A Month of Thanksgiving!

November is the month of Thanksgiving and we here at Blue Sky Acres have much to be thankful for! One definition of Thanksgiving is the expression of gratitude, especially to God. We would like to share a few of the things that our volunteers, staff and board of directors are thankful for with you and encourage you to think of your own. As we thank what God has done in the past, it gives us the confidence to dream big with Him as we move forward! If you have any testimonies you would like to share with us, we would love to hear them!

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday since the focus is on being grateful, being with family and friends and lots of good food, of course! I am especially grateful this year for all that I have seen God do through everyone at Blue Sky Acres. I have seen beautiful smiles on kid's faces as they have interacted with horses, instructors and volunteers. I have experienced the many talents and abilities of the board, staff and volunteers as well. I have been blessed to meet new people who have decided to partner with and support the mission of Blue Sky Acres. The most amazing thing of all is how God works everything together to accomplish His will among all of us. It is a joy and a privilege to be part of what He is doing. I am so very thankful for all of it! (board member)

I am daily and forever thankful for my own and my family’s good health. I am thankful for the lovely weather in Georgia, which I appreciate every day (especially when I read those snow predictions for Michigan! 😂) I am thankful for good friends and nearby family and the ability to share kindred feelings, thoughts, and beliefs, without judgment. And I am especially thankful for my personal ) and relationship with God, without Whom, none of this would be possible. (volunteer)

I am so thankful to serve an amazing God! I am very thankful for my family, my church family, and my Blue Sky Acres family and my friends. I am blessed to have many friends that strong faith and strong Christian values. (board member)

I am thankful for good health that allows me to be a part of working with the kids that come out to Blue Sky Acres. I am also thankful for an amazing wife with whom I share my life. Finally, I am extremely thankful that I know a merciful, loving God with whom none of these things would be possible. (volunteer)

I am so thankful and constantly amazed at the exceptional people of character that God has allowed to be such a major part of my life. Doing 'life' with these, that I have mostly not chosen but God has divinely connected me to, makes it so much easier. I am blessed and highly favored. Blue Sky Acres ladies, you are at the top of that list. (volunteer)

I am thankful for Jesus who redeemed me/us back to God. I am thankful for life, family and friends. I am thankful for Holy Spirit guiding me/us in our wonderfully made life here on Earth. More importantly I am thankful for my/our REAL HOME in HEAVEN. (volunteer)

I am thankful for relaxing with my family and dogs before the start of finals and for the community of friends I have at school who support me. (future volunteer)

Ephesians 5: 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful for so many blessings that God provides for families, friends, communities, etc. For His redemption, spiritual and physical healing, mercy, physical provision, mercy, protection, and difficult situations that bring us close to Him and make us stronger. For the opportunity to fellowship with brothers and sisters and support each other with our prayers. (prayer supporter)

I am thankful for new beginnings found within Blue Sky Acres. I am thankful for His provision, direction and guidance as we go forward. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my BSA family, how we each have our own unique talents and skillset to work together! I am thankful for what is to come!! (staff member)

I am thankful for God’s love, grace and mercy and how He never gives up on us. (board member)

This holiday season of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah has been a very special time for my family and me. We have enjoyed this set aside time of family, friends, and the body of Christ coming together to celebrate and bless the Lord for His goodness, His everlasting love, and the mighty works of His hands.

The first of November, we always begin our commemoration of Thanksgiving by praying prayers of thanksgiving and reading scriptures of thanksgiving from the Bible. On Thanksgiving Day, we celebrate by cooking many family recipes and dishes. My husband and our three daughters all share in the preparation, cooking, and baking. We cook more than enough so that we are able to share our dishes with others. We spend the early part of the day having Thanksgiving lunch with family and friends. In the evening, we return home to have our time of prayer, fellowship, and Thanksgiving dinner.

This year, the first day of Hanukkah was celebrated the 25th day of Kislev on the Jewish calendar. That was November 28th on the Gregorian calendar, only 3 days after Thanksgiving. We have had a continuous time of celebration! Hanukkah is an awesome and sacred time of commemorating the miracles of God. Each night we light our menorah, pray prayers of adoration to the Lord, sing worship songs, blow our shofars, and dance! We also celebrate with delicious food and goodies.  We spend one of the nights of Hanukkah celebrating with friends and family. This festival of the Lord lasts for 8 days. We have such a glorious and festive time with each other and in the Lord!

I am so grateful for these special days of the year, especially the time I have with my family and friends. It brings me great joy and fulfillment being with the wonderful people the Lord has placed in my life. Because of this, I am so blessed…really, I am better than blessed! (volunteer)