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Dear Shiloh Family,

It was a brisk late November morning, and I awakened to the aroma of Paw Paw’s Grainger Pipe tobacco. He had made the trek from Chickamauga to our farm (at least that’s what we called it) in LaFayette. He had arrived just after sunrise and was urging all great hunters to arise and face the task at hand. I didn’t have to be told twice.  

Thanksgiving was always a treasured holiday at the O’Neal’s, but this one was special. This one would begin with the squirrel hunt of the century. War had been declared on the bushy-tailed rodents and the first skirmish started on Walnut Grove Road. Uncles and cousins poured out of vehicles like a scene from the Beverly Hillbillies, donned in camo, Carhart, dungarees, and denim. There was every kind of small caliber weapon known to man…pistols, shotguns, and rifles. The visual effect was a cross between Gunsmoke and The Sands of Iwo Jima. Leading the band of brothers was Paw Paw Sam’s brave k-9, Peanut, a cross between a Chihuahua, and a Mtn. Fiest. However, saving our proverbial man card was our German Shepherd, Princess. What a motely crew we were…but we were family, and it was Thanksgiving.

My memory fails me as to whether or not we harvested any of the furry beasts, but I do remember that there was enough lead in the air that day to sink a small battleship. I also recall one desperate critter fleeing for his life down a big white oak as mighty warriors peeled the bark off the tree just behind his feet. It was all hunky dory until the gray streak of terror got closer to the ground, at which point all the adults began pleading for all to stop firing. 
 
Now, my dad was a very intelligent man, but that day he momentarily lost touch with reality. That morning, Dad placed a semi-automatic rifle in the hands of my little brother. For those of you who know him, he was just as determined back then as he is now, and he was set on the belief that .22 caliber bullets are faster than a terrified squirrel. The little guy could shoot, and as the sights of his gun rapidly followed the varmint down the tree trunk, he ripped off shots like a sub-machine gun. Dad got to him just about the time the barrel reached eye level and we realized the hunters had just become the hunted. Every brave soldier/hunter in the woods ducked behind trees, dashed over boulders, or dove into ditches. What an incredible Thanksgiving morning!

The troupe marched back into the farmhouse, sat at the kitchen table, and relived the escapade over coffee and a country style breakfast. The atmosphere was filled with love, laughter, and a few lies. 

Some of the memories are as vivid as if it happened Yesterday. I remember the smiles, I hear the voices, I can almost smell the biscuits. Mostly, I remember the trip to both grandparents’ houses for the festive meals with all the trimmings. I remember how warm it felt to love and to be loved.  I remember how fulfilling it was to be thankful, not only for that particular Thanksgiving Day, but for many more to come. 

Consequently, there is one thing I can’t remember. I can’t remember one single Thanksgiving meal that we didn’t give thanks for the most important thing. Not once did Dad fail to halt all activities and give thanks to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

As we celebrate this awesome season, we give thanks for our country and freedom for which it stands. We give thanks for our church and families as well. As we give thanks for the bountiful blessings, let us not forget from where they come. Let us pause and give thanks to the precious Son of God, the Savior of the world. 

 
1 Chronicles 16:34: 34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18: 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Colossians 2:6-7: As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. NKJV

Next week will be family week at Shiloh. We will not be meeting on campus during the week. We pray that this will allow you to spend time with your family and/or loved ones. Enjoy the time off, but spend it wisely. Love them while you can. 

Memories are enjoyed best while they are being created. 
  
God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell