Thankful For...
Before 1994 and my marriage to Terry I had never been part of a Thanksgiving ritual. Thanksgiving, the way it is celebrated in North America is truly a unique tradition. South Africa used to have 'Day of the Vow' that was celebrated on December 16th, but it was abolished a while back; and anyway, it was nothing like Thanksgiving here!
However this is one holiday I have unashamedly and wholeheartedly embraced. Every year I anticipate it and look forward to the cooking and preparing of the meal. This year was no different, although it was just the seven of us. We had planned on going to Carrollton to see Richard and Star (and G-Grandma Marie) but several things came up that prevented the trip. I planned on getting a turkey for our family, but Terry asked me to buy a ham instead. I was glad, I am not a huge fan of turkey anyway, so purchasing a ham was definitely better. One item I do not like, but get for the rest of the family is pumpkin pie. I even sometimes bake them for the family - but this year I just bought one as I was not in the mood to bake something I don't care for!
This afternoon as we sat at our beautifully decorated table (Terry set it and it looked lovely) and went around the table asking everyone what they were thankful for I was reminded again how wonderful it is to live here in the United States; and how thankful I am to have my husband, my kids, my extended family, our church. Most of all though, I am eternally grateful to my Lord Jesus Christ for all that he has done for me, and for all he means to me.
Labels: Jesus, Thanksgiving, turkey
Warrick - Preacher?
Last night Warrick gave a mini-sermon at the church youth group. He has given a mini-sermon before, but this was the first time we have been invited! Terry looked over at me about one minute into it and said, "It's like looking at a different person, just someone who has invaded our son's body"! And I have to agree - Warrick was awesome. The topic was not allowing the dreams God gave you die, but also walking in His time to fulfill the dream. He used a very powerful quote from
Lou Engle a pastor who speaks very compellingly of God's dreams and desires and how He created each one of us to fulfill that purpose.
Although Warrick is studying for a business degree (and I think that is important) I do believe the Lord is calling this young man into the pastoral ministry.
We walked out of the youth service absolutely amazed at this is our oldest son - he never fails to amaze me!
Labels: College, preacher, Warrick
I LOVE my job!!
I write for several publications, one of them is 'Fiesta', a tourist magazine for San Antonio. Every month I am given two, sometimes three topics to cover. They have ranged from covering tourist spots in South Padre, to the safari park just outside of San Antonio and the Hemisphere. Most recently I have been asked to write about the Alamo. When we first moved here, we took a trip to the Alamo, but Terry and I decided to return there today sans kids in order to refresh memories. Terry took the photos.
It was great to hear once more about the battle of the Alamo and realise that people from all over the world, not just Mexicans and Americans fought in that battle. One thing I had never realised before today was that the battle of the Alamo was never Mexico against America: Texas was still officially a Mexican state, the battle was part of a greater Civil war - it so happened that the defendants of the Alamo were mostly American settlers, invited by the Mexican government to settle there.
Afterwards we walked across the way to the Riverwalk, and wended our way through the downtown Hyatt hotel. The hotel was built over the river and the architect created a Mayan temple feel to the building. Isn't it beautiful?
So, I spent the morning in the company of my husband, perusing a national monument, and I get paid for it! yep - I do indeed LOVE my job!
Labels: Alamo, America, Hyatt, Mexico
He's 18
Standing in the card aisle, trying to pick out a card, I was overwhelmed with emotion when I realised that my 'baby', my oldest child is now officially an adult. He has been adult-like for several years, graduating early, moving out this summer, working, studying at College, but when he needed something legal to be done, we still had to sign papers and give our permission. All that ended on November 1st.
Those who know me best know I am not a person who cries easily - it takes a lot to bring a tear to these eyes! But as I stood in the aisle yesterday I have to admit to choking up a bit at the thought of my son being 18. He can vote, he can get married, (hopefully not for a while still!) he can get drafted(!) and I cannot now put a halt to it, even if I wanted to.
Warrick has matured into a fine young man; filled with wisdom and grace; filled with a love of the Lord and for people. He is remarkably even-tempered, and I have joked that when I grow up I want to be just like him!
I cannot imagine who I would be if it were not for Warrick. I was single when he was born, and he was four when Terry and I married and Terry adopted him. Warrick got the best dad any child could ever want. A lot of who I am was shaped in those early years as a single mother, choosing to look after my baby and putting his needs above my own. I thank the Lord every day for Warrick.
Labels: adult, birth, eighteen, Warrick
