ThanksGIVING Thankfulness

Amber over at Classic Housewife is doing a Thanksgiving series/special, and I want to get in on the fun! Also, if you get the chance, wish her Happy Bloggiversary today, because she’s also celebrating ONE YEAR at Classic Housewife!

Usually when Thanksgiving rolls around, my plans are coordinated with my mother-in-law, because generally she does Thanksgiving dinner, and I do Christmas. Usually we decide who will drive over the mountains to pick up E’s elderly and rather frail grandparents. Usually we bake some pies, such as E’s family-famous Apple Crumble, or my family-famous homemade Pumpkin Pie. You see I did say usually.

This year we have entirely different plans than we’ve ever had before. You see, as many of you know, our 15yo daughter J is living out of state. Where she is staying, a fantastic Teen Challenge program, have invited the whole family to come for Thanksgiving dinner! This is no small feat, considering we are bringing 4 kids on a 12 hour drive, through a mountain pass, in the winter. The kids (boys D1-9, D2-7, & G-18, and girl P-17) have hours and hours of boredom to look forward to before they get to see their sister. The sister they haven’t seen since early June. Yes this will be a VERY Thankful Thanksgiving, but we expect the gamut of emotions too. And I can’t wait to see her! E and I haven’t seen her since August.

Which leads me to thankfulness. We are so blessed as a nation, a city, and a family. These are some of the things I, personally, am thankful for:

*Employment. E and I both have jobs. Mine is SO flexible that I basically work when I want to, which isn’t very much. I take about 6 shifts per month.
*No debt. We have a mortgage payment, but that is all. We went through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University a couple of years ago and learned a LOT. We don’t carry debt! Cash & debit cards are all we use. We use envelopes and save a little each month for things like kid’s clothes, haircuts, home repairs, and that bedroom set we eventually plan to buy.
*My faith. I am so thankful for my salvation and what Christ did for me on the Cross. Every day, every year is richer because I’m growing more and learning more. My perspective has changed not only with age but also with maturity in my faith. I love Jesus!
*Good health. We have relatively few illnesses in our family, and none have been serious. Praise God!
*A home, and it is large enough for the family.
*And last but CERTAINLY not least, I am so thankful for Teen Challenge. This ministry has touched our lives and our family so deeply that E and I feel like we would do ANYTHING to help them out and bless them! Teen Challenge is an amazing ministry, helping teens and adults with life-controlling problems to overcome them and find freedom in Christ.

Which leads me to the main part of Amber’s Give-Thanks-Giving Challenge:
She asked how are you giving this Thanksgiving season? E and I have a special way in which we are blessing the Teen Challenge program where J is living. E has been designing and building these amazing jewelry boxes.
He is selling them and all of the money is going to help out the house. We have a friend who is a custom jewelry designer, and he has several in his shop and has sold some already. (They’ve been there since Saturday!)

My challenge to you is this: Find a Teen Challenge program near you, call them up, and ask them where they need help financially. I guarantee you they do, and that they will be so grateful that someone cares enough to ask. Even the simple things, like food, home repairs (particularly if it is a teen girl’s program) are things they can always use some help with. You can find a map of locations at Teen Challenge USA. And if you have a heart for it, get involved. Volunteer your time. Help connect with teenagers and give them hope and direction for their lives. You’ll be blessed to be a blessing.