Thanksgiving 101

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love it for several reasons. The first reason being it is a day focused on giving thanks to the One who gave us so much. Another reason I enjoy this day is the opportunity to get together with family and friends. And than of course the menu is usually pretty amazing.

For the past several years, I have put out a basket on our dinning room table called the blessing basket. I strongly encourage my family to write down things they are thankful for each day. I have them do this through the month of November till Thanksgiving. At our family Thanksgiving dinner we read them out loud. I love this tradition and feel it gets my kids to thinking about things they are truly thankful for. I wanted to share some things that were written down in our blessing basket.

Music, my mom, my D.S., oxygen, food, our dog, turkey, my family and food, for my drawing skills and my life, ( I love that one!). Some others were; the world, pie, my brothers, games, people, my house, my friends.

I love my the simple, everyday things my kids wrote down. There are so many things we take for granted. It is different for us all. I think a big thing we all take for granted is the freedom we have in this country. It is a great place to live. As Christians we may take for granted the churches we attend or ministries we receive from. We may take for granted the car we drive, house we live in, our spouse, our job. We may take for granted out kids, our parents, our friends. We may take for granted that we have food in our cupboards and refrigerators, that we have clean running water to drink. We may take for granted the clothes we wear, the furniture we have, the appliances we use daily that make our lives so much easier.

I could get on a soap box and preach a message about being content in all things, but honestly; I'm not totally there yet. I do know what it's like to have much and have pretty much nothing. I have owned a new car, had a beautiful home, had money in the bank and very nice things. Yet I have also had to sit on the floor cause we didn't have chairs and slept on the floor since we didn't have a bed. I have driven a "classic" car, a truck that had a huge dent in the door and a van that had no heater ( in Alaska, mind you.) So I have lived at total opposites of the spectrum. I have been blessed to give above and beyond, as well as been blessed because someone gave to me. It's not easy when you go through a hardship and struggle financially. But I have to say, my God has been faithful and He has provided in ways I thought were impossible.

My husband reminded me tonight that we have walked through these hardships because of where we are going. Does that excite me? Well, it kind of does. I know God has great things for our ministry. We have seen and experienced some of it, are experiencing some now. But yet I know there is so much more God has in store. It will require a mentality that not many people have or want. I didn't ask to go through things we have walked through. But in a way, maybe I did.....

When I rededicated my life to the Lord, I knew there was no turning back and my life would never be the same. When I went to Bible College I knew I would not live a "normal" Christian life. When I married my husband, I knew God had called us to some great things.

Today I took some time to write my own Thanksgiving prayer to my Lord. I thought over this past year and the things we have walked through as a family; unemployment, medical issues, stepping down from ministry, changing churches, having our vehicle taken away, a major move, living in a hotel for a month, kids starting new schools, meeting new people and connecting in a new community. There have been ups and downs. But God has seen us through each one. I read something the other day that hit home for me; the author was talking about the realization of needing others in his life to help him through and how God places people in our lives to help us through. He said "even God needs the help of two mountains to make a valley." Yes, God needs us and we so desperately need Him. I have been angry at Him, I have blamed Him, I have tried to figure Him out. In the midst of all that, I know I can't live without Him, nor do I want to try.

My dear friend, I hope you realize your need in this life for others. I hope you realize that family is a good thing. That God places people in our lives to help us, encourage us, strengthen us and grow us up. I hope you realize that He has a plan and a purpose for ALL things. I hope today, you were able to look back over this year in your life and see His mercy, His grace, His love that is unending and overflowing. I hope you realize that God needs you, just as much as you need Him. Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoying the busyness of life.

Sometimes it is so easy for me to sit down and write in my blog. Other times.... not so much. Today is one of those days where I have started something only to delete it. I have done this about five times, I think. My mind is full of things to write about, but it is hard to focus and get out one specific topic. So, I will share about my life over the past month.

October was a busy month for us. Actually our life is always busy, so I will rephrase that; it was busier than usual. In the midst of Life groups, hip hop classes, music rehearsals and church services; we also had a community project, family visiting, fall break for the kids, dinners with friends and my husband working overtime. Whew! Makes me tired just writing it! We have been busy, but have made some fun memories in the process.

My in laws came to visit us first. They came down from Alaska and stayed a week. It was fun spending time with them, catching up and enjoying each other's company. They were able to enjoy the grandkids, the sun and some good mexican food. They also helped out with some things around the house as well as a church project we had going on. I love how they step right in and help where ever needed. So thankful for them and their love for me as their daughter (in law).

Our church took a Saturday in October and reached out to our community. We took a street in the city and picked up trash. We had a great turnout. I was so blessed and proud of all involved that took a Saturday morning to help out. It is something small, but is the beginning of some great things we can do for this community. That same evening, our two oldest had a youth event involving both church campuses, lots of food, fun games, a rap group and an NFL player. It was a fun night and a great turnout. Those teens were blessed and encouraged.

My mom than came to visit for a week. It was too short of a visit. I enjoyed every moment and I am so thankful for the time we had together. We took walks in the morning, enjoyed our daily cup of coffee, spent one on one time with my kids and had some good conversations. When she left, I cried. Goes to show, you are never too old to need your mom.

So now, we are in a new month. My calender is filling up with appointments, dinners, projects, etc. We are getting into the holiday season. I will miss being with extended family but will do my best to give my children some sweet memories of their own. I look forward to the days ahead and the holidays we will enjoy. I want to enjoy the season and not get caught up in the hype. I know we will be busy, but will treasure the time with my kids and my husband as we pause to catch our breathe.

I know we all have lots going on. We have jobs to do, projects to get done, laundry to wash, dinners to cook. It really is a never ending process in this life we live. But I hope you will join me in times of rest. I hope you will see God's goodness and love in the little things. I hope that life doesn't get you so bogged down that you collapse in exhaustion at the end of the day wondering; "Where has the time gone?" I hope you will make all the effort needed to fellowship with fellow believers each Sunday. I hope you will take some time to pray, read some scripture, wait before the Lord. Let Him rejuvenate your spirit. I hope you will lift your hands each day in thanks to the One who gave it all. It's really the least we can do to honor Him. The one who gave you this life you live. And if you are feeling down, just know God will pick you up. He will give you joy, peace, strength.

Go out today and live your life thanking Him for each moment. No matter how busy you are....