HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

 

There seem to be so many things to be thankful for this year. 

 

 

 

 

 

Health and family togetherness are certainly very high on the list this year.  These are things we can just not take for granted. 

 

We are especially thankful for friends and family who have come through potential harm, protected by God's kind mercy this year. 

 

And we are thankful for those dear ones (you included!) who have become even dearer with each new year spent together.

 

 

 

 

 

We had to give a fun "hat tip" to my mom's cute expression of happiness through my entire childhood. 

 

Mom, a figure skater for many years at the same rink as the famous Dorothy Hamill, would always strike one of these adorable poses (above) on the kitchen linoleum floor whenever there was good news to be declared. 

 

We knew it well and it has become the symbol of all things wonderful.  We are thankful and so... here is our pose to prove it!  

 

 

 

 

 

Lydia, Little Red, will turn 10 this month and she is a Jones through and through.   It seems just a few days ago she was my favorite Christmas gift, arriving just slightly early, on December 20.  She was a sweet Christmas baby, who has always been a sweet little girl. 

 

So many of you have prayed for her over the years.  To you, I say, "thank you."  My mother's heart is beyond blessed by so many who have been there with us.  I am happy to report that she is presently in very good health.  We praise God for that!   

 

Her excited hope this month?  In addition to Christmas, for all Jones girls, turning 10 means getting their ears pierced.  It's a pretty big deal and she can not wait!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this one.  Tom says that when he looks at her he sees me.  The same coloring.  The same hair (at that age).  The same passion for what is good and right in the world.  The girl he met so many years ago. 

 

The other day she asked my husband if he would want to adopt a child who was smart mouthed, rebellious, unkind and unruly.  He said, no.  He would not really want to.

 

She said that she agreed.  Neither would she, and that is why she marvels at God's grace toward us.  Because we are exactly that rebellious child before a holy God. 

 

Amen and amen, Michaela.  You remind us of truth every day.  We are so thankful for you.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Would you believe that it was only one day after Thanksgiving when we realized we had even more to be thankful for?

 

It was then that we heard the horrific news that my dear dad, Ray, was being taken by ambulance to the hospital after being attacked by two pit bulls.

 

It was while he and my mom were on their regular walk with their little terrier pup that either one or both pit pulls in a local yard punched through their fence and were trying to attack them. 

 

The dogs literally pressed an entire fence board out from it's nails and were viciously lunging at them.

 

My dad held up the fence board they had dislodged back into its place as a shield while the attacking dogs bit into his hands and left blood dripping at the fence line.  

 

At his command, my mom ran to get the owners of the dogs to call them off as he held them from escaping and attacking them. 

 

He was a true hero and without his bravery, I do not even want to think what would have happened to my dear mom alone with those pit pulls. 

 

God was so very merciful again to our family.  We honor my dad, Ray, as a true hero and God as the sovereign giver of grace and mercy. 

 

We are so thankful for their safety.

 

 

 

 

 

And when we think of safety and kindness, it is God's Word that also comes to mind.   

 

Hebrews 4:12 declares that: 

 

"...the word of God is alive and active." 

 

 

 

As I read Psalm 19 this week, I was reminded of so many ways that God's Word is alive and active.

 

The law of the Lord is perfect,

converting the soul;

 

The testimony of the Lord is sure,

making wise the simple;

 

The statutes of the Lord are right,

rejoicing the heart;

 

The commandment of the Lord pure,

enlightening the eyes;

 

The fear of the Lord is clean;

enduring forever. 

 

 

And by His Word,

 

"Your servant is warned. 

 

And in keeping them there is great reward." 

 

 

 

 

 

May His Word be alive and active in our hearts.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours!