Authentic Compassion

Monday, November 24, 2008

Retrospective (also known as a rerun)

Last Thanksgiving I was a great deal thinner,eating healthier (oh what a difference a year can make!) and cooking for three of us - DH, MIL and me. Looking back on my blog posts I wanted to post a reminder of the wonderful turkey breast preparation method we used. You could do the same thing with a whole bird -simply loosening the skin and making a LOT more herbal essences paste. Right now- sitting in the refrigerator, I have a 20 pounder bird we got supercheap from Albertson's last week. Although we are going to someone else's home for Thanksgiving dinner I will cook the big turkey in our roaster and freeze for future meals. The handsome buck goat, Tucker, lives in a pasture of the home we will be visiting - he is out of our herd and a very nice buck.

I feel spiritually compelled to be grateful for much this year -

1 Thessalonians 5: 12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.




We've had a challenging year - our country is having a challenging year. My health hasn't been the best but it isn't a serious situation so we are grateful. Losing DH's mom was no doubt the low point of our year. Lots of losses this year, both through death and divorces - most people who died were known to be believers so we'll see them again, but miss them now anyway. We have enough - yesterday in church the pastor wanted us to write down three of our blessings - my very first one was Enough - not too much, not as much as we ask for - but enough to keep us working at being good stewards.

Bless all of you readers - this is one of the best holidays of the year - all about time together, food and family and friends. We are blessed this year to have friends who include us as family. Buhlaland is a good place to look back and even better place to enjoy the right now - with the promise of eternity for our tomorrows. Y'all be kind to yourself and one another. If I get in the cooking mode I'll be back with pictures and descriptions.

8 comments:

Vickie said...

Linda - You HAVE had a tough year. I have, too. And Thanksgiving is a special time to me to look back and see the many ways that God has carried me through. During those rough times, it's easy for me to feel alone, but I trust and know in my heart that when I get on the other side of the problem, my faith will have grown to another level. Sometimes I've had less than a "mustard seed", and yet, God always blesses the smallest effort with growth. I hope you have a wondrous day of Thanksgiving and blessings to you and yours! Vickie (a very nice goat indeed!)

Vickie said...

Hey, I am not a goat as my previous post looked like I was saying... haha

LindaSue said...

Oh Vickie - you were baaaaaaad! I would never think of you as a goat. Yes it has been a tough year but as I read my bible - looks like we can expect the years to be tough but we are assured of an eternity with no tears or pain! Thank you for your good wishes and I hope your family will also have a great Thanksgiving.

KathyB. said...

Thank-you for the scripture which helps me put things in perspective. I think I would love to sit down with you and chat. You have had a rough year? I had a past year where if I were suicidal I would not be here. Really. As it was, I hoped for death....but God is good and merciful, and I am a sinner saved by grace, and grace alone ! Undeserving, but blessed beyond all comprehension. Praise Him !

This week we will sit down to a Thanksgiving with Thanks giving, and with an answer to prayer I had given up hope of getting, but God has provided.He brought our son home from his 2nd tour of duty as a tank commander for the U.S.M.C. in Iraq. He provided safety for our 4 little granddaughters in the midst of the devil's kin and friends, He allowed our son and granddaughters to come home to WA. He allowed our family to hope again, but we really had HOPE all along. HIM ! Praise HIM!

Blessed thanks giving to you and yours !And, that is a handsome buck!

LindaSue said...

KathyB - it is dangerous to begin comparing rough years - I think we can all say 2008 has been a big challenge and for me - a refiner of my faith. Hard lesson to learn for me - if my hands are clasped shut trying to hold onto something - they aren't open to receive the Lord - and my trick of keeping one open and one closed - ain't worth a warm buck of spit!

Paula said...

I'm sorry about your tough year, Linda Sue...
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

LindaSue said...

I felt kind of silly mentioning we've had a hard year - seems like so many have - God carries us through - I love the song we sing at church about blessed be the name of the Lord. It doesn't matter whether desert or smooth way - we still bless His name.

Juri said...

I have been through some tough years in my past...and some great years! I guess that is just life! I do hope you and those you love have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Juri