With Thankful, Grateful Hearts

"The First Thanksgiving Observance
A Proclamation Signed in Script Type by George WashingtonAppearing in The Massachusetts Centinel of October 14, 1789


This historic proclamation was issued by George Washington during his first year as President. It sets aside Thursday, November 26 as 'A Day of Publick Thanksgiving and Prayer.'
Signed by Washington on October 3, 1789 and entitled 'General Thanksgiving,' the decree appointed the day 'to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God.'

While there were Thanksgiving observances in America both before and after Washington's proclamation, this represents the first to be so designated by the new national government. "

-taken from earlyamerica.com

What a day to thank the Lord for His many "favors" to us. We have so many things to be grateful for. That was the theme of our table this year..."Grateful".




We were so happy to have a table to gather around with special friends and dear family. This year we enjoyed the company of the Shauan Family, Nana (Todd's Mom) and Uncle Brad (Todd's youngest brother). It was a sweet time of conversation, yummy foods and a bit of laughter.

Every year, prior to this, we have had outreach with our students and staff. This has included feeding the homeless, delivering meals to those unable to leave home and delivering whole meals to families in our community. We then would gather, all of us together, for our own Thanksgiving meal.

This year, we were able to collect food and put together, and deliver, over 200 meal boxes for those families in our community that are unable to provide a Thanksgiving meal for their families. These meals included a whole turkey, green beans, mashed potaotes, stuffing, bread, cranberries, butter...all the "fixins", including dessert! What a joy! After we finished deliveries on Monday and Tuesday night, we started preparing for our YWAM Family Thanksgiving. We celebrated, all 30 of us, on Wednesday.

As we shared a wonderful meal, we also took time to share the history of Thanksgiving (for our family members from India, S. Korea and England) as well as what we are most thankful for. Over, and over again, we heard how thankful we all are for this "family", this group of people, this time in our lives, our fellow journeymen...

We really are grateful for the people the Lord has chosen to surround us with. What a privilege to be walking this same road.

May you find JOY in your journey, as you look around and see who the Lord has graciously placed beside you as you journey on.

10 Things I am most grateful for at this very moment...

1. the relationship I have with the Lord

2. my precious family

3. my amazing friends, both near and far

4. the job I get to have with YWAM

5. my dinner club nights

6. the home that the Lord has blessed me with

7. that I get to celebrate Christmas in Minnesota

8. my computer

9. creativity

10. House, CSI Miami, Law and Order

Happy Thanksgiving !!!