F-WORDS

As I prepare for Thanksgiving Day celebration, I think of three F words --- Family, Friends, and Faith. Several events of the last week remind of the importance of these F-words.

Last Thursday my granddaughter Olivia was surprised when the “mystery reader” for her second grade class was me. I sat in a chair while her classmates sat cross-legged on a rug. I read a few books, “Mittens,” “Olivia and the Circus,” and “A Really Big Hug.”

Then I picked up Olivia’s three-year old sister Merrily at home to take her to lunch at Chic-Fil-A, while her mother finished preparations for their family’s departure that afternoon to Texas. Later five-year old brother Ethan got home from kindergarten to join us in play.

That evening Cissy and I met six friends from Big Canoe to eat some Mexican food for supper. It was a great treat to see some dear friends for the first time in several months.

Last weekend Cissy and I travelled to The Reserve at Lake Keowee in South Carolina to lead the worship service. On Saturday afternoon the remaining fall leaf colors glowed as the day ended, and a beautiful sunset lighted up the sky.

Worship on Sunday morning centered on the theme of ThankSSSgiving. The three “Ss” stood for Shout-Serve-Sing from the opening words of Psalm 100.

We took the long scenic route back home by swinging through one of my favorite sections of the North Carolina mountains from Cashiers to Highlands, with a stop at Whitewater Falls. There were a few patches of snow to be seen.

I am ready to celebrate Thanksgiving Day tomorrow. Meanwhile Cissy is busily preparing a feast to feed 19 people. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!