Saturday, November 01, 2008

Giving Thanks ~ Day 1!

We try to cultivate thankful hearts year round. However, years ago, in response to the growing commericialism of October and the race to Christmas decor etc in the stores, we decided to begin setting aside Oct/Nov for a special emphasis on Thanksgiving.

We always put up a thankful tree. This year we are making one. I'll write about it when we get it done (no power tools will be used in the construction of this holiday project.)

Last year I participated in 30 Days of Thanksgiving, at Two Little Vikings. The digest versian of the challenge was to send a thank you card a day to someone who had blessed you for the 30 days leading up to Thanksgiving. I appreciated the challenge, though I didn't succeed.

This year, since I can't find an official challenge, I'm simply going to modify that challene and be sure I write one Thankful post a day throughout the month of November.

Today - 1 November - I am thankful for friends in the local area. Moving here was a hard adjustment for our family. I'm not sure why. We've moved often. We usually have friends within 3 - 6 months. This time it took months and months to feel like we belonged. I'm sure it had something to do with the girls not living here WITH us.

Today I am thankful for Deja and family. They've blessed us is so many ways: big and small. Deja reminded me about a week ago to "keep putting the big rocks first". Don't you love a friend who quotes you to yourself when you need it? (Did you follow THAT sentence). She was right. I'm feeling much less overwhelmed and I'm actually finding time to blog again. Our children love to play with their children. Doug's enthusiasm for pools ended up in our family having a pool this summer...a true mixed blessing. ::snort:: Doug coaches Jared in basketball. Deja loaned me her grinder today so I could get some loaves of bread in the freezer.

Yep, today we are thankful for the A family (especially Zander who was begging for me to make "real bread".)

Update: Yes, feel free to join me. I'd love to read lots of daily posts of things for which we can be thankful. Unfortunately, I will not be creating a blog badge. I suppose the "big rock" for me is giving thanks...not creating a badge in this season. LOL

©2008 D.R.G.

6 comments:

Herd Momma said...

I am going to follow your lead and add a Thankful thought everyday in November. A few years ago I hated the idea of having all these pumpkins we got from the pumpkin patch church just sitting around. So we started a Thankful Turkey! We made a head and some feathers and attached them to wooden skewers. Each family memeber had to write on feathers what they are thankful for and be creative and specific. Shelter, Health and Family is great but, I wanted to keep the feathers year to year. I love the ones written by aunts and parents etc... My aunt was thankful for her witty, fun, creative niece. (that's me ::snort::) I will also try to post this on my blog. Thank you for all the time you must spend at the computer sharing your life, thoughts, activities. I love it. I am Thankful For D'Etta!

berrypatch said...

This is a great idea, De'Etta. I like it. I may use it. ;-) BTW, I love the new look of your blog & REALLY love the header. :-)

Unknown said...

I was thinking this weekend about the "30 days of Thanksgiving" that I found on a blog last year. Was that yours? I posted today how I feel about Thanksgiving and would love to include a link to your blog if you don't mind. I'd also love to see your Thankful tree when you get a pic. I plan on posting some Thanksgiving craft tutorials for kids, too. Come by for a visit!
http://KeepinUpWithTheTatums.blogspot.com

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Tatums - you may always link to me.

You may have read about it here - but 30 days of Thanksgiving was hosted by "TwoLittleVikings". I looked and don't see anything up this year.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Lisa - glad you like the new look. Thanks for mentioning it. LOL

Amy - I'll be checking in to see your pumpkin/turkeys. LOL

Sheri said...

I love the new look. I am also posting each day of the month of November something for which I am thankful for. I too found it much easier to use my blog for a thankful post rather than snail mail the entire month. It makes me pause each day and take in what is around me. It brings a greater appreciation for where we are in our lives, rather than rush by the small things. I am enjoying reading your posts and I look forward to checking out your blog each day. Blessings to you.