Continuing the series I started last Friday, I want to share some thanksgivings weekly this month as a sort of month long celebration of Thanksgiving.

So, this Friday I give thanks for:

1) My wife, Allison. Without her I would not have stayed sane the past couple weeks as I have dealt with a pesky cold in the midst of the return of the polar vortex. The snow is beautiful on the ground, but it does seem like it’s here to stay a bit earlier than past years. Allison also kept me calm and sane when coming to terms that water had fallen on my laptop sending it down for the count. Thankfully Allison has graciously shared her laptop. This week we have proved that it is possible for a couple to get most of their work done with two cell phones and just one computer between two people. Who knew that was the case for two people doing work like us?

2) Regarding the laptop, I give thanks for the good people at Best Buy who quickly shipped the computer off and who are going to be able to repair it and keep me from spending on a new computer. I am hopeful to have my laptop back soon. But considering what I feared was the case, this news was great news indeed.

3) I give thanks for great conversations. Yesterday I had the pleasure of having lunch with Steve Oelschlager and Keith Mundy from the Stewardship office at the churchwide offices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). I’m glad to have met them in person, and Allison and I are both looking forward to future conversations and possibilities collaboratively working in some way with them.

4) I give thanks for a great conversation this morning with Sara Vanderpan regarding baptismal promises, calling and other vocational type questions. Add this sort of conversation in with the shaping of a process to become a rostered leader in the ELCA, and I have much to give thanks for.

5) I give thanks for a great weekend last weekend, in spite of being sick. It was a joy to share music and be present as friend Rebecca Sullivan was ordained as a pastor in the ELCA. It was fun to provide music with Allison and Ray Makeever. It was also great to have Carrie Gubsch back in town for the weekend, even though I was sick.

6) Finally, I am thankful for Starbucks. Now, I don’t drink coffee, and most of you know that. But through Sunday they have an afternoon special on their holiday themed drinks where you buy one, you get one free. It’s the perfect recipe for a “work date” with my wife on a sunny but chilly Friday afternoon. Yay for Peppermint Hot Chocolate!

What are you thankful for this week? What do you lift up in thanksgiving today?