Much to be Thankful For

Just returned from an afternoon with my good friend Marilyn Gierczak. We only see each other about every 3-4 weeks, but when we get together it is always a wonderful time. We started at the Kentucky Artisan Center on the edge of Berea. This is a wonderful place to see all the craft work that is done in the Appalachian area of Kentucky. There are so many beautiful items to see and choose from. I even got an early start on some of my Christmas shopping. Nothing too expensive but found a few items that I think my friends and family will appreciate. Marilyn found a few things also, so the trip was very worthwhile. From there we visited Tator Nob Ceramic shop and enjoyed a cup of coffee and some delicious punch. Didn't purchase anything, but this is a must stop if you are looking for some beautiful and unique ceramic pieces. From here we went on to Richmond to visit an Irish Pub. It was great to have a sandwich and enjoy a bit of brew. First one since I left Wisconsin and it went down very well! We had a great day and I look forward to the next time we get together.

This has been a very interesting week for me. On Tuesday I drove to McCreary County with some of my housemates to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner with the housing and family advocacy crews. It was a delicious meal and a great time to get together with everyone. McCreary County is right on the Kentucky Tennessee border. This is a beautiful area and the roads are more windy than any place I have driven thus far. Dinner was awesome and with a staff meeting we filled the whole day. On the drive we pass through the Cumberland Falls area and this place is amazing. Many rock walls along the drive and the waterfall is beautiful. This is the where the moonbow comes out right around full moon time. There are only two places in the world where the moonbow happens. I think the other place is somewhere in Africa and then in little old Cumberland Falls, Kentucky! How cool is that! I have not seen the moonbow yet but am looking forward to a trip down in hopes to witness this event.

I had another meeting this week with some ladies from Clay County and a woman from Red Bird Mission in Clay County. With their help I have a great listing of resources for Clay County and the surrounding area. I think this will help me alot in making sure that I am assisting people with all the resources that are available to them. I also visited the Community Church Food Pantry in Manchester. These people really have it together. The woman in charge has been working there for 14 years and she really has it down to a science. I was really impressed with how they handle all the families in Clay County. The church seems pretty cool too so I think I will have to make a Sunday morning trip there for worship.

Next week I am heading over to the east side to celebrate Thanksgiving with some other volunteers. I am really looking forward to this because I have not been to the east side yet. I am also excited to spend some time with people that I don't get to see very often. We will be staying at the Louisa volunteer house which is on the West Virginia and Kentucky border. I have heard that this area is really in the heart of the mountains, so I am very eager to see the countryside.

I will probably not write again until after next weekend, so let me take this time to say a note of thanks. I have never been concerned about where my next meal will come from or whether or not I will have a place to live. I know that I will always have a church to turn to for support and a place to worship my loving God. I have been so blessed with many friends who I love and who love me. I have a family that is always there for me and who I love more than anything. I have more in this life than I have ever dreamed of. But more importantly than all this, I have a Savior who laid down His life for me and for all of you. How can we ever repay what He has done for us. On Thanksgiving day offer Him a prayer of thanks for all the gifts that you have, and for the love that He has shown that is beyond our human understanding.

May God bless you all richly on this Thanksgiving Day and always.

In His service,
Jane