Anyway, the kids helped by working on a center piece for the table. That was Russell's idea. Jarod knew immediately what he wanted to do. He took the last of my paper towels so he could have the holder in the center and he made a tree. He and Anne then talked about things they were thankful for and he wrote those things on leaves and attached them to the tree and also laid them all around the table. It is after all, Fall. I was quite impressed with his immediate creativity and excitement, especially because of the project I had for us during dinner.
When I was growing up, my mom had taken Indian Corn and pulled all the kernels off of it. She kept them in the freezer in a plastic bag and brought them out each Thanksgiving. When we sat down to eat, there would be a bowl of colorful corn at the table, along with a handful of them by each plate. After the prayer and while we were eating, we would go around the table and put a piece of corn back in the bowl and tell about what we were thankful for. We would continue until the meal was over. If you ran out of corn, you just grabbed more from the bowl.
We have been having devotionals and special Bible Study times every night during dinner and I didn't want Thanksgiving to go by and us not have a special time to thank God for our year since we would be sharing it away from home. The kids loved it! How wonderful it was to hear my children be thankful for everything from Salvation and the gift of Jesus Christ to Mickey Mouse and the Princesses. But also, they named their friends, their teachers, their family and the way the Lord has provided for us this year. They talked about Oregon and Anne thanked God for her horse. They had so very much to be thankful for that they didn't want it to end.
How easy it is to get caught up in the holidays. We get so caught up in all the work, the gatherings, the busyness and then we forget the real reason for it all. I always want to be intentional in enhancing God's reputation. It may take extra work, but in the long run - it's most important. All the other will just fade away. It's temporal. Enhancing God's reputation is eternal. And besides, we have so much to be thankful for!
On a side note....Russell's time in Midian may be over soon. (See older post) There is a church looking at him seriously for a Full-time Associate Pastor Position - emphasis on Students and Education. We have visited once and are to return for a long weekend full of interviews and such on the weekend of Dec. 5th. The church is in Orlando. I know, I know - you are chuckling! How awesome would that be for me! But, honestly, I haven't focussed on that so much as the fact that this is a major life change for us. We have lived here for 7 years. This is home. Our family is here and we have roots. Orlando is not far so that is a plus, but there are many things to consider. Please just pray that God will give us wisdom, discernment and crystal clear direction! We will keep you posted, as always!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Franklin's!
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