This year I joined a lady and her family from my Woman's Bible Study group. [We are doing a bible study of Beth Moore's called Breaking Free.]
There were 8 of us, Jim & Miki, their daughter Amanda and her 9 year old son Tristen [her husband was working at the fire department], their son Jonathan, and both of their mothers [Vernita and Dot].
As we begin to enjoy our time together, we gathered in the kitchen and joined hands in a circle and Jim opened in prayer. It was a little after noon when we began our feast with all the typical foods: Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoe Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Broccoli Salad, Cranberry Sauce, Rolls, Coconut Cream Pie, Chocolate Cake, and Chocolate Mudd Pie. It was yummmmy!!! Tristan was so cute, he kept going back for more Spinach Artichoke Dip and said that it was way better than TGI Friday's. It truly made me laugh. He has such a cute personality!!! and isn't shy about showing it.
We visited through lunch and after eating went around the table and each shared one or two or three things we were thankful for. Jim then shared thoughts from John 21 when the Lord asks Peter if he loves Him, three times and two of those times the Lord says for him to feed His lambs. They shared their lives, thoughts and faith with me. It was a great time of sharing and fellowship with them! It is amazing to spend time with people you hardly know who do not hold back their love for the Lord and desire to share it with you. You don't have to pry into their lives to find out if they love God, it shows and pours out. Truly is/was a great experience. At the close of this time, we joined hands again around the table and Jim closed the time in prayer. It is hard to explain what this experience was like to me.
We then moved to the couch and sat and visited the rest of the afternoon. Amanda browsed through the ads trying to see if she was going to go Black Friday shopping.
The only regret I have on the day is that I didn't take Tristen up on his offer to ride the 4 Wheeler with him. I should have, even in my dressy black boots! ;)
I came home and let Maggie out [Brent & Jennifer & girls are on a cruise and I am babysitting their dog]. After doing dishes and getting some things together, I went to Brian & Shelley's for the evening.
We sat around in the living room and were lazy and ate leftovers and chatted. The day was too warm for a fire and hot drinks. I came home and was in bed by 10.30pm and plan to sleep in and enjoy a day at home tomorrow shredding papers, filing papers, organizing my home office...maybe even list a few items on eBay.