This Thanksgiving

As I reflect on Thanksgiving, I sit in a hospital room watching - more like mesmerized by - the O2 Stats as my grandfather struggles at times to breathe.  Doctors say he has a terrible case of pneumonia and as a former smoker at 81, that makes for a very terrible case of pneumonia.  It's not been the only hospital situation I've found myself in lately.  In fact, there have been difficult conversations over the past several weeks with my own family and families in our ministry.  So many have been facing difficult medical situations over the last several weeks.

This Thanksgiving won't be like Thanksgiving's past.  No gatherings at grandma's and grandpa's - instead we'll meet together for a simple meal, drive my grandma to see grandpa and then spend the rest of the day being mesmerized by the oxygen meter - its really a wait and see situation.

But, this Thanksgiving, I can tell you that I'm thankful for my health and for a God who never changes.  As the last several weeks have unfolded I have seen how in a moment life can change.  One phone call, one doctor visit, one moment and everything can be upside down, different, changing, spiraling out of control.  Yet, through it all there's a God who knows each of these circumstances, who loves each and every person involved and whom we can depend on in these times of uncertainty.

As you enjoy family and friends today don't forget those who will be spending this holiday in a hospital - waiting with uncertainty for the next doctor to come through the door.  Take a few moments to stop and pray, to thank God, and to cherish the time you have with those you love.  Here are a few I'm praying for in addition to my grandfather ... Jake ... Kendall

Traditions

Growing up I would spent time each year addressing Christmas Cards for my mom, yet somehow they ended up never getting mailed … every year.  As I moved out on my own I knew that the Christmas Card tradition was something that I wanted to include in my plans each year … well that is the tradition of addressing them … and I was planning to start a new tradition of mailing them :-)

The cool thing though is that Christmas Cards now are SO much cooler than those of the past, and being crazy about photography I can’t help but LOVE the photo cards from Shutterfly!

For several weeks I’ve been carefully choosing my favorite designs and have it narrowed down to a few!

Here’s my top 3 

In random order...

#1

#2

#3

… you’ll have to wait and see what I finally choose when it arrives in your mailbox!

 So, to those of you who are my friends … I’ll be sending you a Shutterfly Christmas Card this year … now the hard part of choosing which photo(s) go on the card.   And just in case you're looking for a last minute gift ... check out what Shutterfly has to offer in that category too!

(look for more "Traditions" posts this holiday season!) 

Photography

I haven't been posting "Wordless Wednesdays" quite as much BUT I have been working on my photography blog.  Its still a work in progress, but it's coming along!  You can check it out below!

ShannaB Photography