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Here is a sampling of the fruit that was picked off the Thanksgiving Tree today in preparation for Christmas decorations.

I’m thankful for being at the Promise House.

I am thankful for family.

I am thankful for my friends.

Hot showers!

I am thankful for the second chance at life I discovered during my time at Promise House. I am also thankful for the strength I found in myself during my pregnancy that has seen me through so many difficult times since then.

For the people who care and love me and Kylee.

I’m thankful for God’s AMAZING grace!!

I am thankful for God’s guidance and care through our pregnancies.

I am thankful for my house and my mom’s truck.

I am thankful for my brother.

I am thankful for me.

I am thankful because I’m alive and my family is alive too.

I’m thankful for Christmas.

I’m thankful for my health and strength.

My family and friends.

I’m thankful for Mr. and Mrs. Bush.

I’m thankful to be a listener, supporter, and giver. And to help and assist others.

I am thankful for Ms. Ruth!!

I’m thankful for food and my very nice roommate.

I’m thankful for my mom and my brother.

Jennifer, Ryan, Amanda, Sophia, Keri, Tera, Edith, Brittany, Sherry, Michelle: For all the joy you bring into my life.

I am so thankful to be alive!! Today is full of possibilities!!

I’m thankful for my baby girl!

I am thankful for my family – especially Esten.

I’m thankful for my family and friends.

I’m thankful for being cancer free for 10 years.

I’m thankful for my bed that makes my back hurt at night.

This article by Tony Campolo talks about how the traditional party boundary markers are becoming more and more obscure. It has always kind of bothered me that to vote anything other than Republican is looked upon as wrong in the Baptist camp. A lot of that sentiment hangs on the abortion issue. This article takes a second look at that idea.

After 36 hours of attempted inducement, Kylee made it to the outside world by c-section at 9:25 this morning. Everyone seems to be doing fine. Kylee weighs 9 lbs. and 13 oz.!! And she is 21.75 inches long. Yup. That’s right. She’s a two-month old.

Here she is just 2 hours old.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

I was exhausted and elated after watching Arkansas upset the then #1 LSU Tigers in triple overtime (50-48). That had to be one of the most incredible games in Razorback football history (along with the “Miracle on Markham”).

Now, as expected, Houston Nutt is gone. ESPN is reporting that he’s heading to Ole Miss. A pretty good lateral move. That should spark up a new rivalry.

One last thing: McFadden deserves the Heisman! Ok, that’s all I’m going to say about that.

This article is pretty interesting. It’s about a guy who kept a diary of his life . . . in 5 minute increments. Wow. “Shields was nothing if not committed and only slept for two-hours at a time so he could describe his dreams.”

Thanks. I don’t think about that word or what it means as much as I should. However, for the past few days gratefulness seems to have become my default. Every time I turn around there is something else to be thankful for. Not big stuff . . . just things that I tend to take for granted. And, quite frankly, it feels really good. It’s hard to be to be worried about the usual stuff when I’m busy saying thanks for all the things that go right each day. I guess it’s appropriate. Thanksgiving is just one day away. But, I hope it’s more than just the holidays. I like being thankful. When I’m full of thanks, I’m also full of joy.

I thought of a tangible way for us at the Promise House to express our thankfulness. I put up a Thanksgiving Tree. Sophia and I pulled out the Christmas tree a few weeks early and pieced it together next to the fireplace. We put one string of white lights on it to give it some sparkle. Then we punched holes in index cards and looped some string through them. There is a big basket on the kitchen table filled with blank index cards. Whenever anyone thinks of something to be thankful for, they write it on the card and hang it on the tree. The tree is filling up! We have a lot of visitors at the Promise House and whenever someone comes in, I explain to them what it is and give them the chance to give some thanks. So far, 15 or so people have expressed their gratitude by way of the Thanksgiving Tree.

Here is Sophia helping me tie string to the index cards. I am so thankful for Sophia.

The Thanksgiving Tree!

Tangible Thanksgiving!

In case you haven’t noticed, there is a recurring gorilla theme on this blog. Here’s another story for you monkey lovers out there.

Our compassionate efforts toward justice guarantee a deepened faith and prayer life. They will lead us to disciplines of the spirit and of the heart. By engaging with suffering, we learn true joy. By touching despair, we discover what it means to embrace hope. By coming to know Christ crucified, we participate in his resurrection. By pouring ourselves out, we gain our lives.- Joyce Hollyday

Bob the Builder that is . . .

Sophia met Bob when she was just a few months old in Peru. She has loved him ever since. Maybe it’s the stylish hard hat. Or maybe it’s the form fitting overalls. But, it’s probably that ‘can-do’ attitude we’ve all come to know and love!

Here is a 2 minute video of Sophia watching Bob. (For the grandmas!)

And here are some of the her best facial expressions while watching Bob.