Thursday, November 26, 2009

Five Kernels of Corn

For our Thanksgiving we started a new family tradition ~ even if it was just last year! My Mom (thanks Mom!!) gave our family a very neat book, "A Family Book THANKSGIVING A Time To Remember" and CD by Barbara Rainey from which we got this idea. It's a story of the Pilgrim's faithfulness and biblical thankfulness ~ which we listen to as a family together.

"The abundant harvest of corn they had so recently stored for that second winter of 1621-1622 was now not nearly enough. (after the newcomers from the ship, the Fortune, arrived unexpectedly). They began that winter cautiously with everyone getting their half ration of corn, hopeful that the men could find enough game and fish to see them through. Supplies dwindled quickly. Legend has it that at one point the food stores were so low that everyone was forced to a daily ration of only five kernels of corn. It's amazing to think that anyone could survive on so little food: yet no one died of starvation..."

So in our Thanksgiving Day table setting, we put 5 kernels of corn on each plate. Before we begin with the abundance of food and feasting, we each hold our kernels and place each one in a basket representing one thing we are thankful for this past year. Some in our family 'bucked' this crazy idea!! but in the end it was something very meaningful and looking back with written record, a journal of God's faithfulness.
And so this year
Solomon Natnael 2yr.
1. You --as he looked at his Dadddy
2. Esser -- his sister
3. Mommy
4. Gabe
5. Aunt Kathy

Esther Yordanos 4yr.
1. My family
2. Mommy and Daddy for getting me from Ethiopia
3. nice toys to play with
4. turkey dinner
5. my food and drink

Gabriel Patton 11yr.
1. My Family
2. My fish and snake
3. Wii
4. Motorbike
5. my dog

Madison Kate 16 yr.
1. My Family
2. that we're adopting again
3. good health
4. Tink and Pan
5. My Friends

Marilynn Adeline 16 yr.
1. My parents
2. My siblings
3. that we're adopting again
4. the privilege to be in dance class another year
5. our house

Sallee Denise 39yr.
1. Christ's righteousness that covers my unrighteousness /His faithfulness in my weakness
2. The heart of my Montie

3. My children~ Adeline, Madison, Gabriel, Esther, Solomon, and ??
4. That we're adopting again from Ethiopia ~ it's POPPY DIP :)
5. God's awesome power in providing every penny for little Darya to come home!!


Montie Patton 41 yr.
" This day we set apart you see
together as a family.
To lift our eyes to God for "He"
has been there in our time of need.
For those who came so far away
to found this great country, we thank this day.
They came for love of God to bring
their families here where 'freedom rings'.
Thank you God, I am so blessed beyond what I deserve
May I in gratitude and obedience ~ my life to You, I serve.
You have given me a family in whom I pour my life
and on top of that, You've given me my best friend as my wife.
How could any man be better off than where I am today?
Five great kids, a loving wife, and living in the USA.
So let us all remember ~ God let us never forget
True thankfulness is not a word, it is an act of obedience.

Ephesians 5:20
"Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."



our family with some of my family ~
Brad (eldest brother) Kathy~ Jesse ~ Kaleb
Tim

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