Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that everyone is excited about Thanksgiving.  It's a great time of the year when we celebrate the harvest and the year.  We remember the first thanksgiving when the Pilgrims and Native Americans came together and had a feast of their own.  We are all thankful.  Thankful to our friends and family whom without their support we never would have made it this far.  Thankful to our parents for giving us a chance at life.  Thankful to our educators, law enforcers, veterans and current soldiers.  Most of all we are thankful to God for his unending grace, mercy, and love for us.  

I know it's been a rough year for everyone.  No one has a perfect life.  There are no shortcuts in life.  There are detours.  Be thankful you have what you do.  Life is what you make of it.  How you choose to live and your outlook.  When things are down you have to look at the positive.  Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can start building up again.  Remember that there is always a way to start over again.  You only have to have the will to do it.  It won't be easy but you'll look back and see how you learned a lot from your experiences.

I am thankful for my Husband and his and my family and all our friends.  I am thankful for my professors and doctors who continue to help me through my health problems.  Thankful that my cancer might go away once the procedure is done.  Thankful to all who've helped me in more ways than I can count.  Most of all I thank God for all He has done for me and the blessings He's bestowed on me this year.  I pray he will continue to show his love for all.

Now go enjoy your time with family!  Eat lots of turkey, cranberries, stuffing, and mashed potatoes and anything else at Thanksgiving!  

A great hymn to look for:

"FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH"

Lyrics: Folliot S. Pierpoint

Music: Conrad Kocher

1.      For the beauty of the earth, 
 for the glory of the skies, 
 for the love which from our birth 
 over and around us lies; 
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

2. For the beauty of each hour 
 of the day and of the night, 
 hill and vale, and tree and flower, 
 sun and moon, and stars of light; 
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

3. For the joy of ear and eye, 
 for the heart and mind's delight, 
 for the mystic harmony, 
 linking sense to sound and sight; 
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

4. For the joy of human love, 
 brother, sister, parent, child, 
 friends on earth and friends above, 
 for all gentle thoughts and mild; 
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

5. For thy church, that evermore 
 lifteth holy hands above, 
 offering up on every shore 
 her pure sacrifice of love; 
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

6. For thyself, best Gift Divine, 
 to the world so freely given, 
 for that great, great love of thine, 
 peace on earth, and joy in heaven:  
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.