Thanksgiving Preparations

I have been busy, busy, busy today. And the rest of the week looks like it will be even busier. But, through it all, I intend to look for the bright side of my situations. Like last night when I went to put away the leftover chicken soup. The bowl I was transferring it to fell all over me, the floor, and my kitchen rug. Let's see.....I'm thankful that it wasn't hot, and that now it isn't taking up any room in my overcrowded refrigerator. I hope that I can continue looking for the positives....because I'm sure they're always there!
Last night we also decided to get the turkey cleaned, ready for Thursday. When it came to us, this is the state it was in.

Not too bad, just needed to chop off the neck and pluck the feather "stubs" out. I am thankful that my husband did this job for me. It took him 1 1/2 hours to do, and I'm sure he hated every minute of it...but he didn't complain.
I have so much to do in the next few days, that I decided to make myself a list. Not just any list, but a super organized, very detailed list: (click to enlarge)

I've completed what I had written down for Tuesday, and still found time to get several chores done around the house and go to a bazaar at the consulate where my husband bought me a lovely strand of pearls! I told my sister-in-law about my list and she remarked that just making that list would stress her out. But for me, detailed lists like this keep me much more calm. I know I won't forget anything, because it's all written down, and I've even scheduled extra time just in case things don't go as planned. I just remembered today that one of our guests had mentioned in the past how much he liked cinnamon raisin bread. So I'm adding that to my list for tomorrow.
This meal has been in the planning stages for months now, with this week being crunch time. I'm cooking for 13-14 people......completely by myself. Turkey, 30 cups of homemade bread dressing, mashed potatoes, 4 lbs of green beans, 4 lbs of glazed carrots, 24 homemade rolls, jell-o salad, raisin bread, 2 sweet potato pies, 2 deep dish apple pies....everything from scratch (even the whipped topping since they don't sell Cool-whip out here) I'm telling you all this, not to brag, or to get sympathy, but to show you what I've learned. I am excited to be doing all of this work for our guests and family, but most of them will not realize how much work has been put forth. The majority of them are between the ages of 20-24 and are unmarried. I'm sure they couldn't even imagine what it takes to do all of this. Yet, I'm still happy just to have them here to eat with us and spend time with our family. This made me think of our Lord. How much does he do for me that I don't realize? How far in advance has he planned every detail of my life? If I take the time to think about how much he's done for me, I would be amazed at the forethought and love he has put into my life. Yet, most of the time, I don't see what he has done. Or I only see the outcome, never realizing all it took to get there. How would I feel if my guests arrived and only complained about the meal? How does God feel when I complain about what he has given to me? This Thanksgiving, I hope to show true charity.....the kind that gives without expecting to receive. The kind that God always shows to me. And I hope to give thanks to God for everything that happens....good and bad, knowing that He prepared it just for me.