A Two-Turkey Thanksgiving!

Almost a week has passed since Thanksgiving Day! My, how fast the hours go. We had great fun hosting a crowd of about 32 people! We didn't have any leftovers which was great on the "storing" side but a bit sad on the "no-turkey-sandwich" side. Mom's simple stuffing recipe was a hit--as usual--and the mashed potatoes stayed warm in the crockpot, a new tip I learned this year. The greatest of all, several of our friends--from three groups of one ugly misunderstanding about 2 1/2 years ago--shared a meal together in harmony, and seemed to forget about the differences they once had. I know, it sounds like a cheesy Hallmark movie, but we know it's all about God's grace and forgiveness. Angel and I stood amazed once again in front of the greatness of God.

Let's look back in time a few months...

September 2006: "Angel, let's invite lots of people to Thanksgiving this year!" "Ok, that sounds great!"

October 2006: "Angel, how many people have you told? I've told quite a few--off the cuff, but I don't think most of them remember or will come." "I've told a few...we'll see what happens."

November 2006: "Greta, Mario just called! We have an interview date for the visa on December 12. We're going to have quite a few unexpected expenses. Maybe we should scale down our Thanksgiving dinner to just Elizama and the Soto family. A five people crowd is a tad bit more realistic."

Still November 2006: "Angel, Gina called--she wants to know about Thanksgiving! Oh, and Jeanie called to say that she can fly in from Houston, after all! And what about Alejandro and Vanessa? I'd better buy a small turkey."

And still November 2006: "Greta, I just talked to Alejandro and Sandra, and they said they'll come with their kids. Oh, and Omar and Liliana. If we're going to leave the country, I want to see my good friends before we go."

Still November, getting closer to Thanksgiving: "Ok, Angel, I need to buy another small turkey and the cranberry sauce--Ocean Spray--I saw in Wal-Mart. The supermarkets in Ojo de Agua don't have Ocean Spray. But, my this is going to cost a little more than we had hoped. How will we do it?"

And...a day or so before Thanksgiving: "Angel! I just received an e-mail! Someone very dear to me gave us an unexpected offering! We can use part of it to cover Thanksgiving expenses! Are the turkeys thawing out well?"

Thanksgiving Day 2006: Two turkeys, various veggies, crockpot mashed potatoes, plenty of pies, and family fellowship. One great God.

Amen.