Thanksgiving 2007

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Admist all the busyness of the festivities, we began a family tradition last year where we me made a list of people/events that we're thankful for this year. We keep this list in a journal, and we pray together as a family at the beginning of each Thanksgiving Day.

Included on our list are names of new friends, as well as friendships that have gone deeper and have become meaningful and important to us. We also take time to think about all the blessings that God has given us, including good health, a warm home, and the fact that we are not in want. We are thankful for new opportunities, adventures, and holy moments; we are thankful for each other.

Yesterday, we spent Thanksgiving at Jared's parents' home. Everyone was there, including Jared's Grandma Uecker and Aunt MaryAnn and Uncle Scott. We were all doned in our Packer gear as our beloved Green Bay Packers were playing the Detriot Lions in the first football game of the day. This die-hard Packer family (namely, John and Jane!) had 3 T.V.s going on at once - making sure no one missed a single moment or play as one transitioned from the basement to the kitchen to load up on more food! Three hours later, the Packers surged forward to hold a 10-1 record as they beat the Lions. Oh, Brett - you're so good to us!

Following the game, we began the feast to end all feasts! The turkey was exquisite, the sweet potatoes were divine, and all who ate were overwhelmingly satisfied. As I reflect on the abundance of good food and good company, I'm thankful that God has and continues to meet our needs in more ways than one. There are so many people out there who do not know where their next meal will be coming from, nor do they have family with whom they can experience intimacy. Our church's Client Care Center, a.k.a the Food Pantry, has a relationship with the Chicago Food Depository, so if you are reading this blog, and feel led to contribute to our Food Drive, you can log on to www.willowcreek.org/thegift/

This few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are often a blur as people get busy with decorating, buying gifts, attending countless parties, and...well, we're just busy! I pray that we will also take time to remember the reason for this season - Jesus Christ. "For from Him and through Him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! We are thankful for all of you, and we pray that this coming Christmas season will be filled with much love, joy, and peace!