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Remember the New Year’s Resolutions I made way back when? “Participate in Significant Celebration” was one of them. Over the past year I’ve put some energy and creativity into rethinking significant dates (Christmas and Easter, for example). Amidst that rethinking we initiated last year what I hope will be a lifelong family tradition, the Thanksgiving Tree.

It’s amazing what happens when we make an abstract idea tangible. The Thanksgiving Tree is our reminder to be grateful. Every time we think of something for which we are thankful, we write it down and hang it on the tree. It’s filling up fast!

Once Thanksgiving Day arrives, we’ll take all the cards down and read them. You can read the ones from last year here.

David Cole helping us find a good tree. We decided against the Banana tree. Mainly because they attract monkeys.

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.

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!

“I’ll make a list of God’s gracious dealings, all the things God has done that need praising, All the generous bounties of God . . . compassion lavished, love extravagant.  – Isaiah 63:7

Air to breathe this morning.

The rain.

An organization committed to accomplishing what God wants.

A wife who is my best friend, who challenges me, who encourages me.

A wife to share this journey of knowing God with.

The internet.

Family who supports us.

Food to eat. Clothes to wear. Shelter.

New life in Christ.

A renewed heart and mind after I have tainted it.

Being debt free.

The ability to talk to my Creator.

Books.

Life.

Mercy. Grace. Freedom.

The opportunity to go to OBU and learn about him in classes and from his people.

Allowing me to be a part of the Geyer Springs family.

Friends like the Motes, Branscums, Johnsons, Copelands, Roes, Davids, etc., etc.

Saving me.

Growing me.

Loving me.

Ron, Barbara, Calvin, Ginger, Jessica, Ethan, Andrew, Betsy, Milo, and Sue E.

Dixie Cafe.

His Word.

Card games.

Music, specifically U2, Matt Redman, Delirious?.

Naps.

Allowing us to go to Peru to serve him.

Allowing us to serve him.

Abudant life.

Advacado. Chips and salsa. Sopapillas.

Friendship.

Snow.

The cross.

Our letter from the IMB, was to be sent out on October 25th. We were in Peru with a team from Geyer Springs FBC from the 22nd to the 30th. Our letter offering us a job in Peru arrived in Cabot. Amanda’s parents emailed us the good news. Luckily our little village in the Andes (Tambo) had an internet hookup. We celebrated our one year anniversary (Oct. 25th) and our acceptance into the ISC program in Peru! Things are moving quickly now. My job at GSFBC ends November 21st. We are to be out of our apartment by November 22nd. Thanksgiving through the new year we will be enjoying time with family and friends.