Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17
Thanksgiving. We have so many reasons to offer thanks: family, good friends, hospitality, bounteous feasting, our home and this amazing nation where we live.
There is pain too, yes, because people we love so very much are hurting. But life is always a work in progress and we have confidence that the good will outweigh the bad, that love heals, that promise is always part of the equation and that hope – as we discussed in Wednesday’s post – does not disappoint.
Here at Maul-Hall, squeezed in between feasts at friends’ homes, Rebekah and I are in the “completely mess up the house” phase of Christmas decorating.
We got a little bit of a jump on the season this year. First, because – as I explained earlier in Go Festive or Go Home – this world needs all the light we can offer right now. Then, between transition and travel it’s been three years since we decorated. And also because this house is so naturally suited for Christmas.
Getting organized!
So we went out to the storage shed a couple of times. Oh my goodness talk about a disorder and disarray! We pulled out the Christmas stuff (well, as much as we could find), installed some shelving, and may actually be halfway toward being organized.
Now the chaos has been transferred to our house! But I am confident this space will be transformed by the middle of next week.
Today’s photos, then, are mostly a compilation of images related to the preparation process, plus Thanksgiving lunch with friends.
Later, in the evening, we joined more great friends for Feast #2 out at Lake Valley.
The real feast, of course is the people. And here in Tarboro Rebekah and I are richly blessed with so many good folk who treat us like family. Many of these friends are more like brothers and sisters, and we feel as if we have known and loved them all of our lives.
For me, the shy one who has never been prodigiously social, this quiet and unconditional acceptance is a beautiful gift.
And, as the scriptures teach us, every beautiful generous gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights... – DEREK
