I started Thankful Thursday many months ago, never guessing that one day my Thankful Thursday would come while we were sifting through what remains of our sweet little log home. Too weird to get my arms around. Nonetheless thankfulness is not something for just the good times. We still have so, so, so, so much to be thankful for.
1. I am so thankful for: Abigail (Ryan), Tyler, Autumn, Emma, Graham, Liberty, Isaiah, Elizabeth, Elijah and very soon, Jubilee.
2. I am so thankful for Kyle coming to fix the smoke alarm the day he did – less than 24 hours before fire destroyed our home.
3. I am so thankful for our little log home, the days we had the privilege of living in it.
4. I am so thankful for friends who came to stand with us while our home burned: Jerry, Terry, Curt, Mark, JD, Joe, Carie, and others.
5. I am so thankful for the friends who cared for our kids during and after the fire: Kim, Jill, Carie, Tiffany, Laura.
6. I am so thankful for Sara and Irma going to buy us clothes (even a bra in just my size).
7. I am so thankful for the firefighters who battled the blaze and risked their lives to try to save our home.
8. I am so thankful for the meals many have made – even a favorite pie of Dw’s.
9. I am thankful for the fire was not a surprise to God.
10-. I am so thankful for tweezers – thank you sweet Tavi. (Hey, when your pair is gone to a fire you don’t take them for granted!!)
11. I am so thankful that the fire occurred when I was home, not in Africa.
14. I am thankful for all the sweet people who have become part of the Friends at A Place Called Simplicity over the last week or so: Barb (at Rosten Kids Mom), Overflowing, Christina, Elisa, Jan, Teresa, Chrisann, Faye Verquer, Annie, Lynne, Mom2-4boys, Shauna, Sandy, Teresa, ForeverMom, My Boys, Valerie, Donna, Michelle Riggs, Sheri Keys, Marjorie, Eskimo_Kisses_4_U, Kim, Debby – Momma of the Clan!, Michelle, Lana, Cindy, Rebecka, Stacy, blessedMomto7, C.C.and DoubleT, Diana Kat, Paul and Chelsea Gour, Jill (Sneaky Momma), Romanmegga, Lesa and Samuel, William, Megan and Avery, Pam, Summer, Jen, Linda, Candace, Those Crazy Clarks!!!, Tammie, Carrie, JShannon, April, The Bachville Times, my3kids, Erin Kennemer, Knitting Mummy, chopstix, Rach@In His Hands, Our House of Five, Anna, Alex(andra), Aspiemom, Lauren, Audra, Sherri, heatherfeather022, Dana, Ruthie, Carol, The Krueger Family, Tori, Sonya, Gracie’s Mom, Leslie, Kathy, Denise, BethanyM, Laken, Nadia, angela, Becky, Mandy Rose, Stephanie, Jennifer and Matt, Somewhere in the Sun, Sharon, Courtney, Laurie, Amy, Mom on a Coulee, Teressa, megan, :)De, Princess0479, Becky, Marla, Kristy Tootle, Audrey, Andolicious, Denise, Kate :-), marshan, Kristy O, Sally, Jill – Blessed Mom of 8, Michelle, Miss Lila in Atlanta, Charlotte, Preppy Pink Crocodile, Colette, lots_of_love_four_kids, Chris&Crystal Hunt, TheDideonGang, bytheriver, Nee’s Novellas, Consider it joy, kimberdea, Kiora, Ashley, Lisa-cinti, Ohio, Virginia, Dorothy, Katarina, Barclay, Jennifer, Nold Family, Mom to My China Posse, The Waggoners, The Brady Family, Jen R (my sweet cousin!), Lking, twoaussies, Mandey, Jill, The Morrison’s, MeChele, Mendy, Gretchen&Craig, Melissa-Mom to 3 bugs, SmithCritterMom, 4sons4grandsons, MadFamOfFive, Abandoned to God, JaYmE, and Auntie Kelly – A Great Big Gargantuan, Ginormous and Gigantical hug to each and everyone of you!!
Tomorrow we are back to inventorying everything in the house. I am going to tackle our bedroom, which I have been dreading! Please pray for me about that. I need strength and courage.
Also, please pray for wisdom as we try to find a home to rent.
Although Thursday is drawing to a close here in Mountain Time Zone….I pray that you are reminded of all the things you, also, have to be thankful for. No matter what, He is always worthy of our praise!
Thinking of you and praying for you tonight(and tomorrow). So glad to hear that Lori made it safe and sound! Sending you much love and many prayers.
Hugs dear friend!
🙂
Amie
You make my heart swell! Jesus just shines through your sweet words. Your family is never far from our thoughts and prayers. We will pray you as you work tomorrow! Wish we could be there to help.
much love
Kelly
Thinking of you and praying for you every day!
I have been doing a TT post on my blog for a year and half now and I find that it’s a great way to pull myself out of whatever is going on and look to Him.
You have faced more in the last week than I have in years and even though I don’t know you I have asked God many times in the last few days to protect your hearts and carry you through. I have no words of wisdom, just faith in the Lord to help you.
I will keep returning to check on you and your family.
I’m thankful for you friend. For being genuine and continuing to show others how you can still be thankful in the midst of heartache. Sweet dreams tonight!
Bless you sweet friend- you are in my thoughts and in my prayers everyday. Do not be afraid, he is with you every step of the way. It is amazing that even while going through something so difficult there is still so much to be thankful for!
Sleep well- tomorrow is a new day! Hug those cute kids of yours really tight!
Will be thinking about you and praying for you as you sift thru your bedroom. God IS your strength, and you will get thru this without a doubt. Hang in there, Linn!
I am thankful for you Linn!
I am thankul that you are praising God in this storm.
I am thankful for your sweet family and their safety.
I am thankful for your precious heart for orphans.
I am thankful that you have chosen to share your heart with me, and so many others. . . to make a change.
I am thankul to be a military mama with you.
I am thankful to know that joy will come again for the Saunders, and “Yippee Jesus” will ring off of new walls, and it won’t mean any less than it did before!
Praying for you dear friend, as tomorrow begins anew. May the Lord be with you as you continue to sift through the ashes.
Love you,
Tina
It has been a blessing to read your blog and see your faith through all of this. I just realized yesterday that you are not far from us.. I may try and talk my hubby into visiting your church someday 🙂
Thank you for the updatss, you are encouraging my faith! Jesus we are thankful that you are preparing a rental for this family. Father that there will be room for these little ones you have called by name. Father thank you that this week there were folks in this families lives that were the hands and feet of Christ. Lord, continue to heal as they walk thru their home, Father bring peace where there is none, Father, bring grace to a situation we don’t understand. Lord, we thank you, We love you and Jesus we continue to trust you in this process. Jesus for your glory raise up a new home. Glory! Amen!
Thank-you for sharing your loss with such grace and faith, it is inspiring to me to look at life in a better way for myself, a mommy of seven and counting my blessings.
I think of your family often and pray each time I do. Wish I could come by and help in some way. HUGS.
What a blessing to be able to say wholeheartedly, “I will praise the Lord whatever the circumstances!” You are an inspiration Linn and I am so glad to be a bloggy friend!
What a blessing to be able to say wholeheartedly, “I will praise the Lord whatever the circumstances!” You are an inspiration Linn and I am so glad to be a bloggy friend!
God truly ministers through your sweet family and through your blog. Thank you for sharing your hurts, your praise and your faith. love and prayers from fort Leavenworth
You are an inspiration. Every time I read one of your posts I am humbled and moved in some way. You are on my mind a lot as I continue to lift you up in prayer.
~Lynn
Linn,
I am overwhelmed with emotion over what you are experiencing and the tremendous response in love that you have received. I continue to pray for your strength, wisdom, rest, and renewal through it all. I wish I was there with you, to walk through this season side by side with you and Dw and the children. I love you and am SO THANKFUL for your friendship and spiritual walk and the privilege it has been to witness your lives.
Love, Lori L.
Richmond, Va.
This my friend is why I am addicted to your blog and to your passion for God. Your family is AMAZING and in a time you have lost about everything but family (praise God!) you are counting your blessings.
Praying for you today and everyday!
Tina at WaitingFaithfully said it perfectly.
Linny…thank YOU!
We are all thankful for you! Hey, I got a email from Leah at philip hayden and she said she went with a friend of yours to see Jubilee this week……….any new pictures to share! Love, Kathy
Dear Saunders family,
Our friends Chris and Sarah told us about the fire. We were sorry to hear about all that you are having to go through! In praying for you this morning, I came across this verse. . .”I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Eph.3:16-21
Diane (for the Goins Gang)
We are so thankful for you and Dw and your awesome family Linn. I’ve never run a marathon, but I know that’s probably what each new day feels like. I am praying you and Dw can crawl up into God’s lap and rest when needed. I’ll pray for you and the process of going through your room. You are loved my friend, -jen
A heartfelt thank you – again – for letting us in on your journey. It brings tears to my eyes reading your reflections, looking at your losses, marveling at the God we are serving!
Barb
Just Me – The Champion said exactly what I was thinking. Take time to rest. Continuing to pray that going through your bedroom, you will see His hand and He will give you the strength you need.
i’ll be praying for you today, Linn, as you sift through the most intimate room in your home. and one day soon, may you sleep in your room with dreams of joy. this darkness will pass, and you will be (and already are) stronger for it.
one step at a time. may each step bring you closer to our Father, who is holding you closely. may you feel his power and strength as you grieve yet another area of your home.
we are carrying your mat, friend.
and i consider it pure joy to pray for you today and every day.
blessings to you and yours
kimberly
Yes, there really is so much to be thankful for, and your family is one of those things. Your faith during this time will be remembered for years by so many. Praying for you today.
Holly 🙂
Linn – Just another lurker out there that has been following your site since the time when you were getting Isiah. I am a grandmother to 5 bio kids and 2 adopted from China. I have being praying for your family – I am on a yahoo group of grandmothers of adopted children and have asked them to remember your family also.
You and your family are such an inspiration.
Jeannie
Benton, AR
Praying for you today as you sort through what remains of your family’s haven of peace. I hate it that this has happened to your family, but I’m thankful for your transparent faith. Even though this is awful thing that has happened, God is still by your side. Thank you for living that out for the world to see. They are watching. May God bless you abundantly as you wait on Him through this storm.
Good Mornin’ from Atlanta, GA.
I just wanted you to know, even though I live in Atlanta, and have for the past 36 years, since married to my HERO, that I am a native of Colorado. I was born and raised in Colorado Springs. Went to Palmer High School. (it has a different name now)
I love Colorado and miss it so much. Married my HERO right out of high school and as he was in the army we came to his home in Atlanta, GA.
Dear Heart, I do know what you’re going through. Our home burned to the ground on January 1, 2000. I was sick and the family had gone to grandmas for dinner. I took 2 Dristan and conked out with the fireplace going full speed. I’m not used to taking medication and I mean I was really bonked out!! I kept hearing what I thought was hubby’s alarm clock. I kept thinking, “Why doesn”t he turn that thing off! Doesn’t he know I’m sick?” God woke me up to flames all around me. What I was hearing was the smoke alarm. I don’t know how to this day I got out. We live in the country part of Atlanta and have no neighbors. I managed to crawl (was sick and full of smoke, couldn’t walk)about a mile down the road to our only neighbors house. They barely saw me as they were leaving their house. Remember it was New Years Day and practically everyone in the world was somewhere else or going somewhere else.. They managed to get me in their house and call the fire department. They called my husband at his mother’s house and I passed out.
To make a long story short, I was grateful to God for waking me up. Our youngest daughter was 8 months pregnant with her second child and the thought of never getting to see this precious child would have been horrible.
I had a house full of antiques I had collected over the years but the only thing I really mourned was my quilt collection. I had 20 or so quilts that had belonged to my hubby’s family. One of them was made out of his old clothes as a child. things like that just can’t be priced.
My heart is with you. I wish I could do something for you. We will pray for your family without let up.
Love,
Miss Lila in Atlanta
Enjoy your time with Lori and family. I am sure you could use a few good laughs while she is there.
Praying for you today while you sort through your bedroom. I know it will be a tough day, but God will be right by your side.
Lisa
Newark, Ohio
I am continually touched by your story and I continually pray for your family. i pray today you recieve a HUGE DOSE of GRACE to do what you can only do with HIM at your side… blessings, blessings, and more blessings…
We are praying for you daily!
Thank you for your inspiration! I had just begun to follow your beautiful blog a few weeks ago! You have a lovely family and I praise the Lord that each and every one of you are safe.
I am thankful that I found your blog through Journey to Me. Your blogs always move me and make me want to be a better person… Thank you for sharing your story.
I am continuing to pray for you and your family.
Oh Linny, we are praying and praying for you—DAILY! I cannot imagine how painful it is to see your precious treasures destroyed. The photos are so painful to see. I put myself in your shoes—and just cannot imagine it.
I LOVE your TT—I have started it on my own blog. I love the idea. When life is a little more back to normal, you should have a little TT badge made to that those of us who are doing it can display the badge, and link back to your blog. Just a thought.
I am so glad to hear that your precious friend is there with you. THANKFUL!
Have a blessed weekend. KNOW that MANY are praying for you and your family.
Love and hugs
Adeye
Linn, I hope your day went okay. I’m so thankful you had a good friend with you to go through your bedroom. Continued prayers.
You are so wise and so amazing. It would be very hard for many to be thankful during what you are going through, and yet you are. Your faith is very inspiring! We wish you the best as you continue to clean up and move on. It must not be an easy task, and certainly not joyful; we are praying for you!
All the best,
Nicole A. in OH
You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Your family has such a sweet story. You all are very inspiring.
Love From Arkansas –
Laken