"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:18
I love fall and the holiday that happens in it! Thanksgiving is when most people reflect on the goodness of God. Of how He has blessed and provided. We do this too and I'm thankful that there is a national day set aside for this moment. But I am highly aware that after today, the Christmas lists will be handed out and the shopping of wants will begin and through all the hussle and bustle of Christmas, we so quickly forget about the holiday season we just came out of ... Thanksgiving Day!!!
Things are a bit different for us this Thanksgiving Season. One HUGE difference is that Dad Lapp is no longer here with us at our gatherings. Dad Lapp passed away into eternity in July. The start of the holidays without him is tough. Because Mom Lapp's siblings are gathered today, we invited the Lapp family over to our house last night for a dinner. I've been preparing for this all week and we set up tables and chairs in the heated garage along with the food! It worked out really nice to have that all in the garage and then relax in the living room after dinner.
Each family brought a food along to share and that made our Thanksgiving feast ... well, a feast!!! Mom made the turkey, filling and pumpkin pies. I peeled and cooked and baked mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. I cooked up a two big pots of fresh vegetables and gave it a touch of melted butter right before serving them! We had salad, rolls, cranberry relish, gravy, different desserts and hot coffee!!! The whole meal was so yummy!!! One funny thing did happen right before we ate. Actually, two funny things. The first thing was when everyone sat down to eat, Mike was up thanking everyone for coming. Soon strangers came knocking and walking through the garage door. What was this? Mike went to see what they needed and they asked if this was a restaurant or if they needed reservations? What??? He escorted them back outside and told them that we are having a family dinner. They were tourist who were looking for Fisher's Restaurant (which is just down the street). They said they saw lots of cars parked outside and thought maybe this was it! Mike came back in and asked if there's a restaurant sign outside? We all had a good laugh! The second thing was that we still have a water cooler in our garage that we don't use anymore. It's the kind that is electric and holds gallons of water. It's perfect to store milk, water and drinks in it but we don't use it anymore. So, Mike started auctioning of this cooler. It was all out of fun but I don't know we got a sale from it!!?? Then Mom Lapp got up and thanked us children for being there for her as she goes through this grieving season in life. She missed Dad so much and her grief is real. It was a great time to really thank God for our health and for His strength!
After we ate the kids went running and played. The older ones played some ping pong and watched a TV show. The adults all sat around in the living room chatting. Normally, we have our Thanksgiving Day at Dad Lapp's for lunch. We would gather around Mom's spread out table and eat. Then the guys would shoot their rifles and hit clay birds. The games would come out and we would all be together till evening. This year was a little different but still good. By the time we got to bed, I was grateful again for family and yummy food and a time of rest. :)
We had no big plans for today. We slept in a bit and then all helped clean up the house. The tables and chairs got folded up. The floors were all swept and cleaned. Toys were put back in place. Then we were ready for our traditional family meeting. We started this a few years ago and love, love that we kept this up.
This is a family meeting where we all sit together and say a few things that we are thankful for. This year Mike asked us to have one word for the upcoming year to reflect on throughout the year. We then listed a few goals. It's so much fun hearing from the kids and listening to what they are grateful for! I like to post my family meeting minutes on here because it's then a place we can go back to and remember what we said. Here's just a few things we discussed.
Mike's "word": DISCIPLINE - in time, in exercise, in life
Lori: FEARLESS - this was the first word that popped in my mind when Mike asked us to think of a word. It must have been a word from the Lord because even though I would like to think that I am a fearless person ... I have a long way to get there! I like when life stays 'normal' and without hardships and when things stay in my control. Well, we all know that that would be a fairytale life and not one you would find on this fallen earth but it's how I would function if it were possible. So, because it was the first word that spoke to me, I'm sticking to it!!! To become a fearless person would be awesome!!! To live strictly by faith would be so fulfilling!!! Yet, I want to hang on to my securities! Lord, help me!!!
Hadassah: RUN - She wants to run in life and thrive! "Does this help me run or is it a stumbling block in life?" is what she wants to frequently ask herself!
Matthew: STRENGTH - improve on the weaknesses and stand strong in the strengths.
Ashlyn: KIND - to be loving and kind.
Austin: PLAY - go for it kid! Play, play and play!
After our meeting, we ate left over turkey and mashed potatoes from last night. It was so yummy!
Matthew, Ashlyn and Austin each took the pumpkins off of the porches and smashed them in the field. They had a blast!
Now, it's time to relax and maybe get a nap!?! Then Hadassah and I are off to do some Black Friday Shopping!!!
Oh yeah. Here are some pictures of the parties from school yesterday. Ashlyn is really enjoying first grade and she was such a cute Indiana!!!
Austin was cute too in his little Indian hat!
First grade did a Mayflower project.
Shakia and Ashlyn ... making good memories in first grade.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. And be thankful." Col. 3:15
"Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving." Ps. 147:7
