Thankfulness

Being thankful isn't easy in this day & time. It seems like just being content is hard enough. Someone always has something more, better or newer than you.

Over the last 4 years, my family has learned the hard way of what it means to be truly thankful & content.

In December of 2006, my husband John lost his 6 figure a year job. It took months for him to find work and it was out of state at a very reduced salary. Suddenly, just being able to make a mortgage payment or be able to take a sick child to the doctor was what I was thankful for.

That job didn't last long as John's industry (heavy equipment) was being hit hard by rising gas prices. He would be out of work 4 more times before we found his job in Virginia. We are so thankful for this job, even if it is still not quite what he was making in 2006.

We are thankful for good health as it has been 3 years since our son's Tate last seizure. We are thankful that he was able to come off his seizure meds this year and went from being tutored by a special education counselor to making the honor roll for the first time in his little life.

I am thankful that we have a home, even if it is rented as we were forced to sell our home in North Carolina when we moved to Richmond. I miss "my home" but slowly we are adapting to this new town and we are thankful that we are all together under one roof as a family. Living apart for 2 years almost took a toll on our marriage. I am thankful it didn't.

I am thankful for Papa Bud & PawPaw Hanson's passage to heaven. It means they do not have to suffer here on Earth anymore. And although I miss them, especially Papa Bud, knowing the pain they were in--it makes me thankful that they are no longer in misery and that I will see them again one sweet day.

Tate & Papa, Thanksgiving 2005

On Sunday we are driving to North Carolina & then on to West Virginia to celebrate "Thanksgiving"....and we have much to be thankful for. I am thankful that I can drive to see my family in one day. Though the miles seem enormous, we can safely be at our family within 4 hours and that is something to be thankful for.

And last but not least, I am thankful for the new life of Karsen. Her sweet smile makes my day. I am thankful that God saw a need for her life and He blessed me with a beautiful baby.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

Happy Thanksgiving!

THE STORY OF THANKSGIVING

1621
After enduring religious persecution in their native England and for twelve years in Holland, the pilgrims sailed for America.

They were modest men and women with a great hope and inward zeal. They rested in the providence of God that He was leading them to a land of religious freedom to advance the gospel of the kingdom of Christ.

The voyage of the Mayflower took twice as long as Christopher Columbus’ voyage, enduring several wintry storms.

After arriving in their new land, they faced disease, famine, bitter cold and many dangers. However, when the Mayflower made its return voyage, none of the pilgrims returned with it.

Their first harvest occurred in the autumn of 1621.
Their own seed had barely grown, but the Indians had shown them how to plant corn which yielded a huge harvest.

On the first Thanksgiving, they celebrated God’s goodness to them with a party of ninety Indians.
Their Thanksgiving feast lasted three days and included a festival of sports.

“Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may be then, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe.

And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid, that on the occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust, and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the great Disposer of events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling-place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations.

~Abraham Lincoln


“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving…be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”
PSALM 100:4 KJ

Inspiring Thanksgiving Images

Confession time.

I have never hosted a Thanksgiving dinner at my home.

I've been so blessed to have such a large extended family that our Thanksgiving tradition is to always eat at my Grandmothers house or my Mother-in-Law's home. (Which works out great because both of these ladies are awesome cooks!)

BUT one day I know I will be responsible for this festive day and here are some images that inspire what I would hope to have my table look like.

I hope they bring you some inspiration too.

These pics are from www.delish.com

And some Flickr inspirations (click on picture for link):



And finally, some inspiration from my FAVORITE blogging thrifter, EDDIE ROSS. If you haven't checked out his blog, you have no idea what you are missing.

He is FABULOUS. I swear everytime I go into a Goodwill or thrift store, I pray for the vision of Eddie Ross to come over me!

Check out some of his Thanksgiving settings (click on picture for link. Also check out Eddie's ETSY store. He sells vintage luxury items for under 100 dollars!) :


Do you know how freaking fantastic it would be to go flea market shopping with him?