Thanksgiving is usually held at either Merrit's house or Lee's because they are the only homes that can accommodate 50 people. This year, it was at Lee's. (The picture I've attached shows about half of us. There were three other large tables set up around the house.)
Before we ate, Lee arranged for several people to share what they were grateful for this past year. The underlining theme shared was gratitude for our Savior Jesus Christ and for the life God has given us on earth. I appreciated Russ's testimony especially with all he's been through with his wife having cancer. Russ shared that he was grateful for the trials he has been through this past year because they have helped to shape him, helped him grow and appreciate in ways nothing else could.
Jeff closed our small devotional by sharing a short audio clip of President Hinckley testifying of Christ. The spirit filled the room and there was hardly a dry eye. Every heart was touched by gratitude and love for each other, for life, and for our Savior.
We had plans the next day to drive north with Lee and her family to find a Christmas tree so Joseph and the children slept that night at Lee's. I had to drive an hour back down to Provo though to let our foster daughter be with her grandma and grandpa for the other half of Thanksgiving. Before we left, our FD wanted to hug all 50 people individually. Everyone's heart melted by her expression of affection.
Micah tagged along with FD and I back down to Provo because he was feeling sick - he rested on the couch and watched movies while I worked on homework until it came time for me to pick up our FD from her grandma's Thanksgiving dinner.
The next morning, I drove back up to Lee's to gather those who had slept over. We drove out with her family just past the Utah/Wyoming border to find the perfect Christmas tree. I love the satisfaction of cutting down our own tree, of picking it out together. They kids may not agree but I think it's very worth the long drive and bundling up warm.
Putting up our tree last night made me more aware that Christmas is just a few weeks away and another year is almost over. Wow, I can't believe how fast this year went by!
