Thanksgiving Table

We used to have a tradition where before dinner, we would go around the circle of people and everyone would say something they are thankful for. Unfortunately, some people were dumbstruck by this idea. And some people just couldn't stand to wait that long for their food. Go figure.

So, this year, we covered the table in paper and handed out crayons and colored pencils. Then everyone got to draw or write what they were thankful for. No one had to say it out loud and everyone seemed to enjoy hanging out before the meal and working on their artwork while talking. I think we'll do this every year. Yet another way to focus on the aspect of giving thanks on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Tree

With extended family, our Thanksgiving Day tends to focus on food and football. I find the best way for us to institute a spirit of thankfulness is to think about it as we lead up to Thanksgiving. This year we put up a thanksgiving tree. It is in our entryway. We have a supply of leaves, a pen and some tape in the entryway, also. As friends and family come to visit, we ask that they write on a leaf something that they are thankful for and add it to our tree. And everyone that shows up for our thanksgiving meal will be asked to do the same, so we start with a spirit of thanksgiving.

We will also cover the tables in paper. Then we supply crayons and colored pencils, so guests can write/draw what they are thankful for this year. Again, we are focusing on thanksgiving. That way when they must turn on the football game, I can be content knowing that we have focused on what we are thankful for this year.

Pomegranates

Yay for pomegranates! I love them, and apparently God thinks pretty highly of them, too.

Ex 28:34-35

34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe.

Deut 8:6-9

6 Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him. 7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land — a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates , olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.

Growing Up

Babies grow up. It doesn't make any difference whether they are cats or kids or any other kind of baby. It's hard to believe that our kittens are so big. Just a few months ago they fit in the palm of our hands. Now they're almost as big as their mommy. And Rebekah loves to use them as photography subjects.

Sukkot - A Joyous Celebration

Also, in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather the increase of the land, you shall keep the feast of Yahweh seven days; on the first day a Holy Day Sabbath, and on the eighth day a Holy Day Sabbath. And you shall take to yourselves on the first day the fruit of majestic trees, palm branches, and boughs of oak trees, and willows of the valley, and shall rejoice before Yahweh your Elohim seven days. And you shall celebrate it a feast to Yahweh, seven days in a year, a never ending statute throughout your generations; in the seventh month you shall keep it. (Lev 23:39-41)

I love Sukkot. It's such a joyous celebration and an opportunity to spend extended time with God's people. There's nothing like it.

Dancing in the Sukkah

Dancing and singing praises to our Creator at one of His Appointed Times. A great way to start Sukkot.

Deut 16:13-15

13"You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. 14 And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. 15 Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.

Fall Harvest

Here is the first of our pumpkin harvest, just in time for Sukkot - God's harvest festival.

Lev 23:39-42

39'Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest. 40 And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41 You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

And here is the pumpkin harvest we are waiting on. Can you see the big yellowish pumpkin in front of Arianah. That is the one and only big pumpkin growing in our garden.