Thanksgiving ~ Day 6

I found this quote on another blog today...

A man may have to die for our country:

but no man must, in any exclusive sense, live for his country.

He who surrenders himself without reservation

to the temporal claims of a nation, a party, or a class

is rendering to Caesar that which, of all things,

most emphatically belongs to God: himself."

~CS Lewis~

 

I'm thankful that I was able to go to the polls today without fear of violence by someone who might not agree with me. I'm thankful that no matter who wins, God is still King. God bless the world God created!

Thanksgiving ~ Day 5

Today (yesterday) I was thankful for the heat we turned on for the first time. Winter is coming and I often take for granted how easy it is for us to be warm. I know that is not the case for so many people around the world. At our church, we will be raising money for the Daya Project to help them provide blankets for people in India. More information will be available about this year's project on the Daya Project website. To read more about last year's blanket drive, read this.

This was the results of last year's project...

Picture taken from the Daya Project website.

Thanksgiving ~ Day 4

Today I'm thankful for being exposed to a Global Christianity. I realized this past week that when all I experience of Christianity is American Christianity... a richness and depth of truth is missing. My hope and prayer is that my experience and the experience of my children will continue to grow through travel around the world as well as more visits by our brothers and sisters from our global community.

Photo by Carl Oulton

Thanksgiving ~ Day 3

Today we are thankful for the safe arrival of Grandma and Grandpa Olson. We are looking forward to playmates, the dishes elf:-), catching up conversations, and inviting them to participate in our life here. Welcome Grandma and Grandpa!

Tonight Hannah and Grace enjoyed a bedtime story by Grandma.

Thanksgiving ~ Day 2

Today we were so blessed to spend this morning with these incredible people...

Although these pictures were not taken today, (imagine a park instead of a farm and winter coats instead of simply long sleeves) it was the same bunch of fun! I so appreciate Rachel's perspective on life and parenting. We may not have the exact same situations between my girls and her boys; we share similar desires to raise our kids with love and grace.

Today I'm thankful for my friend, Rachel and her boys.

Thanksgiving Challenge

Two years ago I committed to writing a post every day leading up to Thanksgiving talking about something I am thankful for. For 2012, I am going to commit again to this challenge.

On this, the first day of November, I am thankful for good conversations. These happened throughout the day today. This morning, I was reminded that it isn't what I do that makes me valuable, but who I am. Over lunch, I was involved in a very enlightening conversation with our brothers from Malawi... everything from explaining how elections work to children in worship to the US involvement in the politics of Malawi to witchcraft and owls. This conversation was so enriching!

Deacon William, Robson, Pastor Anthony, Elder Godfrey

Finally, this evening, spending time talking to my best friend and life partner... my wonderful husband.

Thanks for good conversations.

Apple Picking with the Family

Today we went apple picking in Amesbury at Cider Hill Farms. It was a beautiful day after the rainy week we have had. The air was crisp, just like a fall day should be. The sky with blue with fluffy white clouds.

The orchard was planted on a fairly steep hill, but once you got to the top (riding a cool wagon moving by daddy power) the view was amazing. Probably in one more week the surrounding trees will be in full color.

The day wouldn't be complete with out apple cider donuts. As much as we love them at Russell Orchards, these were AMAZING. I think that had something to do with the cinnamon and sugar covering them and the fact they were almost 1/2 the price.

Going...

going...

gone!

Very fun day with the family! It was topped off with fresh apple pie... with 2 crusts (as Hannah requested) and vanilla ice cream! YUMMY!