The Feast - In Pictures

Here's a look at the sights and people of our First Thanksgiving at the New Place.

This morning we had our Sunday meeting together at home as just a family. We were singing a favorite song from The Old Place about how He "gives and takes away." We talked about how though we're aware of missing our loved ones and our life back there...we've been given the blessing of meaningful days like this one to be touched by others and to share the good news with them in our home.

We nearly missed this opportunity. I was not particularly ready, in my opinion, to host a massive meal for our new friends. We thought we'd just go to a local gathering of foreigners. But Daddy was adamant in reminding me that we came here to to be engaged and involved with people and that occasionally time with our foreign friends is great...but this was an opportunity not to be missed! He told me that he would help in any way he could to make it happen. As the guest list grew, so did his excitement. And, the result...he was RIGHT! A touching time sitting around this table sharing what we were thankful for...in two languages moved our hearts to a greater sense of purpose. There were tears in eyes, gratitude expressed passionately to DAD and a special memory for all of us.

This is our table fashioned from plywood, bedsheets and borrowed elements. The centerpiece was made from two stainless steel bowls that we wash dishes in and serve popcorn in on Sunday nights. Daddy found some tealight candles and floated them in the bowls. Then he found some gold cord at the village store and put it on the table as some "bling." As Dad was dreaming all these ideas up from the plywood to the bling, I was scoffing at him... and he said..."You would never make it on one of those 'decorate on a tiny budget TV shows!'"...so true...

This is our oven set-up. Two toaster ovens, one with the turkey in it that didn't finish until after the meal, are stacked on a rack. I had some issues with my meat thermometer. I had read on my recipe site that he turkey's temp had to be 165 degrees in the deepest part of the thigh. At 3 PM as the guests were arriving, I took out the bird and the thermometer measured like 60 degrees! I was horrified! Thankfully we'd purchased another turkey that was cooked in a local restaurant's oven so when it was delivered at 3:15 Thanksgiving was saved! After 8 hours in the oven I took the bird out again and it was still only in the low 100's...but the indicator that came in the bird had popped out. It was then that I realized my problem...

I was using a meat thermometer from here...and it was in Celsius...not Fahrenheit! When I switched the thermometer to read Fahrenheit...the bird was over 200 degrees inside! That was worth a tremendous laugh. And, we know that some people really like turkey jerky. Daddy said that it was going to be just like the "Christmas Vacation" movie when we cut into the bird...it would be so dessicated that inserting the knife would cause the bird to pop like a balloon and furrow smoke out in the air around.

Daddy found these lazy susans at the local grocery for about $30! They really helped move the potatoes (done by hand), the broccoli casserole, cranberries, carrots, corn, stuffing and turkey around the table!

This, our dessert table, has already been ravaged by the time of this picture. The first pumpkin pie that Magpie and I baked until 2 am the night before was already gone. We made our pie crusts on Thursday night. As we have no mixer here, everything is done by hand...my do we miss that Kitchen Aid! The pumpkin pie was made from two pumpkins we found at the store. Since we have no evaporated milk here...we improvised with whipping cream. The result? SO DELICIOUS! Also we served apple crisp, pecan pie bars (we had to shell the pecans ourselves) and Blondie Brownies. The cake you see is a local model, brought by a guest.

This picture was taken during the "Share what you are thankful for" time of the evening. Some of the most thoughtful and beautiful sentiments were shared by the children and the adults! Some great testimony too! Fabulous!

Daddy above is talking with the top man in our company locally. He has an incredible heart for the people. He spent time asking Daddy about starting some English meetings here on our campus.

Above, on the left is the woman who hired us...the Chancellor. She is such a great encouragement to us. She lives several hours away, so it was a great joy to have her here for our Thanksgiving feast! On the right is our dear friend we've known here for the past two and a half years. She, along with her husband, were so happy to be sharing in this family tradition!

We hosted a Thanksgiving "draw your best hand-turkey competition" with the kids.

The Bug's inspiration above...

Magpie's gobbler

Brownie's best

This picture is of the Chancellor and her husband "judging" the entries. Encouraging words were shared with each participant. We heard things like "Such a happy turkey...he must live in a land where there is no Thanksgiving!" and "I think I would like to be that turkey, living in such a beautiful place!"

Many of you know about our long term friend here, pictured in the middle above. He savored the event and shared some very profound, encouraging discussions with the man on the right. (A brother who lives upstairs from us.) This conversation was one of the highlights of our night! And, of course, Bub in the picture there just wanted to hang out with the menfolk!

I was thrilled to have some time out of the kitchen to share some quality time with one of the turkey artists...Potato!

This girl amazes me more and more each day. The Bug has really developed such a servant's heart toward helping her family. While Magpie and I baked for hours in the kitchen, the Bug busied herself cleaning the apartment. She did laundry, cleaned the floors and helped set the table. She is never happier then when she is serving! Daddy and I are so very, very proud of her!

Handsome Daddy, the Bug the Neighbor and me...with a contented and grateful heart...

I had to include this picture...Potato and her friend Frank here are best buddies at school. According to the teachers, Frank likes to care for Potato in every way. He takes it upon himself to help her when it's time to clean up, he likes to carry her lunch to her and generally wants to hold her hand when they go to the playground to ensure she doesn't lose her way. Potato seems not to notice the special attention. This was the first picture I got of the two of them together. I asked them "Hey guys, can I take a picture?" With no collusion on their parts...they both made crazy faces at me...these two are full of mischief together!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"He gives and takes away...but my heart will chose to say...Lord blessed be your name."