Hello everyone:

I just wanted to share my wonderful blessings and memories of a wonderful and enjoyable Thanksgiving. The opinions expressed here ARE MINE, and may 'offend' several people. I DO NOT APOLOGIZE!

Every year, missionary friends, in UPSTATE New York (which is anything above Syracuse according to some people) invite my wife and I up for Thanksgiving and the weekend. This year, due to financial difficulty, I wasn't sure that we could afford the trip.

In Sunday school, we are studying about encouragement and my teacher 'sensed' that I was somewhat depressed. I explained why, and he said that the Lord will supply ALL your needs. Unbeknownest to me, they 'did a Love Offering' and presented it to me -- $250.00.

The Spences live in a town, called Massena, which is located 1 mile from the Canadian border. Total mileage from our home to theirs was 425.6 miles and it took us about 11 hours (due to stops so I could get out and walk).

Thursday morning, I got up and, with several other people, prepared a feast that fed 18 people. Several families brought part of the meal and other parts were made there. After the meal, Phyl got a container of 'shelled Indian Corn' and a small bowl. Her husband, Herb, explained that we were to take some corn kernels, and tell what we were thankful for, and 'drop' a corn kernel in the bowl. Several times there was an emotional item mentioned, and we stopped to pray for that. Oh what a great time of 'open-ness and sharing'.

There was plenty to eat and everyone went home with leftovers. My wife explained how I make a 15 pound turkey on the gas grill, which turns out golden brown and the meat is nice and juicy, SOoooooooooooo, next year, I was asked to make the turkey for the Thanksgiving Feast. Thanks honey, now how do I transport a gas grill 425 miles??

Thursday afternoon on, we spent with the Spences. Great time of fellowship, meeting new Christian friends, attending a prayer and breakfast group. Phyl said that I was 'chief cook' so if they had the ingredients, or whatever I needed to make a meal, just ask. We ate good, and I didn't do any dishes.

We left Sunday morning to come home, and we were just 'amazed' at the wonderful beauty and the majestic creation of our Great and Wonderful God. Yes, we had snow, and, like people, EVERY snowflake IS different.

I had a stroke, and yes, the North Country WAS COLD, but God 'provided' His hand of protection' upon us. Peggy, my wife and I are thankful for His Love and His great providing of our needs.

Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Denny