I'm at the church office preparing for this Wednesday's Candlelight/Communion service. The worship team will be ready to bring us all into the presence of the Lord. Will you be ready? Thanksgiving is all about family gatherings,eating lots of turkey and watching football. But it's also a time to reflect on the goodness of God in our lives. The highlight of our gathering this Wednesday is always the numerous testimonies of those who come prepared to share. Their gratefulness is expressed in their words and countenances. We will conclude our time together by sharing Communion around the altar. It's a very meaningful time with our Lord. I hope that you, your family and guests can join us!
By the way,wasn't this past Sunday's all-church Thanksgiving dinner a great success? Be sure to express your appreciation to Larry and Dolly White as well as to Scott and Pam Wehe. These two fine couples plus their team of volunteers did an outstanding job of setting up,preparing the food,serving us, and cleaning everything up afterwards. I was informed that we fed 450 people !!! These are choice servants for God!
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This made me think, what am I thankful for this year? Here's a few things.
1. Jesus Christ, who came so that I might have life. God, who loved me so much that He sent His son to die for me. That He doesn't leave me alone, molds me daily, speaks to my heart & draws me close to Him.
2. My husband, Ken. He loves me & my children so completely & honestly. He took on a big task asking a widowed mom to 4 kids to be his wife...he got an instant family, but he has taken this on with courage, grace, and sometimes even.... joy!
3. My family. It's not so large, but we're loud, crazy, scatter brained and hilarious. We have not always been the best of friends, but I know that even on the worst day my family is there for me. And they're all life long learners too, so we grow and learn from one another as well.
4. My children. I have 4 of the most beautiful, creative, funny, goofy kids around. I am thankful that each of them are healthy and without any major issue. I am thankful that with God's help I have raised them to be kind, loving, non-materialistic, in this world but not OF this world young adults. I am thankful that God's word will never return void, and in this "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
" -Proverb 22:6
5. My friends. I am lucky enough to have some of the most awesome friends around. This is my second family. My brothers and sisters of the heart. It is a motley mix and some are old friends from my past and some are still pretty new, but they are an incredible conglomeration that has laughed, cried, chided, screamed, and dreamt with me. You being there for me, and you feeling that I'm there for you is such an amazing blessing to me.
6. My church. I am lucky enough to have a great church where I am constantly challenged and stretched and where God's word and biblical truth is prominent. All this is done with an amazing bunch of humble, intelligent, funny pastoral staff that makes you feel like family. It is a blessing to have a church that I WANT to attend, it's like a BONUS every time we gather.
7. My home. We have the cutest home that is perfect for us, close to friends and church & school and shopping. Everyone has their own space, and everything has it's own place and yet it's small and homey enough to be inviting and comfortable.
8. My country. America may not be perfect, but it's still a country where I am free to worship how I like, where I like when I like, and one where opportunities are endless if you're willing to work hard for them. We have beautiful mountains, rivers, trees, oceans and history. I can't really say that I'd rather live in any other country.
9. My health. I am not a youngin anymore, and yet my medical issues are non-existent. With my weight and age I should have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and I'm sure the list could go on. I am thankful that I don't have to deal with those issues and am mainly a very healthy person.
10. The ability to laugh. This may sound like an odd one, but in the face of tough times or sad times, it is a blessing to be able to laugh, have a moment's reprieve, if only fleeting. Everyone can use a good belly laugh from time to time, and it should be at least daily
A special note of appreciation to Sharon Fell who, with Scott, sliced 125 pounds of turkey breast on Saturday! A hug to those who set-up and cleaned-up and the serving table and the dessert crews who served with joy and love. What an awesome group of brothers and sisters! Bravo to those who brought all those extraordinary desserts! Special thanks to Pastor Dale who daily shows the love of Christ in action. And, my love to Larry...who without complaint, helped me lug and transport those 30 to 50 pound cases of food, chopped vegetables, washed a trainload of pots and pans and the list goes on...and on. But, most of all to the Lord of All who gathered us all together to share a meal and to fellowship in His House. I appreciate all of our Bethel Temple family!
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