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What Will Your Table Say?

by | Nov 8, 2021 | Mom Blog, Posts, Thanksgiving

When we come to a table, whether it be a humble kitchen table, a dining room table, a restaurant table or a wedding table, the way it is prepared speaks volumes. And we can capitalize on this in our homes this Thanksgiving!

What would I like our Thanksgiving table to say this year? Gratefulness. Love. Hope.

Gratefulness to the Lord,

…by adding some Thanksgiving decorations to our table as a center piece to help create an atmosphere of celebration and gratitude.

Love to my family,

…by taking a bit of time and effort to add special touches. A tablecloth made by my great grandmother; china dishes – a family tradition passed down from my mother; colorful napkins and Thanksgiving place cards. Nothing really elaborate. Just thoughtful touches.

Hope for the future

…by adding candles. A glowing reminder that Jesus is the light of the world. He is our hope! Praise Him!

How about you?

What would you like your Thanksgiving table to say this year? Inspire our Mom Blog community in the comments below. Looking forward to hearing from you! 😊

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Marian Thomsen

Marian Thomsen

Wife, Mother, Mentor

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10

Thanksgiving Place Cards

by | Nov 8, 2021 | Mom Blog, Posts, Thanksgiving

Would you like to add place cards to your Thanksgiving table this year? Our daughter Melissa created a place card printable that we are planning to use and we would like to share the printable with you!

After printing just cut, fold and add a name to each card. When Thanksgiving Day arrives, the place cards will be ready to add to your table! Your family and friends will be reminded of your thankfulness for them and will be encouraged from God’s Word to tell God “thank-you” for His goodness and mercy.

Thanksgiving Table Place Cards
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Marian Thomsen

Marian Thomsen

Wife, Mother, Mentor

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10

God’s Goodness Jigsaw Puzzle

by | Nov 30, 2020 | Mom Blog, Posts, Thanksgiving

Would you like to enjoy a jigsaw puzzle activity with your family this Thanksgiving? An activity that encourages hearts as you reflect on God’s goodness to you in the past year? An activity that naturally leads into giving God thanks?

STEPS

1. CHOOSE

Choose a jigsaw puzzle. 

Tip!

Choose a puzzle with pieces large enough to accommodate the writing of a few words on the back of puzzle pieces.

2. SELECT

Have each family member select some puzzle pieces.

Tip!

If your family is mostly younger children, you may like to have each person choose just a few pieces, maybe around 5 pieces. 

If your family has all teenage and/or adult children, you may like to have each person select 20 pieces or the amount of pieces that will include all of the puzzle pieces between you. (Our family of five adults used a 100 piece puzzle last year and we each selected 20 pieces thus including all the pieces of the puzzle.) 

If your family includes a wide variety of ages, the number of pieces chosen may vary to accommodate different ages.

3. THINK AND WRITE

Have each person think of one way God has been good to them this year. 

Without sharing with anyone (unless you have little children who need guidance) have each person write down one way God has been good to them on one of their puzzle pieces.

Then, continue doing this until each person has written one thing on each of their selected puzzle pieces. 

Turn each puzzle piece over after writing on it. Keep what is written as a surprise until later.

Examples of God's goodness and what to write on puzzle piece.

God enabled me to get my driver’s license. Write: My driver’s license. 

God provided our family with a kitten. Write: Our kitten.

God helped me when I was afraid. Write: Courage to…

God answered prayer when (….). Write: …..

God has given us food to eat. Write: Food to eat.

God gave us a great vacation. Write: Our Family vacation.

God comforted my heart with this verse. Write: Comfort + Bible reference.

God gave me victory in this situation. Write: Victory over….

4. COLLECT 

Collect all the puzzle pieces when everyone has finished writing. Have one person then put all the puzzle pieces picture side up on a table, while ignoring what is written on the back of the pieces.

5. PUZZLE TIME

Put the puzzle together! 

6. SHARE

Carefully turn the completed puzzle over when the puzzle is done. (You may like to sandwich the puzzle between two pieces of carboard before flipping the puzzle over.) Take turns reading what is written on the back of the puzzle pieces. Reflect, share and rejoice over what the Lord has done for each of you this year.

7. THANK THE LORD!

After all has been shared, pray and thank the Lord for His goodness, remembering specific ways He has been so good to your family.

Idea!

When it is time to put the puzzle away, you may like to label it “Thanksgiving” with this year’s date. Next year, take the puzzle back out, put the pieces in a bowl and set it where people can look at the individual pieces and remember God’s goodness from the previous year. 

And you just might like to do this activity again with a new puzzle next year as well!! :-) Enjoy!

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Marian Thomsen

Marian Thomsen

Wife, Mother, Mentor

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10

Jars of Thanksgiving

by | Nov 30, 2020 | Mom Blog, Posts, Thanksgiving

Looking for another creative way to encourage your family members to think about and share things they are thankful for this Thanksgiving season? If so, you may like to consider enjoying Jars of Thanksgiving!

PREPARE

1. Collect one small jar and lid for each family member. (Mason jars are a good option.)

2. Put 7 small pieces of paper in each jar. 

3. Collect a pencil or pen for each person.  

A WEEK BEFORE

A week or more before Thanksgiving, place the jars you’ve prepared on your dinner table, one jar at each person’s place. These jars will be used for at least seven days. On day 1, possibly after your evening meal:

1. Pen Give each person a pencil or pen.

2. Paper Have each person take one paper out of their Jar of Thanksgiving.

3. Question Read one question from the Jars of Thanksgiving Questions out loud.

4. Write Have each person write their response on one of the papers provided.

5. Fold After writing, have each person fold their paper twice so that what they wrote will not show. Then have each person place a number 1 on the outside of the folded paper. Put the folded paper back in the jar.

6. Keep Going! Continue the above directions on days 2-7.

THANKSGIVING DAY

On Thanksgiving day, have each person draw out their folded paper with the #1 on it. Take turns sharing and appreciating what each person wrote down. Continue with paper #2 and so on. 

Jars of Thanksgiving Questions

Idea! On Thanksgiving Day, after all the papers have been drawn and talked about, you may like to give everyone the opportunity to thank the Lord for something they shared.
 

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Marian Thomsen

Marian Thomsen

Wife, Mother, Mentor

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10

From My Mother

by | Nov 16, 2020 | Mom Blog, Guest Posts, Posts, Thanksgiving

My mother loves the Lord and enjoys celebrating special occasions with family and friends. As a daughter in her home, I watched her decorate, set a pretty table, prepare food, have activities ready and warmly welcome guests. What an amazing example she is to me!

When asked if she would be willing to answer a few questions relating to Thanksgiving with the intent of sharing them with you on the Mom Blog, she kindly agreed. 

Mom, you brought music into our home as I was growing up. What is a hymn that you like to sing during the Thanksgiving season?

“We Gather Together.”

What makes this hymn meaningful to you?

Growing up, our family would gather at Grma Hagemeister’s home with two of my uncle’s families to have Thanksgiving dinner together. After dinner and dishes were done, my uncle Lee would gather us together around the piano to sing. He would say to me, “Joyce, you play the piano.” So, I did. Uncle Lee and Aunt Alice both had beautiful voices and helped all of us to sing better! ☺ Our singing would last over an hour.

What is a verse that you like to meditate on during the Thanksgiving season?

Psalm 92:1

What makes the Psalm 92:1 meaningful to you?

This verse is easy to learn and say and so it comes to mind throughout the day.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, what are a few things that come to mind that you are thankful for?

I’m thankful for Jesus and that He loves me and gave His life for me. I’m thankful for the 66½ years I had with Harve before he went to live with Jesus. I’m thankful for our three daughters, two sons in laws and five grandchildren who all love Jesus. And I’m thankful for each new day to live for Him!

What word of encouragement would you have for us as mothers as we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families this year?

To mothers I would say, be in the Word of God daily yourselves so that you get to know Jesus more personally day by day. Children watch and observe even when you think they are not watching what you do. Mothers, be praying for your children every day. And share with your children throughout the day too!

Thank-you Mom. You are a blessing!

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Marian Thomsen

Marian Thomsen

Wife, Mother, Mentor

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10

Word Search

by | Nov 16, 2020 | Mom Blog, Posts, Thanksgiving

Interested in a Word Search to enjoy with your family this Thanksgiving?

We’ve got you covered! It has become a tradition for our family to complete a Word Search at our Thanksgiving table. This is the first year however, that we have created Word Searches. And we are happy to share them with you!

Print the two Word Search pages found in the download below and you’ll be ready to go! One Word Search is for younger children who can read and the other Word Search is for older children and adults. Both Word Search pages focus on words that remind us of what to be truly thankful for. Enjoy!

A note: Often when we enjoy Word Searches as a family I remember our friend Shelby who is a part of our Mom Blog community. She has enjoyed Word Searches with our family and wow, is she fast! Her pen would go down, all words being found, way before others were done! Sending smiles your way Shelby!

Word Search
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Marian Thomsen

Marian Thomsen

Wife, Mother, Mentor

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10

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