Thanksgiving

When you hear the word Thanksgiving, what is the first thing you think of? Could it be eating a feast with your family and friends, or maybe it is along the lines of there aren't many weeks left until Christmas, I have to look at those sales sheets today and make my plan on which store to go to first in the wee hours tomorrow. So many of us could tell a different story of what we think of when we hear thanksgiving. I'll have to admit that the above statements are ones that I do think of when thinking about thanksgiving. However, there is something that I don't want to forget when it comes to this holiday. It is truly about giving thanks. Who do we give thanks to, ultimately it should be first and foremost to our heavenly Father. He has given us so much to be thankful for, whether you have much or nothing at all (materially), there are things to be thankful for. I encourage you to take the time to write down the things you are thankful for, and you will see that the list will be of great length. Don't get me wrong here, it's not about the length of the thankful list, it's about seeing what all you are thankful for. Go ahead and try it, you will be surprised.

I was reminded of God's gratefulness to us this morning while reading in the book of Psalm. Let me share with one of the passages that I read.

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing,

Know that the LORD, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good;

His mercy is everlasting.

And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100:1-5

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Rebuilding in New Orleans

On November 2, 2009, we headed out to Louisiana to partner with Operation Noah Rebuild to help get homes repaired and or rebuilt after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. We had four different teams that went to different homes and each team had a different task for the week. The home we went to had already had some work done on it from teams that had been there prior to us arriving. Our team put hardy board siding on the house, no I did not hang hardy board, but I did learn how to use a caulking gun and was able to caulk the areas of the outside of the house before painting could begin.

There were a couple of times that Chuck and I were able to leave the work site and walk through the neighborhood that we were in and talk to the people that were sitting out on their porches. These people are hurting, not only from the losses that they incurred during hurricane Katrina, but also spiritually. After listening to these folks tell us there story, you realized that they just want someone to listen to them. Before we left the homes we asked if the would let us pray for them, they said yes. So before leaving we were able to pray with them. You know just to see the looks on their faces after we prayed, they seemed surprised that someone would pray for them. We were able to "plant seeds" there and hopefully one day those seeds can be harvested. 

Chuck taking his turn at the saw.

Our team, Chuck, myself, Todd, Mrs. Judy (homeowner), David and Jamie.

Hot Chocolate.....

Do you feel what I feel? Yes it is cold outside today, and I'm loving it. I am sitting here with a cup of hot chocolate looking outside and thanking God for the cool weather He has blessed us with today. Earlier in the week I went and bought the ingredients that I would need to make a batch of homemade hot chocolate mix. Let me just say that this is some good stuff. My friend Kathy first introduced me to this homemade mix last year and I am so thankful that she shared her recipe with me. I have enjoyed it so, that I have decided to share it with you.

Hot Chocolate Mix

2 lbs. Nestle's Quick

1 lb. Coffee Mate

8 qt. box Carnation Dry Milk

1 T salt

1 lb. confectioners sugar

Mix in large container. Stir 1/4 c. chocolate mix into 1 coffee cup of boiling water.

This recipe makes a really big batch of mix. You will want to make sure that you have a large enough container to store it in, or several containers if you don't have a large one. This also makes a great gift in a jar for someone.

Now for the best part, add whip cream to the top. Enjoy!

Veteran's Day

As I sit here this morning thinking about all the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces, I feel a sense of  sadness and thankfulness all in one. Sadness for those who sacrificed their lives for this country and the people in it, and for the families they left behind. Thankfulness for all our past, present and future soliders, sailors, airmen etc.

I'm sure that we can all say that we know at least one person who has served our country through the military. Whether it be in our immediate or extended family, a friend, co-worker or even our church family.  I encourage you to join in with me for a moment of silence today as we remember each member or former member of our armed forces. Please lift up these men and women and their families in your prayers, and be sure to thank them when you talk to them.

One person in my family who served in the armed forces was my dad, John Clark. He was in the Navy and  served during the Vietnam War on the USS Stribling. Thank you dad for serving our country, I love you.

My dad, John Clark

                                                              

The USS Stribling. This is the ship that my dad was on.

I have several other family members and people from our church that have served our country. While I do not have pictures or know exactly what branch of the military all of them were in or where they served, I do know there names and have listed them below.

Chad Vann- my cousin. Served in the Air Force-retired this year after 20 years of service.

Joseph Blitch - my uncle

Jan Blitch- my cousin Navy

Stuart Vaughn - married to my cousin Kimberly

Dan Vaughn - family friend

Rosie Powers - friend served in the Marines

Ricky Lord- friend served and gave his life in the Marines. August 20, 1979 - August 18, 2004

So remember to keep our men and women who are currently serving in your prayers and thank God for the ones who have already served.

On the Road Again

We were up early this morning, 3:00a.m. to be exact. Then out of the house a little after 4:00a.m. and at the Church at 4:30a.m. We loaded up vans and said a prayer then we were officially on the road at 5:00a.m. Our destination you ask, New Orleans, LA. Our mission, to be a part of Operation Noah Rebuild which is through the North American Mission Board to help rebuild homes that were lost during hurricane Katrina, and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people we come in contact with while here.

When my husband first started talking about this mission trip back during the summer I so wanted to come with them and be a part of what they were going to be doing. Then it was decided the dates that the folks from our Church along with a few others from a sister Church would be coming out to do the work that they were called to do. The problem is my kids had school for that week and I still had my sisters boys to keep and knew that I would not be able to make this trip with them. So lets go back a few weeks to Kaelyn's birthday party, somehow we got on the topic of the mission trip and I was asked by my mom and sister if I was going. I told them no, they asked why and I explained why. They both told me right then and there that if I wanted to go they would work things out with keeping my kids and making sure Crystal's boys were taken care of too. I then explained that it was to late to turn in my name and money because the due date for this had come and gone. Well the next day is Sunday and we are at Church, during the offering hymn, Chuck leans over and says to me, someone backed out of going on the mission trip so there is a spot available if you want to go. Imagine my surprise and willingness to go. Of course mom agreed to keep Tyler and Kaelyn for me while I am gone. My Aunt Betty is also helping take care of them and is house sitting for us while we are gone. All I can say is that it was meant for me to be here this week in New Orleans and that I have a wonderful family.

I will do a post about the trip along with pictures when I return home. Right now I am on a very sweet ladies computer here where we are staying at. She is one of the cooks with Disaster Relief program. She told me whenever I needed to use a computer that I was more than welcome to use hers. I don't want to take advantage of it, so this will be my last post until I return home on Saturday. Please keep our Mission Team in your prayers this week, there are 17 of us total.

Isaiah 6:8