The summer has flown by and once again I am realizing that I got behind on my blogging.  Thanksgiving is now before us, the leaves are all raked, the garden is winterized, the wood is cut for the winter, and I am once again thankful for God’s goodness to us.  As I am teaching the children about the Pilgrims and the early history of our great country, I am reminded that we have an awesome and mighty God.  God’s power was shown again and again to the early settlers as they depended on Him for their survival.  That power has been seen over and over again in our lives this year as we look back and remember what God has done for us.  I think of all the miles we traveled with our bookstore, God’s Eternal Masterpiece,  to various homeschool, church, and camp conferences.  With all the deer that decided to cross in front of us, the mere misses of other sleepy drivers at the wheel, and the poor weather conditions, God saw fit to protect us in amazing ways.  God has shown his power in allowing this little one growing inside me to develop in a healthy and normal way despite the concerns about a possible tumor (which has since disappeared, thanks to our mighty God).  We can’t help, but also praise the Lord for the shelves of food God allowed us to can and new warm clothes for the children (courtesy of our brothers and sisters in the Lord). God has also seen fit to allow God’s Eternal Masterpiece to triple in inventory size, despite the poor economy.  We’ve had the opportunity to minister to many families who were searching frantically for godly books for their families.  What a blessing it’s been to give them what they were praying and looking for.  Another big note of thanks comes to mind.  God, in his loving kindness, has seen how much we’ve missed my mother (and the kids’ grandmother) who went home to be with the Lord 2 years ago.  We praise the Lord for giving us a new mother come this next spring!  What a joy it has been to see my dad once again revived with that sparkle of joy that comes with love.  His fiance dearly loves the Lord and has already shown her love and encouragement to all of us in amazing ways.  Just as we are reminding our children of God’s greatness and blessings to us, I hope and pray that you are also reminding your children of God’s gifts to them.  We have found several items helpful in doing that as we have our family time each day.  You may want to check out the CD “A Thanksgiving to Remember” by Barbara Rainey (available at http://www.godseternalmasterpiece.com/catalog/audio-history-social-studies-c-22_84.html or at www.godseternalmasterpiece.com. 

The Drive thru History DVDs on America’s early history are also very educational for your visual and auditory learners who need to be reminded of God’s power in the development of our country.  Choosing Gratitude by Nancy DeMoss is another must-read for moms, especially as this time of year tends to be extra stressful at times.  Don’t forget to take time each day to thank the Lord for all His blessings to you.  Have your kids list each and every one as a visual reminder to them.  (Feel free to send me your suggestions for teaching kids about God’s greatness in their lives and in our country.  I’ll try to post the suggestions as time allows.)  May this Thanksgiving be the best one yet as you remember God’s greatness in your life!!!  

 Becky - God’s Eternal Masterpiece