The sights sounds and smells of Thanksgiving

I have so much I could say today. Its the day after thanksgiving and we are preparing thanksgiving yet again with friends of ours. I personally have enjoyed 5 Thanksgiving this year. Am I complaining? No way! It involves  my favorite beings- children. Last weekend, My kids and grandkids came over for thanksgiving celebration. A tradition I started 13 years ago, I wanted both my kids family with us at the same time. I didn't want them to need to choose which  family they spent the holiday with each year. The solution? Have it early. They liked the idea and so did I!

The following week,our daycare had a thanksgiving program and meal. I really enjoyed that

We had a thanksgiving meal/potluck last Sunday. A big turn out with church family, Sunday school families and neighborhood families. We enjoyed using it for a reach out to others effort.

Yesterday, we had a fun day at my mother in laws. Kids, grandkids, cousins aunts and uncles. Cutting wood and going for walks before the meal and dessert and game playing afterwards. Visiting with friends in the evening and playing games after watching charlie brown and bedding kids down. staying up way too late- you know who you are.

Today my house is filled with what I love the most. Grandkids and friend"s kids running thru the house playing games.  Hearing their voice shout nana and papa, all the excitment bottle up in those words. Enjoying the fact that I have many grandchildren and many that call us nana and papa too.

The smells of yet another turkey cooking, mashed potatoes cooking. Watching my granddaughter Jordyn make 2 apple pies and Mckenzie running errands for me in the van, Shelby and Sierra helping play with the younger kids. Listening to the voices of Peter,Heidi and Shane and Glenda  discuss, well who knows what.

Family is so important,I can't say enough about that. Reaching out to others and including into your family only adds to the blessings.

Another thought...  There are lonely people. They may put up a mask but maybe they have no one.... it will be a lonely, depressing time. Offer, that person maybe hiding behind the grumpy mask a invitation to be a part of your meal and family.
Or maybe its the tough punk or string out individual  that is dealing with thier problem the only way they know.

Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas (or sometimes from the 1st December to Christmas Day!). Advent means 'Coming' in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.

There are three meanings of 'coming' that Christians describe in Advent. The first, and most thought of, happened about 2000 years ago when Jesus came into the world as a baby to live as a man and die for us. The second can happen now as Jesus wants to come into our lives now. And the third will happen in the future when Jesus comes back to the world as King and Judge, not a baby.

There are several ways that Advent is counted down but the most common is by a calendar or candle(s).

Some European countries such as Germany use a wreath of fir with 24 bags or boxes hanging from it. In each box or bag there is a little present for each day.

We just celebrated Thanksgiving today.  I have so much I am thankful for. I am looking forward to celebrating the birth of my Saviour in the coming month.