Giving Thanks

Our "banquet table" set up on Thanksgiving Eve

Last week we celebrated our third Thanksgiving in Alaska, our third with this loving family we call the Mountain Chapel Hospitality House. As is tradition we split our group into smaller groups for Thanksgiving, and and plan on a combined large dinner for Christmas. We hosted about 20 people here for dinner both families and single soldiers and airmen. It was actually somewhat of a light cooking week for me. I was only in charge of the turkey, stuffing, gravy, and some green beans! Among my cooking accomplishments for the day were my first successful homemade gravy, and my first stuffing completely from scratch- it was amazing (sausage, fresh herbs, apples, yum)! It was a great time to share about family traditions and reflect on what we're thankful for.

That evening everyone was invited over for dessert (and oh, how much dessert there was!). We set aside time to hear a report from the folks who have just returned from a short but life changing missions trip to the Dominican Republic. Their reports were encouraging and challenging. They spent most of their time building a school for poor children, and communicating through Spanish-English charades! It was great to have people from our community come home with first hand knowledge of the hardship and love present among that impoverished community. I'd even say that the majority of our community members are now financially sponsoring children through the ministry, Hands of Grace.

I could go on all day about the things we are thankful for. Our family has been so blessed by our Creator. I recognize that all good things do come from above, and I'm not deserving of any of them. Yet I sit here and enjoy them day in and day out. We are 3 weeks and 6 days away from our baby's due date. I'm excited and terrified, but the little soccer player and I are doing just fine.

Keep checking back (we're on a new streak of regular blog updates!).

Elaine (& Wes & baby)