Giving Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Our Thanksgiving Day was relaxed, unhurried, happy, and full of love. We only had one of our sons, Aaron, here for the holiday along with Amy and their terrific kids -- our two grandsons. Amy brought craft materials to make these cute turkeys. On the tail feathers are things each of the boys is thankful for. Pretty special, huh? As for me, I'm just grateful for the time we had together. How could I not be thankful? Here's all the fun stuff we did: played Lego's, colored, watched a little Macy's Parade, sneaked through the secret passage way, and played in the secret room, "the ack," which is what our two-year-old calls the attic. Outside with Papa and Daddy they played on the swings, had a tractor wagon ride, climbed up in a tree stand out in the woods, and each of them had a turn driving the Kubota tractor...with a little help from Papa. Oh, and Grant played the piano for us...a darling two-handed piece of music. Those kids (and their parents) make us proud!

We spoke to Nathan and David who celebrated this special day of thanks and the days surrounding it, together in California. They are busy touring San Francisco and San Jose -- David posted some great pictures on facebook. Our Adam checked in to wish us a Happy Thanksgiving from New Orleans where he and Alica are taking in the sights of that fabulous city with Alicia's family. David's Melanie who is here (PA) while he is there (CA) came and spent a good part of today with us. She got to visit with Aaron and Amy and Grant and Max before they headed home.

While Melanie was here, she, Tom and I took a short walk over to the possible new house site. We came back and sat by the fire and chatted about all our plans and dreams. Just having a dream is good for the soul, good for the psyche; dreams give us hope and energy. I can't wait to see how David and Melanie's plans unfold. Everything is in God's hands, which is Christianese for up in the air.

I can't wait to see what God has for all of us in the future. The future which is always just beyond our sight and reach. Yesteryear's future is the life we're living today. We dreamed dreams, and now some of them are coming true, the rest are dreams we never knew.  And I trust it's all been part of the grand plan for our lives.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

For family and friends, my home and my life...I'm giving thanks with a grateful heart. It's all good. I wouldn't change a thing.