Friday, November 28, 2008

Still, and always, Thanksgiving!

Donald Kampfhenkel’s favorite word in the Bible was “manifold.” Donald taught a Sunday School class of about twelve little two-year old girls (boys were in short supply that year) at the first little church where I served as preschool minister. They loved Mr. Donald, my little red-headed Ashley among them, as evidenced by the fact that every time I walked by the room and peeked in there were at least two or more of them in his lap, or sitting by him at the table, or listening intently to a book he was reading, or building a block tower beside him in the block center. I always wondered why manifold was his favorite word in the Bible, but figured it was something manly, because he worked on cars and air conditioners. I think they have manifolds in them, or so I’ve heard. Or perhaps he understood 1 Peter 4:10, about employing his gifts, and serving, and therefore being a steward of the manifold grace of God.

“Great is Thy Faithfulness” is one of my favorite thanksgiving hymns. I know it’s not specifically written for our American Thanksgiving Holiday, but what greater blessing do we have than His great faithfulness?! And knowing His complete providence? I also like it because it reminds me of Donald Kampfhenkel and what an amazing preschool teacher he was to twelve little two-year old girls way back when…

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Still, and always thankful…
Becky


P.S. “Manifold” means many and varied, multiple, diverse.

Friday, November 14, 2008

my fave photos from a week with the grandbabies





















1. Kari and Elli
2. Titus, in his ever-present shades, with his favorite new birthday toy -- a garbage truck from great granny
3. Duane, Titus, and Jorge the toddler scarecrow
4. Kari and Titus, in his fireDAWG pajamas
5. Miss Elli- big eyes and mop of hair
6. Titus being sad that Granny has to fly back to Texas