We have so much to be thankful for – first being our salvation through Jesus Christ, and second being freedom to worship as we please. It’s so interesting to me how society jumps from halloween right to Christmas – completely skipping over the only holiday that is still completely focused on God. Christmas for many leaves out Christ but focuses on trees and Santa. Halloween has no Christian origin whatsoever but rather has pagan roots. Valentine’s Day originated for a Catholic saint who loved others as Christ did but is now celebrated as a romantic holiday. Most importantly, Easter to most people means bunnies and painted eggs; the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is foreign to many people. But Thanksgiving – it can’t be denied that our forefathers, pilgrims and Abraham Lincoln both, were celebrating and honoring God by giving thanks to HIM. Other than attempting to call it Turkey Day, which for some reason hasn’t taken hold very well, it’s really not possible to erase our Christian heritage from it. Having it as a national holiday is one of the last pieces of evidence remaining that proves we are a Christian nation, although maybe some will say we are to tell each other thanks on Thanksgiving. Hogwash. Is that what the pilgrims were celebrating? Thank you to each other? Thank you to the Indians? Of course not. They were thanking GOD. I wonder what public schools do with that piece of history? How do secular textbooks present that outside of a Christian worldview? Hmmmm - I’m kind of curious now. Anyway, enough rambling.
Church was very full; lots of visitors helped make the singing beautiful – Hymns of Zion #245 Psalm of Praise just about raised the roof.
Home to chores, change, cook a little food, get last-minute gifts ready, and back to a delicious turkey dinner at Grandpa Steiner’s by 1:00 or so. After dinner we did some singing and had our Christmas gift exchange since Uncle Jeff’s won’t be coming back at Christmastime. Then a light evening meal, a fun piñata for the kids, and we were home and in beds by 9:30, with some very tired little ones, especially Joshua who didn’t nap all day. He was such a great little trooper though – kind of amazing how such a little bit of a boy can bring us so many smiles and so much joy. We are so thankful for him.
A few pictures – from a few cameras (Aunt Sarah’s, Aunt Jill’s, and mine. Can you tell who’s whose?)
Ready for church.
Full tables.
A little plucking going on.
Milles Borne.
More music.
Ready to sing.
So Let The Sun Shine In!!!!!!!
All grandchildren except Seth who was napping.
Joshua was so cute with his blocks from Aunt Sarah – I love his “trying-not-to-smile” smile. Precious! These would be wonderful for portraits (thank you Aunt Jill!) except for his bib!! Think he’ll still have it when he’s 5????
Fun alligator game from Aunt Sarah. (crocodile?)
Ok, so he’s the star of most of these pictures – but isn’t that how our babies are supposed to be? These were just so cute, though!! (hmm, Mrs. Moyers (h.s. English teacher) would say I’ve used that word too many times now. Is adorable better? Or precious?) [smile] Joshua was pretty loving in some of these shots – Seth is not only the happiest most easy-going baby I think I’ve ever known, he’s also probably the toughest!
(note – the bib got lost = wet shirt. Oh well)
More gifts.
Frozen socks. :)
After opening gifts - playing house, of course.
And of course the grazing bar was always open.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way for these 2 partners in crime.
Aunt Jill brought a piñata which everyone enjoyed. Even Joshua got into it – He said “Bang, bang,” after everyone’s turn. He didn’t know there was anything in it, and the candy disappeared so fast when it broke open that he never found out…but he had fun anyway.
Second time around, Ben and Silas were blindfolded like the bigger kids. Silas still nailed it, though!
Home then to beds – thankful again for a wonderful day with family, rejoicing in the bountiful blessings we’ve been given.
I really like this last picture. Quite an action shot. Check out Tori's expression :) There are two big boys that seem amazed also.
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