THANKSGIVING

Painting by
Jennie A. Brownscombe (1850-1936)

 THANKSGIVING: In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition traces its origins to a 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts.  The 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest. While initially, the Plymouth colony did not have enough food to feed half of the 102 colonists, the Wampanoag Native Americans helped the Pilgrims by providing seeds and teaching them to fish. The practice of holding an annual harvest festival like this did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660s.  (Online Wikipedia)

Rick raking, raking & still raking leaves!!

Thanksgiving is a really important part of the American calendar. It's a time when family and friends get together and celebrate their blessings.  'Turkey' is significant, because wild turkeys where found in abundance and were used in that first feast..
And, due to budget cuts in the Jefferson County, teachers lost two days work giving a whole week for celebrating Thanksgiving.


We took advantage of this and drove down to Colorado Springs to explore Pikes Peak.  This is a 'fourteener', a mountain over fourteen feet.  However, we didn't exert ourselves enough to hike, but took advantage of the train which chugged slowly at a 25 degree angle for an hour and half to the top!  Throughout the journey, an amusing guide commented on sights and facts of the area.  It was very pretty even though the leaves from the Aspen groves have long gone, then as we passed the timberline, there were layers of melting snow with the occasional mountain goat.  Once at the summit, we had 50 minutes to enjoy the scenery before the return journey.  At the top, on this beautiful clear day, you could see far into the distance to four states! (If your eyes were good!)  It was this scenery that prompted the words of 'America the Beautiful ' that was written by Katharine Lee Bates:

A magnificent view with the vast
Sangre de Christo Range in the far distance..

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
 - Katherine Lee Bates (8 verses)

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!



The temperature at the summit was 16F or -8C.  The wind chill factor was about zero F or -17C, so we really didn't linger long at the look out points.  Rather, we enjoyed hot chocolate inside the summit cafe!!  The high altitude did affect us all though.  We all experienced headache, dizzyness and a bit of nausea.  I think the time at the summit was just enough.  You don't really realise what very thin air does to you..



This is absolutely freezing, the jacket was great, but the cold whipped straight through those jeans!!
Rick was smart, he had thermals on!!



Sarah braving the cold to let me take a pic! 
The views are spectacular..

This excursion took most of the afternoon, after which we found a motel to stay in and then a shopping centre.  The sales are excellent at the moment and we had fun exploring a new mall!  We then went to the movies.  Tuesday happened to be the discount day, and movies were only $5.00 each!!  Sarah & I watched 'Footloose' (very funny) while Rick saw 'Tower Heist'.

The following day we travelled about 40 minutes further south to Pueblo and Rick was able to meet up with Jeff B, a missionary companion from the time they spent together in the Canada Montreal Mission thirty years ago.  They enjoyed success together and it was great seeing them reminisce about those times.  Jeff took us out to see the Royal Gorge and it's famous suspension bridge.  It's very impressive with over a 1000ft drop to the river below.  We walked across it and then went down on a suspension train to the bottom.  This rail car descended at a 45degree angle!!  

The suspension bridge at the Royal Gorge, Colorado

We went to dinner with Jeff's family at the Texas Steakhouse and got to meet everyone! He has 8 children, what a lovely family.  We are going to meet up again with him & his wife Sue next week just before we leave.  It's amazing they live relatively close by and we didn't know all this time we have been here!!

Thursday, the fourth Thursday of the month is officially Thanksgiving. The day started with the annual 'Gobble Wobble' 5km event at Clement Park.  This was organised by our ward, but about 600 from  the community came and enjoyed a great morning!  A fun run, with brekky provided!  A wonderful event and fundraiser.

We were kindly invited by the Wehrli family to join them at their friends Linda and Mark's home in Denver for Thanksgiving dinner!  It was a relaxing day with lots of food, especially turkey!!  It reminded us a great deal of Christmas, with the abundance of good food, family and friends.. This is a special tradition of great importance, and I have heard several people say how it's their favourite holiday, even more than Christmas...

It was interesting to observe it and experience this different culture.

Thanksgiving celebrations carry on into the nearest weekend, but was also followed by 'Black Friday'.  A national day of retail sales!!  Stores opened after midnight and people queued up to grab the bargains.  It is very much like the 'after Christmas' sales in Australia!!  I saw on the news yesterday, that $52 billion was spent on Black Friday shopping, over half on clothing.  For ourselves, we found a new mall!  It was were one of Tom's friends works, the Colorado Mills, which actually had a lot of outlet stores! So we had fun mooching around there for the afternoon and came home with a few goodies.... :)

Sunset at Pueblo, Colorado

And now, we have less than two weeks left of our American Overseas Adventure.  I have begun cleaning windows, and sorting the accumulation of treasures!  I have a lengthy to-do list and am slowly ticking items off.  Our greatest challenge at the moment is finding a relatively inexpensive way of shipping our excess belongings back to Australia..  It's an expensive exercise..

The temperature has dropped, and it's expected to snow again this Thursday!!  Yayyy! We were hoping it would one last time before we leave and get back to summer.. (which I am also excited about!) I am looking forward to seeing my family again, but am not looking forward to the goodbyes that have already begun.  I will sincerely miss the good friends we have made here...

Cheering and Serving..



Our Cheerleader - whoo hoo!!

The month is fast closing, and 'Fall' is definitely turning into winter.  We have spent the time in steady routine revolving around school, home seminary and particularly cheerleading!  Saturday, 12th November was spent at Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, south of Littleton for the 'Winter Classic' competition.  This involved a broader age range and attracted teams from all over Colorado.  The Divisions were larger, with the program covered a huge timetable.  This is an intense culture!  When Sarah told me some of her friends had been cheering for several years, I didn't really believe her, but now I understand.  There were teams from the All-Star clubs which have girls from about 6years old, right up to senior High School.  It was very impressive to watch them performing slick choreographed routines and clever stunt work, not to mention the somersaults and gymnastic components.  Being a cheerleader is a very prestigious role!

Initially, we dropped Sarah off, given the length of the afternoon and Rick & I went off and explored some of the outlet stores! (Now that was fun!!)  But after some time, we headed off to the High School gym and squeezed in to watch the afternoon performances.  The various levels of skills performed was very impressive to watch, with the competition being very fierce.  After a time, as an audience, we become expert back seat judges and can notice the missed timing, a fall or an incorrect lift.  You really have to admire these girls for their dedication, and personal strength which is both physical and emotional.  My eyes have been opened to this 'extra curricular activity' which is so much a part of the American culture.  Sarah's team performed very well, but unfortunately had one lift that was incomplete and combined with a slightly lesser overall team skill, they came in fourth position.  But very well done, this was a mighty effort against very different competition.

Sarah practising her back handspring, she will soon have it competition ready..

 

We are excited to have Elder Tom Bennallack enter the mission field and begin work in his first area of Ballarat.  He is having a challenging start to his mission but we are enjoying his enthusiasm and great desire to make a difference.  He has been blessed with an outgoing, courageous spirit which is being put to maximum use in Ballarat.  This is certainly a great period of personal growth for him..

I am reminded of a comment made by my boss a few years ago when our eldest son first left for his mission in Perth. He said something like, "it's a hard way to bring up your kid.."  I have often reflected on that over the years and wonder if many people not of our faith think the same thing. We must seem a strange people sending our kids out to knock doors and be subjected to daily abuse for the sake of religion!

Elder Tom Bennallack
Australia Melbourne Mission

 Our young men and women are encouraged to give a period of service if they desire to, and are worthy to.  Our young men serve for twenty-four months and young women for eighteen months. They submit a lengthy application and can be assigned to serve in any area of the world.   In my experience however, there is not one thing you can compell, force or make a teenager do if he or she does not want to.  And this especially applies to church and missionary service.  A young person is not going to give up personal time and pursuits in exchange for a regimented daily schedule and personal discipline unless they have a strong, personal conviction that what they are participating in is of great and significant worth.

Our beliefs centre on the reality of a Living Christ, that He lives and that His gospel that He established in the meridian of time was eventually lost as an apostasy took place.  This period is known as the Dark Ages where priesthood authority with prophets and apostles was taken from the earth.  A restoration of these things took place through the prophet Joseph Smith who was also instrumental in translating by the power of God an ancient record of former inhabitants of the American continent and Christ's visit to them.  This book was published as the Book of Mormon and is another Testament of Jesus Christ supporting the teachings found in the Bible.  This is a wonderful and powerful book that changes lives and enables us to draw closer to the Saviour.  Our young missionaries all have a personal and sure testimony of the truth of these things and especially the Book of Mormon, and God's plan for us.  It's a wonderful thing to know that we existed before we came to this earth and that life does not end when we die.  There is a plan for us that enables family relationships to continue. To better explain about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, visit http://www.mormon.org/  



Elder Jonathon Bennallack
 France, Lyon Mission

 

It's a difficult thing to do to part with your grown child, knowing that this part of their life is over, that you won't see them for two years!  However, they embark in a great endeavour and as a mother, I am blessed with a comforting assurance, like a constant warm blanket around my shoulders, that they will be kept safe and all will be well with them... (If you would like to see how they are going, check out the links on the side of this page!)

And so, I am in great awe of our young people who make this sacrifice in their busy lives to share this wonderful message of happiness.  It's not easy, not everyone wants to know, or shares the same curiosity about life, who we are, where we came from and where we are going.   I am so humbled to have three such valiant sons and just wanted to share that this is something that they very much wanted to do at this time, because they feel it's important and because they know for themselves...

Snow, Leaves & Cheerleading!!

The second Snow of the season as
Sarah goes off to school..

This week Elder Tom Bennallack celebrated his 19th birthday in the MTC.  We heard from him the following day on his P-Day with another wonderful email.  He had a wonderful day, and one to remember being in the MTC.  He departs for Melbourne this coming Monday.  We love hearing from our missionaries twice a week now, Jon on Monday and Tom on Wednesday.  Happy Birthday Elder T. Bennallack!

For us, our days are passing with the usual industrious activity.  However, whether it's ALL productive is a moot point!  The temperature has really fallen.  We have had two snowfalls now and that seems to have marked the oncoming of winter for certain. 

The second snow fall happened exactly one week after the first. (Just to remind us that Tom left the week before!!)  The next day after a gym session, I decided to walk to Rick's school to pick up the car.  The trouble with central heating and car heaters is that you get an odd sense of how cold it actually is outside, especially when the morning is so gorgeous.  The sun was not long up, the skies were a beautiful 'cobalt' blue and whiteness covered everything like a blanket.  Sparkling snow, brilliant white in the morning sun. After checking the thermometer hanging outside the kitchen window, I thought twice about my excursion, but then decided to still venture out into the cold morning.  I had two layers on my legs, a ski jacket on, gloves and a beanie.  The temperature read -20F, which is -9C !!  After only five minutes of walking, my cheeks were aching badly, however the rest of me was starting to warm up nicely.  I then had to rub my face as I'm walking along.  After fifteen minutes, I couldn't feel my cheeks at all and it was as far to continue, as it was to turn back.  I was glad to get to the school, just in time to catch Rick on 'before school' yard duty, in the snow!!  Unfortunately, I had no camera as evidence..  The snow and cold is beautiful to look at, and you imagine how cold it might be, but to experience it first hand is incredible.  Words cannot describe how cold this cold is!!  (I'm definitely getting pics after the next snow!)

Amazingly, this same day, the temperature slowly crept up to 50F which is about 10C, and all morning sounds of the snow dripping and falling from the tree branches could be heard.  By mid afternoon, it was mostly gone!

The back yard as seen from the green belt after the snow.

 Since then, Rick & I have raked the front yard of leaves to keep our place tidy.  What a job, there was huge piles!!  We still have to tackle the back yard, and this might be a job for the coming weekend.  Well, this is part of the experience, 'Fall', with it's mountains of leaves.  (I actually really like it!!)

The other main thing to occupy us is Cheerleading.  We are in the middle of the competition season.  As mentioned, the first one was held at Eaglecrest, followed by a break for Halloween weekend, then during this week on Tuesday, the Jeffco County Spirit League Competition was held at Ralston High in Aurora. The next is tomorrow at Douglas County with different opponents. 

I have to pause and spend a bit of time here, since this is a big part of our lives at the moment.  In this particular competition, there were three divisions; JV Cheer, Varsity Cheer and Co-Ed Cheer.  In Sarah's division, there were eight other schools they competed against.  The actual routine is rehearsed, refined, and rehearsed again lasting a total of two and half minutes.  Weeks of early morning sessions and Tuesday night Tumbling have paid off, because..... Sarah's JV Cheer Team from Columbine High came in FIRST place!!  Followed by the Varsity Team who also took First!

She's a winner tonight!!

The Columbine JV Cheer Team - the winning squad!!

The JV Cheer Team and the Varsity Team with Ms Doolan (AP) & Mr DeAngeles (Principal)

This was such an exciting moment!  Such a buzz... I was jumping up and down with the rest of the 'Mom's' in the bleachers!  I have to confess, I am now a genuine 'CHEER MOM!'   Oh, Wow!  I think I might have to get one of those T-Shirts too!   Wow! Bring it On!!  What an amazing effort girls and well done Sarah!  You did it!  An American Cheerleader!

A winning performance!  Sarah is a 'baser' who lifts and catches a 'flyer'. 

She is positioned mostly centre back. (Apologise for the poor quality video!)

As a change of subject, I have so enjoyed my Wednesday morning watercolour classes and continue to learn much from Chuck.  Here are some of my latest efforts..



Still life



Mountains & Reflections

Rock Study



Lighthouse in Maine, Eastcoast of USA

Waterfall on 'Yupo' paper

Finally, this week, Kelland received his mission call to the Brazil, San Diego Mission!  It was a very exciting moment that he shared with us.  He departs on the 28 March 2012.  Tom will be so excited!

Halloween in America!!

31 October 2011

Jack-O-lanterns at 'Trunk or Treat'

"Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats." (Halloween: History.com)

My girl, Karlie

First of all, this day is my eldest daughter Karlie's birthday!!  Happy Birthday Karlie.  We are so far apart at the moment, but we are thinking of you all the time, especially today.!

When Karlie was born, it was still spring in Adelaide, but this particular year (1987), it was very hot.  Karlie was actually due about the 7 November, but the days leading up to her birth were uncomfortable.  She decided to help me out and came a week early being born on the 31st October, the temperature was 38C (100.4 F).  Halloween is not generally celebrated in Australia, (the seasons are opposite!) but over the years it is gradually becoming more and more accepted.   Karlie took advantage of this when she turned sixteen, with a great party with the Halloween theme.  A lot of decorating, and a lot of fun. 



A Harvest display at Wal-Mart

And now, we have experienced for ourselves an American Halloween.  We have discovered it to be a very serious event here.  Weeks leading up to Halloween, the stores are full of displays and decorations to celebrate this 'Harvest' season and Halloween.  There are pumpkins for sale at last!!!  All year I have missed pumpkin with only the 'Butternut squash' being available.  (Not the best for roasting..)  Now, pumpkins, big, very round and orange are everywhere.  Not only the 'carving' pumpkins  but ornamental ones too!



A front yard display in our street!

 I have noted how people decorate their homes for the seasons.  Inside, spring, autumn decore is added,  and likewise for the front porches.  Halloween is no exception with goulish displays, complete with pumpkins!! 

I asked my friend Heather one day what they do with the pumpkins, besides carving them.  And she said they just throw them away!!  I was astonished.  NO!! It seems the poor pumpkin is only fit for pumpkin pie or as a decoration, carved out with a candle!!  I in turn, have been met with surprise as I have described all the ways you can EAT a pumpkin!!!  (I apologise for rambling on about my FAVOURITE vegetable!! especially roasted!!)

However, we were excited to see Halloween unfold and to experience it!

It began on Friday night at the chapel with a ward dinner, a 'jack-o-lantern' competition and 'trunk or treat'.  We arrived just a little late after dropping Sarah off to cheer at the football game, but loved the activity.  Many people were dressed in costume and dinner was all you can eat chilli or burrito's with desserts.  The winner of the 'jack'-o-lantern' was announced and then came the main event, the 'trunk or treat'.  Not at all sure exactly what this was, we followed the crowd out into the car park, where trunks (the car boot) were opened and many were displayed with spiders webs, jack-o-lanterns, torches, witches etc.  Children (of all sizes) went from trunk to trunk in the darkness, with their pumpkin buckets or other container and collected treats!  It was a lot of fun to watch!  And what a happy, fun family event..

'Trunk or Treat' excitement!  Watch out!! 

Sarah as 'Ariel'

Sarah meanwhile, on Saturday afternoon, was involved in the Columbine annual 'Trick or Treat Street' at the High School.  Here corridors of the school are transformed into a maze of fantasy worlds of mostly Disney and Storybook characters.  Each group is given a section to transform.  Sarah's JV Cheer team chose the theme from the movie 'UP', so when the kids walked through, it was a world of sky and balloons and floating houses.  The girls themselves dressed up in a Disney character and handed out candy to the 'trick or treaters' that came.  This is in fact a popular event each year, and the line of waiting costumed children and parents went out of the school grounds and way down the street.  A lot of fun again!  Sarah went as Ariel and looked great!! 

On Saturday night she disappeared to a Halloween Party of course!!  Again, it was a lot of fun for her.

On Monday night, we did prepare ourselves for the neighbourhood trick or treaters.  We were warned that if our porch light was on, to expect between 50-70 children between 6.00 and 8.00pm.  When we ran out of lollies, just to turn the light off. 

Our neighbours and friends!
 (Photographed with enthusiastic permission!)

Sure enough, the witching hour came and children of all ages rang our door bell with a watchful adult not far away in most cases, dressed dramatically for the night.  Buckets were laden with loot!  I know this is a 'pagan' tradition, but what a lot of fun for children, something to really look forward to every year, especially when the whole neighbourhood participates.



And that was Halloween!  A celebration that also signals the Harvest Season, as the end of autumn comes, and preparation for the cold winter months ahead begins.