Monday, December 5, 2011

Thanksgiving

I made it home for Thanksgiving.
Guess how happy I am about that?

Would you believe we are missing some?
...grandkids and great-grandkids, that is.  And one precious spouse who has gone Home.

Yep, squeeze the baby boy and baby girl in the middle of the back row to try to keep us in check.
Should have thought to separate us instead.
(note, I'm playing with Don's hair, but Steve had just been making a halo over Ruth's head...he's just as guilty. I am NOT a tattle-tale!)
Family
Solid steps to build one~
Solid steps to support one~
Solid steps to leave the next generation to climb~

Charles Peguy said, "We must be saved together.  We cannot go to God alone; else he would ask, 'Where are the others?'"

I'm so grateful to have made the journey from Germany to Texas to share Thanksgiving with my family.  I'm grateful for all my days, that I have had time to see this family built.  And I have hope for the next generation.  That we continue to fortify the steps, help climb them, and celebrate Thanksgiving each step of the way.

Nehemiah said about rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem after the return from exile...
"The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall.  Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there.  Our God will fight for us!"  Nehemiah 4:19,20

We are family, Favored One.  Grateful to join together along the wall!


Counting gratitude is the straight road through Advent to the birth of Christ...

605.  Space Available seats on a military flight, home and back
606.  A great rental car and a man who drove the 4000 miles roundtrip from Baltimore to Texas and back without a single complaint
607.  Children who never complain of the hours spent in the car
608.  Two single airmen, who when asked about a shuttle to the airport, ended their meal and drove the five of us there instead of letting us ride a bus
609.  Coming home, having already opened the gifts of the Season: peace, generosity, love, gratitude, fellowship, sacrifice.
610.  The gift of being present.

2 comments:

  1. How wonderful it is to see your family together. I have heard so much about most of them. Your mother is very proud of each one of you. I love a big family. Your dad looks great. Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos.
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Lisa! We are so blessed! Hope your Advent is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.