Giving Thanks!

I have much to Thank God for… even though the last few days that's been with a heavy heart (more on that later)….

We had a lovely Thanksgiving here in Minnesota, here's the pictures to prove it!!

This was the day before Thanksgiving… Peter was still hanging around causing trouble...

Still the day before - my home-made Pumpkin Pie, fresh out of the oven… I love it when they come out of the oven, they're always so "poofy"...

Setting out my favorite Thanksgiving table decoration...

Yep, that's Peter showing up just in time for Thanksgiving dinner...

The family hanging out...

…and goofing around…  Callie

Kim & Ben

Aunt Carol & Uncle Chuck

Uncle Bob

Ben

Callie

Kim, Whitney, Dylan, Brian

Tim, Marta, Jeff

Dylan & Ben

Day after Thanksgiving - we've got Snow!!  Even that doesn't deter Peter from pigging out on pumpkin… kinda looks like he's blowing in his paws to keep them warm, in reality he's eating some pumpkin & squash seeds I added to his pumpkin bowl.

Jan & David - the Lovebirds snugging on the couch
 at Mom's last Christmas. I love this picture of them!!

My holiday this year was saddened by the loss of my brother David's wife Jan who passed away in her sleep on Wednesday, it was very unexpected.  Below are some of my thoughts that I'd placed on Facebook - and felt those who follow this blog rather than Facebook might want to see.  My brother lives in California, I live in Minnesota, the distance makes this hard - I'm planning on heading out soon.

I was glad for my Son & Daughter-in-Law, as well as some of Jeff's family, and for the distractions & joys that celebrating Thanksgiving allowed.

I hope all had a Thanksgiving that was full of family, joy, and gratitude to God for His many blessings!!

Copied from my Facebook posts:

Wednesday:

To my praying friends, please pray for my family as we lost my dear Sister-in-law Jan this morning. Please pray for my brother David, his kids Amber & Mike, and the rest of the family as we work through the pain that comes with a sudden unexpected loss.

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day:

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 

1 Thes 4:13-14

...we're missing you Jan, I look forward to being with you again in eternity…

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day:

Today I am Thankful for Family!! Near or Far, walking the Earth or in Eternity, they remain close to my heart.

All month, as I've been doing a month of Thanksgivings, I had been planning on this specific day to give thanks for Family. Little did I know how poignant this would be with my brother David's wife passing away unexpectedly yesterday... but God knew! Jan is celebrating the Ultimate Thanksgiving in the arms of her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Friday:

Today I'm Thankful for Technology & how it helps us connect with people who are near to our hearts, even if they are geographically far. I think of my friends Phyllis & Rich, whose daughter just left for a 2.5 year missionary post in Africa as a doctor - how Skype helps them see & speak to her face-to-face from the other side of the planet. I think of my own family this week, as Phones & Faceboo

k were the means to contacting my brother & locating my Mom during a family emergency.

But much, much more than that… I'm thankful that because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ I will someday be reunited with my sweet sister-in-law Jan in eternity. Jan walks streets of gold with her Savior, I'm jealous & I miss her!! I thank God I had the privilege to have her as part of my family!!