Happy Thanksgiving

As Canadians living in the US with two children born in the US who have dual citizenship we celebrate both Thanksgivings.

We joke in our family that we need 2 Thanksgivings because we are extra grateful. This has replaced the joke that we started celebrating American Thanksgiving because it is a 4 day weekend, and for that we are grateful.

But the truth of the matter is that this year our blessings seem sweeter, our gratitude deeper, and our songs of praise more heartfelt. This year we have been through a lot, and each step of the way God has been with us. On Sunday we sang Great is Thy Faithfulness as the closing hymn, and I cried during it. Not because of what Monday morning was going to bring, not because of a heavy heart or weary soul, but because I now understand the words of that hymn in a way that is soul deep. And it is that soul deep knowledge that frames my gratitude this year.

We are celebrating with our neighbors again this year, and it is always fun. She is a fabulous cook who will make a phenomenal meal. And we always have a great time with them.

We will be making dinner rolls, yam and carrot casserole, and pumpkin roll cake.

The dinner rolls are a recipe from a dear friend who is old enough to be my grandmother who prayed for Kyle and I daily for years.

The yam and carrot casserole was a recipe I found when Miss Pear developed potato allergies and we love it.

The pumpkin roll cake is a recipe I found last year when my friend requested a Thanksgiving version of the Christmas Buche de Noel we make each year (actually we make 6 by the time it is New Year's Day).

All new memories and new things to be thankful for.

If we just look for the big things in life we will never be as grateful as we could be. So I look to the little things and find multitudes to be thankful for.

All this week I have been singing the same praise song, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever...." It is the song of a grateful heart.

I wish you a joyful Thanksgiving blessed by our glorious Lord who is truly the giver of good gifts.