Tag: thanksgiving

What’s Happening?

As to what’s happening, I think of past, present, and future tenses. It’s been over a month since I’ve posted a blog. Hope you have missed my ramblings. Being productive, I plan to stay in that vein. If you are interested in my days, read on.

Past: I spent 17 days visiting our oldest son, William, in Ohio, and had the pleasure of hearing him preach in his church, where he’s served for 13 years. In addition to that privilege, I heard his wife, Rhonda, teach Sunday school, observe the church’s Pantry ministry twice a week, eat out a few times, sit in a marina nearby, and take a trip up three miles to view the Ohio River and the active locks. Add those to a memorable visit from our granddaughter, Sarah, and family, with chats around the dinner table. Returning home to Indianapolis, I connected with Ruth, Paul’s mother, who is visiting us during November.

Present: Plans are now underway for two days of Thanksgiving feasting. Our Kentucky sons, John and Tom, with their wives, come on Thanksgiving day. Friday, the Gearharts gather for another Thanksgiving dinner, both prepared by our daughter, Becky. She’s now baking in the kitchen, and I don’t offer to help. She’s the ultimate chef.

Future: I continue to work on three to-be-published books. I’ve decided on self-publishing, so that’s a new learning process. My memoir, An Honest Caregiver: Facing the Reality of my Husband’s Dementia, and Bill’s book of retreat messages, Holiness: A Matter of Relationship, are both completed and edited. I’m waiting on front and back matter, a cover design, and endorsements. For the third work, Days of Our Lives: Devotional Booklet, I’m gradually adding devotions, some from other publications with permission. I want to include 60 devos.

So that’s what’s happening in my life. I’d like to know what’s going on in your lives. Responses will be appreciated. This season of Thanksgiving and Christmas is a great time to stay connected.

Gift-giving

As I prepare to join a church family’s Thanksgiving dinner, I ponder what I can bring as a gift of thanks. I’m bringing frozen cranberry salad to add to the meal, but that doesn’t seem to be the right gift to express thanks for their invitation. My first thought is a recycled item, for I’m known for that style of gifting. Perhaps coasters that belonged to Paul’s mother? No. It should be something simple, not even lasting. Ah-hah! Roses from the garden that survived our first snow. They won’t last, yet simple and beautiful. A gift of flowers reminds me of how when in Russia, people brought a bouquet when coming to the apartment. Yes, that’s the gift I’ll bring.

You may wonder why I’ll not be at home with family for Thanksgiving. Becky and Paul are in Illinois with Paul’s mother. Other Gearhart family members will gather there both Thursday and Friday. Our other children are not able to come here for various reasons. All good. A new friend I met at GriefShare found out I would be alone, and she invited me to their family gathering.

Thanksgiving to me is an introduction, a prelude, to Christmas, for we are thankful for God’s greatest gift for us, personally and for the whole world. “For God so loved that He gave.” Jesus is God’s gift of love for our needed redemption. That is the ultimate in gift-giving, and I am more than thankful. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for God’s wonderful gift of Jesus.

Now it’s my time to give as a Christ-follower. As one Christmas song reminds me, I give my heart. I give my whole self to God in an expression of thanks-giving for His gift of Jesus – for me, for my family, for the whole world. Yes, that includes you too.