(Pictures: Sitting around after the meal and catching up with family; Tom and our daughter getting a closer look at the food)Sorry for the delayed blog this week, we’ve been enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving in California with Megan’s family. We ate turkey and pumpkin pie and enjoyed many of the classic Thanksgiving traditions. It was a wonderful and blessed day.
When we moved to Africa and found ourselves living in a different culture with different traditions. It made us examine our own culture and our own traditions. What traditions from home did we want to hold onto? What could we do to keep holidays meaningful in a place where there are few reminders around us? And so in Chad, we began writing our memories into a Thanksgiving Book (a blank journal). This little book now contains five years of memories of things we are thankful for.
We won’t bore you with our entire entry for this year, but we wanted you to know that we are very thankful to God this year for His many blessings.So in brief, we’re thankful for:
- A great Thanksgiving day (yummy food and the kids having lots of fun with their cousins)
- Our daughter, who is our beautiful ballerina, great sharer and helpful big sister.
- Our son, who always makes us smile and is our easy-going and sweet little boy.
- Our time on the Islands (a good end to our great time serving with our team, many opportunities to share & serve and the chance to see people changed).
- Our time in the States (reconnecting with friends & family, safe travels, lots of opportunities to share about the islands, lots of nice places to stay and food to eat).
- Our Lord and Savior who provides for all that we need.
THANKSGIVING DAY PRAYER (written at the front of our Thanksgiving book)
Come, Lord Jesus, our thanks receive For times of joy And times of grief. We give you thanks both first and last, As we reflect on this year past. Come, Lord Jesus, our guest to be And bless these gifts Bestowed by Thee. And bless our loved ones everywhere And keep them in your loving care. Come, Lord Jesus, our Savior reign Who came to earth And knew our pain. Let us give thanks to you this day, In all we think and do and say.
PRAYERS ANSWERED
We had safe travels to California and are really enjoying our time with family. Both Megan’s siblings and one of her aunts (whom she hasn’t seen in years) were all there for Thanksgiving. We heard from the French consulate that our passports are ready to be picked up (once we’re back in Boston).
PRAYERS REQUESTED
We have so much to be thankful for, pray that we would be faithful with all the gifts and provisions that God has given us. Continue to pray for changed lives on the islands.
