Category Archives: Vacation

Photo Album From Our “Cousins Family Reunion” in NJ

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We haven’t been back up to NJ in a number of years…

So a cousins reunion was planned…

Somehow, we’re the old folks in the family now…

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Flying to NJ!!

Spirit Airlines to Atlantic City!!

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Pretty hassle-free, I must say…

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Cousin Phyllis’ house in Lavallette!

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Out for dinner…

For some good NJ Italian Sicilian Pizza!!

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Sea Side Beach and Boardwalk…

Still under construction after Hurricane Sandy!!

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Great memories of the Jersey Shore!!!

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All new rides!

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They still have Casey’s favorite Boardwalk games!!

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Time to sit and chat on Phyllis’ front porch!!

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And to walk and take photos on the Lavallette Beach!

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Floridians, feel blessed…

New Jerseyans have to pay to get on their beaches!

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Walked to Ortley Beach…

The beach was packed…

High Season…

Weather: cloudy 72 to 82 degrees…

NO  HUMIDITY!!!!

The beautiful weather in NJ spoiled me…

When I came back to FL…

I couldn’t breathe!!!

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Beautiful sand dunes!!

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Phyllis and I at Bayside Cafe for lunch!!

Yum!

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Later, watched the sunset over Barnegat Bay!!

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On Friday, July 18th…

I conducted a grave site Memorial Service for  my Mom…

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I read beautiful letters from my brothers, Joe & John…

George & Phyllis spoke lovingly of Mom…

Casey prayed at the end…

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I read Mom’s favorite Bible passage…

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

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We can be glad and rejoice…

Because of the blessings of grace, peace, pardon…

Righteousness, and salvation…

That we have through Christ…

And the everlasting Gospel. 

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   Psalm 118:23 

“This is the LORD’S doing;

It is marvelous in our eyes.” 

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Delight!  Be Full!  Be Glad!  Have Joy!  Rejoice!

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Tina sang, “Worthy Is The Lamb”

Beautiful!!!

Psalm 118:1

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

His love endures forever.”

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Cousins Family Reunion…

Hilton Garden Inn in Lakewood, NJ…

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Cathy, Mary Kate, Connor, & Scott

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Ron, Judi, Deanna, & Nunzio

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Judi, Courtney, & Ellie

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Cathy, Mary Kate, Casey, Scott, Dave, Kyle, Tina, Me, & Celeste

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Casey, Tina, Mary Kate, Phyllis, & Connor

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Courtney, Dave, Scott, & Cathy

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Pt. Pleasant Boardwalk!

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Brings back sooo many memories!

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Wall to wall people on the beach!!

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Lively place!!

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Tina & Denine

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Rick, Alycia, & Kyle 

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Dave, Ellie, Courtney, Celeste, & Patty

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Jennifer, and twins:  Maggie and Cate

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Alice, Denine, George, John, Ron, Carol, Celeste, Phyllis, Casey, Rick, Deanna

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Maggie, Ellie, & Cate…

The three princesses that I just got to meet this weekend!!

Psalm 103:17

“But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD’s love is with those who fear Him,

and His righteousness with their children’s children–

To those who keep His covenant

And remember His precepts to do them.”

This is something we can hold on to…

We can have life and love in our hearts…

Joy and gladness in our souls…

Because the Lord is our salvation!

Amen!!

This Is How It Is!!

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E-mail from me:  (to our Pastor’s wife, who heads up our Kids Church) 

“Thanks, Pam, for the Christmas treats you left in Kids Church for Casey & me!! 

We found them today!!

Chocolate for me…Yum!  Yum!!

And I must say, you really do know what my son loves!!

 

PEZ!!!

 

We came to the church to organize the Drama Team Christmas stuff…

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And he starts playing with, and eating, the PEZ…

 

Wondering how to get all of the candy into the dispenser without them all falling out!!

 

Really?

 

‘Mom, do you know how to fill the dispenser?’

 

Something about unwrap slightly…

 

Then hold the paper around it ’til it goes in the dispenser???

 

I don’t know…

 

If I did know…

 

I certainly don’t remember…

 

Does he know how long…

 

How really long…

 

It’s been since anyone has even remotely asked me to fill a PEZ dispenser???

 

He was so intense..

 

So focused on the dispenser…

 

On the candy…

 

And on how hard it was to get the candy in the dispenser…

 

So he could eat it!!

 

Why not cheat…

 

And just gobble it up sans dispenser???

 

No fun in that, huh?

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We had one hour ’til he had to leave for rehearsal…

 

Needless to say…

 

We didn’t get done!!

 

Oh, he was helpful setting up tables…

 

And moving boxes for me…

 

But we could have gotten the whole job completed…

 

If he was focused on what I needed done…

 

Instead of that great gift of PEZ you got him!!!

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Thanks Miss Pam!!

 

Ha!!  Just teasing…

 

Thanks!  We love you!!”

 

This kid of mine is 23…

 

Now you all know why he’s so good at Improv!!

http://stage2improv.net/

 

I love him!!!

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Friendship Is A Beautiful Thing!!

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My dear friend, her family, and their dog traveled this summer to…

Door County, Wisconsin…

Let’s take a look at her beautiful photos!!

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Ahhhh…peace and quiet!!

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I see their dog feel’s right at home!!

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She snapped this photo for me…

The Italian!!

So I’d feel welcome, too!

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I love this beautiful 4th of July floral arrangement!!

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Vibrant colors in a background of lush green!!

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Deep purple…

The color of royalty!!

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Lilac-colored lollipop flowers???

Can we blow on these???

Or run with them in the wind???

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Cotton Candy, anyone???

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Pick me a big bouquet!!!

Genesis 1:31

“God saw all that He had made,

and it was very good…”

2 Corinthians 13:11

 “Finally, brothers and sisters,

rejoice!

Strive for full restoration,

encourage one another,

be of one mind,

live in peace.

And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Amen!

The Law Of “Clean-A-Tivity!!”

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If you know me…

Or, you’ve read my blog during this year…

You know I hate cleaning!

Oh, I love a clean house…

And basically work hard to keep it that way…

But when it gets away from me…

I give up

It defeats me!!

So I think there should be a law!

So everyone will know the state of the “clean-a-tivity” of my house!

The Law of “Clean-A-Tivity!”

My house is spotless=Come visit, stay over!!

“I just got done cleaning my house from top to bottom…

Dusting fans, cleaning windows, dusting furniture, mopping floors!

So come on over and stay a few days!!”

My house is clean=Come for lunch or dinner!

“Let’s have party!!

Ha!  Even use the bathrooms!”

My house is messy=Let’s meet somewhere for lunch!

“I do this a lot!!”

My house is dirty=Even I can’t stand it!

“Have company????  No, I really couldn’t!!”

Keeping a house clean is hard work…

Maybe you have help…

I have my son!  Ha!

For days on end, this summer…

I didn’t even get past the mailbox after cleaning…

It was such a mess and I was so far behind…

I just had to keep at it!

Day after day…

I kept thinking of my goal!!!!

I was determined my house would be cleaned BEFORE school started back again…

And BEFORE my summer vacation was completely gone!!

Talking about a clean house…

Makes me think about having a clean heart…

It’s hard to keep either of them that way!

Help me, Lord!!

Psalm 51:10

“Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit within me.”

Yes, Jesus, I pray…

Renew my mind and spirit…

Purify my heart and motives…

Sanctify my life for You!!

Is your heart right???

Can Jesus come and stay in your heart???

Or, is He just allowed to visit?

Can He just pop in?

Or do you say, “No way!”

Or, do you need to know when He’s coming???

Another Law of “Clean-A-Tivity!”

My heart is spotless=Jesus lives there!

My heart is clean=Jesus can visit!

My heart is messy=Jesus, let me know when you’re coming, so I can straighten up!

My heart is dirty=Jesus, you wouldn’t want to pop in here, even I can’t stand myself!

Jesus creates in us a clean heart…

Guard your heart!

It takes diligence on our part…

Ask for forgiveness immediately…

Don’t let things get away from you…

And pile up…

To the point where you’ll feel defeated…

And give up!!

Keep your heart clean…

Be aware…

Pray!

Ask Jesus for help!!

It’s much easier to keep a spotless House/Heart clean…

Than constantly picking up in a messy, dirty House/Heart…

Your mind is clear…

Not distracted by chaos and clutter!!

Let Jesus do the heavy cleaning to change your heart…

You’ll then be able to see the smallest speck of dirt…

And deal with it immediately!!

By confessing and receiving forgiveness!!

Proverbs 4:23

“Above all else, guard your heart,
   

 for everything you do flows from it.”

Amen!!

“La Mia Famiglia”

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An Italian get-away this past weekend…

At my cousin’s house on the east coast of FL…

A reunion with our cousin from NJ!

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One big, happy family…

Filled with…

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Our fathers were brothers…

Raised by our Italian Grandma…

Felicia

We all lived near each other in NJ…

Played together…

And went to church together…

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There’s definitely a family resemblance…

But, I’ve noticed lately that…

We tend to favor our Mothers in appearance!

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We felt like we were at a “5 Star” Bed and Breakfast!!

While talking about our…

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In our Lord!

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Cousins!!!

And cousin-in-laws…

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The beautiful scenery brings…

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And family teasing from our cousin from Oklahoma…

Who before he married my cousin…

He had called…

“Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee”

In a can…

Italian food!!!!

Oh, horror!

We’ve since changed his mind…

And now he says…

“I want some SAAAAAAAAAAUCE”

Whenever he talks to us!!

Good boy!

So funny!!

Let’s add my son to the merry mix!!

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Our very special hostess!!!

Such a blessing!!

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She cooks, she cleans, she’s sweet…

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My son wants to adopt her!!

I do, too!!

She makes us want to…

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And be together!

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To do what Italians do best…

Eat…

While everyone’s talking at the same time!!

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Let’s cook and discuss!!

And…

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The blessing of family!!!

La Mia Famiglia!

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Ahhhh…

All together in one place again!!

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One beautiful place!

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We don’t want to leave!!

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Come join us!!

Additional signs should say…

EAT!

TALK!

LAUGH!

LOVE!!

1 Corinthians13:7

“Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things.”

Invest In Your Future!

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“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’

declares the Lord,

‘plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope

and a future.

Then you will call on Me

and come and pray to Me,

and I will listen to you.

You will seek Me

and find Me

when you seek Me

with all your heart.'”

Jeremiah 29:11-13

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This is my son’s favorite verse!

Mine. too!

Along with…

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“Call to Me

and I will answer you

and tell you great

and unsearchable things

you do not know.”

Jeremiah 33:3

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“…and call on Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you,

and you will honor Me.”

Psalm 50:15

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God’s plan is to…

Prosper you…

Not harm you…

Give you Hope…

And a Future…

Call on Him…

Come to Him…

Pray to Him…

He will listen to YOU!!!

Seek Him…

Find Him…

With all your heart!!

Call to Him…

He will answer YOU!!

And tell you great and unsearchable things…

You don’t know!!

Call on Him in your times of trouble…

He will deliver you…

And you will honor Him!!

Amen!

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You have now invested wisely in your future!!

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Praise God!!

You Put Your Light In Me!

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people,

He said,

I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.’”

John 8:12

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“You are the light of the world.

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp

and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way,

let your light shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

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“The night is nearly over;

the day is almost here.

So let us put aside the deeds of darkness

and put on the armor of light.”

Romans 13:12

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Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the LORD will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.”

Isaiah 60:1-2

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“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the Heavens,

and those who lead many to righteousness,

like the stars for ever and ever.”

Daniel 12:3

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A flame burning down…

You gave me Life

You put Your Light in me!

You let Your Love shine down… 

Now the world can see…

You put Your Light in me!

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Now, I’m a reflection of

You, Lord!

I’ll let it show…

You will be known

And all will see…

You put Your Light in me!

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Christians…

Go!

Shine…

 Brightly!!

With His Light in you…

Wherever you go!!

When Did Going On Vacation Become So Difficult???

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Apparently…

When I became an adult…

With responsibilities…

A family…

A job…

A house…

And a dog!!

When we were children…

We just hopped in the car…

And we left!

Okay, so we are packed…

But, it was a rough road to get to this point!! 

This vacation has been planned well in advance…

I’ve been looking forward to it all year…

You know how much I love the beach…

You know how much I love to be at the beach…

To read, to write, to do whatever I feel like doing, or nothing at all!!

But, working part-time this year…

As much of a ministry opportunity as it was…

Has put quite a crimp in my retired lifestyle…

Where all my ministries were challenging…

But, I was a volunteer…

And the beauty of that is that I still had control over my time…

 I’m feeling drained…

I’m really stressed…

I just don’t feel like going on vacation right now…

That’s crazy, I know!!

Plus, my poor, precious Crazy Siberian has not been feeling well lately…

We certainly all love her deeply…

But, we’ve all lost sleep…

Lots of sleep…

We’ve all cleaned up pee, poop, and throw-up…

More times than we care to…

We’ve made multiple runs to the vet with her…

And she definitely, ridiculously, horridly hates the car ride to see the vet!

It’s exhausting!!

We now have a calendar on our kitchen counter…

Just for her…

So we can keep track of all the medicines she’s on…

It’s just like living with a newborn, needy baby…

Which I remember so well…

Or, an ornery, elderly person…

Which I also remember!!

Teaching was so crazy at the end of the year…

That I lost my cool…

And it ceased to be fun…

I had to apologize for my grouchiness to everyone…

There, and at home, too!

 I really just want to stay home…

And vegetate on the couch!

But, no…

Not me!

I decided to tackle the humongous job of cleaning my house from top to bottom!

Starting with the ceiling fans the day after school got out…

My son, the one actually cleaning those fans…

Was not elated!

Well, that’s as far as we got…

When I had to stop cleaning to start packing for this vacation…

While dealing with a sick dog…

I hate packing…

Why can’t all my “stuff” just be there when I get there…

And I don’t do well with unfinished jobs…

So I’ll be planning my next cleaning job…

The blinds and windows…

For when we get back from vacation!

Rats!

Why do I do this to myself?

Please tell me to stop!

Take a deep breath…

Count to ten…

And enjoy my blessings of a wonderful beach vacation…

With my wonderful family…

And the whole summer off from work!

Just tell me, Lord…

I’ll listen to You!!

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“My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;

yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-5

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“Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God,

which surpasses all comprehension,

will guard your hearts

and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

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Thank you, Lord!! 

Amen!

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“Blessings crown the head of the righteous…”

Proverbs 10:6

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I love the refrain of the old hymn:

“Count Your Many Blessings”

Count your blessings, name them one by one…
Count your blessings, see what God hath done…
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!!