For the past 12 years or so I have hosted Thanksgiving at my home for my oldest daughter and her family, my in-laws and my mom--this year I am simplifying--it will be spent with my immediate family meaning, hubby, youngest daughter and oldest daughter and her family--Our meal will be very traditional with turkey, homemade cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, greenbean casserole, homemade hot rolls, pasta salad, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, apple pie and cherry pie.

This is one more step to a simpler life--Holidays should not be stressful--not on the host--not on the pocket book--this year of all years--I feel the need to focus on truly being thankful for what we have--freedom--the abiltiy to worship a risen savior as we see fit, freedom of speech, freedom of the press--etc--there may come a time when we no longer have these freedoms--I want to enjoy my holiday with my family--not be so tired and overworked that I cannot enjoy my children and grandchildren--Every year I am so tired from all the cooking and cleanup that I do not enjoy the holidays much--seems so many have lost the true meaning of the holidays--but I can recapture that in my family by changing my focus--I want to focus on the fact my family is together--we are healthy--we have food on the table and clothes to wear--We are blessed in so many ways--Our way of life is not for everyone--but God is so good to us--we may not have much by the worlds standards--much of that is by choice--but the one thing we do have is salvation and no one can take that from us--

This is one year I challenge everyone to stop, and reflect on those things that are important in life--and thank the Lord for them--so many this year will be without--and be alone--wives will be without husbands due to the war--moms will be without children--children without daddy's and mommy's--family's will be without a home--many without power or water or money to buy the basics of food--many have lost jobs this year--if you are not in those groups of people you have so much to be thankful for--so many sit around pondering what latest and newest gadget to purchase for their child/ren for christmas and worried about how to pay for it--many will do without this year--if you can afford any thing for christmas this year--count yourself among the blessed--We all need to get back to the basics--Serve God--Thank him for what you have--God will bless you for it--

~Kris