Another Thanksgiving has passed

The hustle and bustle of shopping for groceries for the Thanksgiving meal, preparing the meal, enjoying the meal with family, all done for yet another year.
We follow traditions in our family.  Mom always makes her delicious dressing, gravy, and my great grandmother's pecan pie.  Richard's mom brings the tea and the incredible rolls from our favorite bakery, Saveges.  It would not Thanksgiving without a trip to Savages. I cook the turkey and Richard carves the turkey.  I make green bean bundles, homemade mashed potatoes and chocolate mousse for dessert.  

Everyone was sufficiently fed and appetites satisfied.  Yet another successful Thanksgivng at the O'Neal home.  This was our 19th Thanksgiving around our table in this home.  I still see the little girl and the little boy sitting at our table.  The little girl is now 21 and the little boy is now 19.   Thank you God for your many blessings. Now on to Christmas!

 

What are you Thankful For?

Can it be time for Thanksgiving again? It seems as though we went from flip flops to Halloween costumes in the blink of an eye. I know when Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is just peeking out from behind the beautiful, November moon.

There is always a hustle and bustle to get just the right turkey, plan the traditional meal offerings, and making sure that I have everyone's favorite side dish or dessert. My favorite side dish is my Mother's dressing. It is honestly the best that I have ever had. I look forward to it every Thanksgiving. I have tried to assemble the recipe myself, but for some reason, it never tastes the same. My mother, does not have a recipe, she just makes it. You know, a pinch of this and a smidgen of that. The way southern Mama's cook.

This year, both of our children are in college. This has been the first year for both of them to be away. It's been quite an adjustment but it's been good and so many good things have happened for both of them. I'm am just a little excited about them coming home tomorrow. Actually, I am VERY excited about them coming home.

Back to the title of this post. I am so thankful to serve a God who has chosen me to be his child, adopted by Him, to honor, praise and glorify Him every day of my life. He who gave me eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I am thankful for His word that He has provided for us to be in constant fellowship with Him and for His word convicting me and leading me back to Him whenever I stray. I am thankful to Him and eternally grateful. As the song says, "I scarce can take it in."

I am thankful for my family for making my life worth living and for adding so much joy to my life, more than I could have ever imagined. God blessed us when he gave us a daughter and a son to care for, to love and to train them in the way of the Lord. Both were brought into God's family at young ages. They have continued to grow spiritually and in their love for the Lord. I am thankful that they know how important it is to serve others and to be a witness. We have taken care of their earthly needs, now they are old enough to figure out what kind of adults they want to be and how they want to spend their lives serving God by serving others, which all comes back to Glorifying our Father.

I realize as I type this post, that everything that I am thankful for, God has provided. I have not mentioned anything about material things. Can it be that God is still working in my life and He has made me realize what is truly important in this life? If I do not worship Him, if I do not glorify Him, if I do not find peace in His Words, and if I do not share the gospel with others, there is not much to be thankful for is there? "Oh to grace how great a debtor, daily I'm constrained to be."

Happy Thanksgiving....."give thanks with a grateful heart."

Beach Retreat

Our time at the beach is always refreshing for our family. Going to our favorite place, relaxing by the shoreline, watching the seagulls, with a few manta rays and dolphin provided by God...just to remind us of His beautiful creation. Time on the beach just being able to reflect on all that God has done through many generations, and how HE is still the same God today. I thank Him for allowing this time together.

Being able to just rest, have no schedule, and go to our favorite restaurants brings a sense of security and comfort. It's our home away from home. It seems we are all able to just be ourselves and laugh and talk and share what is on our hearts. Sometimes, not asking questions but being attentive as to what is not said, is the best communication.

Thank you God for providing such a respite for our family. You were in charge of the details of this short trip, you made it happen and you are glorified. Thank you for your creation of your universe, and of your people....my family.