Thanksgiving Memories

Growing up Thanksgiving was such a big deal to me. I can still picture my grandmother's old grey house, that she paid $1 a year rent for. The house that my mother moved into when she was in 4th grade. The place I would go to when I would get sick at school and my mother couldn't pick me up right away.

The grandkids, 8 of us before the wedding rings started appearing, mostly played in the large back yard. The lot behind my grandmother's house had a bright red barn that I dreamed about playing in, though I never did. There was usually a game of football going on. I tried to act like I knew what was going on. I remember sliding down the tin door of my grandma's cellar and walking back up it.

The spare bedroom, with two full size beds was where we talked and played when it was too cold or too dark to play outside. We tried to stay out of the way of the adults. I just tried to stay away from my uncles Willard and Carl, they were mean I thought! They tried to tickle me or would reach out and grab me just to hear my scream!

I adored my cousins. They were all older then me. My brother was the closest to me in age and he was 5 years older. I even had a crush on my cousin Jerry before I knew that you weren't suppose to have crushes on your cousins. Tanya and Sheri would "torture" me. I remember crying once because they were swinging me back and forth by my hands and feet and I just knew they were going to drop me on my head and it would hurt! But I still wanted to hang out with them because they were so beautiful! They got to wear makeup and talked about boys! From time to time they would dote on me and play with my hair.

Each year my grandmother would bake a ham, fix mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, sweet potatoes (with the marshmallows of course) oh and the turkey dressing... my dear mother's dressing comes very close but it's just not the same and I couldn't tell you what the difference would be except that it was my grandmother making it back then. My aunt Lorene would make green stuff that I was sure had another name (pistachio pudding) but I didn't know it. To us it was green and actually good. Because my grandmother's table would only seat 8 we had to eat in shifts. The men always went first and everyone else after that depending on how hungry you were and how fast you got to the table. The women ate last. Sometimes if I was especially starved I would get to eat mine on a TV tray in the living room.

Because of the condition of the house and my grandmother's health she had to move to a smaller house a few years before she died. That's what I miss most. The house usually got hot because there were around 25 people crammed into this tiny house, but we didn't mind, and usually dressed for it! I loved it! I loved the closeness of the family. The hugs and laughter filled my heart. My grandmother died in the Spring of 1998. Just a few days after my 19th birthday. With her death came a separation of the family. Oh, we still love each other very much and see each other from time to time, but my grandmother was the glue that held us together. Now we are scattered to the four winds. Our lives no longer intertwine during the months of November and December, but the memories of a time when they did will always bring a smile to my face.

Army mom

My son decided in October to pursue one of his boyhood dreams to enter the military. He decided to Go Army instead of the Air Force like his dad. Military life was always good to us through Bob's twenty years but I was surprised how hard it was for me to trust God with Russell in the Army. He shipped out last Monday to Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri. His wife got one brief call on Tuesday evening just to say he was there and alive. This is my child who was very clingy as a baby, was inconsolable in the nursery (so I spent a lot of time in the nursery during his first years of life), cried so much in preschool that the teacher advised me to wait a year and give him some time which did not work as he cried every morning from Kindergarten to end of Second Grade, he went to NOC for his first two years of college because he was not ready to leave home, he practically lived at home and commuted to OSU his first semester there because he did not like being away from home, and until he got married he came home almost every weekend. This first week of the Army is the first time in his life that he and I have not at least said hi on the phone during the daytime every day. So after years of telling God that Russell belonged to Him and that He should guide Russell to become all God has in mind for Him, now comes the real part - the trust God part. This is when you find out you really can trust God with your children, it is the best option afterall. So this week when my mind wandered off to try to visualize Russell in an Army fatigue standing in a formation, I also did a fair amount of memory lane stuff. This young man in the uniform is the child of my heart, who checks to be sure I am ok, who somehow knows when I need encouragement, the little boy the kindergarten teacher found sitting in the school bathroom crying and singing "Jesus Loves ME" to himself. I am encouraged to know that whatever he is experiencing right now, he knows where his help comes from and how to comfort himself with songs of the Lord. Boy they do grow up fast!

THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION - 11/23/2008 - 6PM

The Worship Experience will be hosting accomplished musician Ric Gorden. Following the service, plan to celebrate Thanksgiving with your church family. Gift certificates will be given to everyone to one of the following restaurants: Western Sizzlin Playa Azul Pizza Hut Wings To Go ALSO THERE WILL BE A MOVIE, PIZZA, GAMES, & FUN FOR THE KIDS About Ric Gorden Rev. Ric Gorden is an accomplished musician whose humor and rare gift of composing songs touch every generation in his audience. A former background musician for Phil Keggy, Ric has traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad sharing the gospel in music and song. An ordained minister of the Gospel with a Jewish upbringing, Ric is a prolific songwriter who has penned numerous songs about the Christian faith. Ric's music includes traditional, classical hymns, Southern Gospel, as well as some of the more contemporary songs of the day. Gift Certificate Details Every family member will receive a $5 gift certificate to be used towards their purchase. Certificates are good only on Sunday, November 23rd.

THIS SUNDAY NIGHT - 11/23/2008

HEY LADIES, BRINGS THE KIDS THIS SUNDAY NIGHT TO SERVICE FOR FOOD, FUN, & FELLOWSHIP. SEE YA THERE!

I can't believe how fast they grow up

Look how big I am

I'm a big girl now

As the holidays approach, I can't believe almost a year ago I was thinking I can't wait till this baby gets out of me. Now I can't believe how fast she is growing up. This year went so fast.... I can't believe how the time fly's. Soon my baby girl will be turning one, I think I just might cry. I have loved being home with her though and I wouldn't change it for anything, it's been tough but well worth it. Now here she is almost 11 months old and she is starting to stand on her own, before I know she will be walking, or should I say running through the house : )

Simplicity

It is hard to believe it's November! As we enter into the holiday season, let's not forget to remember one little word: simplicity. It is so easy to get swept away in the busyness and stress that the holidays can bring, but let's not forget to enjoy the wonder it can also bring. I don't know about you, but I love this time of year! I always have to remind myself though to slow down, breathe, and take it all in. In my home life, there is Christmas shopping to do, cards to mail, dinners to help plan and make, and most importantly memories to make with my loved ones. I work hard to balance it all. As for my school life, I still have so much to teach, but I also get swept away in all the fun holiday things to do with my students. The problem is sometimes I make myself crazy trying to fit in all the necessary things along with the fun things. This only creates stress and steals the joy! I once again have to simplify and balance it! I thought I would share a couple of quotes about simplicity that I am going to be reading a lot in the next 2 months!

Prescription for a happier and healthier life: resolve to slow down your pace; learn to say no gracefully; resist the temptation to chase after more pleasure, more hobbies, and more social entanglements. James Dobson

Nobody is going to simplify your life for you. You've got to simplify things for yourself.
Marie T. Freeman