Thank you

The Last few days have been really special. Having the opportunity to tell Monica's story was a real blessing.
I had decided before starting her story that I wanted to honour the memory of her family but I didn't mention it at the beginning because I didn't want to take away from the story itself. Terry and I talked about what would be appropriate and I prayed that God would lay something on my heart.
Since blessings were being poured down I wanted to bless someone else in return. I have decided to make this post a "delurking . . let us be thankful post". If you have read the entire 3 days of Monica's story you no doubt have felt something to be thankful for.
Already many of you have expressed such heart warming comments to the story but I would ask that . . . .
. . .if you have read this, leave a comment expressing gratitude for something you are thankful for. I'm sure that all of us immediately think the obvious . .family, spouse, friends, children and so forth. To make it a bit more interesting I would like you to state one thing you are thankful for beginning with the letter of the alphabet after the last commenter.



To honour the memory of Carlos, Luciano, and Juliana and her in laws, I will donate $1 for each item of thankfulness. I will donate the total amount to Samaritans Purse. (If you click on Samaritans Purse, you can see how they help needy people. Just click on the back button to come back to this page.)
This ministry came to mind because at our church each Christmas, we fill shoe boxes for children who would otherwise not receive any gifts at Christmas. The other reason I thought of this organization is because Monica gave her heart to live for Jesus at a Billy Graham Crusade. Samaritans Purse is a Franklin Graham Ministry.



Let me begin . ..A . . .I am thankful for the gift of ANTICIPATION.


There is always something to look forward to. In my garden right now, I look forward to the Lilacs blooming, and the roses, I love roses. I anticipate warm weather around the corner . .



You're next . . .B
(don't think too long, or you'll need to move on to the next letter) Go through the alphabet as many times as necessary. Don't worry if by the time you post your comment the letter has been used. Go ahead and use it anyways . . .I'm wanting this to be fun.

If you don't have a blog, you can still leave a comment just by clicking on the anonymous button and then leave your name within the comment field.
Just click on the bottom of the post where it says
. . .___ kind visitors shared their thoughts.
Editorial note . . .I have moved the stories into the correct order for reading.

Comments

  1. Blogging...as silly as that may sound to a non-blogger, I think most bloggers get it. It is such a great way to connect with others and it reminds me to pray for other people and it's a great venting tool. Quite theraputic, I think. I don't have a lot of time or energy to work on my real passion, scrapbooking, so, blogging gives me a different way to journal my thoughts and daily musings.

    Thanks again Lovella for telling Monica's story! It touched me deep in my soul and I loved it!! ;)

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  2. I am thankful that God gives me COURAGE. Alot of times I need it every day. I'm generally not a brave person and many times in my life God and friends have given me courage to look ahead at the big picture God has for me. I've seen the courage God has given me return beautiful things into my life.

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  3. Compassion....so thankful for the compassion our Heavenly Father shows us.

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  4. Charlotte - my "aunt" and one of my closest friends. She knows me inside out and has been such beautful gift from God. I love her very much. When I was 18 my mom died and Charlotte was such a blessing to me.

    I would stay at the hospital with my mom and I remember her showing up once very late at night and she had set up tea by candlelight in the family room down the hall. I remember feeling very cared for.It is beautiful how the Lord uses others to show His love. She is definitely a well used vessel for Him.

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  5. DAUGHTERS...
    I believe daughters keep their mothers heart young...

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  6. daughters-in-laws do that as well . . .right?

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  7. I agree with daughters and daughter-in-law. My daughter in law keeps anyone feeling younger with her wonderful laugh.

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  8. Eternity - He has so much more for us than we can ever hope or imagine.

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  9. I am thankful for 'faithfulness'.
    The faithfulness of friends and family and especially the faithfulness of God that fills us with confidence and peace and security in the midst of an unfaithful, chaoic world.
    PS What a wonderful idea this is, Lovella!!

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  10. F: It has to be either family, friends or food.
    It would be foolish not to be thankful for all the times we are able to effortlessly get food here on the North American continent. May we never take for granted the joy of breaking of bread together with family and friends.

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  11. Forgiveness........

    because His amazing grace saved a wretch like me.......

    rob

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  12. I'm thankful for the truth of Psalm 84:11 that tells us that
    "The Lord gives GRACE and GLORY, no GOOD THING will He withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
    I'm experiencing His Grace daily with my daughters being so far away, and encouraged by seeing Him be GLORIFIED in this process.

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  13. I am thankful for HUGS - there is nothing better than getting a hug from your honey, friends or loved ones when you are feeling low or just need to feel loved. HUGS can bring comfort and put a smile on your face with such a simple act. Give someone you love a HUG today!!!

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  14. Irresistable...my grandchildren are so irrestible, I thank God for them every day. They are so precious in the Lord's sight and in mine.

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  15. J E S U S....

    without Him we are nothing...

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  16. I fear we are stuck on K.
    Kilts. I've always loved them. When my mom and dad came back from their trip to PEI they brought me one. I still have it. Its a wonderful memory.

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  17. Laughter, there is never too much of that. It amazing how it can turn a situation around and heal hearts.

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  18. I'm thankful for the month of May, as it means spring is finally here! Lovella, I just found your blog recently, and I love coming each day to visit....this is my first post. I just had to delurk after reading Monica's inspiring story, thanks for sharing it. I'm sending my message from the East coast, in N.B.
    God Bless, Katherine

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  19. i'm thankful for my little sister

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  20. Music. I am so thankful for music. During special times and even hard times in my life music has always been a part of that. When the words don´t come when I want to pray I can worship God with music. When you hear certain songs or music I love how it takes you back to certain times and places. Thanks for telling Monica´s story. I think it is great how you want to support Samaritan`s purse. I have had the priviledge to work with them first hand a number of times. We here in Argentina were on the receiving end of the shoeboxes which was very special. Blessings. Leana

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  21. thankful for "GOD'S SOVERIENTY". God has blessed me immeasurably!! I don't know what it is like to be a "motherless daughter" [or fatherless],or a "childless mother" . I can't imagine the pain and anguish of that. Yet still it is hard to say to Him , my life is in your hands. However, I am slowly learning to trust in God"s Soverienty. So often we cry out to God and He seems absent and our prayers go unheard, never mind answeredas quickly as we want. God says in Habakkuk 2:3 But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! [the Living Bible]. Meditate on these words and REST in HIS PRESENCE. Thankyou Monica for allowing Lovella to share your testiment of faith.

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  22. ELLIE...........on of my many blessings.....I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOOO much

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  23. O - I am thankful for the great 'outdoors' under God's blue sky!!

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  24. Post...I need to post this comment, when you feel overwhelmed just remember "do the next thing, God will meet you there".

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  25. Q- Quiet time and solitude...it's times like those that I can feel God speaking to me the most!

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  26. Q - I am thankful for questions, because it is by asking questions we learn things...like if you had never asked Monika questions about her past none of us would have been blessed by her story.

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  27. R- Rest, especially when life is tough and busy.

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  28. Questions! I am thankful for all the little questions my boys ask. Even if I don't always have the answer!

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  29. TESTIMONIES- The sharing of our lives guided by the hand of our loving God. What an encouragement it is to hear others tell of the love of Jesus that they have experienced through trials and in times when life has been going well. What an inspirational idea of positive encouragement this post has been. What a blessing your gift will be to Samaritans Purse, and to Rob & Monica. Kathy

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  30. we've been waiting on the porch all morning. . .we are thankful for TERRY . . .yup . .terry

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  31. I think we left out "S" for sons.
    I'm thankful for my son who rescues me from the perils of the road, such as coming to change my flat tire on the highway to Chilliwack or guiding me back to the freeway (by phone) when I was lost in Coquitlam because I missed my Surrey Exit.

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  32. U - I'm thankful for Umbrellas so I could go for a walk with my daughter and my grandpuppy this morning in the rain.

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  33. Vibrant...I thank God for "Vibrant Lovella" and her blog...it is so inspiring! (how many entires are we allowed??) lol

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  34. I am thankful for His perfect WISDOM! He answers our prayers in the WAY that is best for us, WHICH isn't always WHAT WE think WE WANT!

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  35. for lovella's ULTIMATE, VERY WONDERFUL YUMMY, ZESTFULLY delicious recipes. There that covers a few thankfuls...lol

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  36. I guess I'll do the X one. I'm thankful for letters that end with XXXX and OOOO for kisses and hugs.

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  37. A - A new life

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  38. B ... the BEACH. the best place on earth to take in God's Awe-inspiring and Breath-taking Creation.

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  39. B - babies, nothing in the world like holding a newborn baby.

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  40. Chocolate! One of God's most delicious creations :) An cure for many ailments!

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  41. Well, since we are back at C and not to disappoint you, Lovella, I am thankful for the Canucks!!! I love them! Winning, losing, whatever! They are GREAT!!

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  42. D is for Delights. I just delights my heart to know that there are wonderful people out there that are willing to leave a comment to help a child.

    Are we done? Surely not. If you haven't left me a comment of what you are thankful for, please do so. I'd love to know who you are, so if you don't mind, just leave your first name.

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  43. E - is for Encouragement! What would we do without it? Both giving and receiving.
    I ENCOURAGE Everyone to flood this comment column with comments...Come one--- let's build our thank yous into a mountain of praise to God!!

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  44. FRIENDS! What would we do without friends to share happy and sad times?

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  45. F- I am thankful for the Foster children that God has choosen to place in my home. I wish that they had homes of their own, so that the could know the love and stability of ones own family, but I am honored, that I have had the opportunity to love the tiny ones, and the big ones. Some of them have shown me my weaknesses others my strengths. All have them have left a mark on my heart.

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  46. What am I thankful for? A toddler who likes to help his mommy! :) I know, a simple thing, but he makes my heart smile.

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  47. GRACE, Where would we all be without it!!

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  48. Husbands!! Yes, now that's a good one don't ya'll think! Come on people, let's at least get to 100 comments before midnight! We can do it!

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  49. "I" for Internet! Without it, we wouldn't have this wonderful opportunity to connect with each other!

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  50. Joy, the joy of the Lord is our strength. Thank God for His Love, Joy and Peace.

    Cathy

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  51. K-Kind words of affirmation and for L-Lovella for being such a thoughful person. She is truly one of the "older" women leading the "younger" women in Titus 2:3-5.

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  52. M - Mountains... as I sit here I am looking out the window at the spectacular mountains, lit up by the beautiful golden sunset this evening... amazing!

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  53. I am thankful for nice people who take the time to reach out to me...

    I've just discovered your blog...how lovely and what a wonderful story you have shared. Thank you.

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  54. Hi Lovella, thanx for the touching story. I think God gives these stories to very strong people who he knows can handle them.
    I am thankful for options and opportunities in life. We have choices and can make decisions with God's help.

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  55. Sorry, I can't think of an O word, so I'll say P for Parents. I am grateful that my parents are still living. May this be a reminder to spend more time with them and to encourage them during this final season of their lives.

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  56. Q is for Queen Elizabeth.

    Us Canadians sing God save our gracious Queen, long live our noble Queen . .God save our Queen.

    Anyone who knows me .. knows I am into the Queen.

    I'm thankful for her.

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  57. R - Repentance - that turns us away from sin and toward God. I'm thankful that God's heart is tuned to our repentance and pours out His forgiveness in response.

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  58. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  59. T?

    Um,

    Time

    It takes it to heal.

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  60. U

    Understanding - our God understands us better than we understand ourselves - He knows us intimately and loves us with an everlasting love.

    and for understanding friends.

    Thanks for doing this Lovella - what a lovely idea!! and yes we do know D and J - D did our floor and they attended my in-laws' church!

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  61. afafnvsxW- I am thankful for Willy, a faithful, servant of God. He is a witness and an inspiration to the lives that he touches. Today keep him and his family in your prayers. He suffered a heart attack and at present the future is uncertain. GOD YOU ARE SOUVEREIGN!!

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  62. I am thankful for the posts Lovella has posted to my cancer blog. Thank you for your large heart and courage to create such a beautiful corner of the internet. Your site is beautiful!

    Virignia Rigby

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  63. X

    I am thankful for lifes X-ings.
    Moments in time created by Him to give us ultimately more awarness...of Him.
    eXacatly times like these.

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  64. I'm not sure what letter we are on as it is Saturday morning and I had to read through 63 comments and now to come up with my own.
    X-(?)eXperiences, to be a mother and Xperience things through my children and delight in them. I am thankful.

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  65. The phone just rang...it seems my sister and I commented on X simitaneously!


    Y- thankful for yoga and the ability to move my body forwards and backwards, and hang out upside down for a fresh perspective.

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  66. Z- thankful for a Z in my middle name....EliZabeth.

    (have always loved the Queen too)

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  67. We're back to A

    A is for Affection.

    . .. show some today

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  68. B is for Buying. I checked on the Samaritans Purse shopping catalogue and I can almost buy a goat.
    I thankful that I can BUY something Because of your willingness to share what you are thankful for.

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  69. C = C is for Christ, God's gift to the world, for which I am most thankful!

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  70. D = dreams. I think it's necessary to have dreams in life to have something to strive for.

    P.S. This is a GREAT thing you're doing, Lovella. Love this idea. I'm glad you DREAMED/DREAMT it up. :)

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  71. Ok, I think this is serendipitous ... we just checked the blog and you're on letter E, so of course, we have to say our beautiful baby Ethan.
    Todd and Nancy

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  72. Ok, just one other thing ... is this a record number of comments, or what?!?! F - antastic!

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  73. Babies 'gooing'. My daughter is sitting here with me just gooing away. I love to hear her 'talk'.

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  74. GIVE=GOAT. Giving can be so much fun. I just ran outside and asked Scot if he wanted to donate a goat to a family through Samaritans Purse. I got the weirdest look from him. Then I explained this whole 'thing' that was happening in memory of Monica's family and he said YA! let's GIVE a GOAT if you want. He kind of gave me an interesting smile and off I ran to tell you that we too will GIVE a GOAT. G is for giggle too, cause I am giggling inside as I think about this. It is good to smile from the heart. Let me know what we need to do. Kathy

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  75. H= HOME...my home is what I am most thankful for! Not to be confused with my house! My home, filled with laughter and tears and good times and tough times...where I lay my head at night and thank the Lord for the many blessings He has provided.

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  76. I for Incredible ideas! Giving a goat! That's really cool! Kathy, you're enthusiasm for goat buying has rubbed off on us and we too are going to buy a goat! I'm giggling at the thought of it too! Anyone else wanna buy a goat?

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  77. J=JOY...
    The feeling the kids who receive the shoebox full of gifts will be feeling!

    Great idea by the way ;0)

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  78. K - kisses from my 18 monther who when he is in the right mood to, fires off kiss after kiss.

    what an amazing story. I read it over a few days. What strength. So obviously not of her own.

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  79. L- for the love that I recieve each and everyday from my kids/husband/mother/sisters etc.

    Monica's story is so sad and now happy at the same time, what an encouragement to us all, thanks Monica for sharing your story.

    Frieda T.

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  80. M is for Marriage.. What a gift God has given me.

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  81. I think because I'm commenting after Lovela my thing should begin with an M. I am thankful for God's mercy in my life. Thanks for sharing this story.

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  82. N- Needles I'm thankful for needles that have allowed me over the years to not only make a living but also express my creativity.
    I love Lovella's original goat becoming a herd!!
    We recently provided a cow for our sponsered child in Uganda. She explains what it meant to her family. "You have made my life prestigous because you have given us a cow."

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  83. O is for Obedience . .. and the joy that comes when we are.

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  84. Prayer . . .answered prayer.

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  85. Quietness and rest. The deep inside quite that only God can work in my spirit.

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  86. QUILTING - I like Quilting as much as Jennie likes the Canucks!!

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  87. R for the Rob in Part 3!!! Yay for Rob!! I am thankful that God put him on that beach the day he met "His Monica"!

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  88. T...
    too many children! (Ha...what the world would say would be a BIG family...6...I'd say thank you LORD!)We now have one homemade (age 16) and 5 adopted!
    *though I don't think 6 is big at all...

    Thank YOU God for hearing and answering our prayers!

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  89. U...Unbelievable that after trying about a gazillion times, i can finally post a comment!!! U...understanding. i'm thankful for my mom who, when it seems i have no one else to talk to, will listen with an Understanding ear. she's always been there for me.

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  90. Vivid imaginations . ..I Have a healthy one. (if you read Monday May 7 post . .you will agree)

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  91. Water, That it is fresh and flowing freely for my family and loved ones to drink without concern for their health.

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Thank you!