I CHOOSE US!

There are just some movies that say it for me and Family Man is one of those movies.  I have it in my DVD collection and I usually bring it out at Christmas.  If there is any chance that I have allowed doubts to enter my mind, this movie always sweeps them away.

Saturday, my husband had to work late into the evening and I sat... lonely in my big chair, while flipping through the channels. There was Family Man.

What if we could see what our life would have been like if we had chosen differently?  Jack was given that chance in this movie.  What wins at the end isn't the high paying job, the nice car or the yearly vacations, instead he is allowed to see the joy in a life where life happened.  He would have had two children and lived very modestly with a wife who adored him.  His glimpse into what could have been, allowed him to change his priorities.  He was given a second chance.

At one point in the movie, he wants to uproot the whole family for his dream job.  She finally gives in and says she would go with him anywhere!  She says, "I Choose Us."

There were many choices along our 30 years of marriage.  Many job options would have taken my husband out of town more days than in town, instead he chose to work near home.  He never missed any of our childrens' games, nor any other event in all six of their lives.  The exchange  was worth it.

As we look to our future, I can truly say, "I Choose Us!"  My husband is the real Family Man!

I guess hindsight sometimes brings us the same message that Jack learned in the movie, "Family Man,"... it isn't about things, but about relationships!!*

*caution... there are a few scenes that some eyes should be covered (we fast forward)...for me, it catches the heart of a couple in love...as she says, "they are envious of us!" Like any recommendation, use your own judgment!  This movie is in my top 10!

What are some of your favorite movies that remind you of the most precious things in life? What are some of your favorite holiday movies?

Watch What You Ask For

As November closes her doors I reflect back on how the Lord answered my prayers.  Like praying for patience and then having every occasion to learn patience, well November was a month for learning another dimension of thankfulness.  The Lord heard my prayer for a deeper level of gratitude and this month gave me more than enough reasons to offer thanks or to become frustrated and bitter.  As I close the page on this month I believe I walked through to a new level of learning "giving thanks in all things".  My excitement over what God is doing in my heart and circumstances is beyond words.

click on pictures to enlarge them

1) Our 3rd Son was rushed to the hospital because of a seizure - thanks for more understanding on the cause and questions were answered, someone was there when he turned blue, he is fine and was able to continue in college - wonderful doctors

2) Cast boy had his cast removed - healing well, brace will be off the middle of December

3)  Job provision was very low - got a bonus to pay back rent

4) Son and Daughter-in-law turned 27!!!

5) Son and Daughter-in-law healing from miscarriage - God's faithfulness and promises for the future

6) Our fourth son went through oral surgery and did well - provision given for this expense 

7)  I prepared Thanksgiving Lunch and Dessert Party by myself and more than survived - His grace and strength were wonderfully abundant - my first brine turkey turned out great!

8) My mother-in-law, age 95, traveled with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law to celebrate with us

9) We had new and old friends come for dessert, what a joy!

10) No one was hurt and there was a lot of fun at the Thanksgiving football game played by the kids and dads

11) My husband took off two days before returning to his six day a week schedule at work

12) Financial Provision was given that would pay for our Thanksgiving and take care of many future needs - this answer to pray was the most humbling and  planted deep truth in my heart - again how beautiful the Body of Christ and to feel God loves you through His body

I was able to attend the Homestead Heritage Thanksgiving Festival the day after Thanksgiving.  This is one of my joys and is so refreshing after all the company and preparation of Thanksgiving.  I love going back to the old arts and seeing how cheese, bread, candles, soap, brooms, etc. are made and how I could do some of the same. I am going to try to do cheese and soap this next year.  The craftsmanship is amazing and the animals are so enjoyable.  My son was so delighted to experience all of it.

Thank you Lord for walking me through this month.  You have more than answered my prayers for a heart of gratitude. I Thes. 5:18 - "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  Now I move into the month where I focus on His birth!

You Are Blessed - IF

The Wright Turkeys wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness,

You are more blessed than the million who won't survive this week,

If you have never experienced the danger of battle,

The loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation,

You are ahead of 20 million people around the world.

If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment,

Arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost

Three billion people in the world

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head

And a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change

In a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy

If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare,

Especially in the United States

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful,

You are blessed because a majority can, but most do not

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder,

You are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in this 

world, that cannot read anything at all

You are so blessed in ways you may never even know!

This was the poem I copied  for our Thanksgiving a few years ago.  I framed it and placed it on the table with our Thanksgiving praise sheet. I do not remember where I found it, but the truths were so strong that I wanted to share it.               Happy Thanksgiving...see you next week!