Happy Thanksgiving!!! Today has been a wonderful day. Well, except for when my brother-in-law, who lives in Alabama, called at 6 am CA time to wish us a happy day! We had gotten into Fresno around midnight and finally in bed around 1 am and then to get this "wonderful" loving call so early, needless to say our day started early!!
We visited and got ready for a short hop up to Friant where our cousin has 40 acres. Bev had gotten the turkey cooked, green bean casserole baked, mashed potatoes mashed, yams candied, salad tossed, rolls warmed, and the gravy stirred by the time we got there around 1 pm. My sister-in-law, Becky, and her family had driven in from San Jose and met us up there. My other sister-in-law, Sharon, had come in to Fresno yesterday and Mark and I rode up the hill with her family. All in all there were 26 of us who celebrated God's bountiful blessings together.
After we ate, Mark took a nap in my lap for about an hour while the kids got to ride Bev's and Roger's horses. Riss, Jessi, and Justin, as well as their cousins, LOVE getting to ride the horses and roam the acreage for hours when we visit! It is a beautiful area and where Mark and I had our very first "date" 16 years ago when we celebrated Memorial Day with Roger, Beverly, and the rest of the family. It was fun sitting in the back seat, holding hands, and remembering how things got started for us so long ago!
I am soooooo blessed to have Mark in my life! He is a wonderful husband and loves me JUST LIKE Jesus loves me!! He knows all about me and yet, when needed, he forgives, encourages, and keeps on loving me!!!! He may be quiet around most people, but he sure does tell some of the funniest jokes and shares his innermost thoughts with me!! ME!!! Yeah, I am blessed!
My children are another wonderful blessing! Marissa is now 13 and is growing into a beautiful young lady. She is a wonderful cook and once we get her to keep her opinion to herself except when solicited, she will prove what we already know is true....she is a smart, sweet, take charge kind of person who will become a great leader for her family and friends in the future! Our bear, Jessica, is also becoming a beautiful young lady! She is 11 and entering the pre-teen angst ridden years. I have to keep her in prayer because she is sooooo sensitive! I don't want her getting bogged down with the cares of life and lose sight of who she is in God! Justin, our future preacher, president, general, contractor, policeman, scientist, is 9 and will shortly be entering the pre-teen years as well. He is simply brilliant and who knows what he will become for the Lord!?! I tell him to serve the Lord whole heartedly and let God lead him into what He has in store for the future!
The rest of my family, friends, fellow saints, co-workers, and a host of others are more reasons to give Thanks unto the Lord! My home, car, clothes, etc. weigh in as well. I could spend the whole eternity listing "things" I am thankful for but what matters most is God's grace and mercy! Thank God for His sacrifice, His blood, His resurrection that make a way for me to be forgiven and blessed!
I pray your Thanksgiving time has been blessed and will bear fruit of another year of God's blessings being showered upon your life! Live with an Attitude of Gratitude every day and you will find there is nothing to complain about!!!!
GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU UNTIL HIS SOON RETURN!!!!!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
3 comments:
I am very THANKful for my JOYful friend Jana Banana. I hope she knows that I love her and feel honored to be her friend. Daily I'm amazed at the way she lets God use her. Her talents are many and they are astounding! But, besides all this mushy stuff - she's just a great lady who has a JOYful heart which she happily shares with those around her.
I love you!
HG
I'm thankful for you, Jana. I remember when your husband was transferred to Rialto, and you became a part of our church there. Mark with his quiet strength and faithfulness and you with your exuberance and talent were fresh strength to us. And in these days I enjoy reading your blog so much.
Refresh my memory, Jana. How many children did you have when Jerry and I left Rialto?
Hope your holidays continue to be so wonderful.
(I wrote a similar comment here a couple of days ago, but it must not have posted. Hope it's not around here twice somewhere. Oh, well, you would know then how much I really enjoy knowing you...and how talented I think you are.)
Love
HG, you are a doll!! I love you too! Thanks for thinking I have astounding talent, even though we both know that it is only because God is in control! By myself, it would amount to nothing!
Sis. Buxton,
We were so blessed to be under the ministry of your husband and yourself for that last year you were in Rialto. You both are amazing people who we esteem highly! I am glad you drop by and read my feeble attempts at blogging.
When you left Rialto, Mark and I had Marissa, who was 1 and 1/2 and were expecting Jessica. Jessi was born October 4, right before the Bookers were here full time instead of in between Arroyo and Rialto.
Did you get your Christmas shopping done? I hope you had a wonderful time back in Crestline and the shopping was good enough to see you through the next few months in Lake Havasu.
I love both of these beautiful ladies!! SO Glad they are in my life!
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