"Thoughts Of Thanksgiving Week"

 My thoughts today November24th, 2013

The week of Thanksgiving officially began on the calendar today.  I pray I never have to wait until this week to be grateful for ALL God has done and continues to do for me.  I'm sitting on a plane headed to Breckenridge, CO to spend quality refreshing time with my family.  This is our first official "family vacation".  We'll have three of our four married kids along with us and seven out of eight grand kids together at a home in the mountains for the week provided by Tony's amazing friend. Since my last big battle of hospitalization I've seen God literally pick me up and carry me through this storm.  It has been quiet a journey, but He's never left my side and continues to show me grace and strength for each new day. 

Several months ago I was afraid  that I would cause our family to miss out on this trip.  Jordan and I were on our way home from Oklahoma after seeing a young man lose his fight against cancer.  I wasn't feeling well and was so ready to be back home.  Jordan was looking for a song to play for me that reminded her of my life and I was wondering in my mind would I physically be able to make a trip to Colorado without health issues and would I be burdensome to my family. As I was deep in my thoughts I looked up and on the side of the road there was a sign that said "Colorado Lift Tickets".  That may not seem weird, but the timing and location was nothing but God "winking" at me to give me hope that this trip would become possible.  The sign was in the middle of nowhere in Oklahoma and the timing was not a coincidence like some would claim, but just another reminder that God is in every detail of our lives. 

The kids and grand kids will be out purchasing lift tickets tomorrow and tackling the snow slopes.  I'm so thankful to know I will not be putting on skis but can go out and watch them have a great time.  

November 26th Tuesday

Everyone has adapted well to the altitude after some much needed rest from traveling to get to Colorado.  The first day of travel is always the longest and hardest, but God sent His angel armies all around us and allowed us safety even through the snow storm while driving to our vacation home for the week.  The home is incredible in the midst of the mountains.  All the adults have their own bedrooms.  The adults with kids had to share rooms, but beds were available for everyone.  Tony and I had the master suite and God was into every detail of our room.  The king size bed and pillows are exactly what we have at home, so we didn't even have to adjust to a new mattress.  That may seem like a coincidence, but I say it is another "God wink". He has provided everything for our week of refreshment and relaxation.  We were able to find a Walmart with box fans in Colorado in the middle of Winter. Our family believes box fans are the best way to get good rest to drown out the noise, especially when you have 15 people including 2 toddlers and a baby under one roof.  

Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves whether hanging out at the  house or on the ski slopes.  I am so thankful my appetite has increased and I'm getting plenty of rest.  The menu was planned out for the entire week, and after several hours of grocery shopping, Tony and Kimberly conquered the list of every item and ingredient.  There will probably be several more runs to the store, but the bulk of the food shopping was accomplished.  

Thanksgiving Day-Blessed beyond measure.  Everyone did their part to help prepare an unbelievable meal for our Turkey dinner.  We all were able to go out and play in the snow and even conquered getting a family picture before our meal.  Afterwards we all just relaxed and had no agenda.  The best part of the day was in the evening.  After putting the 2 little ones to bed we had a family worship service.  Everyone shared what they were thankful for and we worshipped together in songs as a family and ended our evening in prayer.  There was no doubt God was in the midst and He provided a moment I think we'll always cherish.  I love Psalm 121 because I feel that is what God did for us all week.  We lifted our eyes to the hills (mountains) and the closeness of His grace and presence was with us all week.   He never slumbered or slept but kept His care over us.  To  have 5 separate families come together and truly enjoy time together with no arguing or dysfunctional times for a whole week is a miracle.  We truly soaked in God's goodness with such gratitude for allowing us time do rest in Him.  

I truly felt so many prayers being poured out over me this past week.  I rested well along with a small appetite and relaxed the whole time other than a little shopping on Wednesday.  After everyone else left early Friday morning, Tony and I had a day alone with our twins.  We took them to dinner at Bubba Gump and it is always an extra blessing to spend time with the most amazing teenagers I've ever met.  

Kaitlyn & Kimberly

We are now back on our flight home and I have mixed emotions.  I can look back and see that this week was definitely orchestrated by God's hand in every area.  We step back into reality in a few short hours, but I'm at peace with whatever lies ahead.  I could die tonight and feel my life was complete because of ALL Jesus has done for me.  He has been my everything and without Him  I have no Hope or true Joy.  My heart's desire is to watch my grand babies grow up and live their lives totally sold out to Him and I am so thankful for our grown adult children having the same desire to raise their kids pointing them to our Savior in their daily lives.  Nothing is more taxing and rewarding than a young family raising their children in this world and teaching God's principles and truths. But seeing your fruits/ reward when your kids become parents themselves with the right perspective is an unexplainable blessing. 

Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts towards our family this week.  The pictures below give you a small glimpse of our blessed week.  

Kaitlyn, Kimberly, Rhett, Me, Tony, Jaxon, Cadence, Addison & Hudson

The Pate Gang

The Buettemeyer Gang

The Street Couple

Me & my best friend

Bryan, Me & Jordan

"Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."