OUR IRISH THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

Our Thanksgiving celebration this year was like none other we've ever experienced!  We began our day watching last year's Macy's Day Parade and trying to make Snuggly Grandma's homemade rolls to serve at a work luncheon--"trying" being the key word.  I still haven't figured out how to use this oven yet.  Suffice it to say, my rolls did not make their usual good impression. 

But what WAS impressive was the international feast we were treated to at Shannon's company, Origina.  We had Moroccan, Italian, Polish, Irish, and Indian dishes--to name a few.  Everyone at the office was so eager to share their culture with us for our Thanksgiving day.  The gesture was very touching to us and the food was out of this world! 

After sampling EVERY. SINGLE. DISH., we left the office and drove south of Dublin to attend a traditional Thanksgiving Feast with our American friends from church.  The food, the peat-log fire, the friends, and the lush country setting made for the perfect holiday in Ireland.  

We had the privilege of meeting and sharing our delicious meal with Anna, a refugee from Kyiv, Ukraine.  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67529571  

After the Russia invasion of Ukraine last year, a family in our ward graciously provided a room for her when she relocated to Ireland.  She is learning English now and trying to find a way to rebuild her life.  Our conversation with Anna really drove home the true meaning of Thanksgiving.  Her eyes filled with tears, but her smile never faded as she shared her heartbreaking story.  Though she has every right to complain, she never did.  Instead, she expressed gratitude to God for everything good and beautiful in her life.  Her words were compelling and pierced us to our core. We were humbled by her acknowledgement of God's hand in her life--even though her world has been shattered by war and loss.  Anna and I shared a long embrace and we both cried for what she has had to endure.  It was a sobering realization and added a layer of gratitude we have never felt until now.  

        

                                                                     Sweet Anna

Our day ended with photos and videos from the kids.  It warmed our hearts to know that wherever they are in the world, our children are surrounded by a cornucopia of everything that matters most--Faith in God, Freedom, Family, Health, Good Friends, Good Food,  Shelter, Laughter, and an Abundance of Love!  Our cup runneth over. 

At the end of this Thanksgiving weekend, we want to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His Bounteous Blessings,  His Love, His Light, His Son, and for... 

His Amazing Grace!! 

https://youtu.be/VlkTjvldNzA?si=LiDDxasg58sduTJl

HAPPY THANKSGIVING