Comments on: The First Thanksgiving – an Historical Perspective and Contest http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/ Homemaking Helps for Busy Moms Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:30:50 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sharon http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2104 Sharon Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:47:02 +0000 http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=232#comment-2104 I am thankful for a God who can be counted on to do as He says. Long long ago I was a divorced single mom of a 3 month old son. I recall one evening praying and crying out to God to be the daddy to my son. I wondered what in the world I was going to do next. I gave my son to God that night. And God provided for both of us. Eventually I remarried a great man and had 3 more sons! I just returned from my oldest sons graduation from basic training at Ft Benning. I am so terribly proud of my son. The bonus is.... he has a faith that I believe will stand through all that he is going through. When I look back I realize that it is a God thing. People say that I was a good parent, blah blah blah. But I know without a doubt that God has been in his life. And you know what? He turned out OK. So, I am thankful for my husband of 15 yrs, my sons and my God. I am thankful for a God who can be counted on to do as He says.

Long long ago I was a divorced single mom of a 3 month old son. I recall one evening praying and crying out to God to be the daddy to my son. I wondered what in the world I was going to do next. I gave my son to God that night. And God provided for both of us. Eventually I remarried a great man and had 3 more sons!

I just returned from my oldest sons graduation from basic training at Ft Benning. I am so terribly proud of my son. The bonus is…. he has a faith that I believe will stand through all that he is going through.

When I look back I realize that it is a God thing. People say that I was a good parent, blah blah blah. But I know without a doubt that God has been in his life. And you know what? He turned out OK.

So, I am thankful for my husband of 15 yrs, my sons and my God.

]]> By: Eileen http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2099 Eileen Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:26:10 +0000 http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=232#comment-2099 Hello, I am thankful for my family.. My 3 grown children, one in Chicago, One in China( to be home in about 7 months) and one in Colorado. Also my husband, friend and support. I am thankful to the Lord , that He has given me the gift of believe in Him and His Son, my friend. Hello, I am thankful for my family.. My 3 grown children, one in Chicago, One in China( to be home in about 7 months) and one in Colorado. Also my husband, friend and support. I am thankful to the Lord , that He has given me the gift of believe in Him and His Son, my friend.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2098 Stephanie Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:29:51 +0000 http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=232#comment-2098 I am thankful this year that we know (as of today) that we will not have to move. We had a very difficult situation put on us by family two weeks ago that we may have had to move back to our little run down house over an hour away from my husband's work up in the hills and bad roads. Today we got the mortgage approved and paid his brother, so we will not have to deal with not knowing where we will have to live. I am just thankful for God's wonderful provision and praying for healing for my husband's relationship with his brother. I am thankful this year that we know (as of today) that we will not have to move. We had a very difficult situation put on us by family two weeks ago that we may have had to move back to our little run down house over an hour away from my husband’s work up in the hills and bad roads. Today we got the mortgage approved and paid his brother, so we will not have to deal with not knowing where we will have to live. I am just thankful for God’s wonderful provision and praying for healing for my husband’s relationship with his brother.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2095 Rachel Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:51:57 +0000 http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=232#comment-2095 It's not easy packing up a family of 7 and moving to the other side of the world, but I thank God that He has allowed us the opportunity to spend almost 9 months in the Philippines as furlough replacement missionaries. Deciding what to take overseas is a stressful challenge, not to mention saving money for 7 airline tickets and our living expenses here plus keeping 5 children entertained for the long 23-hour flight. Now that we are here overseas in a foreign country, we have learned to survive and be happy without so many things we had in the States--things we thought we needed. We have been here just over 2 months and have learned to adapt to new people, climate, noises, food, language, and customs. We've seen extreme poverty, homelessness, pollution, and crazy driving (It's worse than anything I've ever seen in the States--and I've been to New York City!) We have faced typhoons and seen many lose homes and lives to flooding. We had our apartment broken into and were robbed of money. Our freezer died with meat in it. (After almost 3 weeks the part needed for repair still hasn't come.) Our children have sacrificed friends, yards, parks, woods, and cul-de-sacs to play in. They miss family, friends, youth group, and hearing English sermons in church. (It's difficult sitting through a 2-hour service on hard wooden pews when the service is mostly a language you can't understand.) Life has not been easy here, but God has provided everything we need when we need it. We know God wants us here and we are happy in His will. Thanksgiving is not celebrated here. Businesses and schools continue as usual, yet we are making a point to remember to thank God for His many blessings. After seeing how many Filipinos live, we feel so richly blessed of God! It’s not easy packing up a family of 7 and moving to the other side of the world, but I thank God that He has allowed us the opportunity to spend almost 9 months in the Philippines as furlough replacement missionaries. Deciding what to take overseas is a stressful challenge, not to mention saving money for 7 airline tickets and our living expenses here plus keeping 5 children entertained for the long 23-hour flight.

Now that we are here overseas in a foreign country, we have learned to survive and be happy without so many things we had in the States–things we thought we needed. We have been here just over 2 months and have learned to adapt to new people, climate, noises, food, language, and customs. We’ve seen extreme poverty, homelessness, pollution, and crazy driving (It’s worse than anything I’ve ever seen in the States–and I’ve been to New York City!)

We have faced typhoons and seen many lose homes and lives to flooding. We had our apartment broken into and were robbed of money. Our freezer died with meat in it. (After almost 3 weeks the part needed for repair still hasn’t come.) Our children have sacrificed friends, yards, parks, woods, and cul-de-sacs to play in. They miss family, friends, youth group, and hearing English sermons in church. (It’s difficult sitting through a 2-hour service on hard wooden pews when the service is mostly a language you can’t understand.)

Life has not been easy here, but God has provided everything we need when we need it. We know God wants us here and we are happy in His will. Thanksgiving is not celebrated here. Businesses and schools continue as usual, yet we are making a point to remember to thank God for His many blessings. After seeing how many Filipinos live, we feel so richly blessed of God!

]]> By: susan http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2091 susan Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:01:17 +0000 http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=232#comment-2091 I am thankful for being alive and healthy and being able to be working. I do family child care in my home and I know how hard it is for everyone these days especially working parents. Susan I am thankful for being alive and healthy and being able to be working. I do family child care in my home and I know how hard it is for everyone these days especially working parents. Susan

]]> By: Julie http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2090 Julie Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:26:34 +0000 http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=232#comment-2090 Thanksgiving.....a time of giving thanks! I have so many things to be thankful for. Many times we often let the things that we are fighting, get us down. I can only rely on God's promises to pick us up. In the last year, my dad passed away, after a 15 year battle with breast cancer. It was one of the hardest days of my life...and it happen to fall on my birthday. I thought about my mom and dad and how this day of my birth, 45 years ago, was a memory in the making. Now, as I share the day with my fathers passing....how do you think of it in a postive way. I think of the goodness and promise that he now is living a pain free life. I am so thankful of that...and yet, the day is challenging to get through. This is just one of the many struggles that have happened over this year... but in it all, I will hold my head high and proclaim the love of Jesus....through and through. Thanksgiving…..a time of giving thanks! I have so many things to be thankful for. Many times we often let the things that we are fighting, get us down. I can only rely on God’s promises to pick us up.
In the last year, my dad passed away, after a 15 year battle with breast cancer. It was one of the hardest days of my life…and it happen to fall on my birthday. I thought about my mom and dad and how this day of my birth, 45 years ago, was a memory in the making. Now, as I share the day with my fathers passing….how do you think of it in a postive way. I think of the goodness and promise that he now is living a pain free life. I am so thankful of that…and yet, the day is challenging to get through. This is just one of the many struggles that have happened over this year… but in it all, I will hold my head high and proclaim the love of Jesus….through and through.

]]> By: Julie Knight http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2089 Julie Knight Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:11:09 +0000 http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=232#comment-2089 Last October 2008 our beloved 5 year old son "B" died from brain cancer. We had kept him alive at least 6 months longer than the Dr's had expected. His cancer had returned twice in 2 years. After spending over $7000 on treatment for him we had found a Dr to help us and the treatment was working amazingly but the cancer was fighting and just took him 5 days after his first seizure during his entire sickness. We have done all the firsts like you have Marilyn. The Thanksgiving, the Christmas, Easter and his birthday, and many others. The days are sometimes so long thinking of what he was going to be - he had planned to become a chef and grow up and teach everyone what healthy eating was all about. His two brothers 8 and 2 have missed him too. His older brother often plays with B's toys in order to remember what they did together. I cry as I watch this but know that he has experienced something most children do not - life with an angel. My husband and I struggle every day as to why the Lord would choose us to be B's parents even though He knew B was going to die. I don't think I will ever understand why and have lots of questions. The reason I am thankful this year is that we had "B" for 5 years and not just 3 or less than that. He taught us so much about endurance no matter what the cost. He also told me 1 month before he died "Don't Give Up" on finding me medicines to help me Mummy. This touched my heart so much. We did not stop until he was in a coma and even then strived to find a way to heal him. I am thankful I have our 2 other boys to hold, love, homeschool and touch. Thank you Jesus for the hard times that make us into stronger people who can then turn around and help others. Yes I am fighting some depression, sadness and guilt "but Goddoes not give up on me so I will not give up on Him. www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendonknight Last October 2008 our beloved 5 year old son “B” died from brain cancer. We had kept him alive at least 6 months longer than the Dr’s had expected. His cancer had returned twice in 2 years. After spending over $7000 on treatment for him we had found a Dr to help us and the treatment was working amazingly but the cancer was fighting and just took him 5 days after his first seizure during his entire sickness.
We have done all the firsts like you have Marilyn. The Thanksgiving, the Christmas, Easter and his birthday, and many others. The days are sometimes so long thinking of what he was going to be – he had planned to become a chef and grow up and teach everyone what healthy eating was all about.
His two brothers 8 and 2 have missed him too. His older brother often plays with B’s toys in order to remember what they did together. I cry as I watch this but know that he has experienced something most children do not – life with an angel.
My husband and I struggle every day as to why the Lord would choose us to be B’s parents even though He knew B was going to die. I don’t think I will ever understand why and have lots of questions.
The reason I am thankful this year is that we had “B” for 5 years and not just 3 or less than that. He taught us so much about endurance no matter what the cost. He also told me 1 month before he died “Don’t Give Up” on finding me medicines to help me Mummy. This touched my heart so much. We did not stop until he was in a coma and even then strived to find a way to heal him. I am thankful I have our 2 other boys to hold, love, homeschool and touch. Thank you Jesus for the hard times that make us into stronger people who can then turn around and help others.
Yes I am fighting some depression, sadness and guilt “but Goddoes not give up on me so I will not give up on Him.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendonknight

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2088 Rebecca Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:41:15 +0000 http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=232#comment-2088 This year I am thankful to the Lord for bringing me through a "dark night of the soul". 2008 was tough, our beloved Grandma passed on to Jesus, my precious sister was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and my brother in law also passed from this world to be with the Lord. I thought I had weatherd the storm, and was happy to kick 2008 to the curb, when I was gripped with a horrible depression that lasted from January through March. I could barely get off the couch, I gained 30 lbs, and, as a homeschooling mother of 4, I was racked with guilt. What was wrong with me? I was so miserable and horrified with what I had become. As I slowly emerged from my stupor, I started to realise that I needed help if I was to avoid this kind of problem in the future, and I was so terrified of a repeat of the past winter that I started to look into counseling. Our pastor directed me to a wonderful woman who believed her purpose in life was to "bind up the broken hearted", me! By working with her this past summer I started to see how I could feel better, and, most importantly that I did not have to weather these big storms alone. I had the Lord, and He had shown his infinatie care and love for me by directing me to someone who could help. I am looking forward to life again, as the adventure it is, not the long road to trudge down that it had become for me. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Our Redeemer lives! This year I am thankful to the Lord for bringing me through a “dark night of the soul”. 2008 was tough, our beloved Grandma passed on to Jesus, my precious sister was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and my brother in law also passed from this world to be with the Lord. I thought I had weatherd the storm, and was happy to kick 2008 to the curb, when I was gripped with a horrible depression that lasted from January through March. I could barely get off the couch, I gained 30 lbs, and, as a homeschooling mother of 4, I was racked with guilt. What was wrong with me? I was so miserable and horrified with what I had become. As I slowly emerged from my stupor, I started to realise that I needed help if I was to avoid this kind of problem in the future, and I was so terrified of a repeat of the past winter that I started to look into counseling. Our pastor directed me to a wonderful woman who believed her purpose in life was to “bind up the broken hearted”, me! By working with her this past summer I started to see how I could feel better, and, most importantly that I did not have to weather these big storms alone. I had the Lord, and He had shown his infinatie care and love for me by directing me to someone who could help. I am looking forward to life again, as the adventure it is, not the long road to trudge down that it had become for me. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Our Redeemer lives!

]]> By: Karen http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2086 Karen Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:05:36 +0000 http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=232#comment-2086 This has been a very challenging year, ant yet each day I make it a point to open my eyes and be thankful for the abundance around me. In January I was laid off from I job I loved but that was wearing me down physically. I was a traveling sales rep and spent 90% of my time on airplanes and in rental cars. Losing my job allowed me to be home with my new husband and puppy. It made me slow down and take inventory of my life. I am very thankful for the time with my husband and how it has made our relationship even stronger. In April my mother lost a short & difficult battle with cancer. Losing her has changed my perspective on life & made me thankful for all the things she taught me while here on this earth. She taught me to bake, cook, and sew. She also taught me to love, forgive, have patience, and be the peace I want in the world. Even though I'm still in pain over her death, I am thankful for all the love she gave me, all that she taught me, and all the time we had together. As the year draws to an end, I am struck by the abundance of beauty and love around me. For that, I am thankful. This has been a very challenging year, ant yet each day I make it a point to open my eyes and be thankful for the abundance around me.

In January I was laid off from I job I loved but that was wearing me down physically. I was a traveling sales rep and spent 90% of my time on airplanes and in rental cars. Losing my job allowed me to be home with my new husband and puppy. It made me slow down and take inventory of my life. I am very thankful for the time with my husband and how it has made our relationship even stronger.

In April my mother lost a short & difficult battle with cancer. Losing her has changed my perspective on life & made me thankful for all the things she taught me while here on this earth. She taught me to bake, cook, and sew. She also taught me to love, forgive, have patience, and be the peace I want in the world. Even though I’m still in pain over her death, I am thankful for all the love she gave me, all that she taught me, and all the time we had together.

As the year draws to an end, I am struck by the abundance of beauty and love around me. For that, I am thankful.

]]> By: Angela Seever http://www.marilynmoll.com/2009/11/the-first-thanksgiving-an-historical-perspective/comment-page-1/#comment-2085 Angela Seever Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:46:11 +0000 http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=232#comment-2085 We had finally done it!! My husband and I had paid off our last credit card! After years of trying to budget and pay them off, we were able to do so. We have even raised our 7 month old in a group home so we would both be able to work and yet stay with him. We had just applied to serve as dorm parents for a missionary school in Pakistan when our supervisor(from the group home)came over to our house and said "We are going a different direction." Just like that we had both lost our jobs and home (owned by the company) without any warning! Since that day, we have had the church who is supposed to support us in our mission endeavors grow cold feet because we were let go from our job and a large unseen medical bill appeared in the picture. We've also had a garage sale where we sold half of our belongings that we will not be able to take when we move. And it's only been 2 weeks since this has happened! But in the midst of the endless job searching and trying to figure out where to move, and wondering if missions is even a possibility this year... we are trusting God. We know He has a plan for us and will take care of us. We are trusting Him that everything will work out for His glory and our good in the grand scheme of things. We are so thankful for our son and that our family is still happy and healthy. But we are most thankful that we are children of a mighty God who knows everything and cares for His children! We had finally done it!! My husband and I had paid off our last credit card! After years of trying to budget and pay them off, we were able to do so. We have even raised our 7 month old in a group home so we would both be able to work and yet stay with him. We had just applied to serve as dorm parents for a missionary school in Pakistan when our supervisor(from the group home)came over to our house and said “We are going a different direction.” Just like that we had both lost our jobs and home (owned by the company) without any warning! Since that day, we have had the church who is supposed to support us in our mission endeavors grow cold feet because we were let go from our job and a large unseen medical bill appeared in the picture. We’ve also had a garage sale where we sold half of our belongings that we will not be able to take when we move. And it’s only been 2 weeks since this has happened! But in the midst of the endless job searching and trying to figure out where to move, and wondering if missions is even a possibility this year… we are trusting God. We know He has a plan for us and will take care of us. We are trusting Him that everything will work out for His glory and our good in the grand scheme of things. We are so thankful for our son and that our family is still happy and healthy. But we are most thankful that we are children of a mighty God who knows everything and cares for His children!

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