Category: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Recap | 2022

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Hey, everyone! My name is Princess Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving, which depending on where you live, may or may not have been yesterday! It recently dawned on me that I hadn’t even posted any Thanksgiving-themed posts on my blog, this year. And since Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday (after Christmas and my birthday) that’s going to change today.

I decided to write a Thanksgiving recap by listing what I did to spend Thanksgiving of 2022. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Said a Thanksgiving prayer. Like we do every night and everyday before we leave the house, me and Goodmommy said a prayer thanking God for some of the things that we are thankful for during Thanksgiving afternoon. And I just have to say that the weather was absolutely perfect.

2. Celebrated Goodmommy’s birthday. Yes. Yes Goodmommy’s birthday is on Thanksgiving, which is like one of the best birthday’s ever (after Christmas, that is.) The only place we went to yesterday was my family’s house, but the day before I bought her two pairs of tennis shoes along with some Happy Birthday balloons. Goodmommy really appreciated all of her gifts, and I was so grateful to be able to make her b-day the best one yet!

3. Caught up with family. Like every major holiday of the year, I spent Thanksgiving at my great-grandmother’s house. And while I see Bigma all the time, it had been about a year since I’d seen my little cousins. I probably could have taken so many more photos, but being around family makes your devices a lot less important. But honestly, I think that’s just how the day was supposed to go.

4. Eat some soul food (and dessert). While Goodmommy had made some chicken and veggie soup the night before Thanksgiving–which smelled and tasted SO GOOD–I didn’t end up actually eating some until Thanksgiving night. At Bigma’s house, I had a plate of mac and cheese, yellow rice, and a couple of Bigma’s meatballs (which are that one thing that I make sure to have every holiday; they’re the best.) I topped off my meal with a piece of vanilla cake, and I ended up having a second slice about an hour later. There was also some apple pie, but I loved the cake so much that I forgot to have a slice. Although I don’t usually eat that type of food (only on special occasions) I had a great time eating my favorite soul foods.

5. Watched a party game. Some of my family members enjoyed the evening with a game called The Upside Down Challenge. It’s where you have to wear these funny glasses that turn your view upside down (so peoples’ heads are facing downwards) and you have to try to do simple tasks with them on. Some examples were drawing a star or crushing a cup with your foot. As the ambivert I am, I preffered to just sit down and watch. But I enjoyed seeing my family members have a fun time.

6. Recounted my blessings. At the end of the day, Thanksgiving stays true to its name. Yesterday was a time for me to thank God for his sacrifice on the cross, and everything that He has blessed me with. And if you ask me, that was one of the highlights of the entire day.

I hope you all enjoyed seeing how I spent this year’s Thanksgiving, and I pray that you all had one that was just as wonderful! And please don’t forget to begin putting up your Christmas decorations–now that Thanksgiving Day of 2022 is over, the Christmas season has arrived. Please let me know in the comments, what was your favorite part of this Thanksgiving? I would love to hear from you!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all, and I’ll see you next time! Peace in! And don’t forget that truly, everyday is Thanksgiving! ♡

Yess! We Did It — We Finally Reached 1,000 Views!!! 🎉

Q'Zion2 Comments

Hey, y’all! I hope you all have had and/or are having a very Merry Thanksgiving! In under 4 months, The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen has managed to reach over 1000 all-time views! 🙌 🙌 🙌

I know that I couldn’t have reached this goal without the grace of God, as well as you all. Therefore, this Thanksgiving, I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey!

Thank God for this beautiful day, and that, on Thanksgiving, of all days, I was able to reach this milestone! I will never forget it!

Have an amazing day everyone! Thanks, again! 💖

Gifts — Should We Keep Them a Surprise or Get Validation? + Poll

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Gifts — Should We Keep Them a Surprise or Get Validation?

-ajoyfulchristianteen 💙

Who doesn’t love getting gifts for the holidays? Sure, it isn’t the main reason why days like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and our birthdays are such a big deal, but it never hurts to get a present, large or small! But, one question that I think is overlooked about gifts is how we want to receive them.

Let me explain; some people might prefer their gifts to be a surprise, while others think that asking them what they want is better. A separate group might be in the middle, and think anything is fine. While all sides of the argument are solid, I want to discuss them today.

So, let’s get started!

Surprise Gifts: To be fair, I know a lot of people really like surprises. The ‘surprise factor’ can be what makes the gifts that we receive so special, especially when it’s exactly what we wanted. It could kind of ruin part of the fun when we already know what we are most likely getting for a special holiday (not that we shouldn’t be thankful for it.) And what if we don’t like the gift?

Asking them What they Want: Although this option might ruin the whole ‘surprise factor’, doing so will make it much more likely that we will be gifting a person with something that they truly love. This allows us to spend our money wisely, and it will make the person that we give the gift to happy, as well! It’s a win-win, as long as the giftee. (or the person who receives the gift,) isn’t a fan of surprises.

I truly think that whether my gift is a surprise or not, I will be thankful for the thought, in spite of. A gift is a blessing, and I know that no one has to give me a gift, unless they are doing it out of the kindness of their heart. Therefore, even if it isn’t what I would have picked, it’s the thought, or true intentions, that count.

I want to get you all’s opinions, as well. To get a good feel of which side is most popular among this community, new or not, I would really appreciate it if you would answer the following poll:

As well, please comment which answer you choose and why you choose it down below in the comments!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Also, remember, the best gift of all is another second, minute, hour, and day alive! Each moment of our lives is a representation of God’s grace towards us. We should never take that for granted! 💙

Fun and Classic Board Games to Play with Your Family this Thanksgiving

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Fun and Classic Board Games to Play with Your Family this Thanksgiving

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During the wonderful celebrations at the end of the year, there are so many ways that we can be merry and bright with our families. Personally, I love eating yummy food, like Turkey, or watching a movie to get the festivities going. But, this is only a small amount of the many ways to have fun with your family and really make this Thanksgiving special!

To give you some ideas that are fun and not centered around our cell phones, here are some Fun and Classic Board Games to Play with Your Family this Thanksgiving ! 🍁

1. Jenga

Jenga has been one of my favorite board games since elementary school. It is a family friendly game where you get to stack up small, wooden blocks to create a tower. Afterwards, each of the players take turns with taking one block from the tower and then placing it at the top. The player who causes the tower to fall ends the game.

Although, I will admit that this game can be super intense, it is also really fun, so much that it can be hard to put away!

Recommended Age: 6+
Required Players: 2 or more

2. Pictionary

Whether an artist or not, you will likely have a great time with your family while playing Pictionary. On this innovative journey, there will be two teams of 2 or more. On each team, each player will take turns drawing an image on a board based on a word that they read off of a card. The other player(s) have to try to guess what the secret word might be. Correct answers will allow the team to advance on a gameboard, and the team that reaches the finish square first wins.

Not only will this game encourage each person’s creativity, but it can cause a lot of laughter, especially if you are “bad at drawing.”

  • Recommended age: 8+
  • Required players: 4 or more

3. Uno

Uno is another classic that requires nothing but your loved ones and a stack of Uno cards. The deck includes 25 cards of each color (red, blue, yellow, and green), as well as cards to assist you while you play, such as wild cards and reverse cards. Once a player has one card left, they must shout “Uno!” and the player with no cards left first is the winner! It’s definitely a favorite in my family!

  • Recommended Age: 5-6+
  • Required Players: 2 or more

4. Twister

In Twister your body will be twisted…literally. One person will spin a spinner to figure out on which circle the players need to put each hand and foot. This game will surely bring your family closer together when you all eventually fall on the floor and laugh due to your funny twisted positions.

  • Recommended Age: 6+
  • Required Players: 3 or more

5. Connect Four

Connect Four

Last, but not least, is Connect Four. The objective of this game is pretty much exactly as it sounds. There are two players, one with red chips, and the other with yellow. It is each player’s goal to get four chips in a row first, whether it is vertically, horizontally, or even diagonally. Whoever has four of their chips in a row first is the winner! It’s definitely a great choice if you are looking for something short, sweet, and super addicting!

  • Recommended Age: 6+
  • Required players: 2, but possibly more, if there are teams of more than one player.

Hopefully, you will have a great time playing one, two, or even a few of these awesome and classic board games with your family this Thanksgiving! However, even if these types of games aren’t your thing, there are so many ways that you can be creative to make this celebration one that will never be forgotten among you and the ones that you love!

Have a beautiful, blessed, and blooming day, everyone! 🍁

10 Bible Verses about Thanksgiving (Giving Thanks)

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10 Bible Verses about Thanksgiving

(Giving Thanks)

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Hey everyone! Happy Saturday! I know that I recently wrote a post about the importance of giving thanks, but I just can’t help myself! When the holidays come around, I’m in festive spirits for a long time! As the clock is ticking closer toward Thanksgiving, I wanted to make at least one more post before that time of year arrives!

So, here we go! Here are 10 Bible Verses about Thanksgiving (Giving Thanks) ! 🍂

P.S. All of the scriptures will be in NIV (New International Version), since I feel as though this version of the Bible is the easiest to read. Enjoy! 🙂

  • “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3
  • “From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.” Jeremiah 30:19
  • “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
  • All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:15-16
  • I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 1 Corinthians 1:4-5
  • “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5
  • “What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?” Psalm 116:12
  • always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
  • The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalms 28:7
  • Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

Hopefully, these Bible Verses put more gratitude in your spirit! If nothing else, be grateful. There’s always something to be thankful for. And a lot of times, it’s right under our noses!

We just have to take off the blinders.

Giving Thanks – Why Should We Do So?

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Giving Thanks - Why Should We Do So?

Giving Thanks – Why Should We Do So?

-ajoyfulchristianteen ✨

As most, if not all of us know, Thanksgiving is right around the corner–literally in less than a week. It’s at this time of year where we are prepping food, decorations, and our lists of things we are thankful for for the holiday right before Christmas. But why do we need to give thanks?

First of all, there’s always something to be thankful for. Even in the lowest of lows, as well as the highest of highs. Being thankful for the things that you do have, including another day alive, is showing appreciation for the little and big things in life.

As well, saying thank you to a person, especially if they’ve did something for us that they didn’t have to, can make them feel special and appreciated. Even if they aren’t thinking about recognition, a short, sweet, and meaningful “Thank You!” never hurts anyone!

Giving thanks to God is even more important. You may be wondering why, so I will explain. A lot of times, we tend to focus on the few things that we don’t have rather than thanking Him for all of the amazing things that He has blessed us with, and we do have!

Gratitude and showing your thankfulness for the elements in our life, big or small, prevents us from becoming self-centered or thinking too highly of ourselves. Being thankful allows us to humble ourselves, and recognize how God, as well as other people that He has placed in our lives, have helped us become who we are today.

To sum up, being thankful does the following:

  • It makes deserving people feel appreciated.
  • It gives God all the Glory!
  • It allows us to think about what we have rather than what we want or don’t have.
  • It prevents cockiness, and allows us to humble ourselves.

So, after you finish reading this, before you do anything else, make sure that you tell someone you love the words, “Thank you!” You don’t have to say what for. Maybe this person makes you laugh and cheers you up while your sad, has stayed by your side through it all, or did something else kind today.

Either way, I hope you will feel happy when you do! Gratitude is rewarding in so many ways!

Have an amazing day, everyone! 💖

Psalm 69:30 NIV – I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.