Giving Thanks!

At this very moment, we are traveling through Ohio. You have to love technology today. Internet service anywhere, anytime. We left Long Island yesterday afternoon to head for Louisville, Kentucky. We took Madison out of school early and decided to go ahead and drive halfway, which is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was our first time to drive off the Island, since moving there. It is beautiful. All the beautiful bridges, mountains of trees, 3 rivers of Pittsburgh, and cool tunnels. The drive through downtown Pittsburgh is beautiful! We are excited about traveling home, because it will be daylight on the way back when we pass through there.
This morning we did not drive far past Pittsburgh before we saw the welcome sign to West Virginia. The parts that we saw were so amazing. All of the houses were in clusters far below the interstate. They were so close together.....even more so than Long Island. I guess similar to Queens. They were all different bright colors and looked like colonial houses. I felt like I wanted to reach out the window and pick one up. It was like pieces on a game board if you can imagine. The mountain areas are beautiful and I can only imagine how beautiful they were a month ago before the leaves fell off.
Emma loves the leaves! But she does not like that they have fallen off. She looks out the front door at home and says she is about to cry for the leaves!
The drive through West Virginia was over before we knew it, and we entered Ohio. We will be in Ohio until we reach Kentucky.
We have never been in the North East, except for New York of course, and so it has been so amazing to just drive through Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We will have to come back to visit. But, I definitely want to see Boston and Washington D.C. first.
We are 3 hours out of Louisville and we are excited. There is nothing like going to Mamaw and Papaw's. My parents and sister live in Alabama, but I was not raised there, so it is not my home. I spent a good portion of my days in Texas, but I still would not call Texas home. I was born in Louisville and lived around the corner from my grandparents for 10 years. So many wonderful memories at their house and our church home. I was saved and baptized in my church home in Louisville. But more than anything, I love being with my Mamaw and Papaw. I could not begin to describe how much they mean to me. They are faithful followers of Christ. Growing up, I always thought they were perfect. No one could say anything to change my mind. As I got older I learned they were not perfect, because no one is. We all have flaws. We all make mistakes. But, you know what? They are still perfect in my eyes. They have always been my number one fan. Never critical, always making me feel the very best about myself. My Papaw is a godly man, who walks with the Lord daily. My Mamaw is a true servant. Never have I been around them that I do not see them having their time in the word. They have given us an amazing legacy and I pray I can always be as faithful as the example they have set before me.
I am thankful for so much this year. Our move to Long Island, Sterling becoming a pastor, our family and friends............but something God has been showing me lately is how thankful I am to have grown up in a christian home. I have a mom and dad who have always loved me more than anything. A mom and dad who raised me in a home where God came first. A mom and dad who did nightly devotions with me and my sister. A mom and dad who took me to the church every time the door was open. A mom and dad who were also at the church every time the door was open. A dad who teaches Gods word to others, and a mom who reaches out to others and encourages them. A mom and dad who push through adversity no matter how painful the trial may be. A mom and dad who continue to grow in the knowledge of the Lord every day. You do not realize growing up just how wonderful your parents are until you have your own children. I am thankful for a mom and dad who trained up a child in the way she should go.............and now that I am old.........I have not departed from it. Thank you mom and dad for being all you are to me. I love you with a deeper love and appreciation than I did before.
God is so faithful. Thinking about His goodness and all He has done for me and mine, reminds me once again that it's all about grace.............Amazing grace how sweet the sound!
Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends!