it snuck up on me

Not seeing any decorations of turkeys, pilgrims, pumpkins and such here in Jerusalem, Thanksgiving actually snuck up on me big time. I don't know if I'm ready for it. Actually Sandra and I are going to cook tomorrow. They have fresh turkeys at the souk, which, even though we may have to cut off a few parts that most Americans don't usually have to deal with, are reportedly quite good. Potatoes, sweet potatoes and corn are in abundance here, so no problem with our favorite starches. It will be a bummer to not have green bean casserole though as canned soup is not really in existence here, let alone those yummy fried onions!

I think Sandra was able to find pumpkin pie filling though, and in the morning I'm off on a quest for light corn syrup to make pecan pie. Neither of us actually have pie pans, though and they don't really sell them here. You have to use the disposable tin ones, but the edges are actually straight, rather than slanted. Should be interesting.

Of course it's not really about the food, is it? Although the tradition of the meal keeps us close to our memories of those we love who are far away, or even in my case, gone Home to Heaven. It's about thankfulness. A line from one of my favorite songs is "A thankful heart prepares the way for You, my God..." It's so true. When we start being thankful, the world becomes a better place and we become better people.

Today as I was waiting for my friend Hanna for lunch, I was sitting in a little square at the bottom of Agrippas Street. The sky was a perfect blue and the air had that beautiful crispness that comes with the autumn. And I sat there thinking, "Oh, God, I have been such a brat these last few days... wanting more than I have, not trusting You to meet my needs, when my needs have always been more than met by You." So I just began to thank Him for random things that came into my mind. And it started to melt away the ice around my heart, and my outlook started changing.

I have so much to be thankful for; I have so many people that I love and who love me back. I have a sweet little home in a city that I have longed for so many years. I have a sound mind and skill to support myself. There's technology that keeps me connected, cell phones in case I get lost. Indoor plumbing is a biggie to be thankful for! And even though the souk can be so stressful at times, I was walking through there today looking at all the beautiful fruits and veggies and spices and nuts and raisins and cheese, and I was so thankful that it's there. Thankful that I'm able to walk where I need to go, and thankful for buses and taxis when it's too far to walk. And think me vain if you wish, but I'm so thankful for good make-up, shampoo and great smelling soap. And I'm really thankful for deodorant.

Thankful for street musicians and the aroma that surrounds me as I walk past my favorite bakery on my way to Sandra's. And I'm really thankful for Sandra and Jon Mark and those wonderful boys. I'm thankful for people who smile, thankful for hooded jackets on rainy days, thankful for sunshine and trees, moon and stars and a bit of grass in the middle of this big stone city. I'm thankful for good lotion, lip balm, my favorite quilt and the cozy throw that my brother just sent me. Thankful for red and mossy green and yellow, and most other colors as well. Except maybe teal. I'm thankful for great stores with cool furniture and accessories -- even if I can't buy any of it; sometimes it just makes me feel good to look. I'm thankful that laughter sounds the same in any language.

I'm most thankful for Jesus, though. My Messiah. My Yeshua. My friend. My Husband. My Savour. My king. My Forgiveness. My Love. My Hope. My Peace. My Security. My Joy. My Truth. My Way. My Life... None of the above would mean a thing without Him.

I could go on and on and on. But I won't. Not here anyway, but hopefully I will keep going in my heart and I will go to sleep being thankful and will wake up being thankful. I hope.