At the Forum: Giving Thanks 2009

When I was little, my family would travel to my granny’s house for Thanksgiving. I loved this time of the year when our family would spend time together.  And on Thanksgiving, we would all gather at the table, stare in awe of the Great Bird and all the fixings.  We would start the meal off with a prayer and then start eating. Now that I am older and have my own family, we have started our own traditions. We still have that fabulous turkey and fixings that we love, followed by prayer, but we do one more thing as we are gathered at the table- give thanks. One by one we take turns telling each other what we are thankful for this year.

This year, I would like to share this moment with my “other” family, the Heart of the Matter forum moderators. If you have not had a chance to come to the forum, pull up a chair and enjoy your time with us as we give thanks….

1. My savior, who loves me unconditionally and molds me daily.
2. My husband, who is my hero and the greatest man in the world.
3. My son, who warms my heart and brings me joy everyday.
4. Being able to homeschool and give my son a precious individualized education.
5. The greatest group of best friends, online and offline, that a girl could ever wish for.
6. My mother, who is not only my mom, but is at the top of that best friends list.
7. Seriously, the internet…it enables me to minister to hundreds of thousands of women across the globe.
8. Having all our material needs met…from food, clean water and clothing, to a warm house and soft bed.

Screen Name: AmySue
Classical,  Gifted

“I am thankful always for salvation, God’s Word, and abundant life in Christ!  I am so thankful for the family God has blessed me with and that I get to be home with my girls every day.  I’m thankful that even when I forget to be thankful…God is faithful to remind me of His many blessings.  To have a personal relationship with the Almighty God that created our universe just blows my mind…no matter how bad a day it is, I can always be thankful for that.  I am also thankful for laughter, hugs, and bean and cheese burritos.  They make life so nice.”

Screen name: angellmills
Primary Education, notebooking, Bible Study

What I am thankful for:

• a warm home and warm clothes
• hot water heaters and a good washing machine
• plenty of food in great variety
• my oven
• being a mom and a wife
• creativity and curiosity
• the grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ

ScreenName: Jimmie
Learning Methods: Charlotte Mason

I am thankful for my faith.  It is seeing me through difficult times.

I am thankful for my marriage to a wonderful man who is perfect for me.

I am thankful for my daughter, long awaited, and loved beyond belief.

I am thankful for having had a good a loving childhood with two parents who did the best they could.

I am thankful for my little, warm, house that is filled with love.

I am thankful for my husband’s family who has taken me in as one of them.

I am thankful for my mother-in-law, and my mom’s friend who make sure that my mom gets out and does things with someone other than just me.

I am thankful that I was led on this journey to home schooling.

I am thankful that we live in a country where my daughter can grow up to do just about anything.

I am thankful for a friend who I can laugh with at some of the “bumps” along our path.

I am thankful for our dogs who make me smile.

Screen name: 3000melanies
Taking Care of You: Health & Wellness, Special Needs & Chronic Illnesses

I am thankful this year for:

• God’s love in our lives. He is always there!
• My family, both my immediate family and my extended family, who have been a great support for us. This year especially as it has been very trying.
• A new baby
• healthy children
• the freedom to homeschool my kids
• scrapbooking and crafting

Screen name: Bonnie
Crafts & Hobbies, Learning Methods: Unit Study Approach

I am thankful for my health as I’m a 2x cervical cancer survivor.
I am thankful for my family and my God.

Screen Name: nikowa
Parenting: Adoption

“Gosh it has been quite a year for our family! We have been through lots of changes and many blessings have come our way. First and foremost, I am thankful for God’s love and guidance in my life, I would be nowhere without HIM! I am also extremely grateful for my family. God has blessed me with an awesome husband and 4 beautiful children, not to mention my extended family which has been there for us so much. Especially this past year! I am thankful for the blessing of my youngest child, Joey. The Lord gave him to us after many years of loss and prayer. I am thankful for the opportunity for my husband to go to school and gain knowledge and skills he needs to better provide for our family. I am thankful that throughout the past year, my children have not been sick, as we have not had insurance. And to wrap this rambling up, I am also thankful that I am able to homeschool my 3 youngest kids, that we have a warm home and food, that I have a strong, happy marriage, and that I have made so many wonderful friends by being involved in HOTM! Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving holiday, I hope it is a memorable one!”

Screen name: hsmommaof4
Assistant to Forum Lead Moderator

I Am Thankful For:

The salvation of Jesus Christ: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Rom. 5:8)

A wonderful husband. We’ve been married for 21 years and love each other more than ever!

Being blessed to be a mother of 3-it took me several years to have children and I know that I am truly blessed.

Having the honor to homeschool my children-I cannot imagine our lives any other way. It is hard sometimes but always worth it!

My wonderful church-I am blessed to be a Sunday School teacher and have a part in our youth ministry-I love all of those kids so much!

Living in our wonderful country-we have lots of problems but we are still a blessed nation.

Wonderful friends, some of which I’ve never met “in real life.” I am thankful to have so many warm, wonderful friends who live all over the world!

Thank you for this opportunity to share just a few of the things for which I am so thankful.

Screen name: Rhonda@livingwater
Learning Styles: Auditory, Creative Learning: mini- offices

As I reflect over this year and years that have gone by, I can’t help but thank God for the life he has planned for me. Here are a few things I am thankful for this year:

• A God that is there for you no matter what time of day, situation and with unconditional Love.
• A best friend that I have been married to for almost 13 years.
• Three Marvelous Children that continue to amaze me.
• A roof over our head, food on the table and other comforts of home.
• Husband’s Job that provides the means to keep this family afloat.
• Friends and family (on-line and in person) that continue to be the backbone of my support emotionally, spiritually and physically.
• The ability to homeschool. I am not the only one doing the teaching, I learn from the kids too.
• Churches that I have attended this last year. God’s House and family are just so amazing!
• A cat and dog that give my family love, companionship and the entertainment we need.
• Heart of the Matter Magazine and Forum Staff, Members, Readers, and Moderators. So thankful to be part of the team.

Screen Name: fleekera
Lead Moderator

Thank You for sitting at our table and letting us share our thatks with you. Don’t worry the fun does not have to stop now. You can come visit all of us, twenty-four hours a day, in the comfort of your home. Happy Thanksgiving and until next week, you know where to find me- At the Forum!

Tags: adoption, At the Forum, cancer, Charlotte Mason, Chronic Illnesses, Crafts, Giving Thanks, health, heart of the matter forum, Special Needs, Thanking Jesus, Thanksgiving Traditions, Unit Study, Wellness

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