Jan from RevGalBlogPals has this week’s question:

With the American holiday of Thanksgiving being less than a week away, I tried to think of some questions for Friday Five that could be connected to this, but in a new way. So here is my one try:

Name five things that were unexpected in your life that you are now grateful for.

This one really isn’t too hard! 🙂

1. Our children: There were days/moments/weeks where I didn’t enjoy parenthood very much. But, the older they get, the more I really appreciate and love our girls. Yes. Even as teens, they are fun to be with, challenge how I frame my worldview, and are great to have around. At Thanksgiving, though we don’t have a kitchen, because of the remodeling as yet unfinished, we will have time together as a family! The Johnnie will be home, and Reedy Girl will be off for the weekend.
2. Our friends: They laugh, cry and have been there in the hardest decisions we’ve made. They’ve listened. They’ve encouraged. They’ve cheered and challenged. Their faith builds mine. (You know who you are…)
3. The four seasons: I have lived where there were two seasons. In Miami, it was humidity or tourist season. In Ohio, it was either winter or pothole repair. We have four wonderful seasons here in the MidAtlantic, and I enjoy the turning of one to the next. I’m not such a big fan of summer, but the rest I enjoy.
4. Chaplaincy: I hoped that I would find being a chaplain my niche in ministry. It is. Yes, there’s “politics” and the usual junk that goes on. But the opportunity to be the “walk-along” spiritual companion is an amazing thing. What a privilege!
and last but not least:
5. Bearded Brewer! I had figured before I met him that I would not be getting married. A broken engagement really took me to a new low. I even told God, “look, if you want me to get married, you’ll have to import someone, because there is no one here who could interest me for a lifetime.” And so God did.