As it has become a yearly tradition, the Maxwell Family would like to share several things we feel especially blessed with. To give a slightly different twist, though, we’re prefacing it with the top three items we’re ALL thankful for.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Our Family
God’s Word

Steve (Dad), and Teri (Mom)

Steve:

• I’m thankful for our challenges and needs so I can bring them to my Lord and see His hand at work in our lives.
• I’m thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ that God had allowed us to work alongside and fellowship with.
• I’m thankful for our church.
• I’m thankful our nation still protects freedom to worship Jesus Christ.
• The number eleven (ask Joshua why).

Teri:

• God’s faithfulness for 40 years of marriage.
• God’s grace through 30 years of homeschooling and bringing us to the end.
• God’s mercy and strength that draws our adult children to walk faithfully with Him.
• God’s allowing our family to share with others and encourage them in the reality of a walk with Jesus in family life.
• God’s provision for our family during the 10+ years of Titus2 being our only support.
• Hiking.

Nathan, and his wife, Melanie,
and precious family of 3 girls and 1 boy

Nathan:

• My work—both consulting and teaching
• My chickens and all that we’ve learned from them
• Workout buddies (Jesse and John)

Melanie:

• Andrew’s safe arrival
• For a good recovery post-Andrew
• Getting to go visit my sister out of state

Abby (6)

• That I’m a Christian!
• Chickens

Bethany (4)

• That I’m a Christian!
• Toys

Christina (2)

• Germ-X (smile: folks, this is unedited, and she was in the van when they were working on their list, so she probably saw the Germ-X bottle ;))
• My “people people” (translation: Fisher Price Loving Family)

Christopher, and his wife Anna Marie,
and his sweet family of 1 boy and 1 girl and ?

Christopher:

• Talking with Joshua about his day before he goes to bed each night.
• Ruthanne’s adorable smiles: her eyes sparkle and her whole face lights up.
• The health that God has blessed us with.
• Work.

Anna Marie:

• The contagious delight and enthusiasm our children have for learning new things.
• The frequent kicks and activity I’m feeling from the new baby developing inside (so looking forward to meeting him/her sometime in March, Lord willing!).
• The freedom we have to worship God in our country.

Joshua (2)

• Special treats
• Helicopters and airplanes
• Grandpa’s chainsaw
• Bass and harmonica

Sarah

• I’m grateful for God’s gentle patience and grace in my life.
• I’m grateful for you all: you truly bless me!
• I’m grateful for the inspiration and ability to write stories which glorify Jesus Christ.
• I’m grateful for opportunities to be Jesus’ light in a dark world.
• Mint chocolate (especially mint M&Ms!).

Joseph, and his wife, Elissa

Joseph

• Courtship, engagement and marriage to precious and amazing Elissa: the love of my life.
• People who stand up against the murder of innocent little babies.
• Those who stand in harm’s way to protect us
• Love
• PhpStorm
• Cabbage
• Colorado

Elissa

• The amazing months of marriage that my beloved husband and I have enjoyed.
• Good health
• Sunshine
• Our happy home, where I can be a homemaker
• My husband’s job
• Cooking fresh food on my gas stove
• Purple flowers

John

• Prayer
• A warm house
• Caffeine
• New experiences and opportunities
• Liberty and peace in our country
• Little kiddos
• Friends
• Ham and crispy bacon
• My workout buddies
• Green plants

Anna

• I’m thankful for our family prayer times. I love the times that we have together praying.
• I am super thankful for a home that is filled with love and peace where Jesus is the focus.
• Playing music with my siblings I’m grateful for because of all the experiences that come with it.
• Bethany, my niece, (well, I am super thankful for all of them, but this part is extra sweet!) who wanted to learn to read because she wanted to read the Bible and her mom who is such a good teacher!
• For a little icing on the cake—cookie dough ;).
• Polkadots!

Jesse 

• Our church and pastor
• My loving family
• Really good chefs in our house
• Three computer monitors
• Governor Brownback
• 88 black and white keys
• Coffee
• Snow (when applicable)

Mary

• Very grateful for God’s beautiful creation! All the mountains, deserts, and ocean, and the privilege to see them.
• A huge thanks to Mom who poured her life into me for all the years she homeschooled me!
• Our pastor, Dad. He does such an amazing job each week delivering a powerful message.
• I’m thankful for music, and the ability to play with the family.
• And for all life’s simple pleasures like baking — especially with a sister.
• Chocolate!

“I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel:
my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me:
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth:
my flesh also shall rest in hope.”
Psalms 16:7-9

Aunt Anna and Aunt Mary wanted to have a special thanksgiving tea with the girls Monday.

After A, B, and C came over, the first item of business was to fix hair in braids, and Aunt Mary donned a little cap–maybe similar to the colonial ladies?

Each girl chose a tea flavor. A straw works really well to consume it with.

Praying for God to bless.

Aunt Mary had made brownies, and there were also some other little treats.

Writing a list of things to be thankful for!

What a beautiful joy it is to give God thanks! Oh, and you’ll see a post from the entire family tomorrow ;)–working on that now.

Love,
Sarah

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
Psalms 100:4 

“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth:
and a word spoken in due season, how good is it.”
Proverbs 15:23

Meet Broody Mama (named by Abigail of course :)). Broody Mama wanted to hatch some chicks and very patiently sat on her eggs. She didn’t leave them more than 30 minutes a day, and as time drew closer to hatching, she was up only a few minutes at a time. Finally, three little chicks popped out.

The Psalmist draws an analogy about the protection a chicken provides her chicks to how the Lord watches over us! How true.

“He shall cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou trust:
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
Psalms 91:4

Abby holding one of her chickens (not Broody Mama).

Notice the head peeking out?

At the cost of getting your hand pecked, you can reach one.

“… how often would I have gathered
thy children together, even as a hen
gathereth her chickens under her wings,
and ye would not.”
Matthew 23:37