So Much to Be Thankful For

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Since this is my last Thanksgiving as a daughter living at home, we made an effort to see almost all of our extended family. We left our home after the morning milking and drove down to NC to visit with most of my mom's side of the family. After a delicious meal, Daddy and I drove down the road to visit at his grandparents' house. We returned to my grandparents' house, left shortly afterward with the rest of our family, and headed to Virginia Beach to visit with most of the rest of my dad's side of the family. We enjoyed yet another scrumptious Thanksgiving meal and returned home to eager cows (Elliott and Oliver just completed the evening milking at nearly midnight).

One year ago I was excited and prayerful about the young man corresponding with my father concerning his interest in me. This year I am incredibly grateful for the amazing opportunity to soon become the help meet of this godly, diligent, and wise man! I am also very thankful for the blessing of growing up in a wonderful home with a precious family, as well as the sweet joy and contentment I have as I spend these final days with my family. I am most grateful for the assurance that no matter where I may live, or whatever changes may be in store, God will remain with me; mercifully bestowing peace, fulfilment, and direction through every transition. What an exciting thought it is to wonder about what God may have in store one year from now!


"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."

William Bradford



 "Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

Edward Winslow