Peas and Carrots

We watched the official ceremony today, the one where not one but two turkeys were pardoned by the President.  There was a vote between the two, one's name is Peas and the other one's name is Carrots. The vote was for which one would get the pardon, and of course there were jokes about the loser refusing to concede.  Fortunately, mercy was shown to both candidates, and both of these turkeys will live out their days without fear of winding up on a plate for Thanksgiving.

Speaking of peas and carrots, today Mommy made us shepherd's pie once more, which was fantastic as always.  Ba-Ba loved it, just because it isn't something you eat all the time here.  Mommy puts it all together and it turned out very nice for a chilly day like today.

We were doing a lot of "decking of the halls" today, decorating for Thanksgiving and a bit of Christmas as well.  The tree in the great room is quite an undertaking, in fact.  Nana and Ba-Ba were watching as Daddy has spent the last few days one this one tree, so full of ornaments.  The other trees don't take nearly as long, up with lights and ornaments in less than a day.  Meanwhile, this tree is apparently a monster.  It has something like seven hundred lights on it, which is something I never bothered to count before, but this year we had to buy new lights and suddenly it dawned on me just how many lights are on this tree.  You can see how Christmas lights can get out of hand, can't you?

Madison was playing piano today, still working on her recital song, which isn't exactly the most festive song in the world, but she's getting better at it, and she's enjoying playing it.  She was spending time with the grandparents too, although she was also spending her time with iPad lately playing this game called Roblox, which enables her to play games online with her friends. Every so often I have to remark that she's acting like Teenage Groot from the Avengers, and she realizes how she must look, her eyes glued to a handheld device.  Such is the world of technology today.

We were talking with Uncle George today, passing the phone around to wish him a happy birthday.  He's off to New York where they're about to have a pretty chilly Thanksgiving up there.  The parade tomorrow might be the coldest one ever, in fact.

Tonight we were watching "The Santa Clause 2," which the grandparents liked.  It's been fun watching Christmas movies together, all of us on the couch.  Some of these the grandparents haven't seen in ages, so there's been a lot of laughter in the great room each night.   We also sat and played some KidPak Thanksgiving videos from the past, which also got some laughs.  We have some good stuff there, enough to make a nice yearly collection.

We read tonight and said our prayers, and did a few more finishing touches for tomorrow - it's going to be a great day!  But before going, Daddy finished the first Grinch-themed message today, and it turned out pretty well so far.  In closing, here it is:

Welcome Christmas, Welcome All 

High on Mt. Crumpet, lived a stinky old soul

you wouldn’t touch with a thirty-nine and a half foot pole!

He was known as the Grinch, a nasty wasty skunk 

His heart full of unwashed socks, his soul filled with gunk.

Way back in the past, when the Grinch was a boy

He had bad things happen that took all his joy.

Don’t judge.  You should watch how your thinker has thunk.

Just love everyone, even if they stink, stank, or stunk!

Although the Grinch was as charming as an eel

Cindy Lou learned about him, and the way he did feel

And she was surprised when she looked and had seen

that the Grinch, he was hurting.  That’s why he’s so mean!

So Cindy Lou Who, she knew just what to do:

She showed love to all, even the Grinch up there too!

When all others wouldn’t, she stood there alone.

And like her, we should show the love God has shown.

She nominated him to be Cheer-meister here,

and to sit on a throne called the Chair of Cheer!

Yes, she invited him to a nice occasion

To be Cheer-meister at the Whobilation!

She kept on inviting, despite his mean side

Even if no one helped her, she tried and she tried.

Like her, be persistent, and keep showing love

and tell others about Jesus, God’s gift from above.

No one is beyond hope.  That’s the lesson we learn.

God’s grace is for all.  It’s not something we earn!

The Grinch started changing, because of Cindy Lou,

who loved even a Grinch.  And yes, so should you!

 “Suppose I speak in the languages of human beings or of angels. If I don’t have love, I am only a loud gong or a noisy cymbal.  Suppose I have the gift of prophecy. Suppose I can understand all the secret things of God and know everything about him. And suppose I have enough faith to move mountains. If I don’t have love, I am nothing at all.  Suppose I give everything I have to poor people. And suppose I give myself over to a difficult life so I can brag. If I don’t have love, I get nothing at all.  Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud.  It does not dishonor other people. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people’s wrongs. Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken.  It always protects. It always trusts. It always hopes. It never gives up.” 

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NIRV

"The cheer-meister is the one who deserves a back slap or a toast.  
And it goes to the soul at Christmas who needs it most."
 – The Book of Who

1.    Be a Cindy Lou Who. She knew just what to do!  
For she showed love to all, even Mr. Grinch too!   
When all others wouldn’t, she stood there alone.
Like her, we should show the love that God has shown!“It does not dishonor other people. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people’s wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5 NIRV

2.    Don’t judge.  You should watch how your thinker has thunk.
Love everyone, even if they stink, stank, and stunk!
Cindy Lou was surprised when she looked and had seen
the Grinch, he was hurting.  That was why he was mean! “But here is what I tell you who are listening. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.” Luke 6:27 NIRV

3.    No one is beyond hope. That’s the lesson we learn.
God’s grace is for all.  It’s not something we earn!
The Grinch started changing, because of Cindy Lou.
She loved even a Grinch.  And yes, so should you too!
“He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, He wants all people to turn away from their sins.” 2 Peter 3:9 NIRV

MEMORY VERSE: 

 “Suppose I speak in the languages of human beings or of angels. If I don’t have love, I am only a loud gong or a noisy cymbal.” 1 Corinthian 13:1 NIRV