Thanksgiving in DeBary

November 9th, a Monday -

handed keys to our very first home

here in this little town of DeBary.

A cute little Florida home.

On a lake.  With a sunroom,

an open kitchen, livingroom & dining.

It came at just the right time

as God knows our aches.

We've moved almost everything in

and its taken time to make 

this house a home.

Some things need tweaking

and the pipes needed unleaking.

And today, our 1st Thanksgiving

here in beautiful Florida.

Last year I drove up North

and spent it in Indiana.

This year it was just us.

I sit here sleep deprived 

and thinking.

Today dawned early 

as the turkey needed to be prepped

and put in the oven.

I couldn't sleep last night

for some reason.

Today dawned so beautiful

over the lake.  

I love waking up and looking out

over the serene water

and search for my flock

of white birds perched on the bank.

A loon has been out front 

with her little loon baby.

The baby is so water happy

and dives under frequently.

It was quiet this morning 

as the family slept.

Turkey put into oven at 325.

Rolls set out on well greased pans

to rise.

Banana bread baked the night before

was a nice breakfast treat.

Coffee made and lingered with

as Ephesians filled my eyes and heart.

"boundless riches of Christ".

Family awake and we enjoy 

the peaceful morning.

Texting friends and lingering

in the happy Thanksgiving greetings

is always something I enjoy.

Friends are so special.

God has strategically given me

the best ones I could ever know.

One wrote "gobble till ya wobble"

and I laughed at her funny text.

One sent me a dancing turkey

and I just shook my head.

LOVE these funny friends.

Smells fill the house as turkey darkens.

Bellies start to get hungry.

Husband gets a second chance

to make amends on a dish gone wrong

several years before.

I lovingly give him a hard time.

Rolls done and we try one

to make sure "it tastes good".

I'm not sure the 1st one did.

Better "try" another one.

Green bean casserole 

turned out great.

Husband redeemed.

Mashed potatoes in the oven

takes too long to bake.

Gravy finally thickened.

We start to fill up our plates.

We sit together at the table

in the comfy wicker chairs

God provided through prayer.

So many little things

to be thankful for

but the little things

are truly so big.

I know Thanksgiving is a holiday,

a tradition - one I've participated in

for the last 43 years.

Today was the 44th.

This one was so interesting.

Here in a different state,

in a different living situation,

in a different city,

in a land of different people -

most of them I do not know.

But so surreal.

God is real.

Where He is, I can find joy.

No matter what is different,

He remains the same.

He makes EVERYTHING beautiful.

His perspective is beyond 

what I see or feel.

There is joy in every little thing.

And this makes me smile.

I'm sure now more than ever

that I can go through any hardship

and be assured of His

tender loving care.

This day dawned in God,

this day was full of His Presence.

And my heart is full of thanks.

we walked around the lake -

a tradition I enjoy 

after each years feast.

This day I walked around 

with my husband.

And it was really sweet.