I am thankful for many things today, but I am especially aware of feeling thankful that my brother is well and was able to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family today. He suffered a tramatic brain injury after a fall back in April. Praise God for his healing and for his presence with us today. I am also aware of how grateful I am for my twin boys. They are so precious and their child-like wonder and excitement help me see life in a whole new way. They also stretch me much more than I could ever have imagined and allow me to experience God's grace and mercy new every day.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sara Beth Johnson
Thursday, November 27, 2008
What I am thankful for
I am thankful for a loving, forgiving God. I am so thankful that he loves me even though he knows all my problems, faults and sins. I am thankful that He is faithful even when I am not. I am thankful for wonderful friends and an amazing family. Matt and I are so blessed with 3 fantastic children! It is awesome to watch them grow, especially in their love for Jesus. I am thankful for health; we so often take it for granted. I am thankful that I can be home with our kids while Matt works. It is a hard choice to make and I am constantly amazed at God's provision for us every day. I am thankful for Matt. He is a wonderful husband, friend and father. I am so thankful for so many things!!
Cindy Raba
Cindy Raba
Thanks For My Family
First of all Thanks to my son Kneil who came up with this great idea (even for those of us who are not bloggers).
I thank God every day for my incredible family. For Tara, my wife of over 40 years, who loves me, her kids, her grandkids, all the rest of her family, but most importantly her Lord. It has been very inspiring for me to watch her growth in her faith, her ability to teach other women so effectively, and to see how she impacts others who are struggling in their faith. She supports me and prays for me in all the things that I do. Everyone who knows her knows the kind of prayer warrior that she is. Praise God!
I am so thankful for my sons, Matt and Kneil. As their father I am blessed beyond measure to see the men of God that they have become. I listen to all of my friends and colleagues brag about all of their childrens accomplishments, their status, etc. and I could do the same, and probably do to some extent, but rather I am most proud of who my sons are: sons of our Heavenly Father who exhibit that to everyone that they come in contact with. Not a lot of fathers, unfortunately, can brag about that aspect of their sons lives and the fact that they positively touch the lives of so many that they come in contact with every day. I am also, very thankful to have had the opportunity to share the land of our Lord, Israel, with my sons earlier this year. It was a very special time and a very special treat for me to be able to baptize both Matt and Kneil in the Jordan River. I could go on and on with this story because those of you who know me know how I love Israel. Praise God for my Sons!!
I am also thankful (but not surprised because of the prayers of my wife) that God led my sons to choose such beautiful, Godly wives as they did. Sacha and Jodi, my daughters, you both know how special you are in my life and what you mean to me. God knew exactly what He was doing when he chose each of you for Matt and Kneil. You two, like the guys, have grown into unbelieveable Godly women, wives, mother, and mother-to-be. It has been one of my great joys to watch your growth over the years. Like Sacha said to me the other day, Wow, you have known me since I was 18. Yes, and it has been a blessing to watch you grow since then. You have become an incredible wife, Mom, and Godly woman. Jodi, ever since that first message on my pager in the movie theater, before I even really knew you it has been equally joyful for me to watch you grow. Especially to watch your faith strengthen and your love of our Lord grow during all the adversity. Now, it is a blessing to watch you and Kneil as you prepare to become parents for the first time. God Is Good!! Thank you Lord for my girls!
GRANDKIDS! What else can I say? OK, I will. Eden, Brenden, Colten, and "baby on the way", Wow! You are very, very special to your PopPop and Mammies. It is such a joy for me to see these little ones grow, to see their personalities take shape, to see life through their eyes, to see how they already have such a love for our Lord it makes me burst with pride. It was such a joy to be a part of and witness Eden's baptism earlier this year. It is so much fun for me to take Brenden to the driving range, have water gun fights, and see a golden eagle together. It is such a trip to get in the floor and play trucks, helicopters, etc. with Colten and to just sit back and watch how he interacts with Rhett (our miniature schnauzer)--they are buds. Grandchildren are truly one of God's greatest blessings. Everyone who sees me gets to hear about my amazing grandkids. I can't wait to tell them about the next one. Thank you Kneil and Jodi.
Then there is Tara's folks, MeMa and PaPa Harmon. Kind of like Sacha said to me, I have to say the same to them. Wow, you have known me since I was 18. At 18 they probably wanted me to go away because I was dating their little girl who was 16. That was a long time ago, but they have been a blessing to me all these 40+ years. It was an amazing time to be able to spend time with them, all of Matt's family (except Colten), Kneil and Jodi, and Tara and I in Hawaii a while ago. To see PaPa try snorkeling for the first time at 80 years old was a treat for us all.
Needless to say, the Novak clan has been blessed and we continue to be blessed as God uses all of us as we continue to serve Him in our churches, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods. I praise Him every day for allowing us to live in the free country that we do and for giving us the privilege of serving Him. I pray that He will continue to bless us, that He will allow Tara and I to lead a trip to Israel next year, and that He will provide for me to make a trip to Poland soon to serve with some friends there.
May God bless all of you on this Thanksgiving Day!
H.T.
I thank God every day for my incredible family. For Tara, my wife of over 40 years, who loves me, her kids, her grandkids, all the rest of her family, but most importantly her Lord. It has been very inspiring for me to watch her growth in her faith, her ability to teach other women so effectively, and to see how she impacts others who are struggling in their faith. She supports me and prays for me in all the things that I do. Everyone who knows her knows the kind of prayer warrior that she is. Praise God!
I am so thankful for my sons, Matt and Kneil. As their father I am blessed beyond measure to see the men of God that they have become. I listen to all of my friends and colleagues brag about all of their childrens accomplishments, their status, etc. and I could do the same, and probably do to some extent, but rather I am most proud of who my sons are: sons of our Heavenly Father who exhibit that to everyone that they come in contact with. Not a lot of fathers, unfortunately, can brag about that aspect of their sons lives and the fact that they positively touch the lives of so many that they come in contact with every day. I am also, very thankful to have had the opportunity to share the land of our Lord, Israel, with my sons earlier this year. It was a very special time and a very special treat for me to be able to baptize both Matt and Kneil in the Jordan River. I could go on and on with this story because those of you who know me know how I love Israel. Praise God for my Sons!!
I am also thankful (but not surprised because of the prayers of my wife) that God led my sons to choose such beautiful, Godly wives as they did. Sacha and Jodi, my daughters, you both know how special you are in my life and what you mean to me. God knew exactly what He was doing when he chose each of you for Matt and Kneil. You two, like the guys, have grown into unbelieveable Godly women, wives, mother, and mother-to-be. It has been one of my great joys to watch your growth over the years. Like Sacha said to me the other day, Wow, you have known me since I was 18. Yes, and it has been a blessing to watch you grow since then. You have become an incredible wife, Mom, and Godly woman. Jodi, ever since that first message on my pager in the movie theater, before I even really knew you it has been equally joyful for me to watch you grow. Especially to watch your faith strengthen and your love of our Lord grow during all the adversity. Now, it is a blessing to watch you and Kneil as you prepare to become parents for the first time. God Is Good!! Thank you Lord for my girls!
GRANDKIDS! What else can I say? OK, I will. Eden, Brenden, Colten, and "baby on the way", Wow! You are very, very special to your PopPop and Mammies. It is such a joy for me to see these little ones grow, to see their personalities take shape, to see life through their eyes, to see how they already have such a love for our Lord it makes me burst with pride. It was such a joy to be a part of and witness Eden's baptism earlier this year. It is so much fun for me to take Brenden to the driving range, have water gun fights, and see a golden eagle together. It is such a trip to get in the floor and play trucks, helicopters, etc. with Colten and to just sit back and watch how he interacts with Rhett (our miniature schnauzer)--they are buds. Grandchildren are truly one of God's greatest blessings. Everyone who sees me gets to hear about my amazing grandkids. I can't wait to tell them about the next one. Thank you Kneil and Jodi.
Then there is Tara's folks, MeMa and PaPa Harmon. Kind of like Sacha said to me, I have to say the same to them. Wow, you have known me since I was 18. At 18 they probably wanted me to go away because I was dating their little girl who was 16. That was a long time ago, but they have been a blessing to me all these 40+ years. It was an amazing time to be able to spend time with them, all of Matt's family (except Colten), Kneil and Jodi, and Tara and I in Hawaii a while ago. To see PaPa try snorkeling for the first time at 80 years old was a treat for us all.
Needless to say, the Novak clan has been blessed and we continue to be blessed as God uses all of us as we continue to serve Him in our churches, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods. I praise Him every day for allowing us to live in the free country that we do and for giving us the privilege of serving Him. I pray that He will continue to bless us, that He will allow Tara and I to lead a trip to Israel next year, and that He will provide for me to make a trip to Poland soon to serve with some friends there.
May God bless all of you on this Thanksgiving Day!
H.T.
I'm Thankful for Brussels Sprouts...seriously
I'm thankful for brussels sprouts (and turkey with apple/sausage stuffing, broccoli cheese and rice casserole, pecan pie, green beans w/ shallot stuff, etc.). So, I guess I'm thankful for food on several different levels. I'm thankful my family has food. I'm also thankful that my wife is an awesome chef and that she lets me be her sous chef. I'm thankful for my mom who, knowing that I love to eat, prayed for a wife that would know how to cook. I know it might sound a little silly, but seriously my mom prayed (when I was probably not even dating yet) that my wife would be skilled in the kitchen--and boy is she. I thank God for mom. I thank God for Jodi. I thank God for brussels sprouts. Eat your veggies today kids! Oh, and listen to your mothers, they know what they're doing. --Kneil
THANKFUL FOR THE LORD JESUS
I am thankful that God is sovereign in this crazy world and that his grace is sufficient. I am thankful for this great nation that allows us to worship and serve the One and only, Great, and Mighty Lord. It is wonderful to look at our nation's history and see the Christian foundation (see http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/thanksgiving/original.html for the original Thanksgiving Proclamation. I praise God for his faithfulness to our family in 3 healthy boys, a beautiful wife, wonderful friends, meaningful work, and more than sufficient shelter. Most importantly I am thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ being obedient to death on a cross to save us from our sin - to all who confess with their mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in his heart that God raised him from the dead. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving full of thanks and prayer to our beneficient creator.
In His Grace,
Jason, Stepheni, Justin, Joseph, and Jadon Wood
In His Grace,
Jason, Stepheni, Justin, Joseph, and Jadon Wood
A Lot to be Thankful For
First of All I am thankful for a Heavenly Father that loves me unconditionally with mercy and has forgiven all of my sins!
Second I am very thankful for a wife that has loved and supported me for almost 35 years now. She has been a real inspiration and encouragement to me.
Third I am extremely thankful to be blessed with three awesome children who have been a blessing to both Sally and I. We are very proud of all three of them.
And last but certainly not least we are so thankful to be grandparents. Juliette is absolutely a gift from the Lord and such a joy to watch and engage with as Grandparents.
I could go on and on but I have to go get the roater to get the turkey in the oven!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Larry Novak
Second I am very thankful for a wife that has loved and supported me for almost 35 years now. She has been a real inspiration and encouragement to me.
Third I am extremely thankful to be blessed with three awesome children who have been a blessing to both Sally and I. We are very proud of all three of them.
And last but certainly not least we are so thankful to be grandparents. Juliette is absolutely a gift from the Lord and such a joy to watch and engage with as Grandparents.
I could go on and on but I have to go get the roater to get the turkey in the oven!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Larry Novak
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
From Jan J. Mudder
This is a neat idea!
I have so much to be thankful for this year that it's overwhelming. Newly married in July to the only woman in the world that God created to deal with all of my idiosyncracies. We have new jobs (teaching English) in a new school (to us it's "new") in a new city (Almaty, Kazakhstan), which means we have a new home (a tiny little Soviet-era apartment that has really grown on us), which is in a wonderful neighborhood with vegetable stands, cute little old flower ladies, grocery shops, neighborhood bar, pharmacies, chislic place, and bakeries, all located almost on our door step. Nadia & I are especially thankful for how friendly and patient our neighbors and acquaintances have been with us as we struggle to remember (and pronounce) Russian words and numbers. We also got a different (not new) car this past week ('98 VW Golf) after months of car shopping and unexpected hassles in multiple languages. After having to ride unscheduled and undependable buses and gypsy cabs to school or anywhere else for three months, and often staying home because of the inconvenience of trying to travel, I don't know that it's possible that anyone else could be so thankful for a 10-year-old used car.
There are many other things for which I'm more thankful after moving here. I'm so blessed to be an American citizen, and I'm increasingly made aware of how blessed I was to grow up in a place like South Dakota, and especially on a little farm near a little town like Avon. Billions of people in the world will never be so fortunate. I was thrilled to get to watch the formerly little boys that I coached in jr. high football four years ago on a webcast as they won a state championship. I was even more thrilled to see the way that they have grown up. I am thankful that I got to work with the head coach, who left family, home, career, and coaching football to re-enlist in his late-40s and serve a year in Iraq. We have people like this around us all the time, and we often don't even notice.
Having left Kabul, I now realize what wonderful students I had there, even more than what I already knew while living there. In one of the darkest places in the world, some of the brightest and most loving students have grown up. It's simply amazing. I'm thankful that I got to teach so many of them, and I'm even more thankful that they keep in touch with me. I'm getting to watch students from a school that didn't exist a few years ago go off to colleges all over the world, and flourish.
The biggest thing that I'm most thankful for right now is all of the wonderful people that God has brought into my life. I was amazed this summer to realize that college friends from over a decade ago would go to the trouble and expense of traveling to New Jersey for our wedding, or to South Dakota for our reception. And newer friends, teachers from Kabul, literally crossed the globe to see my wedding. Family and friends of both Nadia and me who had such servants' hearts, doing whatever they could to make things better or easier for us. These were the greatest wedding gifts that we could have ever been given.
God bless,
Jan
I have so much to be thankful for this year that it's overwhelming. Newly married in July to the only woman in the world that God created to deal with all of my idiosyncracies. We have new jobs (teaching English) in a new school (to us it's "new") in a new city (Almaty, Kazakhstan), which means we have a new home (a tiny little Soviet-era apartment that has really grown on us), which is in a wonderful neighborhood with vegetable stands, cute little old flower ladies, grocery shops, neighborhood bar, pharmacies, chislic place, and bakeries, all located almost on our door step. Nadia & I are especially thankful for how friendly and patient our neighbors and acquaintances have been with us as we struggle to remember (and pronounce) Russian words and numbers. We also got a different (not new) car this past week ('98 VW Golf) after months of car shopping and unexpected hassles in multiple languages. After having to ride unscheduled and undependable buses and gypsy cabs to school or anywhere else for three months, and often staying home because of the inconvenience of trying to travel, I don't know that it's possible that anyone else could be so thankful for a 10-year-old used car.
There are many other things for which I'm more thankful after moving here. I'm so blessed to be an American citizen, and I'm increasingly made aware of how blessed I was to grow up in a place like South Dakota, and especially on a little farm near a little town like Avon. Billions of people in the world will never be so fortunate. I was thrilled to get to watch the formerly little boys that I coached in jr. high football four years ago on a webcast as they won a state championship. I was even more thrilled to see the way that they have grown up. I am thankful that I got to work with the head coach, who left family, home, career, and coaching football to re-enlist in his late-40s and serve a year in Iraq. We have people like this around us all the time, and we often don't even notice.
Having left Kabul, I now realize what wonderful students I had there, even more than what I already knew while living there. In one of the darkest places in the world, some of the brightest and most loving students have grown up. It's simply amazing. I'm thankful that I got to teach so many of them, and I'm even more thankful that they keep in touch with me. I'm getting to watch students from a school that didn't exist a few years ago go off to colleges all over the world, and flourish.
The biggest thing that I'm most thankful for right now is all of the wonderful people that God has brought into my life. I was amazed this summer to realize that college friends from over a decade ago would go to the trouble and expense of traveling to New Jersey for our wedding, or to South Dakota for our reception. And newer friends, teachers from Kabul, literally crossed the globe to see my wedding. Family and friends of both Nadia and me who had such servants' hearts, doing whatever they could to make things better or easier for us. These were the greatest wedding gifts that we could have ever been given.
God bless,
Jan
I first want to say that I'm thankful for Jason T. describing the delicious blueberry, walnut waffles. Yum! Maybe you can come fix them for me.
I am certainly thankful to God for intimately knowing and loving me in spite of my selfishness. I had spent the last 3 years of my life in a very self-gratifying job. It was probably the best time I have had in my now 14 year career and it certainly spoke to my desires. What I did not understand was that they were very selfish desires and I neglected my family as a result. I'm thankful to the very close friends who pointed this out to me and boldly said that it was time for a change. I knew I needed change, but it did not seem within grasp. After a lengthy discussion with my wife and some much needed prayer, we resolved that we would have to endure the selfish career path a little longer until something else surfaced. We knew that would at least be another year. The very next morning I got to work and saw the posting for the very job in my career that I had spoken of with my wife that I would be interested in applying for. WOW. Talk about God's perfect timing! And stick with me. It gets even better. Once I applied for the position, I learned from close friends already working in that arena, that due to the pressure of politics the person they were looking for to fill the position would need to be of the gender opposite of mine. Not exactly something that I could easily fix, and had I tried, I'm sure my wife, family, and God would be even more displeased than they already were. Following my interview, I was shocked to learn that I received the job. They said that I was certainly the most qualified, and they overlooked politics for a change. God is Good.
It has been an amazing year of transition. My family has been patient through the changes. I am seeing overwhelming growth and change in my children now that I am no longer absent as a father. What I thought was bringing me happiness was actually robbing me and my family of the true joy that God wanted us to experience in Him. The change brought several financial changes, taking a SERIOUS pay cut, but it is amazing how God has provided for every need and given us the ability to bless others. God has certainly challenged us to be good stewards of all that he has given.
I'm so very thankful for all of my family members. Each one of them speaks to my heart differently, and it blesses me. I am also thankful for the very close "Band of Brothers" I have who constantly fight with me, pray with me, challenge me, keep me accountable, love me and who never leave my side even when we are fragged by the enemy. I'm thankful for the commitment we have made to one another to "take to the enemy" each time we get the chance. Most of the time pre-emptive strikes inflict more casualty to the enemy and keeps him from attacking again so quickly.
Even though I'm not so very happy with the recent elections, I am happy that we live in a country where we get to freely live and speak. I am thankful for having been able to serve the people at the '08 DNC, providing a safe place for people to peaceably assemble, and even keeping all the "crazies" away from the new president elect. I look forward to change be it good or bad, understanding that God's purpose is greater than my own. As we read in scripture things must change in order for our Savior to return. And if we are familiar at all, things appear to become worse before His Glory is revealed and all things are made new.
Speaking of pre-emptive strikes.......................
Look! He is coming in the clouds. Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him....
Rev 1:7
Happy Thanksgiving
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Go to the doctor!
I am thankful for my best friend Wendy who yelled at me on Nov. 4 to go to a specialist after I complained to her about my horrible abdominal pain for the umpteenth time. She's so calm and good natured and it was out of her character to yell at me like that. I went to a specialist, next day got a CT scan and was in the operating room for an emergency appendectomy within 2 hours of the exam. I had been walking around for 8 months with accute appendicitis and had no idea. I had gone to numerous doctors over the months who all misdiagnosed me and I had no intention of going yet again to another clueless doctor. Without Wendy's strong words, my appendix would have burst at home and the agony would have been unbearable. As it is, its been almost 3 weeks since surgery and I'm slowly getting back to my normal life. I deeply appreciate her friendship and am thankful for her everyday.
- Clara
- Clara
Gina is thankful for...
I am so very thankful for my husband, Jonathan, because he completes me. I am thankful for my 3 beautiful boys...Joshua, Caleb and Will. I never imagined these 3 little surprised would have turned my life upside down and stretched me so, yet they bring tremendous joy to mine and Jonathan's lives...I grow to love them more every day. I am thankful for the love our boys have for one another and for the people around them. I am thankful for their kisses and their random sayings, especially when they say, "Mommy...I love you" without being prompted to do so. I am grateful for an opportunity to work with children. I love the fact that the work I do through the ministry of DCC and the reThink Group, that children's lives are being impacted every week. Children are discovering a God that not only created them, but who loves them and wants them to follow Him, make wise choices and serve others. I am grateful for the opportunity to influence the lives of children and to help other adults see their potential to do the same. I am grateful for the grace of God and the immeasurable love He has for me, and for the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for giving up your life...to rescue me.
Thank God
Thanks for getting this idea up Kneil. This morning I was working through all the references in the New Testament that have the word Thank or Thanks in them when I got your email.
I was sharing with my lovely bride (who I thank God for) this morning over blueberry walnut waffles (which by the way I also thank God for) and oatmeal (also...) how for the first time I noticed that in scripture nobody ever really thanked anybody else for anything. What they did do was Thank God for someone, or something and then let that person know. Look at the beginning of almost every single letter that Paul wrote. He doesn't tell the Philippians thanks for being such a great group of people. Nope, he let's them know that he is thanking God for them and what they are doing, or displaying or how they are growing...
Thank you cards were obsolete in Jesus's day. What wasn't obsolete though was letting somebody know that you were thanking God for them. I sometimes feel guilty when I don't send a thank you card immediately or remember to say thanks to someone. It's somehow rooted in this pride thing, or this sense of duty. I'm not supposed to give you thanks. Really. I'm supposed to give God thanks for you, and let you know it. That way it's never about what you did, it's about what God did, in you or through you and what He is doing. What I am being challenged to do is remember to let people know that specifically I am thankful to God, and then how.
I thank God for Kneil, and his leadership and sensitivity to start this blog.
I thank God for my wife, she has been an incredible inspiration for me this year as we've faced so much change and transition.
I thank God for the rays of sun that light up the table as I sit here and write and pray.
God is good. I am thankful for that.
Jason T.
I was sharing with my lovely bride (who I thank God for) this morning over blueberry walnut waffles (which by the way I also thank God for) and oatmeal (also...) how for the first time I noticed that in scripture nobody ever really thanked anybody else for anything. What they did do was Thank God for someone, or something and then let that person know. Look at the beginning of almost every single letter that Paul wrote. He doesn't tell the Philippians thanks for being such a great group of people. Nope, he let's them know that he is thanking God for them and what they are doing, or displaying or how they are growing...
Thank you cards were obsolete in Jesus's day. What wasn't obsolete though was letting somebody know that you were thanking God for them. I sometimes feel guilty when I don't send a thank you card immediately or remember to say thanks to someone. It's somehow rooted in this pride thing, or this sense of duty. I'm not supposed to give you thanks. Really. I'm supposed to give God thanks for you, and let you know it. That way it's never about what you did, it's about what God did, in you or through you and what He is doing. What I am being challenged to do is remember to let people know that specifically I am thankful to God, and then how.
I thank God for Kneil, and his leadership and sensitivity to start this blog.
I thank God for my wife, she has been an incredible inspiration for me this year as we've faced so much change and transition.
I thank God for the rays of sun that light up the table as I sit here and write and pray.
God is good. I am thankful for that.
Jason T.
Oops! Here's the real username
Sorry everyone. I gave the wrong user name. It's actually kjnovak@verizon.net Use the same password. Sorry for the confusion.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thankful for my family
I am thankful for my wife. Seven years ago we weren't sure whether or not she would live to see another Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving, not only is she still here and healthy, she is pregnant with our first child! I have a lot to be thankful for. --Kneil
Welcome to The Thanksgiving Project
There are lots of things in the world these days that could bring a person down. The economy isn't that great. You may be out of work. You may have experienced loss recently. Somone may have betrayed your trust. Whatever the cause for feeling low, I've found that the best way to combat this feeling is to express gratitude.
The Thanksgiving Project is designed to be a collaborative effort amongst friends and, perhaps, strangers. The idea is for people to express what they're thankful for and for others to be encouraged as a result.
You can keep it simple and just write text, or you can upload pictures to illustrate your point.
You can sign your post with your name, or leave it blank if you wish to remain anonymous.
Thanks for your participation!
The Thanksgiving Project is designed to be a collaborative effort amongst friends and, perhaps, strangers. The idea is for people to express what they're thankful for and for others to be encouraged as a result.
You can keep it simple and just write text, or you can upload pictures to illustrate your point.
You can sign your post with your name, or leave it blank if you wish to remain anonymous.
Thanks for your participation!
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