Giving Thanks

Tis the season of thankfulness and giving. This time of the year brings out the thankful side of everyone as we all gather around a dinner table and enjoy good food and good company. Why does it seem like this is the only time people express their thankfulness? Sure, Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for what God has blessed and provided us with but should that stop just because Thanksgiving is over?

"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." -2 Corinthians 9:11-12

When you are generous to God's people, you are expressing your thankfulness to God. While you are gathering around a table this year, think about all the ways you can be generous to all of God's people all year round! Your generosity never goes unnoticed in the eyes of our Father. I know that I am very blessed and thankful to have all that I do.

"In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted." -Isaiah 12:4

I may not be rich by America's standards, but I am rich in the eyes of the Lord. I have a full time job, loving family and friends, a dog to come home to, a warm place to sleep at night, food in my fridge, and a car to drive. I may not live the life of luxury but I know I am blessed with what I have because so many people don't even have a warm place to sleep at night. I live in the mountains of North Carolina and I call Boone my home. This time of year is very cold, especially at night. i know there are people and animals that are freezing at night and wonder when their next meal is. Take time this season to care for those that are not as fortunate as we are.

Need some ideas to help you be thankful this time of year and throughout the year? Here is a list of things I do, or want to do, that may inspire you to be generous to all of God's people this year and all year!

1. Write thank you cards to friends, coworkers, and relatives to thank them for something they have done for you! You will be surprised how far a surprise, handwritten letter will go!
2. Create "Blessing Bags" full of things that homeless men and women can benefit from. Keep them in your car so you are always ready to help out someone in need! Be mindful of where you are and put things in them that could be helpful to that person! Here is a link of stuff you may consider including in these bags: http://www.thriftynorthwestmom.com/blessing-bags-assemble-bags-keep-hand-need/
3.  Don't want to make blessing bags? So often I see people outside of a restaurant wanting money for food. Offer to buy them a meal at that restaurant! You never know the last time that person has eaten!
4. Have old blankets you never use? Take them to your local animal shelter of humane society! They are always looking for these donations to keep in dog kennels and cat rooms to keep the animals warm! You could also take them to a homeless shelter in your area as well!
5. Have quiet time with God to thank him for all your blessings. So often quiet time is filled with asking God for help but remembering to take time to thank him for all he does can be just as fulfilling as prayer!
6. Had some great service at a restaurant? Why don't you tip bigger than you normally do! I promise your server will be forever thankful for it! 
7. In a drive thru, pay for the person's food  behind you! It could create a chain of goodness!

These are just a few things I have came up with and used before! Feel free to add to my list and think of ways you can show thankfulness to people in your life all year round!

Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought I would share a recipe with you that is quick, easy, and inexpensive to make and bring to your family Thanksgiving dinner or next potluck! This is one of my family and friends favorite and they LOVE when I make it! Enjoy! 

Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 pound of elbow macaroni
• 1 pound of clock sharp cheddar cheese
• Milk
• Butter
• Olive Oil
• Salt
• Bread Crumbs

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Boil your macaroni in a stove-top pot. Before you all the macaroni, put a little bit of olive oil and salt. This helps separate the macaroni so it doesn't stick together! You do not want the macaroni fully cooked but most of the way there! It will finish cooking in the stove!
3. While the macaroni is boiling, take your block cheese and shred it using a cheese grater. 
4. Once the macaroni is finished, place the macaroni in a strainer and take a sick of butter and grease your casserole dish. 
5. Once the casserole dish is greased, put one layer of macaroni in the bottom of the pan. then add cheese on top of that layer and repeat until all macaroni has been used. Make sure you have cheese to put on the very top!
6. Take 2 tablespoons of butter from your butter stick and cut those in half. You should have 4 pieces of butter! Place them in a row in the middle of your casserole dish evenly spaced apart and push them a little bit into the macaroni.
7. Place bread crumbs on the top to where they are evenly spread along the top.
8. Take your milk and pour it in the casserole dish in one corner. I usually pour it until I start to see the milk come up on the sides of the dish. You don't want too much milk or else your dish will be runny! 
9. Place it in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the bread crumbs have browned! 
10. Take out of the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving!
11. Enjoy!! It makes for GREAT leftovers too! If you want to make a larger dish, just remember, for every pound of macaroni, you need the same amount of cheese :]

Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving from me and my pup to you and your family! 

Dove Love! <3

Natasha Lyons