Let's remember all we have to be thankful for!

Here's the devo from Proverbs 31 Ministries that I got in my email today:

My Thanksgiving

Rachel Olsen

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NASB)

Devotion:

This morning I will wake up thankful. Not because my life is perfect and I have everything I want or need, but because I’m taking the time to count my blessings and give thanks to God.

¨ I’ll be thankful that my husband and I are off work today, and that we have work to return to.

¨ I’ll be thankful that my children are able to enjoy a day of play at home, and thankful they have days of learning ahead that will help shape them into who God intends them to be.

As I pass my desk on the way to my kitchen, I’ll open my Bible that sits on a shelf.

¨ I’ll be thankful for the Word of God that I am able to freely read, distribute, and teach in this country.

I’ll put on my “Through All Generations” CD. It’s an album of hymns recorded by my friend Gwen Smith.

¨ I’ll be thankful for the various friends in my life – both far and near – who enrich me, challenge me, listen to me, pray for me, and make me laugh. I’ll be especially grateful for God’s friendship.

¨ I’ll also be thankful for music and its ability to lift my mood, touch my heart, energize my body, and connect my soul to an eternal God.

I’ll turn on my Christmas tree lights – I like to have my tree up by Thanksgiving Day. The lights and ornaments will twinkle amidst the backdrop of an evergreen tree.

¨ I’ll thank God for giving us trees that stay green all year long despite the cold weather.

¨ I will thank Him for giving us the day and the night, and the stars that twinkle in the sky. I will also be grateful for the Light of the World and the eternal life that He brings, represented by the evergreens in our holiday decorations.

Soon it will be time to start cooking the Thanksgiving meal. In my home that will be turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy. Oh, and deviled eggs.

¨ I’ll be thankful for God’s provision of food – thankful for the farmers and ranchers, and for a kind family member who gives us a turkey and a box of sweet potatoes every year.

¨ I’ll remember contributing to a local church’s Thanksgiving ministry for those less fortunate, and I’ll be thankful for the people who act as the hands and feet of Christ in ministry – they inspire me.

As I cook, I’ll set aside cans, plastic bags and cardboard boxes to put into our recycling bin.

¨ I’ll be thankful for this beautiful planet teeming with life and flowing with water that God entrusted to humankind to steward. I’ll look forward to the day when I, like the writer of the book of Revelation, see a new earth recreated by God, free of Satan’s influence.

More family members will join us and we’ll gather around my kitchen table to eat. We are no Norman Rockwell painting - our family has its struggles and issues just like the next family. But on this evening, we will set aside any differences as we laugh, talk, pray, and eat together.

¨ I’ll be thankful for the bond of family – that there are people who know you fully, and love you anyway. And I’ll be grateful for the family of God to which I am bonded through Christ.

After dinner we’ll play cards or board games, or perhaps watch a movie. Then I’ll say goodbye to our guests, tuck my children in bed, sit and reflect on the day. I will ask God to show me any blessings I missed or failed to count, because I’m convinced we all have more to be thankful for than we ever notice. Today, let’s purpose to notice, and to be grateful.

Dear Lord, thank You for the blessings You have bestowed – help me notice them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

2nd UPDATE:  We caught a 3rd possum and put the trap away for now.  :)

UPDATE:  We caught a 2nd possum and did away with it ourselves.  If you want to know how, just ask Andy.  Let's hope they're gone!!

We caught the possum!  And a guy came and got it this morning.  We're gonna keep the trap out for a while in case there are more.  It was a little one and I learned a lot about possums that I never knew before.  They leave their mothers at a very small size and this one was still probably too young to have a mate.  So the chances are good that it is a loner.  But they euthanize the possums that are caught which is a little sad.  And if you are going to set traps make sure you get a permit from the DNR.  Let's hope our possum troubles are over.

Even more exciting, Grace celebrated her 2nd birthday with some friends and family and a party at the p. farm.  It was a blast!!  Here are a few of my favorite pics from that.  I can't believe she's 2!  She is around the 70th percentile in her weight and height.  She is an amazing girl and I just love being her mom.  There are more and more challenges lately with the whole 2-ish-ness.  I need to start praying up for the teenage years.  (hehe)  I just feel blessed!

Walking hand-in-hand with her cousins...so cute!

Me and little E walking around the farm

the petting area

yummy cake

our big girl

she's 2!!

~G

For some family out of town (Gigi, Grandapa G, E) I thought I'd post a few new pictures for viewing pleasure.

Evan had his first cereal.  He was not sure what to do with it at first.  But he did enjoy it!

Grace's finger painting turned face painting.

A bathing beauty at the pool.

And me and my favorite little guy!

In other news, Evan has thrush again!!! UGGHHH!!!  We're back on some medicine for that.

We had a free sale this morning at our house and raised over $200 for the children's ministry fund at church.  It was all thanks to the people who donated items and the girls who helped me with the sale.  Thanks everyone!!  ~G