Giving Thanks

Well, it is official, I am the dessert queen. When the email came to my inbox inquiring what I

would be bringing for Thanksgiving, I replied (all), "Dessert, of course! After all, I am the dessert queen even though I have not received a crown yet!"

This is my sister, Vicki. She honored me with the crown today. Isn't it cool that we wore the same color? I was lauded (jk) for the pudding pie (you know-the easy kind w/ instant pudding and cool whip?), the blueberry pretzel dessert, and the chocolate-chippy pumpkin bread. I guess the dessert is the grand finale. All of the food prep deserved rewarding, and it was all in fun! I wanted to get a large chocolate kiss for a scepter, but never found one. Wouldn't that be fun? I could have drilled a hole in the bottom and stuck a dowel in it, and bonked my siblings w/ it. Unfortunately I never found one.

I love my family. I love when we can laugh together and enjoy one another's company, one another's food, and one another's kids...we have lots of those when you add them up!

After a three hour drive into Amish country, we met up @ my brother's farm where we gobbled alot of food and kissed alot of cheeks. I so miss those baby cheeks...

My d.h. w/nephew, Isaac. Girls playing. Girls lining up @ the buffet...Blessings of abundance!

An Age Old Lesson

I have been battling a grumbling spirit, yes. And right before THANKSGIVING...and I admit, a few times he has won. I have failed to resist. It squares with my old nature, part of which I am still in need of giving a crucifixion-daily.

As one can see in the book of Exodus, as Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt to the promised land, once grumbling started, all hell broke loose-the enemy had a foothold, I mean. Faith ended and idolatry began...think the golden calf, the quail, the bitter water...

So what happens to me or you when we grumble? The darkness begins to get the upper hand. The cloud sets in. I find myself growing more negative if I allow it. I used to think I was a victim of my thoughts. One day the Lord showed me differently. He made it clear that it was a choice I made, that I had control - by yielding my will to His Spirit-it's called obedience. I also can choose my focus. How do I see things? Through the lens of "poor me" or the other one "He is faithful". I need to check my pronouns in my thought life-are they me or He???

Be joyful ALWAYS, pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. REMIND ME LORD! HELP ME!

Tonight we had a lovely Thanksgiving service @ church, highlighting being thankful, and how it accompanies joy. We lose joy if we are not grateful. I spend alot of time praising and thanking God, but when I get busy, too busy...too busy because I have over-extended myself saying "yes" to too many things (and that during the hormone crisis of the month), I end up having the struggle w/ "grumpy-spirit". I praise God that He has given me everything I need to resist the devil and make him flee. I praise Him that by His Spirit, I can take the thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. And I thank Him for His loving kindness that leads me to repentance when I cave to "grumpy-spirit". I thank Him that my Jesus' blood covers my sin once again. Grace.

When we are weak, He is strong.
HAVE A HAPPY, JOY-FILLED THANKSGIVING!