Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving Day marked Jack's first road trip. John, Alyson, Abby, Jack and I traveled across Pennsylvania to spend the day with family. Grant, Deborah, and their kids had arrived Wednesday night. It seemed like a LONG TRIP after stopping twice to feed and change Jack, but finally we arrived. We certainly had a lot to be thankful for as the house filled with laughter (well, if we're being realistic there was a lot of crying from babies and small children, too) and the smell of turkey. Mom's presence was there, too, of course, even in the simple things like her fall decorations set around the room.

Another highlight of the weekend was Jack's Baptism. My heart filled with joy as my dad sprinkled my son's head with water from the Jordan and prayed blessings over him. We got to spend the majority of the afternoon with dad's family, in from Lancaster, and John's family. Miles presented Jack with a special gift: his first Bible, beginning what I pray will be a faith-filled life.

In-between the festivities, our immediate family took a little time to visit the Wellness Community to see the bricks laid in memory of Mom. We wandered through the gardens, enjoying the late-fall sunshine, remembering who Mom was. Grant and Deborah reminded the kids that "Mica" is with Jesus,and Claire responded with "but I can't see her!" I share Claire's frustration, and I can only come to terms with the mystery of heaven by holding onto hope. This Thanksgiving, as I have in Thanksgivings past, I give thanks for that hope of God's provision in this life and his promises for the next.