Happy Thanksgiving

If you don't know, I picked up another half time job this fall. I'm a history teacher. I love history. I don't like memorizing dates, facts and figures, but I love the stories.

I found a little story that took place inside the classroom of a history teacher and I would like to share it with you.

A teacher asked her students to list what they thought were the present Seven Wonders of the World. The students cast the most votes for:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not turned in her paper yet. She asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.

The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. to love

getSynergized Newsletter (7-27-03); submitted by Phil Myers, Chesterton, Indiana

November is the month of thankfulness. When I am listing what I am thankful for, I usually list people and material things first. You know, I'm thankful for my family, my home, having food to eat, having a church family, clean water, indoor plumbing. . . Those sorts of things.

This year, I want to focus on things I don't always think of. I'm thankful for the ability to love. I'm thankful I can laugh. I am so thankful my senses are all working.

Most of all, I'm extremely thankful that God knows me and that He has a deep desire for me to know Him. This continuously blows me away. God knows me. God knows you. He desires to have fellowship with each of us on a personal level. Now here is something to truly be thankful for.

A tornado could come through and take my house, but I'd still have Him.
An accident could occur and I could lose my family, but I'd still have Him.
A stroke could leave me unable to express love, but I'd still have Him.
I could lose my sight, but I'd still have Him.

God is the only thing that can never be taken away from me. And everything else, all of the above, are just blessings upon blessings that He pours into my life.

Thank you, Lord. Really, there are not words to describe the appreciation I have for who He is.

So, thank God for your food, and your home and your family. Just don't forget to praise and thank God for who He is. Remember that every good thing comes from Him.