Here it is Tuesday before Thanksgiving and I am still thinking of putting the thanksgiving dinner together. Plans have already changed as far as location. Granddaughter's in laws aren't coming now so it's been moved back to my daughter's house and it will 'just' be them, us, and the granddaughter's family. I need to doublecheck, but I thought the SIL's brother was in town for Thanksgiving too. Maybe they went back to California. Doesn't matter. MY designated menu to fix didn't change - I still have the turkey, dressing, and giblet gravy to make. And that's ok. You know how I love to be in the kitchen cooking for others. That's my favorite thing to do.
I actually cooked dinner last night - believe it or not! I baked salmon and put tater tots in the air fryer (love how it crisps them up!) and then I cut up some cucumbers for the green veggie. And it worked. I was full and hubby didn't complain. Why would he though... it was food someone fixed for him. sigh.
I only got one gift wrapped yesterday - for the older great-granddaughter. It's the only thing under the tree. The remote dinosaur came in and although I ordered two of them, I noticed it has 6+ on the age so the little one will not be getting it. As if she even needs any more toys. And I am trying to cut back on purchases. I have a lot of things arriving from Amazon today - most are my vitamin refills but I think a couple things are gifts. I don't know if I have much more still on order from anywhere. I've tried to cut back and allow things to arrive so I know where I'm at. Which I will know, when I start wrapping and writing down what I have gotten for whom.
There is nothing hubby or I need but I still must find something for him. He has been fussing at me to give him a list - I just tell him 'whatever' and make it a size large. Suggested pajamas cause I love pajamas, but he complained I had so many - (so? and what's the problem with that?) - but I do plan to weed out the older ones and get rid of them after the holidays. You know, part of the declutter process. Some have coffee stains on when I dribble my coffee and he doesn't bother to spray before washing. Pajamas are always a safe gift. You can never have too many.
I think my kids have finally reached that state too - you know, the one where "there is nothing I need". They have found as well that during the year if you want or need it - you get it. Come the holiday - there isn't much left. Not even underwear. I'm sitting here trying to think of some ideas.... and drawing a blank. I'm low on body wash.... could use a new loofah as my other one is separating. Love stationary on hand for when I write letters (yes, I still sometimes sit down and write letters!) I want to get the Passion Translation of the Bible. The books are being translated so not many are in one book. There is a new one coming out sometime in December - but will wait on getting it. TPT or The Passion Translation is what it is - for any who are searching for ideas. I don't have any right now - had gotten one that had several books together, but gave it to hubby for a gift. I love the way it reads. Some day I will get the entire set, but willing to take a few at a time to read. That would be great to start the new year out with a new translation. (just an idea I'm throwing out). Kettle bells (exercise) are also an idea. I sometimes will 'sneak' into the "workout room" while hubby is doing his homework and grab a barbell or two and do a few reps. I just don't need him watching me - so I go when he's busy and just do a few and then run back in here to work. Telling my 'secrets' here.......... I just like doing things without comments or being watched. Hubby does love to eat so snacks and gift cards to restaurants make him happy. Maybe an Amazon gift card (or B&N) where he can buy his own books instead of telling me what he wants and expects me to buy it (which I do).
Acts 2:44 (NKJV): "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided among them all, as anyone had need."
I've been reading here in the mornings the book Letters to the Church by Frances Chan. It's really very interesting. He left this huge megachurch that he built up - and went to Asia for several years. He knew there was something more than 'doing church' the way we do it in America. In other countries, they do what the early church did - they loved each other and took care of each other as a need would come up. Our churches in the US have become standardized, if you will. An hour for the service, an hour for Sunday school - if they even have it - (or just two worship services and two SS for the children) - and then people leave and go home. There is rarely any interaction during the week. But what if, like the early church, we kept in contact with each other (heck, we don't even do this within our own families!) and as a need was made known, would help take care of it?
For example, our church, it's a 1-1/2 hour to 2 hour service because the worship is at least 45 minutes and sometimes longer. Our pastor had wanted to be a singer as he has a great voice, so many times he continues the worship when he gets on the stage for another 10-15 minutes. Then 30-45 minutes for the message. It's all good - although 'we' get disgruntled sometimes with the worship - when it looks more like a performance than worship, it is frustrating. That's why I close my eyes when I worship. I don't want to see people jumping up and down. Anyway, we have a full church on Sunday mornings, as a rule. But come Wednesday evening's Refuel - which is a prayer meeting (which is done a lot differently than I ever knew), and only 70 at most come - and it fluctuates between 50-70 I would say. We don't even always go. No Refuel this week due to the holiday - so no prayer? What is our priority here?
We did fill up Thanksgiving fixings in a bag and donate as requested.... but how does that work with the earlier church in the New Testament? As I read this book by Frances Chan, I wonder what our churches would look like if we were following what the New Testament disciples did. Could we / would we sell things to make sure others had food? Would we open our homes to those who needed a place to stay? Would we make sure medical care was available to those who needed it? Would we feed them spiritually as well as physically? What would living like the early church look like in our modern world?
Maybe it is something we as individuals need to think about. I'm just as guilty. I'm over-cautious about inviting people over - unless hubby knows them and agrees. He's not as open as I am - to anyone coming over. And heaven help us if there isn't enough room around the table and they want to sit in a chair - or spill something on the carpet - or Lord help if they sit in HIS recliner! We have to move beyond 'mine' and share all we have. I prefer my kids to tell me things they'd like to have when I'm gone - and if I'm not in need of it, I'd be perfectly happy to let them have it now, to ensure they get it. Once I'm gone - if hubby is gone - I don't want anyone fighting over anything. It's all just 'stuff'. But if in that 'stuff' is something, a memory, that one would want, I'd love to let them have it now.
Time has gotten away from me again as I have rambled on this morning. Need to get on the work computer and finish this off. But something I leave you with.... what could you do to show love to others and be the early church to them?
Blessings!
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