Happy Thanksgiving

It's that time of year again - the end of it! Thanksgiving is tomorrow and after that the countdown to Christmas will begin. This is my absolute favorite time of the year, I love the weather and the beautiful colors everywhere. I love all the earth tones and looking out over my deck and into the woods is quite a spectacular sight. It's also the time of year when we get to pause and think about what we are truly grateful for. Living in the states we often forget that we have excess - how could I explain to someone back home in Africa that I have a house for our cars? Their mind can't even go there, yet mine can't imagine not having it. We take so much for granted.

Today we had the opportunity to take our three boys volunteering. We took them to pack food baskets that would be handed out to needy families containing all they would need to make one delicious Thanksgiving dinner. We were in a poor area and my boys immediately commented on that, but I got to remind them that we are all only a few pay checks away from what they see now. The car grew quiet and I think they understood, even if for just a moment.

This year I am so grateful to be living where we are, I am really grateful that the past year is over, the stress is gone and we are able to provide for all our needs (and some wants too) in this tough economic climate we currently live in. I am grateful for friends - new and old - they enrich our lives and many have become our family. I am grateful for my family who are willing to spend so much and travel so long to see us and spend Christmas with us. I am grateful for good health, the best husband anyone could ever wish for and for three boys who keep me incredibly busy, melt my heart and bring me so much joy.

Sadly it's often in other peoples battles and struggles that we realize how blessed we really are and the heart ache, fear and sadness I've seen friends go through this past year has reminded me so often to be grateful for what I have today. I don't want to take it for granted and I pray that I can be a blessing to my family and friends as they are to me.

Happy Thanksgiving.