Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear friends,

We always have so much to be thankful for, but this day of the year is a special time to reminisce on all that God has done for us in the past year (and years).  This year we have gained more of an understanding on why we celebrate Thanksgiving, how it was started, and of the faithful people we  hold it in remembrance.

The pilgrims had almost nothing the first year they celebrated Thanksgiving, but they knew God would provide for them and their needs.  This first Thanksgiving was after the hard winter of 1620-21, in which many of the pilgrims died.  Even when they were given the opportunity to return to England, they decided to press on, because the freedom to worship God was more important than life.  They decided to celebrate Thanksgiving simply, but Massasoit, the Wampanoag Indian Chief sent ninety tribesmen to celebrate with them.  These men hunted throughout that morning and the pilgrims had a much bigger Thanksgiving then they had ever imagined.  Again, God provided for them.  They had a vision for their families and for freedom to worship God Almighty.

Without their strength, determination, and trust in God, our country would not be where it is today.  We are immensely grateful for our Christian heritage and God's blessings upon America.  Although many don't follow Christ and seek to destroy what our country is established on, they cannot erase God's name.  Gamailiel, the Jewish teacher and leader in Paul's day, said during the trial of Peter and his fellow apostles, "But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God" (Acts 5:39).  No one can remove God's name and they cannot overthrow it, no matter how hard they try.

For this, we are always grateful, that no matter what, God's faithfulness is great, His mercies new every morning.

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

(Psalm 100:4)

God Has Spoken -- A Phillips Family Christmas Concert

Bound for New England - New Hampshire & Virginia

By: Erin

After a wonderful time in Boston, we went to our uncle and aunt's lake home in New Hampshire.  The changing leaves were so beautiful!  We especially enjoyed hiking to the top of Mt. Major, which provided us a beautiful view of an enormous lake and the changing leaves.

The colorful drive there.

The changing leaves made the hike even more enjoyable!

                                   Isaac and Luke made it to the summit before the rest of us.

Getting close to the summit.

The beautiful outlook!

Beautiful scenery provided beautiful portraits!

The aspens' yellow leaves seemed to light up the path.

After the wonderful visit with our aunt and uncle, we traveled on Saturday to Culpeper, Virginia.  On Sunday, we attended a beautiful church service with friends.  Afterwards, we ministered at a local nursing home in Orange, VA where our grandmother would minister and bring our family when we were in town.  This visit was in honor and memory of her as she went home to be with the Lord on August 25, 2015.  It was a blessing to meet some residents who still remembered our grandmother.

Our Uncle Rudy & Aunt Cecelia were able to come, and we were very excited to see them again.

On the drive home, we stopped by a friend's house to visit her once wild mustangs.  One of which (Rain) is the daughter of the famous Cloud, Wild Stallion of the Rockies, who is the only mustang (so far!) to have a whole documentary series done on his entire life.

Rain & I

We all rode on Rain, which was fun!

Cloud's granddaughter Lady Jane.

We arrived home late, but safe!  We thank God for a blessed and wonderful trip together!

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness: 

come before his presence with singing."

(Psalm 100:1-2)

  

Bound for New England - Massachusetts

By: Erin

Before starting to Massachusetts, we visited Mom's aunt's lake home in New York.  It was wonderful to visit it after hearing all of Mom's childhood memories from going there every summer when she was younger.  The drive from Connecticut to Massachusetts through small quaint towns was beautiful and we really enjoyed it.  When we arrived around noon in Waban, a small town near Boston, our Uncle Buzz gave us a tour of the area, which is also where Mom's Mother grew up.  It was a blessing to see the home my Grandma lived in and the schools she attended.  We were able to see where my Great-Grandfather went to church, the same church my Uncle Buzz and Aunt Barb were married.

Dinner with Uncle Buzz and Aunt Barb the first night we arrived.

The next day, we got up rather early and headed to Plymouth, Massachusetts.  

 We were able to see how the Native Americans lived in the 1600s.  There were several Native Americans walking around and talking about the different sites.

They would actually put the children on this structure while they were working so that the children were occupied and safe!

A dugout canoe

The craft center.

Pottery that the Pilgrims would've used.

An Indian headdress.

Pottery from the 1600s.

A small replica of a clay oven.

Bobbin Lace

Heading down to the little town which replicated the first place the pilgrims lived.  

(Plimoth Plantation is actually not where the pilgrims first landed.)

A fort replica

The town view from the top of the fort.

We are direct descendants of John & Priscilla Alden, so it was amazing to see a replica of their house.

 We were constantly reminded of the Pilgrims' extreme faith and trust in God due to how they lived in this vast wilderness depending on God for their survival.

                                          .

Stone ovens

The fields where the pilgrims grew crops.

The wildlife is abundant in Massachusetts.

There were so many flowers still in bloom even though it was October.

The Nye Barn had animals that would've come over from England later.

The Mayflower Museum.

The Mooflower!

A pilgrim wandering around the bookstore!

After visiting Plimoth Plantation, we went to the Plimoth Grist Mill, which is where the pilgrims milled their grain.

In the stream near the Grist Mill there were many swans and ducks.

The grinding stones used to mill grains.

The gears inside of the wheel.

Next, we walked down to the waterfront where the Pilgrims landed and Plymouth Rock remains.

It was so exciting to finally see Plymouth Rock after years of planning this trip to learn about our nation's Christian history and our family's Christian history.

Massasoit, the Native American Chief who helped the Pilgrims.

The following morning, Wednesday, we got up very early and headed to Boston to walk the Freedom Trail.  This trail leads to most of the very historical sites in Boston.

The Massachusetts State House, which we were allowed to tour.

Inside the State House...

Here is Benjamin as the governor "addressing the crowd"!! 

The great hall

The room where the Massachusetts congress meets.

There were several old graveyards with very famous people buried in them throughout Boston.

Benjamin Franklin

The Old State House.

Site of the Boston Massacre

Full view of the Old State House

A miniature arrangement of Paul Revere working as a Silver Smith with his sons.

Paul Revere's house

Paul Revere

The church where the lantern was hung for Paul Revere to start his famous ride.

One of the Freedom Trail stops took us to the USS Constitution and museum.

The shipyard that the USS Constitution was built.

The USS Constitution

Sleeping quarters for the sailors

Lieutenant living quarters. 

USS Constitution Museum

Bunker Hill Monument (site of the Bunker Hill Battle).

Boston at night.

Dinner at an Italian Restaurant (we were very hungry)!

Traveling home on the Train.

The following morning, Thursday, we were in Lexington at the Hancock-Clarke house.  Then we headed over to Concord.  We were able to visit a lot of the battle sites in that area, as well.

Old pottery found around the house used by its former inhabitants.

Mom with her sister, aunt, and cousin.

A group shot!

The Minute Man Monument.

Battle Greene (Battle of Lexington).

It was sobering to walk around the battlefield where the war began, remembering all that these men did for our country.  On houses close by, which have stood since this very battle occurred, had plaques hung near their doors.  

Below is one of them:

Lexington is filled with historical places, such as Buckman Tavern and Munroe Tavern (shown here).

More flowers still in bloom!

Next, we headed over to North Bridge in Concord, another battle site.

We loved seeing all the chipmunks!

Old North Bridge

A statue in memory of the men who fought for our country's freedom, who loved liberty more than life, and had a vision for future generations.

This is the hill where the Minute Men would train for battle.

This is Ralph Waldo Emerson's Grandfather's house, who watched the battle at Old North Bridge from his window.

The beautiful sunset as we walked back to our car.

(One more post will conclude our trip!)

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."

(Lamentations 3:25-26)