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Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thanksgiving!

Hey everyone! Wait, what?! How is Thanksgiving already? Oh, well. I guess it was bound to come. And it's my favorite holiday so. . yeah. ;) I was thinking back on our past thanksgivings and there is just so much to be thankful for! Two years ago our thanksgiving was so different. . .so I thought I'd write a quick post comparing the two. God's been so good to us this year (well, He is every year :) ) and I am so grateful for all He's blessed us with!

Thanksgiving Day 2013
The smells of Thanksgiving wafted through the house. The turkey had just been carved by Dad and I was pouring the punch and making sure the food had all been set on the table. The pies were cooling on the stove and the whipped cream had been stuck in the freezer so it would stay cold until it was time for dessert. The playlist of instrumental hymns was playing softly, providing a peaceful background as well as adding to the festiveness of the day.
On the surface, everything appeared normal. The smiles, the laughter, they were all there. But this year, something was different.
My eyes wandered over to the living room where Dad sat talking to the family we had invited over from church. He seemed normal, but this year the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes and the tiredness was still there.
A few minutes later mom said we were ready to eat and dad called everyone to the table. Once we were all seated, he took the Bible off the shelf and read some verses out of 1st Thessalonians chapter 5. Yes, thanksgiving seemed to be the same, but this year it was so, so different.
This year, the nagging fact that it might be the last time Dad was there with us added a more sober feeling.
You see, Dad had been diagnosed with a fast growing cancer and at that time, the doctors had no idea where the cancer had started. With the information we had, it seemed very probable that it might be Dad’s last thanksgiving.
Yet, we still had so much to be thankful for. Dad and mom were home after their trip to Seattle and we were together again. There was also the very special gift we had been given just the week before when the doctors decided to wait to start radiation. The way it was set up, he would not have to start until after thanksgiving and there would be whole week with no treatment during Christmas. We were going to treasure every last important day with dad because we knew it might be the last.
This year, I was thankful that he was still able to be with us, that he was still able to sit and the head of the table and join in our conversation. This year was special because Dad was there and we were all so thankful for that!

Thanksgiving day 2015
I am surrounded by family as the delicious smells swirl throughout the house. I know many of my siblings will refuse to eat much for breakfast because they want to eat all they can for the midday meal. I’m helping with the cooking so I get to sample it all. *smiles*
God has given me so many gifts this past year. I know many of you have heard them before, but I’d like to take the time to list two of them hear.
First, this year we as a family were able to go on a vacation to the west coast. My mom asked me later what my favorite part of our time was. My answer? The time in the car driving together. Now don’t get me wrong, the family and friends we were able to see and meet was also a HUGE highlight of our trip, but more than all that I just loved traveling together. The games we played, the silly songs and stories we made up, all that was so special.
Second, this year I was able to meet two very dear friends in person. This was very special to me because I had appreciated their friendship so much over the past year or so and being able to actually meet them in person was amazing!
And, of course I'm thankful for books! Just had to add that because without books. . .yeah. Life would be quite boring without them. ;)
God has given me so many blessings this year and I have so much to be thankful for. If I tried to list them all I’m sure they would fill quite a few pages. But at the top of those pages would be what I am most grateful for. My salvation through Jesus Christ. I mean, guys, who else can say that they have an everlasting hope? A hope that transcend even death? Only those of us who have been saved through the blood that was shed on the cross can say that! And that is a gift that we should be thanking our Saviour for every day of the year, not just on Thanksgiving.
So, anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful day as you gather with your family or friends and remember some of the blessings of the past year. Remember, God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good! Even when it may not seem like it, He is! And we have so much to give thanks for!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! :)

And what would thanksgiving be without music?! I found this awesome medley with three of my favorite "Thanksgiving" hymns! I LOVE this time of year! :D :D

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

6 comments:

  1. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday too Jesseca! Most people say Christmas but I feel like it has been so commercialized that Christ's birth is hardly noticed. Thanksgiving however is still focused on being thankful for our blessings! And unlike other holidays we don't give gifts on Thanksgiving--making it a holiday I feel I can whole-heartedly celebrate without getting greedy!

    Thanks for sharing these two stories. They really touched me! Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thank you, Lydia! Yes, what you said about Thanksgiving is so true! I'm glad you enjoyed the stories. :)

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  2. Such a touching post. :) Thank you so much for sharing, Jesseca! We do have oh, so much to be thankful for. This year and every year. ;)
    I love Thanksgiving too, but Christmas is still my favorite...(And I started listening to Christmas music today...B-)

    Happy (late) Thanksgiving to you and your dear family!

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    1. Thanks, Faith!
      What?! Christmas music before December?! Oh well. I think I might have done the same thing as well. . . ;)

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  3. Happy (late) Thanksgiving Jesseca! I'm so glad you enjoyed your day! :) Family is such a huge blessing, huh?

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    1. Thank you, Rebekah! Yes, family is an awesome blessing!

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