So this year our plan was to go to PA and visit our dear friends.
However, plans changed. Jeremy wanted to finish some painting projects
for the house over the break and when it came down to it we just simply
felt like we needed to stay home. Fast forward to Thanksgiving. We
didn't make any plans because we were planning on going to PA. We knew a
couple of missionaries might be stopping over, however we received a
call Thanksgiving morning and all four of the Elders asked if they could
come and eat. We were thrilled. However, I had been praying that since
we now were going to be home for Thanksgiving I wanted to know who we
could invite for dinner that didn't have anywhere to go. I racked my
mind and everyone that I could think of at church and elsewhere had
plans. Well Thanksgiving morning I went to take the turkey out of the
brine and put it in an oven bag and I realized that I had bought the
wrong size of roasting bag. No fear, Dash's market is right around the
corner. I booked it to the store grabbed my Turkey roasting bag and
hopped in line. I needed to get my turkey cooking! As I was paying an
older man in his late 80's began putting his groceries on the belt. A
can of cranberries, 1 turkey drumstick and a box of chicken flavored
stove top. I started a conversation with him and wished him a Happy
Thanksgiving. I got in my car and sped away. I wasn't even to the main
road when I had the strongest impression, "Go invite that older man to
Thanksgiving dinner. He is all alone." I ignored it. I needed to get
home and get my turkey in the oven! Sure enough the prompting came
again. "Go and invite that older man to Thanksgiving. He is all alone." I
continued to drive and got to my street. The feeling came a third time.
"Go and invite that older man to Thanksgiving dinner. He is all alone."
Instead of turning left I turned right to go back to the grocery store.
Saying a prayer in my heart that the man would still be there. I sped
to the market. As I pulled up into the parking lot the older man was
unlocking his car and climbing in. I pulled up to him and said, "Hi, my
family would love for you to come to Thanksgiving dinner with our
family. It's just me and my husband and kids and a few people from our
church," With tears in his eyes he grabbed my hand and said, "God bless
you sweetheart. God bless you sweetheart. I am all alone and have
nobody." He kept smiling and shaking his head and saying, "really you
want me to come to your home for dinner!?" He asked me a time and I told
him 2:00. He said, "Ok, I'll be there at 1:45!" :) I drove home and
told Jeremy my story and how I had been praying to know who to invite
and BOOM just like that there this man was! Heavenly Father hears and
answers prayers! I have no doubt that this is one of the reasons we felt
like we couldn't go to our best friends home for Thanksgiving. Another
miracle was that I had set my alarm on Thanksgiving for 6 am to give me
time to get my turkey in the oven. 6 am came and I was just too tired so
I hit snooze. If I would have got up I would not have ran into this
sweet old man. I was so excited that our table would be full of people.
Our family, the 4 missionaries and this older man! 2:00 came and still
no older man. I kept going outside to see if I could see him. The
saddest thing is he never came. My heart was broken because when I gave
him my address I didn't think to write it down. Instead, I just told him
it. I am almost certain he forgot the address that I gave him. :( There
really is no other explanation he was so excited to come. I couldn't
help but think of him all day. I really hope I run into him again. I had
a beautiful day surrounded by Jer and my beautiful children and the 4
missionaries. Before dinner started I passed a card and marker around
the table and had everybody write on it what they were thankful for. We
all took turns sharing what we are thankful for. At the top of my list
is always Eternal Families. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ
who broke the bands of death and died so that we may live. The plan of
Salvation is a beautiful thing. To know that death is not the end and
only the beginning is a beautiful truth that as members of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we know to be true. To know that I
will see my son again and my grandparents and all those that passed on
before me brings peace to my heart. I love my Savior Jesus Christ who
has made this possible. I love that we can pray specifically for answers
and questions and He will answer us. Maybe the older man at the market
just needed to know that he was loved and that somebody cared.
Happy Thanksgiving from our Home to Yours.
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