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Celebrating the First Thanksgiving

11/24/2020

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By the time they reached the shores of America, the Pilgrims had sacrificed much of what they held dear to worship God. They left their native country, family, friends, home, livelihood and many of the comforts of life, and landed in a cold and hostile wilderness.  

William Bradford tells us, “Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet  on the firm and stable earth, their proper element.”

But their troubles were far from over. Bradford recounts, “It pleased God to visit us then with death daily, and with so general a disease that the living were scarce able to bury the dead.” More than half of the Pilgrims died the first winter.

And yet, when spring arrived and the captain of their ship offered to return them to England for free, not one Pilgrim accepted his invitation. Their faith in God gave them the strength to persevere.

Governor William Bradford declared, “Thus out of small beginnings greater things have grown by His hand. Who made all things out of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light enkindled here has shone to many, yea, in a sense, to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise.”

The Pilgrims were willing to sacrifice everything for the freedom to worship God as they believed. In so doing, they laid the foundation for the creation of the greatest nation in the history of the world.

At this wonderful season of Thanksgiving, let’s take time to give thanks to God, to retell the story of the Pilgrims and the incredible price they paid to be faithful, and to recommit ourselves to pay the price to be true in our day. 

Things to Do
  • Work together to prepare your Thanksgiving feast and to clean up afterwards.
  • Do something nice for a military family and tell them how thankful you are for them.
  • Help refugees or other immigrants in your community.
  • Make or draw "We Are Thankful for You" posters or pictures and deliver them to friends and neighbors. Kids love to make it an anonymous surprise. Tape the picture to the front door or on the windshield of a car, ring the doorbell, and run.
  • Take pictures of things you are thankful for and make a "Gratitude Scrapbook" or make a Gratitude Craft.
  • The Pilgrims and Indians had friendly competitions.  You could participate in the local Turkey Trot, play games like catch, football, horseshoes, or frisbee golf.  
  • Do some Plimoth.org: Just for Kids activities.

Things to Watch
  • The Mayflower Compact (4:25)
  • The First Thanksgiving Story (4:40)
  • Plimoth Plantation Virtual Field Trips
          - Mayflower (19:52)
          - Pilgrim Village (17:54)
          - Wampanoag Homesite (16:51)
          - Plimoth Plantation (30:23)​
  • Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims for Children (7:09)
  • Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving - Drive Thru History (5:20)  
  • History of Thanksgiving with David Barton - Glenn Beck TV (6:42)
  • True Story of Thanksgiving - Rush Limbaugh (14:21)

Things to Read​​
  • Paying the Price to Be True
  • President Trump's Thanksgiving Proclamation
  • George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
  • Abraham LIncoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
  • A Thanksgiving Message from Ronald Reagan
  • Remembering Our Heritage of Religious Freedom​​
​
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The 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower Compact

11/11/2020

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The pilgrims who settled in America in 1620 loved and honored God. ​They did their best to govern their lives in a way that pleased Him. Their goodness and character were evident in the way they lived and in the governing documents they created. Their faith, courage, grit, and love for each other created the foundation for the greatest nation in the history of the world. 
​
Here is a short video about The Mayflower Compact, the first governing document of their community, and a precursor of the United States Constitution. 

​


​"This day, before we came to harbour, observing some not well affected to unity and concord, 
but gave some appearance of faction, it was thought good there should be an association and agreement, that we should combine together in one body and to submit to such government and governors as we should by common consent agree to make and choose, and set our hands
to this that follows, word for word."  ~William Bradford
​

The Mayflower Compact

"​In the name of God, Amen. 

"We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&. 

"Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; 

"And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. 

"In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."
​
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What does The Mayflower Compact  tell us?
  • The Pilgrims created their governing document "in the name of God." God is very     important to them. They want to govern their lives in a way that is pleasing to HIm.

  • They are loyal subjects of King James.

  • Their purpose for leaving  their homes and sailing across the ocean to form a new colony in Virginia is to glorify God, to advance the Christian faith, and to honor their King and country.

  • They are forming a government to keep order, stay alive, and to fulfill the purpose stated above.

  • This document gives them the power to form the laws, rules, and offices needed for the good of the colony.
​
  • As leaders of the government, they promise submission and obedience to the people.
​

Learn More  
  • The Mayflower Compact
  • ​Plimoth.org
​​
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Celebrating Veterans Day 2020

11/10/2020

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​As Americans, we live in abundant freedom, peace, and prosperity. Few people in all the history of the world have enjoyed the blessings we often take for granted.  

But there is a price attached to freedom. Our men and women in the military sacrifice every day. Many live in hell, some fight and are wounded, others pay the ultimate price. Each one sacrifices much they hold dear to keep us free. 

Below are some of our favorite ways to honor our veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day.
We'd love to hear your favorite(s) too! If you'd like to share, please comment below!


  • Read the Presidential Proclamation on Veterans Day 2020.
 
  • If possible, attend your local Veterans Day Parade. Wear red, white, and blue. Take pictures. Express appreciation to any veterans you may see. Invite your kids to look for opportunities to say thank-you too. Usually, even teens come home happy that they went.
 
  • Visit with a veteran. Whether you take advantage of Veterans Day specials and take them out to eat, or call and visit with them, or invite a vet into your home, this can become a favorite family tradition. My dad and father-in-law both served in World War II. Every year we called them for Veterans Day and invited them to tell us about their experiences.  Of course, we heard some stories many times, but we never get tired of them. We hope our kids tell them to our grandkids so our family legacy is passed from one generation to the next.
 
  • Thank a military family. You could make them a card or a poster and take them a treat. Tell them how grateful you are for the sacrifices they are making (or have made) for our country.  Be sure to make extra treats so your family can have some when you return home. 
 
  • Pray for those who are serving and their families. Talk about some of the sacrifices military families make, and ask God to bless them.  
​
  • Watch films that show the sacrifices made by those who have defended our freedom, like:      * Sergeant York (WW I)
        * Taking Chance (Iraq War)
        * The Unknowns (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)
        * Hallowed Grounds (Overseas Military Cemeteries) 
        * Soldiers Reunited with Families ​(Iraq War)
 ​               * The Price of Freedom (World War II)
                * 10 Life Lessons from Top Navy SEAL

  • Serve. Not everyone serves in the military, but we can all do something to lighten the burdens of those who do and their families. Talk with your family about the best way you can help. The happy glow that comes from serving others may be your favorite part of the holiday. 
 
  • Keep a family history book. Include in it stories of grandpas, uncles, and other family members who have served in the military. Share inspirational experiences and include plenty of pictures. A family history book can become a favorite source for bedtime stories! 
 
  • Set up a tent. Talk about what the life of a soldier is like. If it's too cold outside, you could set up a tent in the house, complete with sleeping bags, snacks, and great stories.
 
  • Read or tell or watch a patriotic story. 
              * A Story from One of My Favorite Veterans
              * I Knew You Would Come
​
              * Our Father
              * The Wall
​              * The Poppy Lady
              * Veterans -- Heroes in Our Neighborhood
              * H Is For Honor


​"If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on Earth, it was because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before. 

"Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on Earth. 

"The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay that price." ~Ronald Reagan


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