From Thanksgiving to Thanks-living!

Good Monday morning and welcome back from your holidays. It's the last day of November, the 30th, 2009 and our family is still basking in the afterglow of our Thanksgiving Day gathering. There was something ordinary or traditional about it. We like so many others had the turkey, ham, cornbread dressing, homemade dumplings, cranberries and side dishes and desserts galore. Most of our group were able to be there and that is always the greatest blessing of all. The glow comes from the time we were able to be with one another. It also connects the handed down memories from many other celebrations from the past. My wife's cornbread dressing alone conjures up the sweet memories of seeing my Granny Mac sweating over her stove and my mom feverishly getting all of her dishes ready for the day. The variety of conversations being pursued, the noises of children playing, and the knowledge that we are a blessed people to be able to have such a feast makes it a very special event for us. Our family is just about as dysfunctional as the next but we do know how to enjoy our celebration times together. When the prayer was said we attempted to acknowledge God and all that He has done for us. It was a good one and we are oh so thankful!

On Friday my eldest son Chris and I left early to travel over to visit mom and dad in Louisiana. We were there to see them but to also install a high speed modem and line on mom's little internet doohickey as she calls it. I asked Chris to tag along just in case I ran into problems getting everything set up properly. And, it was good that he went because there were a few hiccups and he was able to get them all solved and now she can get her mail 24 hours a day and also use her phone at the same time. No more waiting twenty minutes for a photo to load! She might even venture out into the scary world of browsing the internet. Who knows, she might even end up with her own Facebook page before she is done. I am so proud of her at 86 still challenging herself in using that little computer and in the many other endeavors she undertakes. We had a great breakfast with them and then on our way out of the area we shared a late lunch with them. Time well spent. Mission accomplished. And, Chris and I had about five hours of conversation that was enjoyable as well.

We also had my wife's sister, her daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter Whitney over from Louisiana for the Black Friday shopping event. I didn't see them that much because of their shopping schedule but it was good to have them in our home. I sure wish they would have invited me to tag along because everyone knows how much guys love shopping at the mall, especially when you have to take turns breathing due to the immense crowds. NOT!!!!! Whitney is nine years old and awfully young to be in training for this type of marathon event. I don't think any of them shopped until they dropped but they certainly did not tarry long before bedtime. We also had Jimmy Jr., Alesha, Amanda, and Alex Friday night and all day Saturday. Blessings upon blessings. Then, to start out our brand new week we had our Bible study and worship with other believers on Sunday. Talk about this being a great country, it sure is, and we have our Great God to thank for each and every blessing He sends our way. I pray that you also enjoyed a great holiday celebration, and that we all will seek to live out our thankfulness to God as we begin our new work week. Amen. ....More later.