Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving Proclamation

Washington in prayer at Valley Forge
President George Washington proclaimed the first Thanksgiving Day in 1789.  Following is that proclamation.

I found it very interesting that he made frequent reference to Almighty G-d and closed it with "the year of our L-rd."  Our Founding Fathers were reverent, men who honored the G-d of Israel and His Son, Yeshua (Jesus).  Our founding documents are full of references to G-d and our L-rd, and our government was based on Judeo-Christian principles. 

I am thankful for this heritage and want future generations to remember our history.  I hope you will be blessed and humbled as I am to read Washington's words:

Thanksgiving Proclamation


[New York, 3 October 1789]



By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go. Washington

**************

This my humble prayer also.
I pray you will all have a blessed day of thanksgiving to Almighty G-d.

Love and shalom,

Gail

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The wonderful Silhouette machine giveaway!

Enter to win a Silhouette machine at this link:
http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2010/11/silhouette-giveaway.html

The girls at Shanty2chic are giving away a Silhouette cutting machine.  Check it out at this link:
http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/2010/11/silhouette-machine-giveaway.html

And, believe it or not, the Thrifty Decor Chick is giving one away, too! 
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/11/silhouette-craft-cutter-giveaway.html

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Thanks-Living

My Mama holding a plaque I made for her a while back.
It says "the heart that gives gathers".
  She has always been a very giving person.
As I've spent many hours by Mama's bedside over the last month, I've remembered all the things I'm thankful for about her, especially this week, as Thanksgiving approaches. 


My mother is known far and wide as a wonderful cook.  Holidays in the past always brought out her famous Southern pecan pie, which I remember well. (I stopped eating sugar over five years ago, but I can still remember how good it was.) 

On Thanksgiving and Christmas, she always cooked a turkey with dressing and giblet gravy, sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top (Daddy's favorite), turnip greens and roots (my favorite), potato salad (her granddaughter Melissa's favorite), and broccoli casserole (her granddaughter Amanda's favorite). 


I never understood what a sacrifice it was to make meals like that until I had to start doing it myself.  As Mama grew older, she let us bring some of the special dishes, and then finally gave up cooking all together. 


I'll never forget the year I had to make the holiday dinner all by myself.  I spent hours shopping, then peeling, chopping, stirring, and fussing over all of those favorite dishes.  Wow - it was WORK, and my feet and legs were killing me!!!  I realized then what a labor of love those many years of holiday dinners were. 

This year, Mama will spend Thanksgiving in the nursing home, and it breaks my heart to think about it.  Their food is good, but it's nothing like my Mama's.  We'll eat it together, but it sure won't be the same.  So, if you still have your Mama cooking for you, don't take it for granted.  Thank her for all the hours she has spent in the past to make your holidays special.  It's a gift of love and something to be very thankful for. 


P.S.  Thanks to all who have prayed for my mother and encouraged me in my efforts to assist her during this time. My mother entered a rehab facility about a week ago. She is not well, but is better. All of her heart and stomach tests have come back with good results. The doctor says he can't find any reason for her digestive issues. So, I would appreciate continued prayer for her health.


I'm linking up to Spiritual Sundays at http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!