Of Turkeys and Holiday Plans

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9

So… Eric came home with a turkey last night which was kind of a big deal. We have never bought a turkey in Haiti before and this was definitely a Thanksgiving splurge. The kids and Miguel keep talking about Thanksgiving saying they “can’t wait!”. I have a suspicion that my attempts at a traditional American Thanksgiving in Haiti may not match whatever expectations they have dreamed up. Much of this has to do with my own expectations which include a fear of turkeys. I already planned my speech on how the Pilgrims having come to a foreign land gave thanks for whatever local bounty they were blessed with and likely this did not include turkey on their table either. I was much more prepared to have Thanksgiving without turkey than to have Thanksgiving with it. The truth is I’ve only cooked a turkey on my own once in my life and had not planned on a repeat of that experience. I’ve plucked and cooked chicken but for some reason the turkey completely evades me. As I ask for explicit turkey cooking instructions, my mother cannot understand. But I do.
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The Glad Game

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”
Psalm 40:16

It is hard to believe it is November as I watch the kids search the calendar already counting the days till Christmas break. I’m thankful the roller coaster month of October is over. The month began with a slew of disappointments. Discouragement continually knocked at our door. So many people prayed and gave so that we could purchase a generator that would provide power to our home. It was our daily hope since our return to Haiti in September that our purchased generator could be delivered. Delay after delay continued to defer our hope until our hearts were sick and our bodies saturated with sweat and sleep deprived were nearly depleted. It was hard not to despair. We needed the glad game.
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