Walk by Hello: Misgivings and Thanksgiving

27 November 2008

Misgivings and Thanksgiving

Lately we have experienced a myriad of disappointments, small and large. Things we have planned and worked so hard for have crumbled in our hands. Surprises we carefully engineered have seemed to self destruct and we are left looking at the pieces. So much transition, so much we haven't expected.At night lying in bed I have wrestled with the losses and worried over the changes. Hard to adjust to something other than what was planned. Strains of an old song from White Christmas entered my mind, "When you're worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sleep and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings."

We decided to echo that sentiment in our Thanksgiving banner for this year. Here is our thankful list in random order:

1. Strength of family-

No matter what we've faced this year, upcoming deployments, months of separation, dealing with growth and change and new life we have gained a greater sense of who we are as a family.

2. Loved Ones-

The past few years have been turbulent. In our struggle to grow and gain independence and figure things out we have often hurt those we love the most. This year we have realized anew how much we have to be grateful for, parents that have been examples of commitment and have given us so much.

3. A bright hope-

More than anything else we have learned that our only constant is our Creator. The One who fashioned us out of this earth loves us more than anyone else ever could. His dreams for us are bigger than those in our hearts and minds.

4. A challenge before us-

This military life is often grueling and rigorous, not only for Tim in training but also for us on the homefront. We have learned to embrace the more difficult path, that often the joy found there is so much sweeter, that much richer for the struggle. How much more we appreciate simple days together because we know what it's like to be apart.

5. A peace to carry us through-

When the busy day is done and we lay our heads large and small on our pillows to rest we can relax in the peace that is greater than the sum of our mistakes and deeper than our desire to achieve more. Peace He has left with us and it will carry us through all the hills and valleys that lie ahead of us.

Happy Thanksgiving.

1 comment:

Deanna @ oneagleswings said...: Sweet friend,

Happy Thanksgiving and I pray that you would continue to see God's hand in everything. Your perspective truly blesses me.; December 1, 2008 at 5:59 AM

Pecan Cream Cheese Icing:

8 ounces cream cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter 3 (9-inch) cake pans with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer. Add the sugar, and beat. In a medium bowl or on a piece of parchment, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, and mix well.

Add the dry ingredients, alternating with the eggs, beating well after the addition of each. Add the vanilla extract and mix. Add the carrots and beat on medium speed until well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Fold in the nuts. Divide between the 3 cake pans and bake until set and a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest in the cake pans for 10 minutes. Invert onto wire racks, remove from the pans, and let cool.

For the Frosting: In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar gradually, beating constantly. Add the vanilla and pecans.

When the cake is cool, place 1 cake layer on a cake plate or stand. Spread the top with cream cheese frosting and top with a second and third cake layer, spreading the icing between each layer. Spread the icing around the sides of the cake and let harden slightly before serving. To serve, cut into wedges.