1000 Gifts: Thanksgiving & Family

"Now, our God, we give you thanks,

and praise your glorious name."

1 Chronicles 29:13

After a delicious & bountiful & wonderful-in-every-way holiday,

I return home refreshed.

Re-energized.

Re-supplied.

And ever-s0-grateful to the One who provided it all.

So this morning, I give thanks to my Abba Father,

for He has done great things!

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two Thanksgiving celebrations... with family all around

one in Maryland with Chris's clan and one in the woods... with my mom and dad

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this house... their home... their arms-open-wide welcoming, their selfless giving,

their forever-care, their always-love

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gatherings, assemblies, shared meals, and rejoicings as we give Him thanks... together

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the earnest prayer of my 8-year old son, "Lord, help us to be thankful..."

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a busy kitchen, tireless preparation, a bustle of activity... delicious expectation!

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lively conversation. everyone gathered 'round. favorite dishes. tasty treats.

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dinner plates scraped clean. full, full bellies.

left-overs and "re-runs" for days to come...

food that satisfies over and over and over again

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homemade donuts for dessert, the joy of traditions

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my grandmother's crystal candlesticks, an heirloom from days gone by.

Once they graced her dining room table; this past Thursday, they illuminated once again~

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naps by the fire

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books by the fire

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a bench to share

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a weekend to rest and chop wood and watch football and play!

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Sunday morning worship, a shared pew, Christmas hymns & celebration songs.

beautiful Words... our Light has come!

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a heart of joy and a new song

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this advent season, our great anticipation, our wonderful hope... in the miraculous birth of a Baby... Emmanuel has come!

"And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

and all flesh shall see it together."

Isaiah 40:5

and my list continues...