Thanksgiving 2016

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with life (with events going on around the world and things happening in our personal life). When I don't know what to do or think, I use a topical Bible that I have and look up verses pertaining to whatever thoughts or feelings I am having; it's so helpful to read what God's word says about specific topics.  In light of the upcoming holiday, I read every verse I could find about thanksgiving and having a heart of gratitude. As I read and re-read those verses this past week, I was filled with awe and peace and a thankfulness anew for what God has given me, how He has blessed Adam and I and how I love our little (big) family.

Here are a few of the verses that spoke to me, I hope you too, feel a sense of God's love for you in these verses and that you might be filled with a different overwhelming feeling...one of gratitude and hope!
Isaiah 25:1 “O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will give thanks to your name; for you have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.”

Colossians 1:15-17 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful...singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God....giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Isaiah 38:19 “It is the living who give thanks to God, as I do today; A father tells his sons about His faithfulness.”

Isaiah 12:4-5 “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name.  Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted”....Let this be known throughout the Earth.”

Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”

I enjoyed this holiday season as I was able to reflect and think about all that God has given me.  I truly am thankful for all His gracious provisions, for the health we enjoy, for the family members I have and the support of truly phenomenal friends who are like iron sharpening iron for me.  I am grateful that God holds this world and all that is in it in His righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10 says, "Do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God.   I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

This year Adam and I hosted Thanksgiving since my parents house was still a bit under construction. 

I thought it'd be fun, now that most all our kids can write, to start a yearly activity of making hand prints with things that each one of us is thankful for to pull out and look at each year.  I think what the kids wrote is pretty cute.

Lawson was grateful for his voice box, his "voysbocs".  We have been praying for a friend of mine's little girl who was born with a paralyzed voice box, so I thought it was precious that Lawson would put that down.  I look forward to reading these sweet remembrances every year!

Ava Jane still needed lots of help writing her's, then she added more "words" herself.

This group of people are precious to me.  I can't imagine my world without them, their support and their thoughtfulness holds me together some days.  I'm grateful for my "village".  Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God in every remembrance of you!"  As Dad likes to say, "we made a memory" and I'm so thankful to have spent part of my Thanksgiving with these dear ones!