I am deep into holiday preparations with my son and daughter. Most of the grands are in their teens and want to have parties with their friends. Ian and Katie Rose, six and two, are just beginning to see how our family celebrates the fall holidays.

What fun to see a holiday refered to in the Thanksgiving Bible Lesson. The Lord is instructing Moses on what He wants the people to do. They are to celebrate from Sabbath to Sabbath for one week. The outline for the Sabbath is given in Exodus 12: 1 - 14. The beginning of the grain harvest included waving a sheaf of new corn before the Lord as an acknowledgement of His bounty. We will include corn in our Thanksgiving menu this year.

During the week the people had the Festival of Booths or Tabernacles. It was observed from the 15th to the 22nd in October and marked the end of the agricultural year when the combined produce for that year as well as the grain harvest has been secured. It was a time of great rejoicing and they camped out in booths constructed of branches. These could be set up on their roof or out in the street. They commemorated the sojourn in the wilderness.

In all the hubub of planning, shopping, cooking and eating of your Thanksgiving feast this year, be sure to take moments to praise God. The Lesson reminds us that He satisfieth the longing soul and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Reach out to family, friends and neighbors sharing your love for God. let gratitude permeate your days. Be grateful. Give thanks.

Feel free to camp out in the back yard.