Thanksgiving

What a glorious week! I just LOVE Thanksgiving. Each year we get together with my side of the family (dad, stepmom and their two young kids; brother, sister-in-law and their two kids; sister, brother-in-law and their four kids and us with our five) ~ usually at our home as hosts due to the blended nature of our family (so different kids come and go at different times, while the rest of us stay put). My dad's and sister's families take turns staying with my brother's and ours (we both live in Virginia). This year my sister's group was with us. I love spending time with her. My brother's household joined us here on Wednesday (pizza party night, no major work) and Thursday, then we joined them at his home on Friday (and capped the day off with a wonderful dinner at Brion's American Grille in Fairfax...what GOOD food they had! Everything was very tasty and incredibly reasonably priced ~ very recommended for simple American fare in a collegeiate pub-like setting as the owner is a George Mason University alumnus and strong supporter).

To cap off this week ~13 kids, many quite young ~ running through the house each day while the 8 adults assisted, rested, ate, watched sports, chatted and played many different board games with the children (we had great games that worked for all ages). It was such tremendous FUN! I am ever so grateful for our family and our love of being together. My simple home is none the worse for the wear, though I believe my sister was thrilled to be back in her own bed last night as two of her children strongly (and loudly) resisted sleep each night so she got very little herself. Bless her heart, I remember those days and am grateful for their passing, though understanding in her challenges.

As I was reflecting this morning upon our week ~ I felt God's peace so fully. He is so incredibly good to us. I started a new tradition this year; rather than just sharing at dinner what we were thankful for (which I had always enjoyed doing), we wrote our thoughts in a spiral notebook, to be saved and looked back upon as long as God continues to allow us life here on earth. My thoughts were as follows...

1) God ~ His sovereignty, His grace, His mercy
2) Jesus ~ our LORD and Savior; His sacrifice and incredible love for us as He intercedes on our behalf.
3) Holy Spirit ~ my convicter, sustainer, friend and comforter.
4) My immediate family ~ husband present and past, children, and stepchildren
5) My extended family, and all this encompasses ~ we are so blessed to have such fullness
6) Our home, our jobs, our finances ~ God's provision in our lives
7) The incredible beauty and gift of His creation ~ and our ability to share in that in our yards.

It is my continual prayer that all whom I know will come to understand this amazing gift ~ life everlasting.

God Bless you all this holiday season ~