We pulled the kids out of school a day early and our Thanksgiving vacation began Monday evening ... and we have done a whole lot of hanging out since then.  I have learned (the hard way) the importance of stepping away from all of the expectations, pressures and responsibilities of life to recharge and enjoy unstructured time with the ones I love. 

Of course, during this week there has been too much turkey, cartoons, and football on TV ... but there have also been board games, quiet walks and talks, staying up late (then sleeping in), talks about the past ... and the future, enjoying the sunset, counting the birds flying over, cooking meals together ... and several extended times alone with the Lord.

Except for the turkey ... all of it has been free. The older I get, the less I need and the more I appreciate the treasures already present in my life.  I am grateful to God for family, health, future, our church, and so much more.  And, I am grateful for the time to simply enjoy some of all with which God has blessed me.

I hope you have taken time to enjoy and to say thank you ... to the one who loves you more than any of us can fully understand or imagine.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING