HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"We can always find something to be thankful for, no matter what may be the burden of our wants, or the special subject of our petitions."

Traditionally this is a day when family and friends get together to enjoy each others company and a BIG delicious meal. For us this year it will be a little different. Kipp is in Texas and they have a game today, he had his Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. Anthony is working at the restaurant in the hotel where we live, and I will be hitting the buffet and getting a good laugh out of having Anthony wait on me!

I woke up today reminiscing about previous Thanksgivings and places that I've spent them. I remember the joy of cooking for 40 people as well as being the guest in Austria with a family that didn't (obviously) celebrate Thanksgiving, but was aware of our tradition and cooked up a big feast for the "crazy Americans." No matter where I've been, these things always remain consistent... Gratitude, reflection and lavish feasts. It's important to remember the people that are in our lives and how much they mean to us. Thanksgiving day also epitomizes the holiday mood of people.

THANKSGIVING FACTS:

**80% of the people where we are currently living are Native American, of the Yakima tribe. I have learned that until recently, people believed Thanksgiving Day to be a celebration of pilgrims, offering food to Indians. It however is a day marked as a gesture of thanks and gratitude to Lord almighty for his blessings. It is also a celebration to mark the respect towards Indians for teaching the pilgrims how to cook. Pilgrims could not have survived without the help of the native Indians.

** On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a fresh proclamation calling for the observance of the fourth Tuesday of November as a national holiday. Later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the third Thursday of November (to extend the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy)in the year 1939. After a storm of protest, Roosevelt changed the holiday again in 1941 to the fourth Thursday in November, where it stands today.

THANKSGIVING JOKES: (Lauren, these are for you!)

Q: Why did the police arrest the turkey?
A: They suspected it of fowl play.

Q: Why did the Indian chief wear so many feathers?
A: To keep his wig warm.

Q: Why did they let the turkey join the band?
A: Because he had the drumsticks

Q: What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian?
A: He had an arrow escape.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!