Thanksgiving is for " Family"

Its that time of year again,when I come Home to Daughters and Grandkids .Its amazing to me how the simple act of preparing for a family holiday meal can produce such Joy!

This is the 4th generation of making Holiday memories. First it was helping my Mom prepare for all the Greek aunts,uncles, cousins, grandparents and anyone else who needed a meal. Then my own family preperations w/my daughter and planning,cooking,and serving up our favorites.Then my Daughters began there own family traditions and I came along preparing my signature rolls and a few requests. Now I find myself w/our 3rd generation Nord/women,Kya,and we have started our own little traditions. Mom makes the master list and granddaughter and Grand ma do the shopping. We planned some new desserts,straying away from total traditions.I watch as I follow her w/my cart,her list in hand,checking prices and favorite brands.We like to go a couple days ahead,before the mad rush
,getting up early and taking our time...and pulling through the drive through after we're all finished for a sweet tea and ice coffee.

30 Days of Thanksgiving

B So I decided to challenge myself based in a book I began reading, "365 Thank Yous" by John Kralik.

I decided to blog each day .Maybe share something from the book that inspired me .Find one thing in each day that I am thankful for and the lesson that it taught me, and one person to send a "thank you"to. I'm not sure if I will use email,snail mail or phone call,but some form of connection and encouragement.
So today I am thankful for warm  weather, blue skies and a season of contemplation.

The second annual Nomads Pilgrimage

Here we are @ the 2nd annual walk a thon for Nomads Land. We are raising money by sponsoring folks who have volunteered to walk 40 ml /10 ml a day from bham Al to Attalla/Nomads Land. This is our 1st day. Last year friendships were forged together simply by walking down the road together.

I can almost see the Lord walking along side this one for a while then moving up ahead to another cluster of walkers.Then hear them proclaim to each other "Didn't our hearts burn" . Luke 24:32, Mt 18:20...happy Travels Pilgrims!

A Stable experience

While in the CZ Rep we had need of some shelter,we were given this address and told while it may be in a small village, it,was a good price. Our GPS brought us through small wood paths and feilds and we were getting a bit nervous.we finally came to what looked like a very Big Junk yard,equiped w/junk yard dog. we were about to turn around when a lovley young girl in riding gear waved and singled us in to the gates. Now I was getting really nervous,she came up to us and what appeared to say in Cz/english,come I'll show you,good you have come. well being good Americans we didn't want to appear rude,so off we followed. I'll tell ya it wasn't getting any better for me,as we turned a corner we came upon a fenced area with sheds and Goats running around. There she told us to park our car and proceeded to walk into a hallway across from us.I stayed in the car,brave adventurer that I am) and sent Al to spy out the land. Al came back giving me the heads up,I gingerly came out of the car and grabed a suitcase . I was amazed @ the beautiful tiled hall that met me after crossing a not so lovley doorway and porch! Our room was large,comfortable w/kitchenett,patio(over looking the goats) and comfortable beds. I shot up a grateful prayer and comment about being in a stable like him,in retun the Lord spoke,yea,not to shabby huh! ( Yes he really talks to me this way sometimes lol)The Lesson: Do not fear togo through what appears to be narrow doors that I may provide @ times. A little flesh may get scraped off in the process and you may have to get squeezzed just a tad getting through,but I usually have a great big open place for you on the other side to enjoy! Amen Lord :D

Arriving@ the Castle

On our Arrival @ the Castle we were warmly welcomed w/a USA Flag made by the childrens own hands. Our room prepared with lots of Love.

The Carriage of the Lord

While hanging out w/Pappa this morning I heard him speak these words,"Let my word Carry you". As I pondered this ,He began to expound on this."My word can be like a carriage that can carry you through life. You can ride upon it and rest in my promises or you can be carried away by worry,fear,your emotions,the cares of life and its perception". We can feel the rocking and reelling of the times we are living in there is no avoiding it,but we can be carried by his grace and truth rather than the winds of life.

We have been staying on the "Smiths Ranch" our own little corner of, Paradise ,when off the road.Here we stay in our R.V where we can rest,exercise and refuel till our next little 'launch out' w/the Lord. Little did I know 10 yrs ago when I took the Lords invitation to " Come ride w/Him" that it would be "literal". We have been riding w/him since,watching his kingdom come in the most unlikely places and in the hearts of the most unlikely people. He is revealing Himself ,his beauty,love and compassion to a Fatherless generation,and they are responding w/passion and brokeness to his call.It is a Beautiful thing to behold. Is 51:3 says" Indeed,the Lord will comfort Zion;He will comfort all her waste places,and He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein,thanksgiving and the voice of melody.