From My Heart, I Thank You Lord

He who thanks but with the lips

Thanks but in part;

The full, the true Thanksgiving

Comes from the heart.

~J.A. Shedd

We are but a little more than 2 weeks away from Thanksgiving Day.  I love the colors of this season; the vibrant oranges, golds, and reds mixed in with the browns and what is still left of the greens.  The bright orange pumpkins and the various shades of mums are lovely to look at in people's yards and on their porches.  There is a crispness in the air, like no other time of the year.  Summer has ended, yet some days are still warm; Winter has not yet arrived, yet some days are cold.  Sweaters and sweatshirts are being dug out of the winter clothes baskets and closets, soups and hot teas are on the menu, and the smells of pumpkins and apples mixed with blends of nutmeg and vanilla welcomes us home. (Even if the smells are coming from a candle, spray, or plug-in.)  This season seems to be the shortest of all seasons; it also seems to be the most overlooked season.  The 'summer lovers' are trying to get in one more fishing trip and the 'winter lovers' are trying to prepare for Christmas.  Nothing wrong with either one...but, as for me and my house, we have chosen to embrace this wonderful season of fall; this very important holiday called "Thanksgiving".  There is not as much preparing to do for Thanksgiving as for Christmas, but I do have my mums on the porch, a couple of fall decorations in the kitchen, and I'm planning my menu for a very simple, yet satisfying Thanksgiving meal.   Most of all, I'm choosing to 'live' thanksgiving.  I call it "ThanksLiving".  We should not just thank God when we pray, we should live each day in a thankful fashion.  How?  Just through observing His handiwork around us, by showing kindness to our loved ones, and strangers that we meet, by living a holy life unto the Lord, and of course, by saying "Thank You" to God often, and really meaning it from our hearts.  I love Psalms 126:3 which says, The Lord hath done great things for us; wherof we are glad.  I encourage you to live a life of 'ThanksLiving',  not just during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, but each and every moment you are blessed to live.  It will make a difference in your life and it will make a difference in the lives of those around you.  The Lord has done great things; what are you glad about today? 

Thanksgiving Day by George

Someones in the kitchen with momma!

Checking moms blog!

Where is The Food Network when you need them?

Racing on ps.

Pa Pa James and his youngins.

apple pie

apple dumplings

The day is almost gone now. I have cooked, I have eaten, I have cooked, I have eaten, and I'm so full I could pop right now! Just being honest for a second. The best thing about today was our family being home and together. I had put Mr. Turkey in the oven last night before I went to bed, so that job was finished when I got up this morning. I had made lots of tea and a grape salad yesterday as well. So, when my feet hit the floor this morning, I began putting all of the other food for the day together. My bunch came to the kitchen and asked what they could do, so I put them all three to work. We had some sadness today. The phone rang this morning and we got the news that one of our church members mothers passed away this morning, and then my mother called and said she was running a fever so she wasn't going to come. I was a bit disappointed, but I know she couldn't help it. My daddy came and we enjoyed eating our meal with him. I have so much to be thankful for; I could never think to name everything, but I'm sooo overwhelmed at how God just keeps blessing and blessing me, and He keeps teaching me and guiding me each day. If you've read my blog at all, you know I'm wild about my family and friends, and that I'm thankful for salvation through the blood of Jesus, and I'm thankful for my church, nature, and little things. I pray you all had a day of joy and that you just took a bit of time to reflect on how good God is. Happy Thanksgiving 2008.

THANKS-LIVING DAY 27, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves:

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture,

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good;

his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

THANKS-LIVING DAY 26

Do you know what today is??? It's THANKSGIVING EVE and I'm soooo excited! I went grocery shopping yesterday afternoon for everything I will need for tomorrow, so I'm set, all except for the actual cooking of the meal. My menu is in stone now. Here it is:

Turkey
Dressing (we prefer chicken dressing)
Cranberry sauce
Candied sweet potatoes
Corn
Creamed Potatoes (especially for Cale)
Peas (purple hull & english)
Cole slaw
Corn bread
Rolls
Grape Salad
Apple Pie (requested by Noelle)
Apple Dumplings (requested by Scot & Cale)

And I say... YUM-YUM!

I am posting two of the recipes I will prepare tomorrow. You might enjoy making these sometime for your family. The apple dumpling recipe was posted at an earlier date. Just click on recipes at my side bar. By the way.... Happy Thanksgiving Eve By George!

Grape Salad

5 cups seedless grapes

1 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 8 oz. sour cream

1 cup conf. sugar

Cream sour cream, cream cheese, and sugar. Stir in grapes until coated.

Pour in bowl or oblong dish.

Topping

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Mix topping ingred. together and sprinkle over the grape

mixture. Chill and serve!

***********************

Fresh Apple Pie

(this is my mothers recipe)

2 cups finely chopped apples

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 unbaked pie shell

3/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons flour

1 egg, beaten

1 stick margerine, melted

Mix apples and allspice together and place in unbaked pie shell.

Combine sugar and flour, stir in beaten egg and margerine.

Pour over apples and bake at 325 for 1 hour.

THANKS-LIVING, DAY 25

BEAUTIFUL WISHES FOR A HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING.

CARDS FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

THANKS-LIVING DAY 24

Today is the 24th day of my thanksliving posts. I'm so glad I thought about doing these thanksliving moments because I have started noticing more things around me on a daily basis. I told someone the other day that blogging is my therapy. I know these posts have helped me more than they have my readers. I have always tried to be thankful and I've always gotten kicks out of little things, but the entire month of November has just been extra blessed this year due to me posting special things each day about autumn and Thanksgiving, and just special blessings that occur from day to day. Today, I have thought about my menu for Thanksgiving day. My parents are coming to eat lunch with us. They are bringing dressing, corn, and I'm not sure what else. I think I will cook turkey, candied sweet potatoes, creamed potatoes (for Cale),
fried okra, peas, cornbread and rolls. Noelle is in here suggesting apple pie for dessert. Hmm, we'll see. I'm excited about the holiday, probably more this year than ever before. Well, come to think of it, 24 years ago, when Scot and I were dating over the phone (he lived in Texas & Louisiana), we hadn't seen each other in over a month, and he was coming home Thanksgiving Eve, so I have to say that was a pretty anticipated Thanksgiving.
So today, I guess my thanksliving moment would be for little things in life that are such big blessings to me, just like these posts.
And from my heart, without details, I thank God for his watch and care over my family, and for hearing and answering my prayers.

THANKS-LIVING DAY 23

I HAVE HAD A GLORIOUS DAY!!! Our Sun. morning service at church was wonderful this morning. He may be my husband, but he's also my pastor; and I just have to say that my pastor preached a great message this morning. It was a huge help to me. He read Isaiah 29:15 through 24. He brought out such good points about hiding sin, denying and forgetting God, putting forth as much effort and time in things of God as we do worldly things. He told us to keep up the time that we talked about things such as football, hunting, or whatever it is that interest us, and to compare that time with our prayer time, Bible study, and inviting others to church and witnessing. He also said that we as Christians do what we want to. If we want to be faithful to church, we are. If we want to read our Bible, we do. If we want to witness, we do. If we want to pray, we do. (and so forth) That is sooo true. That is just a little tid bit of his sermon, but that is what stood out to me that I need to improve on.

I went to an ordination service at Old Paths Baptist Church. Bro. James Segars was being ordained to preach. Eudell Crane, Joe Chumbley, Kim Wells, Stanley Page, Horace Stepp, Ronald Gober, and Reggie Segars were being ordained as deacons. It was a very sweet and touching service. I have known all of these men except Stanley all of my life, and I've known him for probably 20 years. Stanley is such a good man, one of the friendliest people I've ever met. (I apologize for not getting his and Terri's pic. I thought I did. I was sitting in the back, trying to not make a scene taking some pictures.) Eudell is like an uncle to me; a very precious man in my life, and Mr. Chumbley and I have some wonderful memories from church and school. I saw people from my home church and family and friends I rarely see, so it was just a wonderful time for me to witness the ordination and to see people that have been such bright spots in my life.

I came home just in time for everyone to jump in the van and head to the Community Thanksgiving service at First Baptist. The community choir practice was at 4. The choir was awesome!!! I had so much fun!

Stephanie and Brandon came home with us. We all ate supper, then played scattergories until 10 o'clock. We had sooo much fun. And by the way, filly ( a girl horse) is spelled with an 'f', not 'ph'. YAYYY FOR ME!!! Had to be here! And a car part that begins with 'f' is a fuel gage thingy. They made me mark that one out.

We had a super busy weekend, and I am a pooped momma, but so much happened that will forever be etched in my mind. God is so generous to give me such happy memories to think upon. There goes that warm, mushy feeling in my heart again.

THANKS-LIVING DAY 22

Cale & Clay pose in between games.

Cale with friends Clay, Julie, & Olivia
Sam, Jimmy, Roan




Leah with a tractor. She and Sam enjoyed playing tractors

in the living room while the big kids......

played pool in Cale's room.

I'm thankful for a good time with the Johnsons.

It was a blessing to have them in our home.

THANKS-LIVING DAY 21

Chrissy, Zack, & Tristen
Tristen & Cale Bo

The card gang!

The grandchildren.

Cale, Tristen, Noelle, Chrissy, and the one fighting and hiding her face is Meagan! (she hates pictures, but I told her she might as well get over it!)ha.

We ate supper at Scot's parents house last night. They deep fried whole chickens and had lots of veggies, homemade rolls, pound cake (from scratch), fruit soup, and I carried a bread pudding. The kids (young and old) played cards after supper. The rest of us looked at some older pictures that Nora Ann had downloaded on cd's. They looked really neat on the tv. Kim and I had a different hair style every year! (some were doozies) ha. Back to our supper; we were celebrating our niece (Kim's oldest daughter) Chrissy's birthday. She is 23 years old today! She is married to Zack and they have a 2 year old little boy, Tristen. Happy Birthday Chrissy! We were also celebrating Scot's (older) sister Kim's birthday. She will be *** the 25th. Happy Birthday Kim!

So, today, I am thankful for my husbands family. I love being a George.

THANKS-LIVING DAY 20

This morning my heart is just all warm and gooey feeling with an extra appreciation and love for the dear friends God has so richly blessed me with. I'm thinking of Prov. 17:17, A friend loveth at all times... and 18:25, A man that hath friends must show himself friendly....

I can't remember a time in my life that I haven't had friends! Friends come to us sometimes in such odd and unexpected ways. For instance, I have friends now that I had never heard of just 3 short months ago. We have met such precious people through pastoring and through homeschooling activities. There are those people that immediately when you meet them, there is just that kindred spirit there and you connect. Then, there are others that you think you don't connect with that end up being so dear to your heart. And then there are those friendships that we've had for many-many years, and although distance keeps us apart, when we do get together or talk via phone, email, etc., it's just like one sentence stopped years ago and the next sentence just picks up where we left off. I am very hesitate to name names on my post because there is no way I can list every one of my friends here and I would never desire to leave anyone out. But, I will say that I have been overjoyed lately to reconnect with some old and very dear friends and that it brings that warm gooey feeling to my heart that I mentioned at the beginning of this post. I have to throw this in here though; I love all my friends, but through the years, I know I have let my friends down, usually through my ignorance, but nevertheless, let them down; and I have had friends that have let me down or disappointed me. This is why I felt the need to say that; we are all human. I have a friend Jesus who has never let me down, He has never disappointed me, He has never forsaken me, He has never moved away from me, He has never been too busy, He has never been uninterested in me, and He has loved me and cared for me at my very worst! Now-that is a friend!!!! I highly recommend my friend Jesus to you. His grace and mercy are truly amazing. Today, I am truly thankful for all my friends. God has used you to bless my life much more than most of you could ever imagine. I try to be a good friend, but being the sinner(saved by God's grace) that I am, I am limited in love, help, comfort, etc.,but Jesus is not limited. The rest of the verse in Prov. 18:24 says, and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

THANKS-LIVING, DAY 19

One of the wives sent this dish to the mens fellowship Sat. night. The men were all bragging on it. I haven't made this yet, but since so many of the men were talking about it, I figure it's got to be good. I plan to make it soon.

Apple Dumplings

2 apples

1 can crescent rolls

1 cup orange juice

1 cup sugar

1 stick butter

cinnamon

Slice apples and roll up in crescent rolls; place in pan and sprinkle with cinnamon. Melt butter, sugar, orange juice; pour this mixture of syrup over rolls. Place in oven on 350 degrees until brown. The recipe says that you can add pecans to mixture and serve with ice cream while hot.

THANKS-LIVING, DAY 18

Good Tuesday morning. Isn't it funny (not ha-ha) how God uses unexpected things and people to encourage us or to just give us that special little nudge that says keep on keeping on? Do you ever get discouraged or sort of blah but you really don't even know why? Well, if you don't, I'm honestly so happy for you. Maybe it's just me- but some days I just feel weary and although in my mind and heart, I know God does all things well, I know that He is in control, I know how blessed I am, I know I am loved by God and others, I do!- I know ALL of this, but then, I still feel blah sometimes, you know, my tail is dragging instead of wagging! Today I am thankful for those unexpected pleasures that God sends my way to encourage me and lift me up and honestly, just to make my day; a shot in the arm so to speak! Today, He used someone in a nearby town that I have never met. She just left some kind words on one of my posts and when I read it, it was like a little extra "UMP" came over me. Thank you S. And thank you Lord for the people that are blessings to me.

THANKS-LIVING DAY 17

I have hummed the following song for several days now; without even thinking of what I'm singing or humming; I find myself finding this song over and over. Thought I'd share. I can't help but share all three verses with you. I honestly had never really read the verses that closely, but Saturday afternoon, the third verse just blessed my soul and hope just swelled up within me. What a mighty and awesome Holy God I serve.

This Is My Father's World

(Malthie D. Babcock)

1. This is my Father's world,

And to my list'ning ears;

All nature sings and round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world;

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees,

Of skies and seas;

His hand the wonders wrought.

2. This is my Father's world;

The birds their carols raise.

The morning light, the lily white,

Declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world,

He shines in all that's fair.

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,

He speaks to me everywhere.

3. This is my Father's world,

O let me ne'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world;

The battle is not done;

Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied,

And earth and heav'n be one.

THANKS-LIVING DAY 16

For my whole family, for the joy my children bring.

For shoes on our feet, plenty to eat, Thank You Lord.

For the church where I worship and pray,

For the freedom I have today.

For your Spirit I feel, your presence so real,

Thank you Lord.

(from "Thank You Lord")

There's a roof up above me, I've a good place to sleep.

There's food on my table and shoes on our feet.

You gave me your love Lord and a fine family.

Thank You Lord for your blessings on me.

(from "Thank You Lord For Your Blessings on Me")

THANKS-LIVING, DAY 15

The Bethany Ladies got together last night for our "Fall Fling" and we all had such a good time. We laughed, cried, and were inspired. 'Beautiful Blessings' was our theme this year. I had prayed about it and Gen. 12:2, where God is talking to Abram about being a blessing and Eph. 1:3, where it's talking about spiritual blessings came to my mind. I wanted it to be a 2 fold lesson. Number 1: the blessing we can be to others just by obeying God and doing what we know to do.

Number 2: the spiritual blessings we receive from God. (also just the beauty God places around us, you know, like my front porch moments.) Amy D. decorated the fellowship hall in beautiful fall flowers, corn, etc. She did a great job and all the ladies raved about how pretty the room looked.

We played a silly game before we ate. Kim was in charge of games. She brought 2 hats that tied, 2 scarves, 2 purses, 2 Bibles, and 2 pair of sunglasses. She divided us into 2 teams. Each person on each team had to put the hat on, tie it, put the scarf and sunglasses on, hold the purse and Bible, and then pass it all to the person behind her. The team that did this the fastest got to go first in line. The first two pics show Kim and Carolyn sporting this attire! Mrs. Carolyn asked the blessing over our wonderful meal of ham, lasagna, grape salad, dips, breads, sandwiches, vegetable trays, and desserts of all kinds.

After we ate, Amy D. prayed for the rest of our program. I lead the ladies in singing "Thank You Lord" and "This Is My Fathers World." Sherry spoke on spiritual and physical blessings. She brought out many good thoughts and inspired me to make a point of being positive and to notice my blessings more and to choose peace and joy. Amy J. then sang "Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me." It was very touching to all of us. After Amy sang, Noelle spoke on Gen. 12:2 about when God told Abram to leave his home and kin and God told him he would make him a blessing. Abram just obeyed not knowing what his future held, and God was true to His word. I was a very proud momma. It was then Debbies turn to sing. Now Debbie cracks us all up. It's not her singing; she has a lovely voice, but she talked a little before she sang, and bless her heart, she's just honest, and is so hilarious not even meaning to be. She sang "A Greater Yes." I sang "God Has Been So Good To Me." Mrs. Bernice dismissed us from that part of our service, then Kim lead us in a game of jeapardy. We had so much fun. I'm thankful for the wonderful time we had and for God's Spirit that was so real, and for my sweet friends!