Giving Thanks

Today we stop our busy lives to take a little time to give thanks.  We happen to be spending today with Ryan's family in Northern Va.  We've had a great time together, just doing what families do....playing, laughing and eating of course!

This morning, we all sat down for a little family devotional time and Ryan's mom Julie explained to the kids the story of the 5 kernels of corn.  I had never heard this, and thought maybe you hadn't either!

I found this on the web and thought I'd share...

Five Kernels of Corn(The Thanksgiving Story)

On November 11, 1620, the Mayflower dropped anchor in a natural harbor on the inside of the northern tip of Cape Cod. There it stayed. The location was not the Pilgrims’ first choice; they had planned to settle near the mouth of the Hudson.

The area where the ship made landfall had belonged to the Patuxets, a fierce tribe that took intense delight in murdering anyone who would dare invade their territory. A sickness, however, had wiped them out, leaving their land free for the taking. (Other Indians, fearing “bad spirits,” would have no part of it.) The Pilgrims didn’t even have to clear fields for planting. They were alread there for them.

The nearest neighbors were the Wampanoags, a civilized tribe ruled by Massasoit. The chief and his people accepted the Pilgrims and helped them. Squanto, a lone survivor of the Patuxets, made his home with this new inhabitants and taught them how to survive in this new and challenging land.

Although the bounty of the summer of 1621 brought a time of heartfelt gratitude (the first Thanskgiving), the Pilgrims’ obligation to repay the backers who had financed their voyage left them dangerously close to starvation. Food stores had all but disappeared.

At one point, a daily ration of food for a Pilgrim was 5 kernels of corn. With a simple faith that God would sustain them, no matter what, they pulled through. History records that not a single one of them died from starvation that winter. Not a one.

The harvest of 1623 brought a surplus of corn, so much that the Pilgrims were able to help out the Indians for a change. So joyous were they that they celebrated a second Day of Thanksgiving and again invited Massasoit to be their guest.

He came, bringing with him his wife, several other chiefs and 120 braves. All sat down to a feast of 12 venison, 6 goats, 50 hogs and pigs, numerous turkeys, vegtables, grapes, nuts, plums, puddings and pies. But, lest anyone forget, all were given their first course on an empty plate.

They were each given 5 kernels of corn.

This is how we began our meal today too!

It's not much is it?  Can you imagine if this was your daily ration of food?  It definitely made me even more thankful for my plate of turkey and all the trimmings.  We are so blessed.  The Lord has provided for our family is SO many ways this year.  He has been so faithful to us.  Its awesome to know that our forefathers thanked God daily even in the midst of terrible hardship.  Their faith sustained them, and God sent the provisions that they needed to survive.  Its a great lesson for us all.  Always give thanks, with a grateful heart.  God is always faithful!

Happy Thanksgiving from us!

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thes. 5:16-18

Pile of Leaves, Pile of Fun!

This afternoon when Noah got off the school bus, Emma and I were outside waiting for him since it was such a gorgeous day today! These past few days have been such a welcome relief after several days of horrible weather last week. We were kind of messing around in the yard when I noticed all the leaves that had recently fallen, and I thought we would have a little fall fun!

First we all helped rake some leaves into a pile...

Then it was time to play! 

GET READY! 

GET SET!!

GO!!!! 

Aahhh, the joys of childhood abandon!! 

Then came jumping into the pile!
(And just so you know, the pile of leaves was a lot taller than it actually looks in these pics!!)

And thankfully, they were kind enough to do a little posing for me too....

Even our retriever Meg joined in on the fun!  Love this picture of our 3 babies!

We had such a great time!  Noah even took a few pictures of me jumping into the pile of leaves.  But trust me, they weren't pretty!  :)

Hope you are all enjoying these lovely fall days, while they are here! 

A Tomato, A Cucumber and A Whole Lotta Shoe Boxes!

Today is Shoe Box Day here at our house!

Every November our church participates in the Operation Christmas Child ministry, started by Samaritan's Purse.  Chances are, you've heard of it, and probably even filled a box yourself.  Our kids love picking out little treasures at the store to pack into the boxes that will be shipped overseas to children who would otherwise get nothing for Christmas this year.  Along with the boxes, in areas where they are able, the children will receive a booklet entitled, The Greatest Gift of All.  This booklet shares with them the gospel of Christ and the reason behind the gifts.  The love of a Savior.

Recently a new program was added called, Beyond the Box.  So these kids aren't just getting a shoe box full of goodies, and that's the end.  There is discipleship and training offered to them.  What an amazing idea!

From the website...

The Operation Christmas Child ministry extends far beyond a gift-filled shoe box. A goal of the project is to equip local churches and ministry partners to offer children the opportunity to participate in the Discipleship Program, and to offer as many graduates as possible a New Testament in their local language. These discipleship materials are used by local churches and ministry partners as effective resources to show children how to come into relationship with God, to explore His Word, and to encourage children to grow in their faith.

Since this ministry began more than 15 year ago, over 46 million boxes filled with toys, personal hygiene items, school supplies and other items not readily available to the children, have been distributed.  46 million!!  WOW!  That's awesome!

This year our old veggie friends, Bob and Larry are getting involved!  Their newest Christmas DVD (St. Nicholas, A Story of Joyful Giving) that was just released is partnered with OCC and hopefully will bring even more awareness to this great ministry.  Emma got this as an early birthday gift from Grandma Pat and we all really enjoyed watching it!

Christian recording artists Matthew West and Amy Grant have also partnered up and released a new song called Give This Christmas Away to go along with the Veggie Tales DVD. 

Its one thing to hear about the great joy on the faces of these little ones as they receive their gifts, but its another to actually see it!





So if you haven't filled up your shoe boxes to donate, please hurry!  They must be turned in by next Sunday, November 22.  For more info, see the website.
 
The more boxes donated, the more children will see firsthand the love of Christ this Christmas season!

number 5 (Posted by Ryan)

Today was surgery day again.  There was no snow storm to drive through, and we didn't have to get up at some ridiculous hour to be at the hospital before sun up, so it was already a better start than the prior 4.  Rachel was a little nervous before surgery, but everyone had assured us that this was a minor surgery so there wasn't the anxiety that we've experienced before some of the other ones.   While she waited to go back to the OR we conversed with the nurses and she even got to talk with her Breast Cancer Navigator,  a nurse who helped us through the first couple of surgeries and tests.

The surgery itself went well.  When I talked with Rach's surgeon post op, he let me know how well she did; and then he proceeded to explain how the surgery was actually a good bit more complex than what they initially thought.  Its over and done now and that's what's important.  

The recovery room has actually been the hardest part for Rach after the past couple surgeries.   It looks like all the prayers were answered though.  I just got off the phone with one of her nurses who said there were no nausea or heart issues in recovery 1.  Thanks much for all the prayers.

Well, I am waiting to get called back at any second so I need to end this.  I am sure Rach will post something later.

Ryan

Surgery, again.

My last reconstruction surgery is tomorrow at 12pm.  I really don't want to have another surgery, but I really want to get these tissue expanders out in exchange for the implants.  I'm tired of having a rock hard tennis ball under my arm!  Hopefully by this time tomorrow there will be no more rock, but replaced with something soft and squishy.  I'm ready to be squishy again.  Its been a long time!

The surgery is expected to take 1-2 hours.  It is outpatient, so hopefully I'll be home by early evening.

Ryan's mom Julie is here helping us this week, and taking care of the kids tomorrow while we're at the hospital.  We are so thankful to have her help and support!  The kids LOVE having her here.  And they get to play all the board games they want!

Thank you for your prayers tomorrow.  They make such a difference, and I really feel more of a peace, knowing that so many are lifting up prayers on my behalf!  God has faithfully seen me through every step of this breast cancer journey and I know that tomorrow will be no exception!  Please pray that no surprises come up during the surgery and that I have no issues in recovery.  Thank you!  Ryan will probably post an update sometime tomorrow. 

Hopefully I'll be back online on Wednesday!