wrapping it up...

in a big way...what a huge list of gratefulness I have from today!

I am thankful for these two, how uniquely God created them and is growing them...

I am thankful for the great variety in good friends for my children

I am thankful for a beautiful home where we can host things like 30 for Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for all of the help God has put in my life...

Gertha, Micheline, Leme, Simeon, Junior, Walnique, Moise, Matt, Emily, Phil, Haylie and Ethan, Giselaine...

I am thankful for the ability to host a Thanksgiving that is about giving Thanks to God...full of worship and prayer, uplifting conversation and encouragement.  This is NOT everyone's Thanksgiving table, and I am grateful.

I am thankful to have a worship leader living next door...God has used Emily's gift of worship so many times to speak to me and draw me close.

I am grateful today for a very sweet moment of worshiping with my girls, both of them singing their hearts out...

Thank you for saving me...thank you for SAVING me...

I will remember their sweet voices and snuggles worshiping on Thanksgiving together today forever.

I am thankful for more food than most of the world can imagine.  For ONE meal.  

It could NOT have been better...wanna eat a good meal?  Find some missionaries who are experts at cooking everything by scratch!

I am thankful for so many children.  I am thankful for these dear children, I am thankful for the dear children we have drawn close to through Lily and Sofie's schools, and I am thankful for the joy and unique faith perspective they bring to everything.

I am thankful for Dave and Marilyn, who spent all day helping us set up tables, set tables, make 60 rolls, think of things I hadn't thought of, bringing ice and spoons, and best, filling our morning with sweet conversation and encouragement.

Each person on the our field sent me lists of things they are thankful for for our placemats today, and you know what 75+ year old Dave's was?  That he is growing in his walk with Christ.  What a testimony for us... we must never be done getting to know and emitting our Lord.  We are NEVER to be finished.  Life is NEVER to now be OUR turn.  Never to be all about us now.  So thankful.  

I'm thankful for our team.  Even though we're only together once a week, it is a blessing every time we are, and I'm grateful to be a part of such a positive, uplifting, sacrificial family.

I'm thankful for a beautiful day of friendship, for a God who makes Giving Thanks an overwhelming privilege, for my dear God-given family, and for you.

My Thanksgiving is drawing to a close tonight with a cup of decaf (though my giving thanks is not!)

...But your Thanksgiving season is just beginning...

how's your list coming?