Vamos!

Well, since I made you cry with the last post, here's a funny one. Little Miss Abigail is quite the social butterfly. She will meet a new friend in every elevator, restuarant, hotel and store we visit. It takes only a few seconds for her to flash those big blues and make one of her infamous "faces" and boom, a new friend. Language seems to be no barrier for Abigail either! She is picking up on some Spanish...either from our stint in central California or our frequent visits to El Charro (the next best thing to Monterrey's). There was one small hitch on Saturday...

Abigail (and her shadow) walk up to two little sisters speaking spanish. She walks up and cooly, calmly joins in the conversation saying, "Vamos!" They look at one another, stunned, maybe even offended. Abigail says again, "Vamos!" (accent and all!) The sisters take off running. Rachel (always looking for a good thing to tattle) comes running to me and says, "Mommy, I think Abigail is being rude in spanish!" For my "no habla espanol amigos, "vamos" means "Go! Go!" Abigail has ALOT more Spanish (and friend-making etiquette)to learn and so many friends yet to meet. We'll work on it!

On a more theological note, this week is "Thankful Hearts Week" at the Thornleys! No complaints, no "I wish..." statements... only "I'm thankful for..." and "Thank you Lord's..." and "Thanks, mom and dad..."will be counted up. Their only "job" this week is to see how many thankful things they can say and record on their charts!

On a historical note... we've been learning about the First Thanksgiving. It's interesting to note that Squanto, the famous Indian who befriended the Pilgrims was actually converted to Christianity during his stay at a monastery in Spain. He was sent there as a slave, but heard the gospel and came to faith in Christ. He was released and returned to America to find his entire tribe desimated. All he ever had was gone. But... he had Christ. This is why he reached out in love and befriended those so much different than himself. This is why he told other tribes about his newfound faith. This is why he was drawn to the Pilgrims. They all served the one, true God. This is the greatest thing they thanked God for so many years ago. Another interesting tidbit... Squanto invited many Indians, from other tribes, to join in the feast. They came reluctantly but they witnessed Christ in the lives of so many on that day. Oh the stories of God's sovereignty, His protection, His grace, His love, His preservation that must have been heard that afternoon. And thank goodness, Squanto was there to interpret the testimonies! God is sovereign!

soli Deo gloria...sola fide...sola Christo...sola scriptura...sola gratia...

This is how America's story began...I'm so thankful to celebrate this American holiday because it is truly a Holy-Day for Christians.

Blessings for your Thanksgiving...from our home to yours,

LT (from all the pilgrims and indians at our house)

A Time to Remember...

This past Saturday was an opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery. We were blessed to go with friends from McGuire AFB (the Cady's) and lay flowers on the grave of Claire's father and brother-in-law. The girls were respectful and happy to lay their roses by each marker. Rachel, however, saved a rose... she asked me to follow her around a corner to talk and she wanted me to lean down to hear her whisper. As tears filled her little hazel eyes, she asked me if she could save that flower to put on her birth mother's grave (aka "Miss Tania"). She asked very politely and humbly if we could go there now so she could put this rose there. Whew- you could have knocked me over with a feather. Tears flowed down my cheek and Andy came over to see what was up with the two of us. By this time, she is in my arms, sobbing so sadly, and clinging to my neck, rose in hand. I whispered to him what she had just said and then there were three of us... standing on this sacred ground, we were overcome with emotion. Holding her little broken heart, I promised her that one day, we will go and find Miss Tania's grave and we will put the biggest, most beautiful flowers we can find by her marker. We will honor her...her life, her sacrifice and her legacy, and we will...
It took a while for Rachel's tears to subside. She said, "I just miss her." We were happy to report that we will see her again in heaven one day. Rachel seemed soothed at those words and soon that precious moment was gone. Many of you know Rachel, and you know that Rachel has spunk, but for a few minutes on Saturday, she showed a special side- a broken, tender, sweet heart that only the Lord can heal. I thank God for our little Rachel and the tender heart that He is weaving in her. May God give us grace to raise her (and her sisters) to bring Him glory...

LT