It’s not too late to start some new Thanksgiving traditions that teach our daughters how to bend, serve, and love others!

Maybe I wouldn’t have done it if we weren’t so far away from family. Or if we had never lived as foreigners. But for the last 12 years we’ve lived as displaced persons and honestly, I’ve got a soft spot for the outsider.

So this year, when my husband came home and asked if we could host some Ethiopian students for Thanksgiving, I said, “YES! I was hoping we could host someone without a place to go!”

This year we won’t be celebrating the holiday with our extended family {they live almost 1,000 miles away}. We will be hosting a hodge podge of displaced persons from all over the world…and my daughters will be right there with me, serving and loving on others.

Do your girls see you washing the feet of others?

Have your children fallen in love with serving others?

How about starting a new tradition this Thanksgiving? Inviting a “displaced” person to share your table with you?

You probably need look no further than your church. Just put out feelers for students, seminary students, military families, newcomers, etc who may not have family in the area.

Here are some ideas to make the time memorable and special for all:

~Have all guests participate in making this Recordable Book; An excellent, unique way to make a memory!

~Praise God together for His faithfulness (We will read these short stories in this book by Barbara Rainey)

~Make  own tablecloth and mark it up with handprints as per these instructions. {We use a bed sheet and have adults do it too and write what we are giving thanks for that year. Sign and date your print and you can re-use the cloth and add to it next year and the next!}

~Take this Turkey Quiz

~Play this game on “Party” mode

~And maybe watch this mini-series if there is time ???? This of course is especially for the gals and is pure fun… (and clean)…smile…

So, you still have time! What new traditions will you plan this year?

Photo courtesy of Setting Table