Sisters chat: about what they are thankful for

Esther: okay
well, today I thought we would talk about what we are thankful for since it is the Friday before Thanksgiving

What is something you are specifically thankful for in Nature?

Lizzi:  Good question!

I am thankful for the seasons

Each one I am in becomes my favorite!

And they all have their unique beauty

and the memories that come with the season changes are wonderful!
Maude: For snow and rain.
Esther: I am thankful for trees! I think anything is more beautiful if there are trees by it. Homes, streets, parks ect. I have a special place in my heart for Trees
Lizzi:  For sure

Maude:  Me too - I love trees.  "I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree..." - I love that poem.
Esther:  if I had to choose a favorite of all creation it would be trees.

Lizzi:  They really are magnificent

I understand why Jonah was so mad when God took away the tree that shaded him! haha

Esther:  I agree with you both too. I love seeing it all turn and change and the different smells in the air and there is nothing as beautiful (in my opinion) than seeing a landscape of freshly fallen snow and not a print in it. And of course I love rain!
Lizzi:  yeah. It is wonderful
Esther:  My next question (which may seem a little odd) is what are you thankful for in the past? (history, memories, moments ect.)

Lizzi:  Can you go first? To give us an idea?
Esther:  yeah

I am thankful for the Church I grew up in (Lincoln Heights) for all the wonderful people who loved Jesus and loved me

Lizzi:  Ditto
Esther:  I am surrounded by a lot of people who have grown up in churches that left them with a very negative view of church and church people and I am thankful I had the experience I did
Lizzi:  So true. What a great gift of God
Esther:  yes, it truly is
Maude: It is a good church.  Weird that I didn't grow up going there.  It is funny the different experiences I had being so much older than you, Es.  Heritage was a good church too though.
Lizzi:  I am thankful that Mom and Dad chose to homeschool us!
Esther:  me too!
Maude:  Me three!  I loved being homeschooled - although I know it wasn't for very long...
Lizzi:  I think that we were bonded closer because of it and grew closer to the Lord
Esther:  That we all got to have extra time together!
Lizzi:  And I loved the creativeness that it encourages in learning.

You said history also, so thankful to grow up in a nation where we can worship freely

And the realization of the early Americans that that freedom was worth fighting and dying for

Esther:  amen
Maude: Family Week has been on my mind a lot lately and I am very thankful that we went each year to a Christian family camp and just got to spent that time together.  I think that made us all closer too.

Esther:  I agree Maude! I think that Family week had a big impact on all of us!
 The next question I have is, what are you thankful for in the present time of your life?

Lizzi:  I am thankful that God is teaching me how to be a wife and mother

Thankful that His grace is sufficient, and that my husband and sons extend grace to me when I fail

Esther:  I know this kind of goes without saying for me but it is also very true! I am SO thankful to have my husband home and all be together as a family again

I honestly cannot get over it
Maude:  Yeah!!

Lizzi:  That is a huge thanks!!
Maude:  It is no secret that I never wanted to be married and that I certainly didn't want to have any children.  What can I say?  Thank the Lord he gave me what I didn't want!!  I am so thankful for these three amazing, special people.  What an honor that God gave me a family of my own!
Esther: So, my last question is (again kind of an odd one and may take a little thinking) but what are you thankful for about your future?

I just immediately think of eternity

I am thankful for a eternal life with my Savior

Lizzi:  Yes! I am thankful, foremost, that it is in God's hands!! What a relief!
Maude: So many other religions don't have that assurance (even some Christians don't believe that their eternal life is secure).  That must be so scary...
Esther:  A life I have because of Jesus' death and resurrection

Amen!

Lizzi:  yes
Esther:  I know!
Lizzi:  And what peace to know that He holds every second of our future, too
Maude:  It is nice to know that "everything works together for good to those who love God."
Esther:  I can actually ask this question because there is something we know about our future. We know the Lord has it in His hands and that is something to be very thankful for!
Lizzi:  God is bigger than anything our future might hold
Esther:  Exactly
Maude: Yes.
Lizzi:  It is so nice to not have to worry about it

And even more, to know that what God holds, He holds forever