Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving Giveaway

UPDATE: Here are your random numbers: 63 Timestamp: 2010-11-28 01:00:34 UTC
That makes commenter #63, Misty P, the winner.  Please email me your address, Misty.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Leave a comment below sharing something you are thankful for today and you'll be entered to win a drawing on Saturday for a copy of my book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know. If you've already read it, this copy would make a terrific gift for a girlfriend.


I ate a full Thanksgiving meal last night (see last post if you're wondering why a day early) and have I got a new recipe for you! It's so good - seriously good  It sounds like it wouldn't be but it is, and it tastes like dessert! It's a butternut squash casserole - stay with me, I promise it's sweet and delish.

It would be great with a Christmas meal, or with roasted chicken any time of the year.

It starts with a jar of organic butternut squash puree from Williams-Sonoma.  And right now, you can get a $12 jar of this for just $5.99.  Check your local store or follow that link and buy online.  Here's the recipe:


Ingredients:

1 jar Williams-Sonoma organic butternut squash puree
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbs. all purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp orange extract
1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

1 cup crushed vanilla wafers
1/2 cup melted butter
3/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 425 F. In large bowl, combine the jar of puree, sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla, orange extract, salt, flour and melted butter. Pour into a small 4-6 cup casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes or until set.

In medium bowl combine crushed wafers, melted butter and brown sugar. Sprinkle over top of cooked casserole and return to oven to brown about 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!

To wrap up, let me restate one of the power verses from today's devotion. Psalm 107:1: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." I found a touching poem that does that - could be read aloud as a Thanksgiving prayer. Try each reading a stanza around the table.

I Thank Thee

O Thou whose bounty fills my cup,
With every blessing meet!
I give Thee thanks for every drop—
The bitter and the sweet.

I praise Thee for the desert road,
And for the riverside;
For all Thy goodness hath bestowed,
And all Thy grace denied.

I thank Thee for both smile and frown,
And for the gain and loss;
I praise Thee for the future crown
And for the present cross.

I thank Thee for both wings of love
Which stirred my worldly nest;
And for the stormy clouds which drove
Me, trembling, to Thy breast.

I bless Thee for the glad increase,
And for the waning joy;
And for this strange, this settled peace
Which nothing can destroy.

 ~ Jane Crewdson (1860)


Thankful for my blessings both bitter and sweet.

80 comments:

  1. Nicci RamirezNovember 25, 2010

    Happy Thanksgiving Rachel!!! Today I am thankful for my (2) younger sisters who will be coming to spend the day with me! We lost our parents at too young of an age so we are all we have on this earth. I am thankful for them and the opportunity God is presenting to me to love on them and share God's Word with them!

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  2. I am thankful for a loving God who loves me and blesses me more abundantly than I could ever fathom or mention by name. I am thankful for the talented group of caring and God-focused women at Proverbs 31 Ministries who write the words that give me hope and encouragement throughout the year.
    I am thankful for my husband and children who love me and let me know that every single day.

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  3. Happy Thanksgiving. am thankful that I have 2 children and my husband with me to celebrate the day!

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  4. Happy Thanksgiving!

    I am thankful for the love of God and for my family.

    Specifically, I am thankful for God's patience with me and His neverending provision during my growth cycles. He's never left me or turned away, even if I did. And He has always shown me His more excellent way in the ways of love.

    Regarding my family, I am thankful for their love and just for the blessing of having them around me. My family is truly a divine gift from God, and we have all been adopted by Him in one way or another.

    Thank you, Rachel.

    Blessings,
    Kim

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  5. Happy Thanksgiving!
    I am thankful for: Such a loving God, good health, my husband and children, my family, abundant blessings, our Christian school and the mean by which to pay for it, my home, my church, my friends and so much more. Thank you for all of the wonderful,gifted Proverbs 31 sisters that are sooo inspiring. Blessings on this glorious day.
    kareng

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  6. I am thankful for God's nearness during all of life's ups and downs. Also, something a little different but I am so thankful for all the verses my young son is learning in AWANA this year. The LORD has brought my 3 1/2 yr. old a long way and he is just doing so well in this class. I really think these Scriptures he learns now will stick with him for life and I am so thankful for God allowing Him to be in this particular class!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

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  7. I am thankful for my life. It's far from perfect, but it's what I make of it.

    Happiness is a state of mind...Joy is down deep in the Spirit!

    I am thankful for the sunshine, and thankful for the rain.

    It's through the storms of my life that I am made stronger and grow closer to GOD!!

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  8. I thank God that I know Him. I thank God for my family, health, country, food, grandbabies,home,
    friends, and too many numberous things to mention. Happy Thanksgiving to all and Praise the Lord Almighty!

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  9. Evalyn ElliottNovember 25, 2010

    I am thankful for God's goodness, grace and mercy in my life. I am thankful for my husband and daughters and thankful for my brother and sister as well. I pray God's blessings on all of them. I am also thankful for Proverbs 31 ministries.

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  10. I am thankful that God promises to NEVER leave us. This economy has sent my family a curve. We've learned that even when you lose your home,TRUST GOD. He is always there. Rest in His arms.

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  11. I am thankful for my loving husband, my daughter and son and all my family!I am thankful that God sent his ONLY son to die on the cross on my behalf. I am thankful for each and every day that God gives me to share with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving, Rachel!

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  12. I'm thankful that our mighty God has the power to calm the storms not only in the world, but also in my heart.

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  13. I am thankful for everything He has blessed me with...but this year I am thankful to still have my daddy with us as he's battled kidney cancer this year!! But God has been gracious and we are seeing healing...

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  14. Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my salvation and that all my immediate family (husband, children, siblings, parents) all know the Lord. He is good.

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  15. Happy Thanksgiving!
    I'm am so thankful for the love of God that has changed my life in so many ways! I'm thankful for a loving husband, children, family and friends to share the holidays with! God is so Good!

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  16. Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful today for my new-found belief in, and love for God. I am thankful for being able to host Thanksgiving in my home again this year, with various family members who would otherwise be alone today. And especially thankful my mom, dad and stepmom, none of whom are married to each other anymore, all get along, so we can all spend the day together.

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  17. Hi Rachel. I am thankful for being able to go to the store and pick up all the fixings for our Thanksgiving meal today. I am also thankful for the opportunity to spend the evening with my husband's family. There are so many things that I am thankful for that I could just go on and on and on. I am so happy that God loves us like he does!

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  18. I am thankful for a loving God who cares soooooooo much about me although I am messed up. I am thankful for my family the "perfect" and the "not so perfect" ones, children, and friends. I am thankful for the gift of today that i can share with others.

    Happy Thanksgiving, Rachael

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  19. I am thankful for loved ones in my life. I am also grateful for God's unfailing love. gasweetheart211[at]netscape[dot]net

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  20. As I finished reading your Proverbs 31 devotion I looked around my home and thought "I have so much, I am so blessed, and I am so thankful". Despite my husband being out of work, besides a home in foreclosure and what seems like insurmountable debt, I Am Thankful. I have God. That alone. But I have a devoted husband, a healthy son and a baby boy on the way. For these things alone, I Am Thankful.

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  21. I am thankful for friends, family and the unfailing love of Jesus! I too am thankful for the Bible in a new way... a few weeks ago someone forwarded me a Utube video of a nation preparing to receive the first copy of the New Testament in their native language! WOW! It was amazing! I think that have the Bible in my laanguage is something I have taken for granted! Blessings!

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  22. I thank God for being always there for me and my family.He has never failed us.He always knows whats best for us

    Sheena

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  23. Lately, I've been trying to focus on the little everyday things that I often forget to count among my blessings. Of course I'm thankful for family, a home, and food. But I'm also thankful for the soft glow of a candle, the smell of autumn leaves, and coffee in the morning. In so many ways, big and small, I'm blessed beyond measure! Thank you, Jesus.

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  24. THanks for your wonderful words. Just what I needed. I am so thankful for the peace of God and for my wonderful, heathy, loving family. God bless.

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  25. So sorry but I did the mister linky thing but it linked to the wrong page, although I am thankful for Once a Month cooking:) I meant to link to my post about my children's thankfulness tree. Sorry!

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  26. On this day of thanksgiving, I give thanks for the kidney transplant that I recieved in November of 2008 and the young man who chose to give that gift as an organ donor, that allows me to spend this day with my husband and children. I send up prayers for his family as they go through this Thanksgiving day.

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  27. I am so thankful for some extra time with my husband. He doesn't get much time off work and my children and I are grateful to spend a few days enjoying him home! I'm also grateful for Christian women who love the Lord and encourage others through their writing and ministry. Thanks for your posts today. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  28. Happy Thanksgiving to all,

    I'm so thankful that I found the Proverbs 31 ministry, the words of wisdom help me so much in my life.
    I'm thankful for my hubby, that spoils me so. My sisters, and all their families. I'm thankful for the cross.

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  29. I am thankful for so much. I am recently reminded of the blessing of friends who encourage, inspire, understand, and look past where I fall short, (over and over and over) and nudge me back to the right path.

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  30. Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for being in my right mind and having my husband home (we are a military family). He made it home a week ago!! God is good!!! Shauna

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  31. I am thankful for God's unfailing love and provision for me and my son. When I am feeling alone, He shows me that He is always there for me.

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  32. I am so thankful to have my youngest daughter home. She and I are alone on thanksgiving but we are surrounded by memories of other thanksgivings when we were surrounded by family, chaos, noise, and food. I will spend the day teaching her to cook. I am so grateful for this chance to help her make her own thaksgiving dinners when she is married and gone next year. Thank you for the yummy sounding recipe. Have a most blessed day!

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  33. Susan RhoadsNovember 25, 2010

    Blessings, hugs and giggles, Rachel!

    I am more than grateful that I have a warm home and the means to feed others today. I am daily grateful for my husband's sobriety (over 11 years now) and the peace that has brought to our lives, only through the power of Christ's love and forgiveness.

    I am truly grateful for other sisters in Christ in my life who keep me accountable for those icky things that keep creeping into my life, that they pray for and with me.

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  34. So thankful for that through tough times I have my God and my wonderful husband to love me unconditionally! Also that through the craziness of having 5 boys in the house that at least one of them can make laugh at any given time! God is so good!

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  35. Today I am thankful for the miracles God has performed in the life of my husband and our family during this past difficult year, and for peace that passes all understanding, and that God does provide for all of our needs and so much more! What a mighty God we serve!!

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  36. I am thankful for my encouraging, loving, supporting girlfriends in Christ. And for the blessing to live in such a great country where we can freely worship and give praise to our generous, loving Father!

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  37. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I am thankful I can come to Proverbs 31 Ministries every morning and have my quiet time with God. You ladies have inspired me to write again and to start my own blog for women who want their life centered on Christ. Thank you! Visit my blog, A Busy Woman's Life at http://kendracameronjarvis.wordpress.com

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  38. I am thankful for God's love for me and the knowledge that no matter what happens in my life, He will carry me through.

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  39. Thanks, Rachel, for today's post...can't wait to try out the new recipe! Today I am most thankful for God's unfailing love!!! Psalm 33:22

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  40. I am thankful that God has allowed me to homeschool my children, especially on a day like today. It is snowing outside and I do not have to send my children to school on slippery roads. Also, my son woke up not feeling well last night, so I am blessed to be able to give him extra TLC today. I am also blessed that God has given me a loving husband and that he has a job that allows me to be a stay-at-home Mom.

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  41. Barbie ProfferNovember 25, 2010

    Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for a gracious God who pours out His great love for me and sent His Son to die for my sins. I am so grateful for my amazing husband and son.I am also incredibly grateful for our son's birthparents who made the decision to give him life and then make the choice to give him to us. We love you guys. Also as I sit at a beach house watching the beauty of God's creation, I am awed and thankful to the Lord for His creativity inmaking this beautiful world we live in. Thank you, Lord!

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  42. Carrie SkubicNovember 25, 2010

    Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my husbands very large extended family, my small family and many friends for they continue to pray for my 4 y/o son who has Leukemia. I know it is God answering their prayers that my son has been doing so well. Also for my wonderful 9 y/o and husband who have helped and been patient during this year with Leukemia.

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  43. Michelle LangeNovember 25, 2010

    I am foremost thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I'm so thankful for my wonderful family, my daughter's improving health, the friends and family who will join us today and for my husband and I having jobs in this tough economy.

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  44. I am thankful for my family but especially my brand new little niece! I never thought I would be an aunt but it finally happened. So grateful to be able to share my life with my 2 precious boys and wonderful husband. Thank you God for all your blessings!

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  45. I'm so thankful for my family-despite the struggles we are facing right now, I know that God is working through them and helping us stay strong together and support one another.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    ~Amy V.

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  46. I am so very thankful that God took care of my husband on Monday when he got real sick while driving to get his brother. I got a call that he had called 911 and they were taking him to the ER. Since I don't drive any more my youngest daughter came and we went to the ER.
    He had a very severe case of Vertigo but today he is much, much better. The details are in my last post yesterday. I'm so glad I serve a loving God who takes very good care of His children.

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  47. Thankful for happy family, heart friends and home and hearth - richly richly blessed.

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  48. I am thankful that my husband is no longer suffering from the pain of cancer. I am thankful that God's love for us will bring me to heaven someday where I will see him again.

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  49. Shannon McGuireNovember 25, 2010

    Thanks for the recipe, it sounds yummy and happy thanksgiving to you! Today, I am thankful for my family, for my savior and for internet that allows me to read blogs and devotionals that inspire me so much!
    Shannon

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  50. I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that I have eyes to see, ears to hear and am healthy. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head; heat, air-conditioning, food, water, clothes, a car that gets me back and forth to work (it's 10 years old with over 200,000 miles but it serves the purpose). I am thankful for my job of nearly 30 years although it may come to an end soon because it is a rural hospital and struggling financially. The Lord is good all the time. All the time, the Lord is good. I am thankful most of all that the Lord is in my life and to know what it is to have a relationship with Him. Amen.

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  51. Katie HollandNovember 25, 2010

    Happy Thanksgiving Rachael! :) I would have to say right now, I'm most thankful for my job, not only because the economy stinks right now, but because I want to be a social worker, so working at a daycare is the perfect fit, I tried the military, but wasn't able to make it because of a variety of reasons, had not gotten home when I did, I would have missed the chance, to work at a daycare, my grandpa started, and that I attended as a small child. :)

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  52. Lord,
    I am thankful that you are with us this Thanksgiving after a week of being with lawyers, counselors and phone calls with legislator over the illegal sale of our house with the bank through the modification process. I thank you that I was able to sit and eat a meal without my stomach and my husband's stomach being sickish feelling from the sadness of losing our house right before Christmas. I thank you Lord, that my son reminded me that you are sovereign even in this situation and that you can turn the hearts of an evil King so you can do anything and I need to trust.
    Praise God,
    Crystal

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  53. I am thankful for my salvation, to have been forgiven and set free. I am also thankful for my family and friends!
    I would love to win your book!God bless Rachel!
    Very nice poem too!

    Blessings,
    Jeanie

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  54. I am thankful for the freedom to worship the one living God!!! mheard11@frontier.com

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  55. I am thankful for my chronic illnesses. I have grown closer to the Lord. Also, I have not been able to work for the last 8 years, so I have been able to be home with my son.

    Carrie Crews
    ccrews2003@sbcglobal.net

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  56. I'm thankful for my salvation and freedom to worship God. Of course family and friends who are earthly examples of God's love.

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  57. Happy Thanksgiving!
    I am Thankful for a husband who chose to serve guest at Cracker Barrel today, knowing most of them would be without a big family meal. I am Thankful for a Bro-in -Law who when he got a call from his brother last night saying his mom was confused and was expecting him to be there for Thanksgiving, he left to be with her. I'm Thankful for My sister who sent him even though she really wanted him to spend it with her and us at my mom's. I'm thankful that even though my dad was bad sick today with a stomache thing and could not eat with us, that he is alive because three times he should not have been. I'm thankful for a surprise Girl's only Thanksgiving lunch and games this afternoon. I'm mostly Thankful that because Of God's amazing grace we will one day have a Thanksgiving Celebration that will last for eternity....I want to taste the food on that table!!!!

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  58. I am thankful for laundry to fold and dishes to wash. For toys out of place and socks on the floor. For a house that is too small, because it is full. Thankful for my family....

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  59. I am thankful for my lovely family. Even though we are spread around the country, we still manage to fill each other's hearts with merriment. I am thankful that even a small group of my family (four) can have such a blessed day. I am thankful for the ability to cook delicious food for those I love. I am thankful for having plenty to share with those less fortunate. Needless to say, I am thankful for a lot!

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  60. Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for so much this year! God has blessed our Family with the beautiful blessing of a baby Boy through the gift of adoption!! I am so thankful Ms. R did not go through her thought of and abortion and picked our family to raise her precious baby Boy! We are so in love, and Praise God for the gift of life!
    I also am thankful for Samaritan's Purse in Liberia! God has a plan, and when God placed a young lady with Samaritan's Purse from our area to be so close to a little boy we were in the process of adopting, (Liberia closed all adoptions) she is able to go visit, love and bring God's love to the Orphanage!! God is so Good!!
    Many Blessings to You Rachel!

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  61. I'm very thankful that I have a heavenly Father that has been with me thru the ups and down with my realationship. If God wasn't with me I would of never made this journey with my husband. Having a husband in prison is very hard but I love him and support him to the fullest. I'm so proud of him and what God has done for him. Change his life for the best. We are very blessed that he finally came up for parole and now waiting on answer. We are hoping and praying for a yes. I want him home so bad. It's really hard to not have him home with me doing the holidays but I know God put him in my life for a reason. I know God going to get us thru this hard journey and to continue to bless us.
    Sorry this is long, but I'm thankful that I am seeing some little changes in my special ed student that has gave us lots of trouble this year. I know God has put me there for a reason, just some days I don't know why. But I'm still thankful.
    Happy Thanksgivng to you and you family!
    Loretta

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  62. I am thankful for my mom and grandma.

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  63. I am thankful that I got to see several extended family members for the first time in 3-4 years. And they got to meet my two precious blessings (children).

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  64. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

    I am thankful for much. Our daughter is home from college for a few days! I am thankful for our son, who helped me carry up Christmas decorations from the basement. I am married to my very best friend, Bryan!

    I am thankful that this year, I can think back on the memories of my 13 yr.old who went to Heaven 6 years ago, and I can smile at all of the good times God gave us with her!

    Thanksful for the hope we have of spending eternity with my Heavenly Father one day and knowing we will never have to spend another holiday or birthday without our loved ones!

    Blessings,
    natalie

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  65. Shirley CookNovember 25, 2010

    Hello. I am thankful for the pain of my arthritis. Why, you may ask? Because the pain reminds me that I am alive, that I have arms and legs, and even though it may hurt I can do most of what I need to do. There are people who have no arms or legs, or they are paralysed and don't work. It also reminds me that I am alive still when so many are killed for their beliefs. It also reminds me that Jesus went through the unbearable pain of crucifixion so that I can be saved and found to be acceptable to God despite myself. Nothing else is needed! And to think, the pain could be seen as a curse by some who do not have the faith to believe in what Our Lord has done for us! The pain gives me the chance to share the love God has for us, and how we can survive anything when Jesus is our strength and hope.

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  66. I hope you and your family had a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving...we sure did. I am thankful for my God and Savior, my sweet husband of 41 years, my family and friends who I can count on always and who love me the way I am.....especially for my sweet grandchildren...just spent time with my sweet Amy--16 months...so precious...So much more but I would run out of space...

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  67. I am so thankful for my godly husband. He is a wonderful man who loves me very much. He is also an excellent father to our one year old daughter.

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  68. Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has blessed me with a wonderful husband and two loving children. I am so thankful for all of their love and support.

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  69. Today I am thankful for so many things but especially for the love and grace of God for each and every one of us. He loves us unconditionally no matter who we are or what we have done. This is beyond human comprehension and understanding. By faith we can know His awesomeness. Fannie in KS
    fgoldsmith@cox.net

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  70. Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful to my heavenly father for giving me the opportunity to get to know him at the right time in my life. I am thankful for every day he gives us each morning, for every breath we take. I am thankful for my family, friends, coworkers, pastors and for every devotional i have been receiving, it lifts me up and encourages me to continue growing spiritually.
    God bless....
    Rosie

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  71. I am thankful for my wonderful husband, and the strength the Lord continues to give me to keep our marriage happy, strong, and healthy, especially through the tough times.

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  72. I am thankful for the gift of salvation, that all the needs of my family are provided for, that I am able to work, love, laugh.

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  73. I am so thankful for the cross of Calvary where I can lay my burdens down!! I am amazed that the God of this universe who holds ALL things together by His Word loves and cares fro ME! AMAZING GRACE... This is my story; this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

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  74. Hope your Thanksgiving was outstanding!
    I'm so very thankful that my family was all together for the holiday.
    I'm also thankful that my girls were invited to a fun birthday weekend with their besties in Indy.
    What a blessed time they are having!

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  75. I am so thankful for the faithfulness and love of God, especially when I'm less than faithful and loving to Him!

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  76. I am thankful for all the Good Lord has given to me. I am going through some very difficult times right now with my son and drugs but God has blessed me to take care of his 2 children in the time he his trying to get it together. Thank you for your blogs. Some of them help me a great deal in how I perceive things.

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  77. I am thankful for the opportunities I have to teach and train women in understanding the Bible and teaching if God calls them to do so. Let us practice Thanks Living daily.

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  78. I want to say "Thanks" for being God's child. It is such a blessing knowing the Lord chose me & each one of us to live our lives, share our love & witnessing to others about him.
    I was adopted into a wonderful family when I was 2 yrs. old and it makes me feel so special to know this family opened their arms & hearts with so much love! They didn't have to love me....they chose to! Many Blessings to each of you! ~Cindie

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  79. Please, give me link to download XRumer 7.0!!!
    Thanks!

    Always yours,
    miss MW

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  80. I am thankful for family and friends and for a God who back in Genesis had a plan for me and you. How great is His love for us!

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