped in.
5/ I rang a lady from school and she seems to be better.

I am thankful for Monday that:
1/ I was able to catch up a bit at work.
2/ I had to get a client to sign an agreement and this worked out well.
3/ I was able to make progress in some other areas at work.
4/ I was able to help some new people from New Zealand.
5/ I was able to spend some time with the people from N.Z.

I am thankful for Tuesday that:
1/ I had some quiet moments catching up.
2/ I actually got around to filing about 20 files that have been hanging around for months.
3/ I saw some clients at an opportune time.
4/ I was able to catch up with Carolanne and Nathan over tea.
5/ I was able to help Carolanne at her school.

I am thankful for Wednesday, that:
1/ I made some significant progress with some clients I visited in the morning.
2/ I was able to help someone who was having trouble with some Real Estage Agents.
3/ I had a productive meeting in the afternoon.
4/ I was able to hear about Carolanne's day.
5/ I was able to be a listening ear to a school family that was struggling.

I am thankful for Thursday that:
1/ I had some time to catch up.
2/ I was able to sort through some issues with a client.
3/ I was able to catch up with our manager of Counseling and register my interest for a new project that our organisation has won the tender for, which includes some work in our own town..
4/ I was able to hear about Carolanne's great start to the day.
5/ I was able to rejoice in Carolanne's victories.

I am thankful for Friday that:
1/ I was able to draw a client to get down to the real issues that she is struggling with.
2/ I was able to make some progress with a family who has had long term needs and struggles.
3/ I was able to join with Carolanne, Nathan and the School community for a picnic.
4/ I was able to drive the family from N.Z home.
5/ I was able to catch up with Carolanne and discover she had a good day.

I am thankful for Saturday, that:
1/ I was able to drop Nathan off for youth group. It gives me pleasure to take him to things that he enjoys.
2/ I was able to go for a walk with Carolanne down the street.
3/ I was able to clean up my car which I have been meaning to do for months.
4/ We were able to share time together tonight.
5/ I got to see the Australian Country Music Awards. Not that I am a great Country fan, but there are a couple of singers I am interested in.
2/

Thankfulness for the last week

Wow am I way behind. I would like to give thanks for last Saturday, that:
1/ That I was able to catch up on things around the house.
2/ I was able to spend some time in quiet reflection.
3/ I was able to spend some time looking after my sick wife.
4/ I was able to spend some time with Nathan.
5/ I was able to catch up on a few other jobs.

Sunday, I am thankful for:
1/ A very good conversation with Nathan in the car.
2/ Time with Carolanne.
3/ That the George Forman meals are still going well.
4/ I had time to play with Nathan in the afternoon.
5/ We had a relaxing night.

Monday, I am thankful for:
1/ Some productive times at work.
2/ Some crisis at work were resolved.
3/ I went with Carolanne to the shops and she took a great photo from the car park (see her blog).
4/ We had some great family time together.
5/ We caught up on family time.

Tuesday I am thankful for:
1/ Time spent preparing for the working bee.
2/ The working bee which was most profitable.
3/ I finally got my glasses as I was able to go to the Optomerist on my day off.
4/ A productive afternoon as Nathan and a girl from Carolanne's class helped me to pain the building.
5/ A good meeting with some people who I am intending to help in a voluntary capacity this year.

Wednesday I am thankful for:
1/ A court case for an eviction didn't turn out as bad as expected.
2/ Some productive times during the morning.
3/ Some issues were resolved with clients. I talked to one client about the opportunity to take some responsibility. I met with this client in jail one year a go and she promised to change. Unfortunately not much has changed, but maybe this time.
4/ A good Board meeting.
5/ A proposal I have been working on was given the green-light.

Thursday I am thankful for:
1/ Some resolution to a difficult family at work.
2/ Some productivity during the day.
3/ The difficult family were given a reprieve from eviction and I am able to put conditions on this which will help them.
4/ There was another good outcome for another client.
5/ I was able to start preparing for the Australia Day lunch with my family.

Friday I am thankful for:
1/ The preparations went well for the lunch.
2/ A great time with my family for the Christmas lunch a month late. Almost all came.
3/ That my niece and her husband and daughter seemed to like the presents I got them for the Kris Kringle.
4/ That the catering worked out well. I am not used to catering for that numter.
5/ That I had a great time catching up with all family members. I also had a great time looking through the photo albumns that we dig out once a year. My nephew's wife was suffering from post-natal last year, and seems to be much better now. It was good to talk to other family members too. It was nice that Russell came to visit at the end of the day, that Nathan got a ride on the bike and that he and my sister and brother-in-law got to see Carolanne's school.

Thankfulness for Thursday and Friday

I would like to give thanks for on Thursday:
1/ Being able to finally resolve the crisis from the day before. Also, for God intervening that before I had to confront, the client's attitude had changed.
2/ For others who I have built relationships with and help me with my work.
3/ For an opportunity to meet with a young boy who needs some guidance and direction in his life.
4/ For a good meeting with a group of people I am exploring an idea with.
5/ For time with my son and family.

I would like to give thanks for Friday, that:
1/ The opportunity to go for a run each morning.
2/ I had an opportunity to catch up with filing while the computers were down.
3/ I was able to help somebody from a different department and their client with a problem they were having by organising a meeting with the Office of Housing.
4/ That a very sad situation had some happiness. I had arranged to pick up one of the girls from the camp and take her and her father home. However, this family had another crisis last night, and the father and mother were in children's court all day. All the other parents were there to greet their children, but once again this little girl had her needs overshadowed by the "out of control" older brothers. The thankfulness part, is the children sang some songs they had learnt on the camp (Christian songs that Carolanne sings with her children at school). The little girl obviously bonded with the leaders and she can go back to the camp for the next 3 years. There is some light in this girl's life.
5/ We had a nice tea and time together as a family.

Mid Week Catch Up

Wow-I am a bit behind, so here is my catch-up:
Monday--I give thanks for:
1/ I dropped a child off at the church for the camp, and met with two other clients and their children. It was quite amusing seeing the "clean-cut" leaders and the clients in the same context. The parents seemed deeply appreciative of the church supplying a free camp.
2/ I was able to sort some other things at work.
3/ Nathan had a good time on his camp and that was a real blessing.
4/ We had a good time watching the Waltons.
5/ I got some good sleep.

Tuesday--I give thanks for:
1/ I had a beneficial conversation with a Real Estate Agent.
2/ I got a good response from a client about joing a group that will help her new learn patterns of relating to others.
3/ We had a good time at McDonalds.
4/ I was able to help Carolanne clean out things in her room.
5/ We had a good time sharing together.

Wednesday--I give thanks for:
1/ One of the clients who has had a long pattern of unhealthy relationships, told me how much better it is to be working cooperatively and being truthful.
2/ Another client has joined the A.O.G and is finding this helpful in overcoming her drug addiction.
3/ I was able to avert a crisis (with God's help) when I got called to the Office of Housing to settle a situation down.
4/ The George Forman Lean Mean Grilling Machine meals are still a hit with the family.
5/ I was proud of my son and a friend when they discovered a power pole making noise and Nathan thought to record the power pole number on his mobile phone.

Serene Sunday

I am thankful for:
1/ A message on thinking yesterday, which was good to be reminded of.
2/ Time to talk to my wife in the car about a range of subjects.
3/ A relaxing afternoon.
4/ The purchase of a skipping rope with a counter (for $3 from Bi-Lo) which will help in my quest to keep up with my son.
5/ Getting everything organised for the week ahead.

Thankfulness for Saturday

Reasons to be thankful include; (in chronological order):

1/ I forgot that when Kevin arranged to come the other day that it was his birthday. I rang him in the morning and was going to offer to change it but he wasn't home. I appreciated his help in finishing the fencing job and his on-going friendship.
2/ Nathan and I do an excercise program which is connected to his playstation and eye-toy. I did Nathan's for him and I did my own. Technology has many benefits.
3/ We had a lovely time at the show. It was interesting to see the variou exhibits and it was great that some of Carolanne's students had exhibits.
4/ I am making progress with my lean-mean George Forman grilling machine. I was really happy with tea (if I don't say so myself). A low fat meal was very filling.
5/ We had a lovely night seeing A Night at the Mueseum. It was very different to what I imagined. I enjoyed spending the time with Carolanne, too.

Why I Am Thankful Today

Today I give thanks for:

1. God watches over me each day as I travel.
2. I organised for a client's child to go on a camp for "disadvantaged children". The client was desperate for her child to go on the camp. It took me ages to find out about the camp, then it took some time for the camp leader to get back to me. However, the camp leader then emailed me and asked if I had girls aged 7-11 who qualified for the criteria and wanted to go. I checked out a few other families. To be honest these things are a lot of mucking around. But, when I saw the face of the young girls who are going they were so excited about the possibility of going. One young girl had already packed her bag in the hope she may be able to go. I was so relieved when the camp leader said they could come.
3. This camp is actually run by a group of Christians. I work for a secular organisation. I recognise that I am in a position of power and that my opinion carrys a lot of weight in the client's eyes. Seeing as a I don't work for a Christian organisation, I have to be careful that I don't mis-use my position (some of my predeccessors have reportedly done this). But, this camp meets the work requirements and it is a bonus that these young girls will hear a Christian message in the context of the camp. I am thankful for this.
4. Speaking of camps I am thankful that our son is on a camp this weekend. This backs up on his involvement in Beach Mission for the last week and a half. I am thankful he is so keen to go and he can be involved in this way.
5. I am thankful for time with my wife in going out for tea and watching the movie. The movie was the Queen and it was very eye-opening. It helped me to understand English culture a lot better and it was interesting about politics and protocol. In light of that I read Psalm 12 after we got home, and this is what it said: "Lord! Help! Godly men are fast disappearing. Where in all the world can dependable men be found? Everyone deceives and flatters and lies. There is no sincerity left..." I am thankful for God's perspective that is above all human wisdom.